An Abridgement of the notable work of POLIDORE VERGILE containing the devisers and first finders out aswell of Arts, ministries, Feartes & civil ordinances, as of Rites, and Ceremonies, commonly used in the church: and the original beginning of the same. Compendiously gathered by Thomas Langley.  
¶ IMPRINTED AT LONdon within the precinct of the late dissolved house of the Grey Friars, by Richard Grafton Printer to the Prince's grace, the xvi day of April, the year of our lord M.D.xlvi.  
Cum privilegio adimpris mendum solum.   

TO THE RIGHT worshipful sir Antony Denny knight his daily orator Thomas Langley wisheth prosperity and long continuance of worship.  
LACTANTIUS writeth that certain philosophers of Epicures feet did sore bewail the estate o● 〈◊〉, as week and far under the degree of beasts, because they were by nature fenced as well ●rom all displeasures & griefs of unseasonable air, as armed against the assaults and invasions of their enemies, and only man destitute & void of all such and other like succours & purueighaunces: For both beasts & birds have every one according to their kind skins, hides, or feathers, to sustain the sharpness of the cold, and to bear of the stormi rains and tempests, & also weapons as horns, tusks, and other like muniments too resist their foes, or at the least they have agility and swiftness, to escape and preserve themselves from danger Contrariwise mankind is of his nature so delicate and tender that he can abide no heat, no cold, no rains, nor tempestuous wether: so feeble also he is that his membres be not able to help his own weakness, much less too understand or avoid the power of his enemies. But if these gross and carnal philosophers had withdrawn their hearts from viewing the behaviour of the body, and applied their mind to the contemplation of the worthiness of the soul, they should have well perceived their own error, the base and vile condition of beasts the high dignity of the soul, & the excellent nobleness of man. For albeit this frail and earthly body of ours is not so strong as the brutish carcases of beasts be, yet by reason of their grossness they be unfit to receive the spiritual soul of man, or to be meet instruments of the same, where as the imperfection of man's body is abled by the inventive and politic reason of the soul which deviseth all necessaries, for the use of the said body by all endeavour and industry. And that man, which can shift for himself, decline from things hurt full, foresee also things to come, is judged & reputed worthy the title and name of a man, so he likewise far excelleth all kinde● of living creatures, which although they be better armed with the gifts of nature▪ yet for default of reason to govern the same, they be far inferiors to the nobleness of man, which knoweth through the dotes & qualities of the soul too devise all necessaries fit for his affairs and business.  
Wherefore me think them worthy of high commendation, that have bend themselves wholly to adorn and garnish this life mortal, with their inventions, & to accomplish the feeble indigence of our condition, by the diligence of their provision: as they that have excogitated & imagined any art whereby the comen wealth of the world is preserved, or any other handy crafts or ministries too the maintenance aid and comfort of the body. Howbeit they be worthy to have greatest laud and praise, that by their devices have found out the sciences liberal, wherewith the divine and imperial part called the soul of man is beautified: yet may we not therefore forget writers of meaner things, but be of duty bound to make some worthy memorial of their benefits declaring our kindness toward them: to the intent other might be encouraged to enterprise the acheving of like endeavours to the great aid and preferment of the whole common wealth, considering that their such devices shallbe registered to their perpetual fame & renown. And seeing that the arts and crafts, with other like feats, whose inventors be contained in this book, are in this realm of England occupied & put in daily exercise to the profit of many and ease of all men, it were in mine opinion both a point of detestable unkindness, and a part of extreme inhumanite too defraud them of their praise and perpetual memory, that were authors of so great benefits to the universal world. For as a beneficial gift conferred to a man that hath need thereof, is of the own propre nature commendable, so if the receiver of that so liberal benignity, show himself in mind inwardly oblivious and forgetful, or in deeds outwardly unthankful, it is naturally hated, and as an unnatural vice abhorred.  
In consideration whereof I was moved to take in hand too compile out so well as my learning would serve me, in a brief some such things, as Polidore Vergile hath copiousli gathered together by much reading, by long study, & hath written with great learning, concerning the inventors of things, to th'intent the authors of such necessary arts might not be forgotten, & Polidore for his great pain and travail in collecting and celebrating the said arts and sciences might receive thanks according to his deserts. And although the book translated might have been for the diversity of matter profitable: and for the authors high learning laudable, & finally to a good translator commendable, yet in so much, as for the greatness, it should have been to the bearers grievous, & for length to the readers tedious, I thought it best to omit some part, not because any thing was superfluous, or otherwise written than well But for as much as many things might be taken diversly, and other wise than they were meant. Therefore I have not admitted any thing in too this abridgement, whereby the reader may be justly offended, nor have on the other side omitted any such sentence, that either concerned the title, or that might in any part please or profit the readers. And as Polidore in his book written in latin doth pretend to replenish & enrich latin men with delectation and knowledge of things delectable & worthy knowledge, not minding to derogate either any laudable ceremonies, or to define upon any matter, now or then being in controversy: even so I much desirous, according to the little talon that God hath given me, to do all men good, have translated the said book of Polidore into our English tongue, to the end, that also artificers and other persons not expert in latin, might gather knowledge and take pleasure by the reading thereof.  
ALTHOUGH this book be but simple & unfit to be presented to your good mastership, ye it seemed of very right due to be offered to you because you have been always, as the most part of men report, and many by experience can testify, not only inflamed with desire of knowledge of antiquities, but also a favourable supporter of all good learning and a very Maecenas of all toward wits. Wherefore I dedicate this book to your Mastership for the conformity of the argument being to your foresaid desire correspondent: In somuch as it conteigneth the original of all civil arts and handicrafts and also the inventors of all such ceremonies as be used in the church. And here plainly may be perceived what the scripture of GOD commandeth, what things men's policy have devised for the setting forth of good order, and what hath crept in to the congregation to the perverting of our faith and seducing simple people with superstition: as these manifold swarms of popish religions, that here among us were not long ago used, with other papistical baggage. And I took it to be my bond duty to bestow the first fruits of my labours (albeit they be very slender and rude) after such sort, that they might be, not only a continual monument of the special love and mind that you have too further the knowledge of the truth and abholishe ignorance, hypocrisy, and all other like painted holiness: but also too be a testimony of my honest and loving heart toward all favourers of good learning and most specially toward your Mastershipe, whose worthy fame men of pure living and high knowledge do so extol, both for your alacrity and readiness in preferring the blessed word of God and the sincere setters forth of the same, that you need nothing the testimony of my commendation. notwithstanding when opportunity shallbe given me, I shall not apere slack in this behalf, desiring you in the mean time to take this little book into your tuition, so doing you shall bolden and encourage me hereafter to employ more earnest labour in doing some thing that may redound to your perpetual memory and renown: Praying in the mean time for the long continuance of your Maistershipe in health felicity & increase of knowledge in our lord to whom be only honour for ever.   

  

The first book.  

The first Chapter. ¶ The original of the Heathen Gods.  
WHAT time the spirits of the air (whom the scripture calleth rulers of this world) began to give answers of Prophecy out of Images made to resemble mortal men, 
Ephe. vi.  and by their wicked subtlety did pretend themselves some time to be of the number of good spirits, some time God's celestial, and sometime the souls of valiant lords: they brought men into such error, and perplexity, that in short space they did all together alienate men's hearts from the religion and reverence of the very God. And for somuch as their spiritual nature is subtle, they usurped the name of good Angels. For after the opinion of antiquity, not only to every man, but also to every singular place and family were allotted two Angels: Whereof the one went about to endamage us: 
Good angels  the other with all endeavour studied to profit us. These invaded particularly every house, conveyed themselves into men's bodies, and closely in their entrails imbeciled their health, procured diseases, illuded their hearts with fantastical visions and dreams: And by such mischief enforced men to repair to them for help, and inquire their oracles and answers, which of purpose had doubtful understandings: 
Oracles doubtful.  lest their ignorance should be perceived. 
What men were deified.  By these deceitful means, they were so deified, that sundry people after diverse sorts chose them gods, and with great reverence worshipped them. For such men, as every nation had attained any special commodity by: to the furtherance or garnishing of their living, or builders of cities, or ladies excellent in chastity, or men puissant in arms, were honoured for gods, as the Egyptians had Isis: the Assyrians Neptune: 
Isis. Neptunus.  the Latins Faunus▪ the Romans Quirene, Athens Pallas, the Delphians Apollo, 
Faunus Pallas. Apollo jupiter. Belus.  the Cretians jupiter, the Assyrians Belus, and many countries had diverse other gods, & some which is shame to speak, worshipped brut beasts, & took them for gods, by reason whereof the Grecians had the opinion that the gods had their beginning of men. And thus when men withdrew their fantasies from imagery to the spirits invisable, they persuaded themselves that there were many gods, & of no smaller number then mortal men.  
Of this variety of opinions the philosophers, 
Opinions of the philosophers.  which laying away all private and public affairs, employed all their study in tracing out the truth, took occasion to dispute of the nature of gods diversely. As Thales Milesius, which first searched such matters, said that God was an understanding, 
Thales.  that made and fashioned all things of the water as matter preiacent. Pythagoras' called him a lively mind, that pierced and passed through all things, of whom all living creatures received their life: and Cleanthes defined God to be the air. 
Cleanthes. Anaxagoras.  Anaxagoras esteemed him to be an infinite mind, which did move itself, 
Chrysippus.  Chrysippus thought he was a natural power endued with godly reason, Some were of the opinion that there was no gods. As Diagoras and Theodorus affirmed plain that there was no God at al. 
Diagoras.   
Protagoras reported that he knew no certainty of the Gods, 
Protagoras.  wherefore the athenians banished him out of their empire.  

Epicurus.  Epicurus granted there was a god, but such one as was neither liberal, bountiful, nor that had any regard of things: that is to say, God is no God, but a cruel & unkind monster. Anaximander supposed the Gods to be borne and not to die till after many ages. 
Anaximander.  
The Egyptians.  The Egyptians because of the ancienty of their lineage, feign the Gods to have begun among them, and that they were but two and everlasting: the son whom they called Osiris, & the Moon that was named Isis. notwithstanding Lactancius writeth, that Saturnus was the first father of the gods, 
Saturnus father of the gods.  which begat jupiter, juno, Neptune, Pluto and Glauca by his wife Ops. And for the benefits that they showed to their subjects, they were deified of them. But in such variety of opinions it is a thing difficile too determine the first offspring of the gods both because they be but vain, and also sprung out of mortal humanity. And again to speak of God as he is in his supernatural essence is a thing dangerous, 
To speak of the nature of God is dangerous.  because we can neither behold the resplendent brightness of his majesty with our corporal eyes, nor with any quickness of wit comprehend his infinite might, as the poets Simonides did declare very well: 
Simonides.  for when he was required of king Hiero to show him what thing and of what sort God was, he desired to have one day respite: when he asked him the next day, he prayed to have two days: and so often as the king inquired of him an answer he increased the number of the days of deliberation: the king marveling that he doubled so many times the days, inquired why he did so? For the more (ꝙ he) that I consider the thing and muse on ●t, the more obscure and in●ricate it seemeth to me. The which thing if the philosophers, ●●●che like to blind warriors, wandering in darkness had done, they would not have devised so many lies to offend or displease their creator. For it is better to be ignorant in the truth, then to teach error. Therefore to conclude (as Macrobie writeth) there is but one God, 
One God.  subject to no mutability, of all natural things one eternal, of all natural things the cause principal, which saith by his Prophet isaiah, I am God, afore me there was no other, neither shallbe after me, with out beginning, only everlasting, of whom Virgil writeth thus. 
Heaven, and earth, and the water large,  
The bright circle of the heavenly sphere,  
The spirit all fostereth: and hath full charge  
Passing through all, to guide it every where.  AND Plato saith there is but one God, and affirmeth that this world was created by him: and was called God, 
what God is  because he giveth freely to men all things good & profitable, and is of all goodness in this world the cause principal, fountain and spring.   

The ii Chapter. ¶ The principles of natural things.  
ALBEIT it was convenient to have begun this present treatise of declaring the principles of natural creatures, and so consequently to have expounded the original of the Gods, forsomuch as they have their beginning of the same things: yet the reverence that I have to the true God, which was afore all other creatures, moveth me to begin at him as the cause principal of the rest. Therefore as concerning the causes of things, I will show first the minds of the philosophers that be most probable, until I come to the truth self. Thales one of the seven wise men of Grece holdeth opinion that water was matter of all things. 
Water is cause material.  Contrary wise Heraclitus an Ephesian and Hippasus suppose all to be procreated of fire Empedocles saith the four elements were the causes of things as Lucretius writeth. 
Fire, Four elements.   
Of water, earth, air, & fiery gleed,  
All things natural duly proceed.  
Anaximenes thinketh all things to have their beginning of the air, Metrodorus affirmeth the universal world to be eternal without beginning or end. 
Air.  Epicurus one of Democritus disciples putteth two causes Atomos or Motes & vacuite or emptiness, 
Atomos  of these he saith, the four elements come. These are the opinions of the Philosophers, that were men without the knowledge of God: but (as Moses & josephus record) the scripture concludeth that God made all things of nothing in the beginning, 
The world was made of nought.  as s. john saith all thing was made by him. And therefore (as Lactantius writeth) let no man be curious in searching of what stuff God made these great and wonderful works, for he formed them all of nothing by the power of his mighty word. For as David the prophet singeth, he spoke the word and they were made, he gave commandment and they were created. Of the same opinion is Plato in his book called Tymaeus. 
Plato.    

The iii Chapter. ¶ The procreation of man, the diversity of languages, and division of nations.  
THE most famous writers of natural histories (as Diodorus recordeth) spoke of two sundry manners of birth: 
Two opinions of the birth of man.  and first stock of mankind. For they which contend that the world was ungenerate, and with out any danger of corruption, say also that man hath been in a certain perpetuity without beginning. Of this opinion, were Pythagoras, Architas, Xenocrates, & Aristotle with other Per●patetekes, affirming that all things in the eternal world, which have been or shall hereafter come to pass, be by generation endless and without beginning, and have only a circuit and course of generations, wherein both the birth & natural resolution of things may be perceived. Other that suppose this world had both an original cause of being and shall also sustain an end by putrefaction, 
The second opinion.  hold opinion that man had a time of his generation. For this cause the Egyptians report that men were first borne among them, 
The Egyptians opinion of man.  aswell by reason of the fruitful rankness of the soil, and seasonableness of the air, as by cause of the river Nilus, which, for the lusty fatness of the slime, doth procreate diverse kinds of beasts, & hath in itself naturally a certain power nutrative. For in the country of Thebais Mice be engendered of the mud: 
Mice engendered of the mud.  Wherefore men of those party's marvel much, when they be hold the fore parts of them to the breast wallow & move sensibly in the mire, and the hinder parts as yet nothing fashioned but all out of shap.  
Nevertheless Psammaticus their king, 
The story of Psammaticus  desiring to know in what country men were first begotten, devised this mean. He caused ii young infants new borne to be delivered to his herdsmen to be brought up among his cattle, & commanded that no man should speak any word to them, because he would know what word they would speak first. Then two year after, when the herdsmen opened the door where they were nourished, they stretched out their hands and cried Becos, which in the Phrygians language signifieth bread. Thus it was known that the Phrygians were the eldest lineage and first borne. The Ethiopians, of this conjecture, 
Ethiopians opinion of man.  think themselves to be the first, because no man would come out of any other place into that region, and they of that party be by a general consent called home bread, 
Aborigines.  and (as Diodorus sayeth) it is probable that those under the Meridional equator should be the ancientest of al. For seeing the heat of the sun drieth up the moisture of the earth, and hath also of itself a power to give and preserve the life of things, it is like that the place which marcheth nearest to the sun should bring forth the first living creatures. 
Anaximander.  For that cause Anaximander taught that men first sprung of water and earth warmed with lively heat. Empedocles in a manner confirmeth the same, where he writeth, that every particular member was severally made & proportioned of the earth (as a mother) and so to have been compacted and conglutinated by heat and moisture into the perfect figure and shape of a man.  

Democritus.  Democritus thinketh men were first made of water and mud tempered together. 
zeno.  Zeno judgeth the cause of mankind to have proceeded of the new world. And men to be only begotten by the aid and comfort of the divine fire, that is the providence of God. As for the poets, some feign how man was made out of soft clay by Prometheus, 
poets.  some say that they sprung of the hard stones that Deucalion and Pyrtha cast, and thus much is of the vain opinions of Genrilitee. But to speak the truth (as scripture teacheth) the beginning of man was in jury. 
God made man.  For God when he had finished the world, did create the first man Adam of the earth in the field of Damasce, 
Adam the first man.  as some think. Thus Adam made by God marrying his wife Eve was author and beginner of the whole posterity and lineage: But forsomuch as God formed but one man, and endued him with one kind of speech only to utter and declare the things that he conceiveth in his mind: men perchance will marvel, what the cause should be that there be at this day so many diverse languages, that according to the variety of countries there be sundry speeches. And therefore I thought it convenient to show the occasion of the same. 
diversity of speeches.  What time Nembroth the son of Cham that was son to Noah, after the universal flood went about to withdraw men (which dread the danger of drowning) from the fear of God, 
Religion.  supposing all their hope to consist in their own might & power, persuaded them to build a tower of such altitude, 
Babylon.  that the water should not be able to over flow it. Whilst they were thus earnestly occupied about their enterprise, God divided their speeches in such sort, that one of them could not perceive another by reason of the discord and disagreeing of their languages. And thus began the diversity of tongues that we use & have now. The same occasion was that the posterities of Noah were dispersed and scattered a broad. For when one could not understand another's language, it came to pass that every man departed into sundry provinces and countries, 
Division of nations.  and there named places whereof they had the governance, & also cities, which they builded, after their own names as Eusebius testifieth. The sons of Noah were Sem, 
Sons of Noe.  Cham, and japhet. The issue of Sem was Elam, whereof the Elamites came. 
auctors of the names of countries.  Assur, of whom the Assyrians were named Arphaxad was author of the Arabians and Lud of the Lydians: the children of Cham were Chus that named the Ethiopians, and Mesre the beginner of the Egyptians. Chanaan of whom the Canaanites had their name: the lineage of Chus was Saba whereof the Sabees came, & Euila author of the Euelites. And semblably we must believe that of them came all other nations and people of the world, which be now in so great number, that they cannot easily be numbered & counted.   

❧ The four Chapter. ¶ The beginning of marriage and sundry rights of the same.  
GOD after that he had fully accomplished, and perfectly polished the world and the rest of his creatures were in their kind consummate, than (as Moses teacheth) made man last of all, to be lord and sovereign of the whole body of the world, as one to whom the other his work should be subject in obedience because he was fashioned after his own likeness. And lest so worthy a creature should by death perish, or the world might want his governor and ruler, 
Institution of wedlock.  it liked him to make woman out of the body of man, and so with the bond of matrimony combined them together, that they should not live after the manner of brut beasts: Therefore hath God joined Adam & Eve in marriage in Paradyse afore they knew sin, 
Marriage began in paradise.  that by the congression and company of these two sexes and kinds, their issue might be enlarged & replinishe the whole world. In this sort was matrimony instituted, albeit antiquity feigneth Cecrops king of the Athenians to have ordained matrimony, 
Cecrops.  for which cause he was reported to have had two faces. But all countries did not entre like bond of matrimony, 
The manners of divers nations in marriages.  neither kept it after one fashion. For the Numidians, Egyptians, Indians, Hebrews, Persians, Parthians, Thracians, and almost all the Barbarians, every one according to his substance married wives, some ten some more. The Scythians, the Scots, and athenians used their children and wives in common, and occupied with them abroad openly like beasts, The Massagites married every one a wife but they used them commonly. 
Massagites. Arabians.  Among Arabians it is the manner that all kinsmen should have but one wife, and he that came to meddle with her, should set his staff at the door: for their custom was to bear a staff, albeit she lay every night by the eldest: by this means they were all brethren. An adulterer was there condemned too death, 
Punishment for adultery  which was perceived by this if he were of another family or kindred. Where chanced on a time a strange thing worthy to be had in memory, 
A story.  there was a certain kings daughter of excellent beauty, which had xu brethren, that loved her all interely well, and used therefore one after another to resort and company with her: she began by such daily dalliance to be weary of their wanton company, and devised this fear, she prepared staves like her brother's staves, and by and by, as one was gone, she set a staff at the door like to his, and by that deceit the other when they came too the door, supposing one to be within pressed no further: and it fortuned on a day when they were all together in the court, one of them departed from the other and repaired to her house, and when he espied a staff at the gate, thinking it too be some adulterer, for he was assured that he left his brethren in the court, he ran to his father and accused his sister of adultery: but when the matter was known, it was perceived that he had falsely slandered her. 
Biing of wives.  The Assyrians and the babylonians bought their wives in open market at a common price, which custom among the Saracens and Arabiens yet still remaineth. 
Nasamones.  The Nasamones when they be first married, use to suffer their wives the first night to lie with all her gests, in the worship of Venus, & from thenceforth they keep themselves chaste, and pure of living. A certain people of the Carthagens, which border on Egypt, were wont to offer such maids as should be married to the king of that region, to deflower whom it pleased him. 
The use of Scotland.  In Scotland also the usage was that the Lord of the soil should lie with the bride afore her husband: but for somuch as it was unfitting to be frequented among Christians, 
Malcolme king of the Scots.  their king Malcolme the third of that name about the year of our Lord. M.xcix did abolish that beastly abomination, & ordained that every maid should give the Lord for the redemption of her maidenhead a crown of gold. 
Single livers  Some people lived single, as certain nations called Cristae & Esseni among the hebrews, which did abhor the calamities and trouble in Marriage. Wedlock was observed sincerely and reverently of the Romans till divorcement began, 
Divorcement.  which although it be an occasion that women should more earnestly keep their chastity, yet our religion doth scarcely permit it. One Spurius Servilius, 
Spurius Servilius.  the year after the city was founded. CCCCC. xxii. (Marcus Pomponius and Caius Papirius being consuls) first sued a divorce from his wife, because she was barren: for which fact albeit he took openly another afore the censoures that he did it because too have issue, yet he was among the common sort evil spoken of. This decree of devorcing was taken out of the laws of Moses, 
Moses ordained divorcements.  which made the first constitution of that matter, yet was there this difference, for by Moses it was only lawful for the husband to forsake his wife, but the Romans decree gave them both like liberty. 
Rites of marriages.  The rites of Marriage were divers in Rome, the manner was that two children should lead the bride and another bare afore her a torch of white thorn in worship of Ceres, that like as she with fruits of the earth doth nourish men: so the new Bride like an housewife should bring up her children. Which manner is used in England, saving that in stead of the torch, there is borne here a basin of silver or gold before. A garland also of corn ears was set on her head: or else she bore it in her hand, or if that were not, when she came home whea●e was scattered abroad over her head in tokening of plenty and fruytfulnesse. Also afore she came to bed to her husband Fire and Water were given her, 
Fire and water given in token of chastity.  which have power too purify and cleanse: signifying thereby that she should be chaste and honest of her body. There were besides these diverse rites which I omit. 
Maids of Rome and Grece.  The maids of Grece and Rome (as it may appear by Homer and Catullus) used customably to gird their privity with a lace or swathell till the day of their marriage. The Bride anointed the poostes of the doors with swines grease, because she thought by that means to drive away all misfortune, whereof she had her name in Latyn 
Vxor abvn gendo. . Neither might she step over the threshold, but must be borne over, to declare that she loseth her Virginity unwillingly, with many other superstitious ceremonies which be to long to rehearse.   

❧ The .v. Chapter. ¶ The institution of religion and who worshopped gods first with sacrific●.  
IT is no doubt but men which at the first with out any governor led an uplandish and a rude manner of life, 
Occasion of Idolatry.  did highly advance in honour and praises their first kings: & by the persuasion of the devil, either for their wondered manlynes and virtue, or to flatter the condition of their dignity, or for some special benefit that they received by them, magnified them as gods. Whereby it came to pass that kings, being well-beloved of their people, left a great desire and ferventness of themselves among their subjects and posterity: by reason whereof men made Images of them, 
Images of kings.  to take a comfortable pleasure of the beholding of them: Afterward because to encourage men to virtue and chivalry, they reverenced them as gods, for every valiant courage would with more alacrite enterprise dangerous adventures for the common weal when they perceived the noble acts of worthy and puissant men, to be recompensed with honour and laud of the immortal gods. Thus temples began first to be builded, and new service of the gods, by the ordinance of Melissus, 
Melissus,  in the time of jupiter, or not long afore. Albeit that the truth & very original may be absolutely known, let us appoint the custom of idolatry to have begun in the time of Belus king of the Assyrians, 
Belus.  which reigned in the three M.C.lxxx. year of the world, whom the Babylonians first worshipped for a God, and set up an Image of him and therefore they that think Idolatry hath endured from the beginning of the world are deceived. Herodotus sayeth that the Egyptians first builded altars, temples, Images and made sacrifice to the gods, and after taught them to strangers: Some suppose that Mercury showed with what ceremonies gods should be honoured, some say it was devised by king Numapompilius.  
Diodorus thinketh that the Ethiopians did institute the rites of sacrificing to the gods, 
Ethiopians.  which thing Homer in his Ilias witnesseth, where he telleth how jupiter & the other gods went into Ethiopia to the oblations that were customably made there, & also repaired thither to feel the fragrant odours, that perfumed from the sacrifices. And the Ethiopians received for a reward of their holiness, that they should never be conquered, but ever live in liberty, without any bondage. Lactantius affirmeth, that Melissus king of Crete did first sacrifice, and ordained other solemn rites in the ceremonies of their gods. 
janus.  In Italy janus and his son Faunus appointed sacrifices to Saturn, and after them king Numa set up a new religion. 
Cadmus. Orpheus.  Cadmus out of Phenice, and Orpheus out of Trace brought first into Grece the mysteries, solemnities, dedicating of Images, and hymns of their gods.  
Albeit Herodotus sayeth that Cecrops king of Athens fet all such constitutions and ordinances out of Egypte into Grece, 
Cecrops.  and first invocated jupiter, founded Images, set upalters, and offered sacrifices, that were never seen before in Grece. But to God almighty, whom we christians honour and serve Cain and Abel first offered, 
Cain. Abel. Enos.  and Enos first called upon the name of God.   

❧ The sixth Chapter. ¶ Who found the letters, and the number of them.  
LETTERS, wherein is contained the treasure of memory, 
Letters.  and by whom things notable be preserved in fresh remembrance, after the opinion of Diodorus, 
Diodorus.  were found by Mercury in Egypt, yet some say one Menon an Egyptian devised them, 
Menon. The Egyptians letters.  but in stead of the letters they of Egypte used to signify and declare the intents and conceits of their minds by the figures of beasts, fishes, fowls, & tres Pliny sayeth, 
Pliny.  he ever thought that the Assyrians excogitated the letters. which Cadmus brought out of Phenice into Grece, 

Cadmus found xvi letters.  
Palamedes added four letters.   which were but xvi in number. A. b. c. d. e. g. i. l. m. n. o p. r. s. t. v. to these Palamedes added in the battle of Troy other four 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Simonides found as many 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Whose power is contained in our letters. Aristotle sayeth there were xviii of the old 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. and that Epicarmus put to the other two θ. and ω. 
Epicarmus.  Hermolaus supposeth he put to Υ. Herodotus writeth how that the Pheniciens that came with Cadmus to inhabit Thebes, 
Cadmus.  brought letters into Grece, which were never seen in use there afore time. Some think the Ethiopians invented them, and then taught them to the Egyptians, that were one of their provinces. But Eumolphus telleth unfeignedly that the beginning of letters did proceed of Moses, 
Eumolphus.  
Moses.  which reigning long afore Cadmus' days, taught the jews the letters, & thence the Pheniciens received them, & the Greeks learned of them. Which thing is conformable to the saying of Pliny afore rehearsed for jury is a part of Syria, & the jews be syrians. Nevertheless I find by josephus that writing was afore Noah his flood, 
Sons of Seth found the letters.  for the sons of Seth wrote in ii pillars, one of brick & another of stone, the science of Astronomy, whereof that of stone, in the time of josephus remained in Firia. Philo ascribeth the invention of them to Abraham, which was elder than Moses, albeit I had rather assign to Seth's children the beginning of writing. As for the Hebrew letters which be now, after the mind of s. Jerome, were but newly invented, & devised by Esdras: for afore that time the hebrews & Samarites used all one carecters and print of their letters.  

Hebrew letters  The old Greek letters the same that the Romans use now, as Pliny conjectureth by a certain brazen table that came from Delphos, which was dedicated & hanged up in a library in the temple of Minerva at Rome in his time. They were brought into Italy by evander & the Archadiens which came into Italy to inhabit there as ovid telleth in his book De fastis. 
evander brought letters into Italy.   
The etrurians had also a form of letters by themselves, wherein the youth of Rome was instructed as well as in the Greek letters, which one Demaratus a Corinthian taught the etrurians. 
Demaratus taught the etrurians letters.  And like as the Grecians had enlarged the number of their letters, so the italians following their example put to theirs, f. k. q. x. y. z. h. which h. is no letter, but a sign of asperation f. they received of the Aeolians, 
The letter f. was taken of the Aeolians.  which both among the old Romans & Aeolians had the same sound & pronunciation that p. with an asperation hath, which we use in writing Greek words. And afterward Claudius Caesar, as Quintiliane writeth, appointed that it should be taken in the place of v. consonant as fulgus for vulgus, 
F. for u. consonant.  fixit for vixit And even so our Englishmen use to speak in Essere, for they say fineger for vinegar, feal for veal, & contrary wise a vore for afore, voure for four And by process of time it was used for ph. in Latin words k. was borrowed of the Greeks, but no good author useth it in writing Latyn q. was added because it hath a grosser sound then c. 
q. letter. x. letter.  The letter x. we had also out of Grece, although (as Quintiliane judgeth) we might well forbear it, in somuch that they used for it either c. s. or g. s. Likewise y. and z were fet from the Grecians & be used of us only to write Greek words.   

❧ The vii Chapter. ☞ The invention of Grammar.  
next the letters, the invention of Grammar must ordinarily succeed, both because it is the foundation & ground whereon all other sciences rest: & also for asmuch as it taketh the name of letters. For Gramma in Greek signifieth a letter in English. Grammar is an art that doth consist in speaking and writing without fault, so that every word have his due letters, and is divided, after the mind of Quintiliane, 
Two parts of grammar.  into two parts: the way to speak congruity, and declaring of poets. As Tully writeth, there is required in gramariens, the declaration of poets, the knowledge of histories exposition of words, and a certain utterance of pronunciation. It had the beginning of marking and observing what was most fit or unfitting in communication, which thing men counterfeiting in their speech made this art, even as rhetoric was perceived. For it is the duty both of Grammariens and orators to have a regard & respect how to speak. Hermippus saith that Epicurus first taught the art of Grammar, 
Epicurus taught grammar first.  and Plato espied and perceived first the commodity & profit of it. In Rome it was nothing esteemed till one Crates Malotes was sent by king Attalus to the senate to teach it between the second & third battles of Punic, 
Crates taught grammar in Rome  a little afore the death of Ennius the Poet. It is of all other sciences the most special, for it showeth a mean & way to attain all the rest of the faculties and arts Neither can a man come or attain to any excellency in any art, unless he have first his principles of Grammar perfectly known, and thoroughly perceived.  
Therefore in old time Grammariens were called judges and allowers of all other writers, & for that cause they were called Critici.  
In this excelled Didimus and Antonius Enipho, 
Antonius Enipho a schoolmaster.  whose school Marcus Cicero resorted unto diverse times, after this affairs of the law were ended: Nigidius Figulus, Marcus Varro, Marcus Valerius Probus, & the arrogant Palemon with many other. Of the Greeks Aristarcus, Aristotle, and Theodoces were chief.   

¶ The viii Chapter. ¶ Of Poetry, and Meter, and sundry kinds of the same.  

Poetry.  POETRY is a goodly art: aswell because no other discipline can be perceived, except a man study it vehemently, for it comprehendeth all other sciences: as for that where other faculties be devised by the pregnance, of man's wit, this art only is given of nature by a divine inspiration, without which Democritus affirmeth there could never be excellent Poet: for it proceedeth not of art or precepts, but of a natural inspiration, and spiritual power. And therefore Ennius called poets holy, 
poets be called holy of Ennius.  because they be by a special prerogative commended & praised to us of God. The beginning of this art is very ancient and as Eusebius saith, 
Hebrues were auctors of Poetry.  it flourished first among the hebrews, that were long afore the Greeks. For Moses the great captain of the jews, 
Moses.  what time he led them out of Egypte into the land of promise, passing the red sea, which by the power of GOD gave place to them, inspired by the holy ghost made a song of Exameter verses, to render thanks to God for that benefit.  
AND David the holy Prophet of GOD, 
David  after he was dispatched of all his affairs to war, and escaped the assaults and dangers of treason, living in great peace, devised many pleasant ballads and tunable Hymns, 
The Psalter of David.  of the praise of God in sundry kinds of Meter. For as samet Jerome saith, the Psalter of David goeth in as good number and measures, as either the Greek Planudes, or the Latin Horatius, sometime in Alcaeus numbers, sometime in the metre of Sappho, sometime with half measures. What is godlier than the song of Moses in deuteronomy and of Esaias? 
Solomon. job.  more ancient than Solomon? more perfect than job? And we may worthily ascribe the invention of it to the hebrews, but in deed Orpheus and Linus, 
Orpheus. Linus  and after them Homer and Hesiodus did first polish and adorn the Art with all kind of furnature. The Romans received it not till of latter time, for Livius Andronicus (as Tully writeth) CCCCC. xiii. year after the city was builded, 
Livius. And●onicus.  Caius Claudius, Cento and Marcus Tuditanus being consuls, set forth the first Interlude or fable a year before Ennius was borne. Afore those days it was had in such despite, that if one had professed himself to be a Poet, he was taken for a murderer or ruffian. The beginner of metre was God, which proportioned the world, 
The world was made by metre.  with all the contents of the same, with a certain order, as it were a metre, for there is noon (as Pythagoras taught) that doubteth, but that there is in things heavenly and earthly a kind of harmony, and whiles it were governed with a fourmal concord and described number, how could it long continue? All other instruments, that we occupy, be all fashioned by a manner of measure. And Diodorus assigneth the invention of Meter, which the poets fulfilled with a spiritual influence, use in their works, to jupiter as to almighty God.  
Of Metres there be divers kinds that hath their name, 
diverse kinds of metre.  either of the thing that is described therein, as heroical Meter is so called of the valiant deeds of arms of noble men, 
Heroical verse.  that be contained in it, wherein also Apollo gave his Oracles, therefore Pliny saith we have that Meeter of Pithius Oracle: or of the inventor as Aesclepiadical or of the quantity as jambus, 
Archilocus found iambus  because it standeth of a short and a long, which Archilocus found first, or of the number of feet, as Exameter and Pentameter which is also called Elegiacal the sheppeheardes songs, Daphnis the son of Mercury found, 
Daphnis found the shepherds carols  and other divised other songs, which I let pass for my purpose is only to speak of the inventors of the Meeter, and not to persecute the particulars.   

¶ The ix Chapter. ¶ The beginning of Tragedies, Comedies, satires, and new Comedies.  
TRAGEDIES and comedies had their beginning of the oblations (as Diodorus writeth) which in old time men devoutly offered for their fruits to Bacchus. 
Tragedies.  For as the altars were kindled with fire, and the Goat laid on it, the choir in honour of Bacchus' song this Meeter called a Tragedy. It was named so, either because a Goat, which in Greek is called Tragos, was the reward appointed for him that was author of the song, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  or because a Goat, which is noyefull to the wines, whereof Bacchus was first inventor, was sacrificed to Liber: or of the grounds or dregs, which in Greek is called Tryx, with the which stage Players used to paint their face, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  afore that Aeschylus devised v●sers The beginner of them, 
Vys●rs were found by Aeschylus.  after the mind of Horace, was Thespis: albeit, Quintilianus saith Aeschylus set furth first openly Tragedies afore any other, Sophocles & Euripides did furnish them more gallantly. In Rome Livius Andronicus made the first Tragedy, wherein Accius, Pacwius, 
Famous tragedies.  ovidius and Seneca excelled. The Comedies began what time (the athenians being not yet assembled into the City) the youth of that country used to sing solemn verses at feasts abroad in the villages, and high ways for to get money, they were so named of the Greek word Comos for banqueting or Come a street, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  and Ode a song. Albeit it is uncertain among the Grecians who found it first. In this kind of writing Aristophanes, Eupolis & Cratinus bore the price: of the Romans, Livius Andronicus found it first. In a Tragedy noble parsonages, as Lords, 
A Tragedy.  Dukes, Kings and Emperors be brought in, with an high style: 
A comedy.  In a comedy, amorous dalliance, matters of love, & deflowering of maidens be contained. heaviness is apropried unto a Tragedy: and therefore, when king Archilaus desired Euripides to write a Tragedy of him be denied it, 
Archilaus.  wishing that never such thing should chance to him, as should be worthy of a Tragedy, for it hath ever a miserable end, and a Comodie hath a joyful end. A Satire is a poesy. 
A satyr●.  rebuking vices sharply not regarding any persons. There be two kinds of satires, the one is both among the Greeks and Romans of ancient time used, 
Two sorts of Satyrs.  for the diversity of Metres much like a Comodye, saving that it is more wanton. Demetrius of Tharsus, and one Menippus a bondman, whom Marcus Varro did counterfeit, were writers in this kind. The second manner of satires is very railing, only ordained to rebuke vice, and devised of the Romans upon this occasion. When the poets, that wrote the old Comodies, used to handle for their arguments, not only feigned matters, but also things done in deed, which although at the first it was tolerable, yet afterward, 
Lybe●ye of the old satire  it fortuned by reason that they inveyhed so liberally, and largely, at their pleasure against every man, that there was a law made, that no man should from thenceforth reprehend any man by name. Then the Romans in the place of those Comodies substituted such satires, as they had newly imagined. Then also began the new Comedy, 
New Comedy.  which concerneth generally all men of mean estate: and hath less bitterness and railing, but more pleasantness and pastime for the auditors. 
Menander.  Of this Menander and Philemon were auctors, which assuaged all the crabbedness of the old writings. Of them learned Cicilius, Nevius, Plautus, and Terentius, the form to compile Comodies, albeit (as Quintiliane saith) th●y uneath attained to the least portion of their patron, because the latin tongue is not so fit to receive the ornaments of eloquency, as the Greek tongue is. 
Satire's whereof they were named.  The satires had their name of uplandish gods, that were rude, lassivious, and wanton of behaviour, In this form of writing Lucilius Horatius, Persius, Inuenalis, obtained great fame and praise.   

❧ The ten Chapter. ¶ The devisers of Histories, Prose and rhetoric.  

Histories.  HISTORIES of all other writings be most commendable, because it informeth all sorts of people with notable examples of living, and doth excite noble men to ensue such activity in enterprises as they read to have been done by their ancestors, and also discourageth & dehorteth wicked persons from attempting of any heinous deed or crime, knowing that such acts shallbe registered in perpetual memory to the praise or reproach of the doers, according to the desert of their endeavours. Pliny writeth that Cadmus Milesius first wrote histories among the Grecians, 
Cadmus wrote the story of Syrus.  which contained the gests of Cirus king of Persia. Albeit, josephus supposeth it to be more probable that Histories were begun by the old writers of the hebrews as in the time of Moses which wrote the lives of many of the eldest Hebrues and the creation of the world: 
Moses did write the first story.  or else to the priests of Egypte and Babylon. For the Egyptians & babylonians, have been of longest continuance very diligent in setting forth things in writing, insomuch, 
Priests of Egypt wrote stories.  that their priests were specially appointed to apply themselves to that purpose of putting in writing such things as were worthy to be had in memory As concerning the first writers of Prose, I cannot hold with Pliny, which saith Pheresides a Syrian wrote first pro●e in the time of king Sirus. 
Pheresides.  For it is no doubt but he that wrote histories, 
Prose.  wrote also prose first and Pheresides was long after Moses, which was. ccccccc.lxxxviii. years afore joathan king of the jeves In whose time the Olympiad's began, and this Pheresides (as Eusebius writeth) was but in the time of the first olympiad. 
Greek stories Latin stories.  Of the Grecians Xenophon, Thusidites, Herodotus, Theopompus, flourished most in writing histories of the Romans Titus Livius, & Caius Crispius Salustius with diverse other were had in high estimation. Afore that time they used Annals or Chronicles, which contain only the guests and facts of every day severally. The first office of an historiographer is to write no lie, the second that he shall conzel no truth, for favour, displeasure, or fear. The perfection of an history resteth in matter and words The order of the matter requireth, observance of times, descriptions of places, the manners, lives of men, their behavoures, purposes, occasions, deeds, sayings, casualtes, achievings, & finishing of things. The tenor of the words asketh a brief perspicuite and sincere truth, with moderate and peaceable ornaments  

Rhethoryke.  We may be sure that by and by after men were form, they received of God the use of speech, wherein what time they perceived some words to be profitable, and some hurtful in uttering of them: they appointed and gathered an Art of speech, or communication called Rethorycke, Which (as Diodorus doth say:) was invented by Marcurie: 
Marcurie. Empedocles.  but Aristotle affyrmmeth that Empedocles was first author of the Oratorial art. In Rome this feat of eloquence was never forbidden, but in process (as it was perceived to be profitable and honest) was had in such estimation, and so many, partly for their defence, partly for glory and ambition, employed their studies in it with such endeavour, that very many of the ignobility were promoted into the degree of Senators, and achieved much worship by it. 

Corax and Thisias gave rules of rhetoric.  
D●mosthenes Cicero.   Corax, & Thysias, being Sicilians gave first precepts in writing of this Science And their countremanne Leontinus Gorgias succeeded them. Demosthenes' o● the Grecians was principal, of the Romans, Tullius Cicero had no fellow. Now as touching the effect and property of it, there be in it (as Cicero writeth) five parts, first to invent stuff of matter to speak, 
Parts of rhetoric.  then formably to order his devices, ne●te to polish it and furnish it with elegance of terms, and picked words: & to have it in perfect memory, and last of all to utter it with comely gesture, in such sort that it delight, for it convenient treatablenes, teach, and plainly declare the thing, and move affections of pity and favour in the hearts of judges or if the cause permit, or time require, to excite a cheerful laughing and abandon grave severity. In terms of them that practise this faculty, we have this difference: we call him that defendeth matters, and pleadeth causes an Orator, 
Oratoure, Rhethoricien.  a Rhetoricien, is he that teacheth or professeth to be a schoolmaster in that art. A declamatour is he that is occupied in feigned causes, 
Declamator.  either for his own exercise, or to instruct other thereby.   

¶ The xi Chapter. Who found music, and what efficacy it is of in human affairs.  
MUSIC, by the testimony of ancient poets, 
Orpheus.  is very antic, for Orpheus & Linus both borne of the lineage of the gods were very excellent Musicians. And because the one by the sweetness of his harmony dilinited & modefied the gross hearts, and rude minds of men, it was feigned that he made the wild beasts, as Lions and Tigers to follow him: And the praisings of God's valiant prows, and deeds of arms of Lords were used to be song with Lutes at the royal feasts, as jompas in Virgil and Demodocus in Homer bear witness.  
The finders of music as Pliny supposeth was Amphion the son of jupiter by Antiope. 

finders of Music after divers authors.  
Dionysius. zethus'.  
Amphyon.   The Grecians ascribe the finding of it to Dionysius. Eusebius saith that Zephus and Amphion, which were in Cadmus' days, invented music: Solinus contendeth that the study of this art came out of Crete, and was perceived by the ringing & shryl sound of bralle, and so brought and traduced into numbers and measures. Polybius affirmeth that it came from the Archadiens, 
Archadiens,  which have an exceeding mind to that science, and Diodorus writeth that Marcury found the concords of singing. 
Marcurye found the concords.  Albeit, it is like that these only were the first setters out of it in Grece of late time for josephus telleth that Tubalcain an Hebrew the son of Lamech, 
Cubalcain.  which was many ages afore them, used much to sing to the Psaltrie and Lute, notwithstanding who was first procurer of it, and when it was found, it is yet uncertain, for it seemeth to have been given of nature to mankind at the beginning for a special reward, 
Nature gave music▪ to men.  to mitigate the cruel pains, wherein man is bewrapped and compassed on all hands, for a child new borne ceaseth of his lamentable cry at the singing and lulling of his nurse. In all king of labours song is comfortable, 
Labourers pass the time with songs.  the Galiman, the Ploughman, the carter, the car●er ease the tediousness of their labour and journey with carolings, leies, and whistling: yea, the brute beasts be delighted with songs and noises, as Mules with bells, Horses with trumpets and shawms are of a fi●arser stomach to their appointed ministry. And of whom I pray you learned the Birds their diversity of tunes? Who taught the nightingale so sundry nootes? Doubtless even nature was of this agreeable Harmonye the only schoolmasters. But the Egyptians did forbid their young folks learning of Music because it seduceth and maketh effeminate the hardy courage of men, 
music maketh men effeminate.  and Ephorus sayeth: it was ordained to delude and deceive men. Nevertheless, 
Socrates.  Socrates was not ashamed in his old age to learn to play on the Harp, and Themistocles, because he refused the Harp at a banquet, 
Themystocles.  was reckoned unlearned, the priests of Mars in Rome, called Salii song verses about the City. And specially the great Prophet David, 
Salii marti● David.  which song the mysteries of God in Meter▪ frequented singing.   

¶ The xii Chapter. Who found Musical instruments and brought th●m into Italy.  
IT is said that Marcurye found the Harp first. 
Harp. Marcur●.  For as he walked by the river Nilus after an ebb, he found a Tortyse all withered, and nothing remaining but the sinews, which as he fortuned to strike on them, made a certain sound: And after the patron of that he fashioned an Harp, and according to the three times of the year, 
Three strings in the harp.  Summer, Winter, and Spryngtyme, he put to it three Strings, a Triple, a Base, and a Mean.  
This instrument he gave to Apollo, and Apollo delivered it to Orpheus: Some think Amphion found it. 
Amphyon.  I find that the Harp had seven strings to resemble the seven daughters of Atlas, whereof Maia Mercury his mother was one. And then after that were two other put to, 
Goddesses of savour.  to represent the nine Muses.  
Some refer the original of the Harp and Pipe too Apollo, for his Image in Delos (as they say,) hath in the right hand a bow, and in the left hand the goddesses of favour. Whereof one hath a harp, an other a shawm, 
Shawms.  the third a pipe. Shawms were at the beginning made of Cranes legs, & after of great reed: Dardanus Trezenius used first to play & sing with them. 
Dardanius. Trezenus Pipe.  Pan an uplandish god, found the pipe of small reed first to solace his love. Eusebius saith Cibele found it, and some suppose it was Apollo. Timarias' played on the Harp or Lute, first without ditty, 
Singing to the Lute.  and Amphion song first to the Lute, but the Harp was found afore by Tubal and fashioned like the Greek letter delta. 
Δ   
Hermophilus first distributed the pulse and beating of the veins too certain measures of Music. And the Prophet David found diverse instruments, as Regalles and Nables. 
Regalles. Nables.  The Troglodytes found the Dulcimers. Pises Terrenes found the Brazen trump, 
Dulcimers.  which the Terrenes footmen used in their wars, some think it was Tyrteus or Dyrceus an Athenien. For what time the Lacedæmonians made war against the Messenians, 
Brazen trump  and the wars were long differred, they had answer of Apollo, that if they would win the field, they should have a captain of Athens.  
AND the athenians in despite sent to them one Dyrceus a lame and one eyed fellow, 
Dyrceus captain of the Lacedæmonians.  and all out of shape: albeit they received him and used his counsel, and he taught them to play on trumps, which were so fearful to the Messenians, by reason of strangeness of the noise that they fled forth with, and so they obtained victory, but in deed (as josephus witnesseth) Moses the valiant captain of the hebrews found the Troumpe and made it of silver. 
Moses found the trump Archadiens brought instruments into Italy.  The Archadiens did first bring all Musical instruments into italy, where afore that time they used only uplandishe pipes. Thucydides writeth that the Lacedæmonians used first in war Shawms, 
Lacedæmonians manner in war.  Clarious and Rebecks, to th'intent that when they were ready to the wars by such playing they might better keep array. 
Drumslades. in war.  The Romans footmen joined Droumslades with Trumpets. haliattes' king of the Lydians had in the battle against the Milesians Pipers and Fiddlers playing together, 
pipers and Fiddlers.  the Grecians, as they went to war had Lutes going afore them to modefie their pace, all other countries (as we do now) used trumpets in battle.   

¶ The xiii Chapter. ¶ The beginning of Philosophy.  
THE science of Philosophy, 
Philosophy.  which Tully calleth the study of wisdom, searcher out of virtue, expulser of vice after the mind of diverse did proceed out of Barbary in to Grece. For it is said that in Persie the Magiciens (for so they called their wise and sage men) were excellent in knowledge, 
Magiciens.  
Chaldees.  in Assirie the Caldees, in Ind the Gymnosophistes, having their name, 
Gymnosophistes.  because they went naked, had their part of wisdom, of which faction one Buddas was chief, in France the Druids, in Phenice Ochus, in Thrace Xamolxis, 
Druids. Ochus. Xamolxis. Orpheus. Atlas.  & Orpheus, in Lybie Atlas.  
The Egyptians say that Vulcanus, the son of Nilus found the first principles of Philosophy.  
Laertius writeth that Philosophy began in Grece, where Museus and Linus were first learned men, but Eusebius sayeth that Philosophy, like as all other sciences sprung among the hebrews, and of them the Greek philosophers, 
Hebrues were auctors of Philosophy.  which were a thousand year after Moses, learned all their knowledge. As for the name of Philosophy was not used among them, 
Pythagoras calleth himself a Philosophier.  till the time of Pythagoras, for he called himself a Philosophier, and his study of wisdom, philosophy, where afore time it was named wisdom, and they that professed it had the title of wise men. There be of it three parts, one called natural, 
Three parts of Philosophy,  another moral, and the faculty of reasoning called logic, natural treateth of the world and contents thereof, which Archelaus brought out of jonia unto Athens. Moral informeth the life & manners of men, this part Socrates traduced and applied from heavenly things, to the use of life, and to deserve good and bad, Logic inventeth reasons on both parts, and was found by Zeno Eliates, other divide it into .v. parts, natural, supernatural, 
Five parts.  moral mathematical, and logic.  
Dialoges, were made first by Plato, 
Dialoges.  or at the least furnished with more eloquence, for Aristotle sayeth that they were devised by Alexamenus Scyreus.   

❧ The xiiii Chapter. ¶ Astrology, the course of the stars, sphere, nature of the winds.  
THE earth is most subject to the influence, and operation of the planets, and by the temperate seasonableness of the constellations it bringeth forth abundance of fruits: and as julius Firmicus supposeth, the stars have also a power in the birth of men to make them of one fashion or other, 
Three power of the stars.  this or that complexion, of good or bad disposition, according to the respects, conjunctions or oppositions procure. And the Egyptians have devised and appointed to every night and day his peculiar God, 
Observing of days.  and what destiny, & what death shall chance to him that is borne on any such day. 
Chaldees.  And the Chaldees said, that to achieve any good or hurtful thing, the planets help much  
By this occasion men, through diligent observing of the celestial bodies, 
Astrology.  invented Astrology, wherein the whole movable course of the heaven, the rising, the going down, and order or the planets be comprehended, which the Egyptians advance themselves to have found: 
Egyptians.  Albeit some say Mercury was author of it, and Diodorus affirmeth it to be Actinus the son of Phoebus. 
Mercury.  Nevertheless, josephus plainly declareth, that Abraham instructed them, 
Abraham.  and also the Caldees in that art, & thence it came into Grece, for all the learned men of Grece, 
Grecians learned in Egypt.  as Pherceides, Pythagoras Thales acknowledge that they were disciples to the Egyptians and Chaldees. But Pliny writeth that Atlas was finder of it, 
Atlas.  & therefore the poets feign that he beareth heaven on his back. Servius thinketh it was Prometheus thar found it. Nevertheless all these, as I take it, were the beginners of this faculty every man in his own country only, where he dwelled: for even from the beginning of the world, 
Seth his posterity. Astrology.  the sons of Seth devised first the science of the stars, and for somuch, as they feared lest their art should perish, afore it came to the knowledge of men (for they had heard their grand father Adam say that all things should be destroyed by the universal flood, they made two pillars, one of stone, 
Two pillars preserved Astrology from the flood.  the other of brick, to th'intent that if the brick wasted with water or storms, yet the stone should preserve the letters whole and perfect, and in these pillars they graved all that concerned the observance of the stars. And therefore it is credible that the egyptians and Chaldees learned Astrology of the hebrews, and so consequently it spread abroad in other nations, and thus began Astronomy conceived to seduce men's wits. Among the Romans Sulpicius Gallus, in Grece Thales Milesius perceived the cause of theclipse of the Sun and Moon Endymeon marked first the course of the Moon and her changing as Pliny writeth. 

Eclipse of the Sun and Moon.  
Endymion perceived the course of the Moon.  
Pythagoras. observed the day star.  
Archemedes devised the sphere.  
The winds. Aeolia.   Pythagoras (as some say (observed the course of Venus called the day star, but as Laercius supposeth it was Permenides. The Sphere was devised by Archemides a Syracusan, but Diogenes taketh it to have been Museus, and Pliny ascribeth it to Anaximander. The winds were first observed by Aeolus, as it is reported, upon this reason. The inhabitants of the Ilelandes about Sicily prognosticate by the smoke of the said Isles three days before, what wind they shall have, and for that cause they say that Aeolus hath dominion over the winds. The winds, as some divide them, be four according to the four principal regions of the air, 
Four winds.  they that be more curious, make eight. And specially one Andronicus Cyrrestes, 
Andronicus.  which builded in Athens a turret, and set on every side of it the Images of winds, graven against the region whence the winds came, and set them on pillars of marble, and in the middle he set a brazen Image of Triton, 
Images of winds.  which he had made so that it would turn with the wind and stand with his face toward the wind that blewe, and point with a rod to the Image of the same wind, 
Wethercorkes. Fanes.  which manner is now used in all countries, for they set up wethercockes or fanes to show out of what quarter the wind bloweth.   

❧ The xu Chapter. ¶ Who found Geometry, Arithmetic, with other things.  
NILUS' THE MOST famous river of the world, from the time, 
Nilus surundeth Egypte.  that the Sun be in Tropico Cancri, until it come to the equinocciall line in Libra again, with an huge abundance of water doth overflow all the douned and plain countries of Egypte: by the altitude and deepness of this flood the Egyptians foresee the plenty and scarcity of fruits to come. 
Prognostication of plenty and scarceness.  For if it increase but unto the depeth of xii or xiii cubits, it portendeth lack of sufficience if it pass xiiii and so to xvi it importeth great plenty: in the time of Claudius Caesar it waxed xviii cubits and that was the greatest tide: the lest was in the time of the battle at Pharsalia whereby it signified, how sore that it abhorred the murder of the valiant Pompeie. What time Nilus with such inundation had partly minished, partly transposed, and the same time all together put away the meres and butrelles with which they dissevered their portions of land they were compelled often to measure their bonds afresh: 
Egyptians found Geometry.  for that cause the Egyptians glory that Geometry was imagined by them to measure lands. As Arithemetike by the phoenicians by cause to utter their merchandise. But josephus seemeth to attribute both to the hebrews, 
Hebrues after josephus mind found Geometry.  saying that God prolonged the time of their lives because of the studious labour that they employed in searching out of Astrology and Geometry, and the Egyptians were ignorant in Geometry and Arithmetic, 
Abraham taught the Egyptians. Contents of Geometry.  unto the time that Abraham taught them. Geometry containeth the description of lengths, bredthes, shapes, and quantities. In this excelled Strabo in Grece in the time of Tiberius, and Ptolemy under Traianus and Antoninus. In Italy Plinius and Folinus.  
Measures and weights were found by Sidonius (as Eutropius sayeth) the same time that Procas reigned in Alba, Aza in jury, 
Measures & weights.  and Hieroboham in Jerusalem. Some writ that Mercury devised them in Grece, Pliny ascribeth it to Phidon of Argos, Gellius to Palamedes, Strabo to one Phidon of Elis in Arcady. Diogenes sayeth that Pythagoras taught the Greeks weights and measures, but josephus affirmeth that Cain found them first of al.  
Numbers some say were invented 
Numbers.  by Pythagoras, some by Mercury. Livius supposeth that Pallas found them. 
Manner of reckoning years  The manner of counting years in Grece was by Olympiad's which contained the space of five years, as the Romans did by Lustra which contained the same number of years, and sometime they noted the number of years by letters, sometime by nails. 
Counting by nails.  For every year the Consul or chief judge called Praetor in the Ideses of September fastened a nail in the wall of jupiters' temple next joining to the temple of Pallas, to signify the space of years. 
Letters to count with.  And we use to write our numbers with these seven letters. C.I.D.L.M.U.. X. or with these signs. 1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9. which, 
Figures of Arithmetic  because they be in quotidian use, it needeth not to declare.   

❧ The xvi Chapter. ¶ Physic, and the parts thereof.  
PHYSIC, which with remedies provided of God, 
inventors of Physic.  doth much comfort and cure men in their maladies and diseases, that breast forth one every side, is thought worthily to have been invented of the Gods. For it is supposed that Mercury found it among the Egipcians, some say it was Apis their god: or Arabus son to Apollo. Some refer it to Apollo himself. 
Apollo god of medicines,  because the moderate heat of the Sun is banisher of all sickness. Clement doth attribute the finding of it to the Egipcians in general & the amplifying and enlarging of it to Aesculapius which beside other things, found the plucking out of teeth. notwithstanding, 
Plucking out of tethe.  whosoever found the notable knowledge of medicines, it is no fail but it was perceived by what things were wholesome and what unwholesome. 
Observing of diet was beginning of Physic.  And as they observed how the sick folks used their diet and marked how some for greediness did eat by & by, and some forbore their meat because of faintness of their stomach, and so were relieved, they learned that abstinence was a helper and furtherer of health: and by like observance other precepts of Physic were gathered.  
It hath three parts, one of dieting another of Medicines, 
Three parts of Physic.  the third of surgery, for by one of these iii ways every disease is relieved. But for somuch as it is uncertain and often changeth, it lay in extreme darkness till Hypocrates did renew it: 
Hypocrates reduced it to an art.  and where as they had a custom that the patient being restored to health should write in the temple of the god that helped him, both his name and the manner of healing, that the example might help the like disease: out of all such precedences he gathered precepts of Physic, and brought it first to a formal art.  

Archagathus the first Physician in Rome.  In Rome Archagathus of Peloponesus was first Physician, the ccccc. xxxv. year of the City, Lucius Emilius and Marcus Livius being Consuls, and was made fremanne of the city, which was first made a Surgeon or wonder, after for the sharpness of his cutting & sering, he was named a butcher or execucioner and murderer, and afterward when the number began to increase they were expulsed out of Rome and banished by Marcus Cato as Pliny telleth in xxxvi. book. 
Marcus Cato banished Physicians out of Rome. The manner of the Egyptians in their diseases.   
In Egypte and Babylon they used no Physicians, but brought the sick persons into the streets and common places, that the men, which passed by, might tell them what manner diet or means they themselves had used in the like disease to escape it: neither was it lawful for any man to pass by till he had commoned with the patient. In the latter days the Egyptians distributed the art of Medicines, in such sort, 
Every disease had a sundry Physician.  that every disease had a diverse Physician to minister in it, as one for the eyes, one for the head, other for the entrails, and semblably other for other sickness and so it came to pass that all places were full of Physicians.  
In this art excelled Cassius, 
famous Physicians.  Calpitanus, Aruncius Rubrius, Antonius Musa, Galenus, Auicenna.   

❧ The xvii Chapter. ¶ The inventors of Herbs medicinable, what remedies men learned of beasts.  

Herbs were create for man.  NATURE doubtless, the mother and governor of all things did create Herbs, as may appear by many examples, partly by the delectation, and partly for the wealth and preservation of men's bodies. For Xanthus' an historiographer (as Pliny recordeth) telleth how a Dragon revived his young faun, that was slain, by the virtue of an herb called Balin: 
Herb called Balin. Hechwal.  and the Hechewal if a wedge be driven into the hole of her nest (for she maketh her nest in the hole of a tree that she worketh with her beak) compelleth it to fall out with an Herb that she knoweth: and some of the Indians live only by Herbs, Appianus writeth, that the Parthians, which Antony put to flight, 
Parthians.  constrained by extreme famine, chanced too eat a certain Herb, whose nature was to make them that eat it, too forget all other things, and only dig up stones, as if they would go about some great endeavour, and after such extreme travail died. Of such medicines made with Herbs. Chiron son to Saturnus and Phillara was the finder, 
Chiron was author of medicines & salves.  and devised also salves for wounds, soores, and biles, albeit it some think it was Apollo, some refer it to his son Aesculapius, whom Chiron brought up, some to the Samothracians. But I suppose they attributed the invention of it to Chiron because he found the Herb centaury, 
Centauro was found by Chiron.  wherewith he healed the wound, that he had by Hercules' shafres falling on his foot, as he was handling of his weapons: notwithstanding Celsus saith that the art of Physic is very ancient, but he maketh no mention of the author of it, 
Asclepiades abolished Physic.  only he sayeth, Asclepiades, which was an excellent Physician, did abholishe the use of it for somuch as it annoyed the stomach and engendered evil humours Mercury found the use of Moly, 
Moly. Panace.  Achilles' yarrow, Esculapius, Panace and sundry men found sonderye Herbs. Medicines of Honey, Sol the son of Oceanus invented: and beasts taught men certain Herbs necessary for medicines. As the Heart stricken with an arrow driveth it out with Detany: & if he be stinged with a Spider, 
Detany.  he healeth himself with eating Pills or a certain herb named Cancer. 
Cancer. Selandyne.  Selandyne, that is a sovereign herb for the sight, was perceived by the Swallows, which healed the eyes of their young ones with it. The Snail or tortoise, ready to fight with the Serpent, armeth himself with savoury or Maioram. The Boar in his sickness cureth himself with the ivy. 
savoury. Maioram.  Of the water Horse in Nilus, 
Ivy.  men learned to let blood. 
Letting of blood.  For when he is coarsye & unlusty he seeketh by the river side the sharpest reed stalks, and striketh & vain in his leg against it with great violence, and so easeth his body by such mean: And when he hath done he covereth the wound with the mud.  
The Ibis a bird much like the stork, of the same country taught Phisiciens to minister clysters: For when she is full, she purgeth herself with her crooked beak at the fundament. The wesyl in chasing the serpent preserveth herself with Rue, 
Rue. Organye.  and the stork with Organye. In Grece Orpheus, Museus, Dioscorides, in Rome Marcus Cato, Pompeius Leneus wrote of the nature of herbs. In this time Pliny thinketh, that this art was first received among the Romans.   

¶ The xviii Chapter. ¶ The beginning of Magic. Driving out of spirits, Charms, prophesying in sundry manners  
MAGIC had it beginning of medicine, & was the invention of Zoroastres king of the Bactrians, 
zoroastres found Magic.  which reigned viii C. year after the siege of Troy, the same time that Abraham and Ninus reigned, about three M.C.lxxxv. years after the creation of the world. Lactantius and Eusebius think it was set forth among other devilish sciences by the evil spirits, and Pliny calleth it of all arts the most deceitful. It is compact, of medicine or physic, superstition, and the mathematical arts. 
Thessaly used Magic.  The Thessalonians most specially were slandered with the frequent use & practising of this faculty: The writer of this art was Hosthanes. And Pythagoras, Empedocles, 
Hostanes wrote bohes of Magic.  Democritus, Plato with divers other sailed in far countries to learn it: wherein Democritus was most famous CCC. year after the city was builded, in which time Hypocrates published the faculty of Physic. ¶ The manner to drive out spirits out of men that were possessed with them, 
Driving out of spirits. Charms.  and charms to heal corporal maladies, king Solomon taught, as josephus witnesseth: and he saw it done by Eleazar in his time afore Vespasianus then emperor. 
Eleazar driveth out spirits.  The manner to heal them was such: He put to the nose of the possessed man a ring wherein was enclosed a root that Solomon had showed, & so drive out the spirit, and strait way the man fell down: then he conjured him with such orisons ande●orcismes as were appointed by Solomon, to banish the spirit out of the Demoniake  
The sages or wise men of Persye, which in their language be named Magi, 
Magi.  being wholly addict to the honouring of their false gods, came to such extreme folly, that they professed openly, that they could not only by the observation of the stars know things to come, but also by other pretenced arts and mumbling of a few words, they could do & bring to pass avy thing that they would. ¶ Of them were invented these six kinds of Magic, necromancy, 
Negromantie.  which is by raising up of dead men, as in Lucan one raised from death, telleth the adventures of the battle of Pharsalus.  

Pyromantie.  Pyromantie, that telleth things by the fire and lightning as Tanaquilla the wife of Tarqvinius Priscus, prophesied that Servius Tullius should be king of Rome because she see the fire environ his head. The finding of this Pliny referreth to Amphiaraus.  
¶ Aenromantie that is a kind of prophesying by the air, as by flying, 
Aenromantie  feeding, singing of birds and strange tempests of wind & hail. Hydromantie, was prophesying by water: as Varro writeth that a child did see in the water the Image of Mercury, which in C. and fifty verses told all the chance of war against mythridate's king of Pontus.  
Geomantie, was a divination by opening of the earth. 
Geomantie.   

Chiromantie  ¶ Chiromantie is a conjecturing by beholding the lines, or wrinkles of the hands called commonly Palmistry.  
All which deign illusions, & false persuasions, it becometh all true Christians to eschew and abhor.   

¶ The xix Chapter. ¶ Two kinds of divination, soothsaying casting ●●ttes, and reading of dreams.  
CICERO maketh ii kinds of divinations, 

Two kinds of prophiciing.  
Natural.   one natural and another artificial. Natural is that, which proceedeth of a certain concitation, stirring, & commotion of the mind, that chanceth sometime to men when they be in dreams or sleeping: sometimes when they prophesy in a manner of fury & ravishing of mind, as it did to Sibilla & diverse other religious persons: Of this kind were oracles of Apollo and jupiter Hammon. Albeit they were often false, because they came of a devilish policy, & man's subtlety: but such as come of the holy ghost and not of a phrenetike madness be true.  
¶ The artificial consisteth in those things which come of conjectures, 
Artificial.  old considerations, and observances of the entrails of beasts, flying of birds, casting of lots.  
¶ The regarding of the bowels of beasts began among the Hetrus●ians: 
Beholding the bowels of beasts.  For as it fortuned a man that ploughed, to raise up a deeper sorrow than he was wont to do, all suddenly arose out of the earth one Tages, that taught them all the feats of soothsaying, but Pliny sayeth one Delphus found it.  

Feeding, flying and chittering of birds.  The divinations by looking on the feeding of birds Theresias a Theban devised, Caras first marked the chittering of them, and Pythagoras observed their flying.  
Orpheus' added the divination by other beasts. What store we ought to set by such divinations, Mossolanus a jew teacheth us. When he was in the wars, a certain prophet commanded every man to stand still till he had taken a conjecture of the bird that flow by: but Mossolanus took privily a bow and shaft and killed the bird, 
Mossolanus letteth the Augury.  wherewith the wysarde & diverse other were displeased, than he said to them. Why dote you so? can the bird, which knoweth not of her own death, tell us the casual adventures of our journey? For if she had had any fore knowledge, she would not have common hither to have been killed of me.  
Casting of lots, Numerius Suffusius devised first at Prenest. 

Casting lots.  
Dream reading.    
The expounding of dreams Pliny ascribeth to Amphiction, but Trogus assigneth it to joseph son to jacob, Clement sayeth the Telmessians found it. But all these were invented to seduce men with superstitious error and for the commodity of them that use it.   
❧ Here endeth the abridgement of the first book.   


¶ The first Chapter. ☞ The original of laws, and who made the first laws.  
LAW IS a constant and perpetual good thing, 
Law.  without which no house, no city, no country, no state of men no natural creature, not the world itself, can consist farm and stable. For it obeyeth God and all other things, air, water, land man be in obedience to it, & Chrysippus calleth it a knowledge of all divine and human matters, commanding equity, and expulsing wickedness and wrong.  

Three laws. Natural.  ¶ There be of laws three kinds: one natural, that is not only appropried to man, but also it concerneth all other lively things either in the earth, sea, or air. As we perceive in all kinds of living creatures naturally a certain familiarity of male and female, procreation of issue and approclivitee to nourish the same the which proceedeth of a natural law engrafted in the hearts of every of them: nature herself, that is God, was author of this.  
¶ The second is named the law that all men use, 
Ius gentium.  generally through all the world as to show a man the way, to communicate to men the commodity of the elements, water and fire, to this kind appertaineth the law of arms, and it is called in Latin Ius gentium.  
Civil law is the private law of every country or city, 
Civil law.  as of the Romans, lacedemonians, and athenians. This consists in decrees of princes, statutes, and proclamations.  
The chief & principal laws were promulgate by God, confirmed after the most depured and perfect manner that natural equity could devise or conceive, and be in stable constance, and subject to no transmutation. After the example of these, man hath invented laws to defend & preserve good men, and to punish & keep evil persons in office and good order.  
Such laws Ceres made first, 
Law makers, Ceres.  as Diodorus supposeth, but other think it was Rhadamanthus, & afterward other in divers countries devised and ordained laws, as in Athens Draco and Solon, 
Mercury. Minos. Lycurgus. Phoroneus. Romulus.  in Egypte Mercury, in Crete Minos, in Lacedemony Lycurgus, in tire Tharandes, in Argos Phoroneus, in Rome Romulus, in Italy Pythagoras, or after the mind of Dionysius the Archadians, that were under evander, as their sovereign lord and chief captain. Not withstanding the very true author of laws was God, 
God was the true author of laws.  which first planted in us the law of nature and in process of time when that was corrupt by Adam and his posterity, he gave by Moses the law written to reduce us again to our first state and true instinct of nature, 
Moses promulgated the first laws in writing.  which was afore all other. as Eusebius declareth.   

¶ The ii Chapter. ¶ Who ordained the first governance of a commonalty, tyranny, with other constitutions.  
THE administration of a common weal, 
The manner of ruling the common wealth. Monarchy. Aristocracy.  is after three sorts, as Plato divideth it, Monarchy, where one ruleth, aristocraty, when the best men govern, Democraty, 
Democraty.  or popular state where the common people have a stroke in ruling the public weal. principality or a kingdom was first begun by the Egyptians which could live no while without a king or ruler: 
Kingdom began in Egypt.  there reigned first, as Herodotus sayeth, Menes, and their manner was to choose him among the Priests of their religion: & if it fortuned, that any stranger obtained the realm by conquest, he was compelled to be consecrated priest, and so was the election legitimate, when he was king & priest. The Diadem, that was the token of the honour royal had it beginning by Liber Bacchus.  
The athenians first ordained the state of a public wea●e that was governed by the whole commons, 
Democraty began in Athens.  as Pliny thinketh, albeit they had also kings, whereof Cecrops Diphyes, which reigned in Moses time was the first. For as justine writeth every city and nation had at the beginning a king for their chief governor, 
first kings how they behaved themselves.  which attained to the dignity by no ambition or favour, but by a singular wit, and sober modestnes, and reigned with such loyalty that he seamed only in title a king, in deed a subject. Ninus king of the Assyrians, 
Ninus did enlarge his empire.  contrary to the old rite and custom of an ambitious desire that he had to bear rule, first arrogantly usurped th'empire of all Asia, except Ind. As concerning the institution of the common wealth, where the common do all things, notwithstanding the mind of Pliny. I suppose it began among the hebrews, 
hebrews ordained Democraty.  which were ruled by a popular state many years afore that Athens was builded. 
aristocraty.  The form of policy which is governed by the best, as the Romans common wealth was, I can not well tell where it had it original, whiles I should assign it to the Thebans, which in the time of Ninus ruled the Egyptians, whose rule, because the valiant and noble bore the authority, was called a power or potency, which was the three thousand C.lxxxv. year of the world. Pliny writeth that after Theseus, Phala●is was the first tyrant, 
Theseus' first tyrant.  whereby it appeareth, that he thinketh Theseus was author of tyranny, but Nenroth of the Image of Noah, 
Nembroth.  not long after the flood used tyranny.  
¶ Bondage, as Pliny taketh it, began in Lacedemonye and was their invention: 
Bondage.  nevertheless I find that it began among the hebrews, & had the original proceeding of Chanaan the son of Cham, which because he had laughed his father Noah to scorn, as he lay dissolutely when he was drunk, was punished in his son Chanaan with penalty of bondage and thraldom a thing to them very strange, and to his posterity, grievous. ¶ The order of manumission in old time was in this manner, the lord or master took the bondman by the head or some other part of his body saying I will this fellow be free, 
The order of manumission  & put him forth of his hands. The council of the Areapagites, which were called so of the court or street of Mars, were instituted by Solon to judge of life and death, their custom was to use such severity, and integrity in judgement that they heard all causes and matters in the night, 
Ariopagites judged in the night.  & not in the day: to the intent they should have no occasion to regard the parties, but only have their eye and respect earnestly to the thing that was brought afore them. Voices, which be used and occupied in consultations, 
giving of voices.  judgements and elections were first ordained by Palamedes.   

❧ The iii Chapter. ¶ The iii manner of regiments in Rome, the beginning of ornaments royal with other matters pertaining to a common wealth.  
ROME which was of all the world, the most renowned city both for the valiance of arms, and civil policy whereby it was governed, had three forms of regiments. In the beginning it had kings, 
Kings of Rome.  for Romulus which was builder thereof reigned there, & after him vi other under whom the principality lasted CC.xliiii. years after the city was builded. Then Tarqvinius being banished for the notable crime and rape of Lucretia, committed by his son, it was ordered by ii consuls. junius Brutus, & L. Tarqvinius Colatinus: They had the name and title of consuls, 
Consuls in Rome.  of the consultation & provision that they made for the common wealth: they ruled the empire, conducted hosts, and by these officers, because they were annual the years were counted. Not xii years after the expulsing of the kings, when xl cities of the Latins, Octavius Manilius, son in law to Tarqvinius being their captain, had made insurrection and conspired against the Romans T. Largius was created dictator or great master, 
Dictator first in Rome.  which office was highest in authority, and as Dionysius thinketh, it was taken of the Greeks, among whom Elymnetae had the same power that Dictator's had in Rome. 
Elymnetae.  Livius referreth the original of them to the Albans: & the Carthaginiens had also their dictator's. This magistrate was never used saving in great dangers of the common wealth, 
The space of the dictator's office.  & it continued but vi months, during that office all other magistrates were abrogated except the Tribunate or Provostship of the commons: The consul's duty was to name and proclaim him, 
The time of denouncing the dictator  and that no time but in the night: albeit what time the Veients had won the Romans camp, A. Cornelius Cosus Marshal of the army, need so constraining, denounced Mamercus Aemilius for dictator contrary to that statute. About three hundredth year after the building of Rome the public state was transferred from the consulship unto the rule of ten called decem viri which endured but three years, 
Decrees.  for by reason of the outrageous lust of Appius Claudius against the maid Virginea, they were disposed, & consuls were substituted to supply their room. Then the CCC.x. year of the city, in the place of Consuls were chosen marshals or provosts of armies whom they named Tribunes, Aulus Sempronius, 
Tribunimilitum.  Attacinus, L. Attilius Longus, & T. Celicius Siculus. The authority of the commons began daily seditions and confederaties to increase. In such sort, the C. Cunuleius brought to pass that the communalty married with the nobility, 
Democratia began in Rome.  and the Tribunes by their earnest instance and suit caused that the high offices were permitted to them of the common sort. As the ccc.lu year of the building of the City P. Licinius calvus was made tribune of the host, 
P. Licinius a man of the commons.  the. CCC.lxxxix. year L. Sextus Lateranus attained the consulship, the ccc.xcix year C. Martius Lateranus was created Dictator.  
From this manner of governance, it was by Sylla and Marius brought to one ruler or prince again. 
L. Sylla C. Marius.  Thus hath Rome had all kinds of administration of the common wealth. 
Royal ornaments.  The imperial ornaments of the kings of Rome, as farthels of rods, the a●e, the garland of gold, the chair of ivory, the kyrtyl or cope, chariot, trapped horses, rings, coote armours, robes, mantles of estate, embroidered gowns, with garments of baudkyn or motley with all other royal apparel began among the tuscans, which Tarqvinius Priscus subdued and used these first by the permission and licence of the Senate. The xii lictours or sergeants Romulus first appointed after the manner of the xii nations of the etrurians whom he conquered, which gave to every of their kings, when he was crowned a lictour or sergeant: whose duty was to wait on the magistrates & bear the rods & are of execution. The rods (as Pliny writeth) were of byrche. The institution of taxes or nombering the people, 
Taxes or subsides.  Servius▪ Tullius king began in Rome first, but Moses long afore that numbered the Israelites, & therefore the first tax, subsidy, or tribute was ordained by Moses among the hebrews and the counting of the number of the people.  

Prisons, fetters, stocks.  prisons, fetters, stocks, gives, staves, with like instruments to punish malefactors, Ancus Martius as Livy saith, did first appoint them to keep men in fear and good order.   

The four Chapter. ¶ Who ordered the year, the diversity of it, months, nonce, Ideses, halendes and prime.  
HERODOTUS writeth that the Egyptians afore all other men first found out the year by the course of the planets, 
Egyptians found the year.  and divided into twelve months. Diodorus assigneth it to the Thebans, which standeth well with the opinion of Heredotus, because the Thebans be a nation of Egypt, and Egypt was sometime named Thebes. Servius saith that Eudoxus found it first, & after him Hipparchus. Laertius seemeth to ascribe it to Thales a Milesian, which as he testifieth, 
Thales.  first perceived the seasons and times of the year, and parted it into. CCC.lxv. days: but that as I think was but only among the Grecians. josephus witnesseth that the year was devised by the hebrews in Egypt afore Noah his flood. 
diverse divisions of the year.  There be diverse fashions of dividing the year, the Archadiens finished their year in three months, the Cariens & Acarneus in vi months: There was a year that consisted in xxx days, which was counted by the change of the moon, there was also the great year that ended, when all the planets returned into one point or line, 
The great year.  & after the mind of Cicero it contained xii M. nine. C.liiii. years of the son: josephus in the first of his antiquity saith it containeth but six hundredth year. The other Grecians numbered the full year with. CCC.liii. days: 
Romulus' ordered the year March. April.  Romulus first divided the year into ten months whereof March, that he named of his father, was first, April the second had that name of Venus, because she was borne of the froth of the sea, which is called Aphros, may of the ancient men, june of the young men: The other he named of their order and number as quintilis, sextilis September, October, Novembre, December: Albeit afterward Quintilis was called julius in honour of julius Caesar, and Sextilis was changed into Augustus, for the memorial of the emperor Augustus Caesar. Not withstanding for so much as this year, that Romulus ordered, did neither agree to the course of the son, nor changes of the Moon, Numa applied it to the course of the Moon by putting to lvi days, 
Numa added to the year.  whereof he made two. months, the one he named january of janus the first king of the Latins, 
january.  
February.  the other February of their god Februus, which had the pre-eminence ●u●t their purifications. Afterward Numa of a superstitious opinion that he had, suposing God to be delighted with odd numbers, gave to january April, june August, Septembre, Novembre, December xxix days: To March, may, Quintilis that is july and October xxxi and to February xxviii. days. 
julius Cesar made the year perfect.  Last of all julius Caesar put to the whole year ten days & six hours, whereof he put to these months, january, August, & December every of them ii days: And to April, june, September, & November he gave to each of them one day. In this manner julius Caesar accomplished the year perfectly according to the course of the sun, & of the vi hours every four year amounteth a day, which causeth leap year (as we call it) in latin it is named bissextus, 
Leap year bissextus.  because every forth year we count twice the vi calend of March. 
Months.  ¶ The months have their name because they measure the space and course of the Moon. Thus the year hath xii months, 
Days of every month.  whereof April june, September, and November have xxx days, all the rest hath xxxi days, saving February, which hath but xxviii. in the year be lii weeks and a day. Days there be. CCC.lxv. & vi hours. The kalends, nonce, & ideses hath their appellations of the manner of reckoning of the Romans. 
kalends.  kalends were named of calling, for at every change the chief ruler of the sacrifices called rex sacrificulus called to an assembly in the Capitoly or place of Rome all them of the country, and showeth them their festival days, and what it was lawful to do the month. The Nones had the name because they were the ix day from the ideses, 
Nones. Ideses.  which ideses be the mid days of every month, and had their appellation of the tuscans term iduare that signifieth to divide or separate in the mids. This fashion of counting the month endured to the. CCCC.l. year of the city, & was kept secret among the bishops of their religion till the time that C. Slavius, P. Sulpitius Auerrio and P. Sempronius Sophullongus then being Consuls, against the mind of the Senators disclosed all their solemn feats, & published them in a table that every man might have perseverance of them. The Prime, 
Prime.  whereby we find the conjunction of the move, and all movable feasts as Lent, Easter, whitsunday with other like, was invented by the great clerk saint barnard.   

¶ The .v. Chapter. ¶ Who ordained the hours, dials clocks, dividing the day and night.  
HOURS, 
Hours.  which being in number xxiiii. accomplish the space of a day & night, were so named of the son, which in the Egyptians language is called horus. 

Horus. Sol.  
Mercurius Trismegistus appointed xii. hours   They at the first were appointed but twelve of this occasion. Hermes Trismegistus, perceiving a certain beast consecrated to their God Serapis, to make water or piss xii times in the day of equal distance, supposed therefore that the day ought to be divided into xii hours. This number did continue long, but afterward that day parted in xxiiii hours Anaximene● a Milesian found in Lacedemony the first dial, 
Dial's.  that declareth the hours by the shadow of the Gnomon. It was long afore they were used in Rome, for (as Pliny writeth) in the xii tables there was only rehearsed the rising & going down of the sun, & a few years after, Noon or midday was added, which the Beadle or common crier did denounce. 
Bedel denounced noon.  This was but only on clear days, when they might perceive the course & altitude of the son. The first dial was set up on a pillar openly, which stood behind the common pulpit or bar called rostra at the cost of M. Valerius, 
M. Valerius Messala ordained a dial in Rome Water dial.  Messala then Consuls in the first battle Punic. The water dial was used first in Rome by P. Scipio Nasica the ix. c. year of the city to divide the hours of the day & night. Albeit it was invented by C●esibius of Alexandria. afterward clocks made of metal were invented by subtle wits, 
Clocks  and sand dials were imagined, 
Sand dial.  whose authors be yet unknown. In some places the clocks strike xxiiii hours by order, 
Striking of the clocks.  in other some, as in the West parts of the world, it smiteth twice in the day xii hours in such order that the xii hour is at noon and at midnight, which is more commodious for the rekeners than the other. The days which be reckoned in sundry wise of diverse nations, began in Egypt, 
Sundry division of days.  where the year & months were also devised, they take all the space from midnight to midnight for one day, and the Romans used the same manner. For as plutarch writeth, the sun rising is the beginning of all affairs & functions, the night is a time of counseling & appearance, and they had assigned to every hour a sundry ministry, as Martial in his Epigram declareth. 
The day was divided in sundry wise,  
That every hour had a several office,  
The ii first served for salutation,  
The third for lawyers alteration,  
Two next were spent in labours diversly,  
The sixth men might themselves rest quietly,  
The seventh of works was resolution,  
The eight was for wrestlers, and in conclusion,  
The ninth was limited for men's repast,  
And so forth the other, of time was made no waste.  ¶ The babylonians called the space between the Sun risings a day: The athenians named all that was between the goings down a day. The Vmbrians count their day fro noon to noon: but commonly the day is called the space from morning till night. 
Parts of the night.  The night was divided into iiii. watches, whereof every one (as Hierom witnesseth) contained three hours.   

The vi Chapter. ¶ Who set forth books first, or made a library, Printing, paper, parchment art of memory.  

Books,  BOOKS, which contain the monuments of ingenious wits, and be a register of all valiant prowess, in Grece were first published, as Laertius thinketh by Anaxagoras: as Gellius sayeth, it was Pisistratus that made the first book, & exhibited it to be red openly. 
Pisistratus made the first book.  notwithstanding josephus declareth that the hebrews and priests of Egypte and Chaldee set forth books first.  
The athenians seriously multiplied the number of books, 
Athens made many books  which Xerxes carried from thence into Persie, & Seleucus king of Macedony caused them many years after to be conveyed to Athens again. 
Ptolomeus libraries.  After that Ptolomeus king of Egypt gathered together seven C.M. books, which were all brent in the former battle of Alexandria. Nevertheless, Strabo recordeth that Aristotle did institute the first library, 
Aristotle had the first library.  and left it to Theophrast his disciple, & taught the kings of Egypte how they should order their library: Theophrast left it to Meleus & of him Scepsis received it. There was also a library at Pargamus very ancient. 
Asinius Pollio.  In Rome Asinius Pollio had the first library, which was occasion that good wits employed great and grave study in learning to the ample furtherance and commodity of the common wealth of the city. There be at this day many in Italy, but the most famous is the liberary, 
F. Feltrius.  which Fredrick Feltrius duke of Urbine did cause to be edified. Truly the commodity of lyberaries is right profitable and necessary but in comparison of the craft of Printing, 
Printing.  it is nothing, both because one man may print more in one day, than many men in many years could write: And also it preserveth both Greek & Latin auctors fro the danger of corruption. It was found in Germany at Magunce by one I Cuthenbergus a knight: 
john Cuthenbergus found Printing.  he found moreover the Ink by his devise that Printers use xvi year after Printing was found, which was the year of our lord. M. CCCC.lviii. one Conradus an Almaigne brought it into Rome: & Nicolas johnson a Frenchemanne did greatly polished and garnish it: And now it is dispersed through the whole world almost. Before the use of Paper men used to write in leaves of date trees, and sometimes on the bark of trees: 
Men wrote in plates of lead  afterward they wrote the public writings in plates or sheets of lead, & their private matters in tables & wax, for tables (as Homer testifieth were afore the siege of Troy Paper was devised by king Alexander as Varro affirmeth, 
Paper.  it was made of a kind of fen rushes, that grew in the marish grounds of Egypte. But Pliny sayeth, it was used in the time of king Numa, that reigned CCC. years afore Alexander, & his books, which were found in a chest of stone in filled by L. Pitilius a Scribe, were written in paper. In process of time paper, that we use now, was invented: 
Paper.  it is made of linen cloth beaten together in mills made for that use Parchment, as Varro witnesseth, was found in Pargamus, 
Parchment.  albeit the writers of Hebrew stories, as josephus showeth, used parchment: they wrote also in goat skins & sheep skins, in old time as Herodotus declareth. There be diverse manner of papers, as paper royal, 
diverse manner of Paper  paper deinye, blotting paper, matchauntes' paper. The usage of writing by caractes is very ancient, and was found by Tyrotullius freeman as Eusebius supposeth, and julius Caesar used it much in secret and privy counsels. The arts of memory was found by Simonides in Thassalye: For what time he was boden to a banquet at a noble man's house called Scopa, 
Art of memory.  it chanced that he was sent for to speak with ii young men at the gate and strait way the banqueting house fell and destroyed all the gests: Then he, because he remembered in what order and place every man sat delivered every man his friend to be buried. By that fact both he perceived the order of the art of memory and what commodity came to the remembrance of man by such places and images as be contained in that feat. In memory excelled Cyrus' king of Persye, 
Men of great memory.  which could call every man in his host by name. Cyneas the ambassador of Pyrrhu● the day after he came to Rome saluted every order of nobles by their proper names, Mithridates could speak x●ii. languages. julius Caesar could write, reed, indite, and hear a tale all at ones. Adrianus the emperor could do the same.   

The vii Chapter. ¶ The beginning of war with other things concerning the same.  
CHIVALRY, 
Mars author of chivalry.  wherein is declared the manly courage of noble captains, was devised, (as Tully sayeth) by Pallas, as Diodorus thinketh, the manner of war was found out by Mars. Albeit josephus telleth that Tubalcain, 
Tubalcain.  which was afore the flood did first practise feats of arms, whereby it appeareth that the use of wars is of great antiquity, but it is uncertain who was the first warrior. Afore the finding out of weapons, men used to fight with their fists, feet, and biting. And thus began battle, as Lucretius writeth.  
Hands gripen, foot, tooth, & nail  
Were first weapons used in battle  
afterward they began to fight with staves and clubs. 
staves.  And therefore they assign to Hercules a staff and a lions skin. For men in the beginning used staves to revenge their injuries and quarrels, & covered their bodies with skins of wild beasts in stead of armour. 

Palamedes. array.  
Watches. Warding. Watch words.   Palamedes ordered and set men first in array appointed watches and warding to be kept, and watch words in the battle of Troy. At the same time Sinon excogitated bekons and fires Pliny saith that the Pheniciens invented first the policies of war: Diodorus affirmeth that Mars forged first weapons, and armed soldiers with them, and therefore the finding out of them is attributed to him: but the instruments of war were found by divers men at sundry times.  

helmets. Swords. Spears. Targets.  helmets, sword, and spears, the Lacedæmonians found: yet Herodotus supposeth the tergattes and salads to be the invention of the Egyptians, and so to have comen into Grece.  
The habergeon was devised by Midius Messenius, 
Haberion. shields.  shields by Pretus and Acrisius as they fought together.  

Leggeharnes javelins Darts.  ¶ Leg harness and christs of salads were invented by the Cariens, javelins Etolas, Darts with thongs or strings by Etolus son to Mars, bills by the Thraciens, 
jousting spears. Morespikes.  jousting spears and morespikes by Tyrrhenus: they were used first in the siege of Capua, that Fulgius Flaccus laid to it. penthesilea imagined poulaxes, 

Pole-axes. Hunting staves. Bow and shafts. Scythes.   and Piseus hunting staves: bow and shafts, scythes jupiters' son invented, although Diodorus ascribeth the invention of them to Apollo. notwithstanding, Artapanus, whom Eusebius reciteth saith that the invention of Armour, began by Moses, which being very young achieved the first hardy enterprise against the Ethiopians. Of all engines of war, the Cretians found first the cross bows, 
Crosebowes Quarrels. Bolts Brakes and slings.  the Syrians quarrels, or bolts, and the Phaeniciens found brakes and slings: howbeit, Vegetius holdeth opinion that Baleares, a people which dwell in the Spanish seas, ordained slings. Cranes, 
Cranes or Vernes.  or vernes to wind up great weights were the devise of Ctesyphon. The rammar called in latin Aries, 
Rammer.  wherewith walls be overthrown, was made by Aepeus at Troy. They sought a tertise called in latin Testudo too mine walls, 
Seek.  Artemon Clazemonius instituted. But of all other that ever were devised to the destruction of man, the guns be most devilish, 
Guns.  which was perceived by a certain Almain, whose name is not known: After this sort, it chanced that he had in a mortar powder of brimstone that he had beaten for a medicine, and covered it with a stone, and as he struck fire it fortuned a spark to fall into the powder: by and by there rose a great flame out of the mortar, and lift up the stone, wherewith it was covered a great height: And after he had perceived that, he made a pipe of iron, and tempered the powder, and so finished this deadly engine, and taught the Venetians the use of it, when they warred against the Genuates, which was in the year of our lord. M.ccc.lxxx. For this invention he received this benefit that his name was never known lest he might for this abominable devise, 
What year guns were found.  have been cursed and evil spoken of whilst the world standeth. The way to reclaim and ride horses after the judgement of Pliny Bellerophon taught first: 
Reclaiming of horses.  which rod the swift Pegasus into a mountain of Libie called Chimaera, as Diodorus suppose it was Neptune. 
bridals byrnes.  bridals, bits, horseharnes or trappers the Peletronians a nation of Thessaly found, and as some think the cast to break wild horses, was learned of them. Also the Numidians road their horses without saddles. Cartes with two horses and wagons the Phrygians used first chariotes Richthonius devised first in Grece, 
Wagons. Chariotes. fighting on horsebackes.  fighting on horseback the Centaurs found in Thessaly. notwithstanding all the commodities of such beasts, as horses Mules, Asses, and all other bearing and drawing beasts were at the beginning. For it is manifest that the Egyptians, and hebrews, Assyrians and Arabians used them: but the glorious Grecians usurp all to their own glory and ambitious praise & commendation.   

The viii Chapter. ¶ The institution of Olympiad's with other shows and games.  

Plays or shows.  OF Plays or shows in Grece there were four principal, whereof the most principal was Olympiad's: which were kept every .v. year in the mount Olympus, and ordaigned by Hercules. one of the five brethren named Idaei Dactyli, in honour and remembrance of jupiter. In this game Corilus an Archadien won first the price as Eusebius saith. 
Corilus.  Pliny affirmeth that Hercules son of Alcumena obtained the victory there first. There was wrestling, running with horses and on foot, 
Exercises used in the Olympiad's.  turning, leaping, coursing, with chariotes: contention of poetes Rhetoriciens, Musiciens, and disputations of philosophers, and great assembles out of all Grece. The manet was then too proclaim wars, or entre leagues of peace: the reward of the victoures was a garland of Olive, 
The reward of the victors  which tree grew there beside. By this they counted their years, as the Romans did by Lustra and their counsels. The second show was Pithii, which were in honour of Apollo, and made by Apollo himself, in memorial of his activity, in vanquishing the great dragon Python, that was sent by juno to persecute his mother Latona. The third game was Isthmij devised by Theseus in the worshep of his father Neptunus, as Hercules had done to jupiter: They had the name Isthmij of the narrow place in Grece that Corinth stood in where the plays were celebrated beside an old temple of Neptune environed with a dark wood of peach trees. They that won the mastery, had a garland of pine tree. The four game was Nemei, 
Nemei.  named of the forest Nemea These feasts the Argivans kept solemnly in reverence of Hercules, that slew there the mighty Lion, whose skin he wore for his coat armour Pyrrhus' dance was a kind of dancing, wherein the Lacedæmonians practised their youth, from they were .v. year of age as a preparative to greater affaieres of war. It was first instituted in Crete by one Pyrrhus' that was one of the Cibilles' priests. 
Pyrthus dance.  They danced it in armour and with weapons on horseback, as Solinus testifieth. 
Naked games.  Naked games were first invented by Lycaon: 
Funeral plays. Wrestling. Dyce. Tables. Tennis.  and funeral plays by Acastus, wrestling by Mercury, dice tables, tennis, and cards were found of the Lydians a people of Asia, and begun not for any lucre or pleasure but for a common wealth. For whattyme their country had great scarceness & want of corn, insomuch that it was not able to suffice the people, they mitigated & suaged their hunger and scarcity in this wise, one day they took their meat moderately, & an other day by course they applied such sports and pastimes to drive away the tediousness of their famine & hunger. 
Chess.  The chess were invented the year of the world iii M. CCCCCC.xxxv. by a certain wise man called Xerxes, 
Xerxes.  to declare to a tyrant that majesty or authority without strength, assistens, and help of his men & subjects was casual, feeble, & abject to many calamities of fortune: his intent was to break the fierce cruelty of his heart by fear of such dangers as might chance or come to pass in the life of man. There is a game also that is played with the postern bone in the hinder foot of a sheep, 
Talus.  ox, goat fallow or red dear, which in latin is called Talus. It hath four chances, the ace point, 
Canis. Chances. Venus.  that is named Canis or Canicula, was one of the sides he that cast it laid down a penny or so much as the gamers were agreed on, the other side was called Venus that signified seven. he that cast the chance wan vi and all that was laid down for the casting of Canis. The two other sides were called Chius and Senio: 
Chius. Senio.  he that did throw Chius won iii. And he that cast Senio gained four This game (as I take it,) is used of children in Norfolk, and they call it the chance bone, 
Chance bone.  they play with three or four of those bones together: it is either the same or very like to it.  
There was in old time a game at the dice called Vultursii, 
Vulturcii Hercules Basilicus.  and Hercules Basilicus, that Plautus maketh mention of: but the inventor of those games be yet unknown, albeit▪ it seemeth to be a devise of the Romans, And likewise the author of the game named odd or even, 
Odd & even.  and holding up of hands or fingers is uncertain. 
Palamedes.  There be some that refer the finding of the cards & chess to the noble Palamedes   

❧ The ix Chapter. ¶ Certain plays of the Romans.  

Lupercal●a.  LUPERCAL was a Cave at the foot of the Mount Palatine hallowed to Pan a mystical God of the Archadiens, where the custom was to sacrifice a Goat, (as plutarch reporteth) a Dog, because he should keep the Wolf from their folds. The oblation was made in February about the xu kalends of March after this rite & fashion. The young men all naked ran and coursed about wanton and lasciviously in honour of Pan, 
The rites of these feasts.  with whips or scourges in their hands: And the women offered themselves to be beaten with their scourges, supposing that it helped to the fruitfulness of children: This pastime was instituted by evander, that came out of Arcadia, Marcu● Antonius in this play naked set the Diadem on julius Caesar's head. 
Circences.  There was also another show called Circenses which were celebrated in a place walled about named Circus, where was used fighting, & coursing of horses & running with charettes.  
THE Circus that we name lists or tiltes were of great length, and had bars where the race should begin and at the other end was the wager set, that they ran for: there was used in the same place turning These were long used solemnly of the Romans and had the title of great plays or games. The third kind of plays were Saturnalia, 
Saturnalia.  which continued five days in December, and were kept very costly and sumpteously with great sport and gladness, and mutual feasts, and presented ordinarily one another with gifts. It was also the manner in those feastful days that servants should have equal power in things and like authority and sit at the table with their masters because in Saturnus time all things were used in common. janus ordaigned them in honour of Saturnus (as Macrobius declareth) and some say they began in Athens. 
Sweard● player's.  There was also another game of sword players unarmed: the occasion of their beginning because the romans when they went to war should see fighting, wounds and swords to th'intent that they should be the less afraid of their enemies armed or be discouraged when they saw bloody wounds in the field, therefore the chief captain or lieutenant of the host should exhibit to the people a game of fence or sword players.   

The ten Chapter. ¶ Who found trus●, leagues, sundry kinds of making it, triumph and ovations.  

truce.  TRUSE, that is called a covenant of peace for a season was instituted by Lycaon: it was taken sometime for years, as the Romans took truce with the Veientes for cl years, 
truce for years.  with the Cerites for an hundredth: Sometime truce was made for hours as Caius Pontius a Samnite required of the dictator of Rome truce for vi hours. 
Hours.  
Leagues. Cries.  Leagues of peace and cries in common places Theseus did ordain in Grece, but Diodorus assigneth it to Mercury. Nevertheless they were in frequent use long afore that time in Assirie and Egypt, and namely among the Hebrues▪ For jacob made a league with Laban. 
jacob made a league with Laban.  And Moses offered conditions of peace to the princes of the countries by whom he passed: 
jehosuah with Gabaonites.  and after him jehosuah struck up a bond of peace, and made a love day with the Gabaonites. Therefore it is a great difficulty to appoinct the inventor of it. There were diverse fashions of making leagues, as the Romans manner was of this fashion. The Herald of arms at the commandment of the king took and smit a hog appointed for that purpose, saying: 
The Romans league.  so let jupiter smit him that disannulleth this holy league, as I strike this hog. But Polybius writeth that the herold took a stone in his hand and said: If I perform and stand to the covenant of this league without guile or fraud, the gods give me all things prosperous: If I either do or think the contrary, I pray God that I alone be destroyed and cast away, as I cast this stone from me, and forth with he threw down the stone.  
When the Arabiens make a league of peace, there standeth one between the two parties that cutteth with a sharp stone the hollow of the hand of the confederates, and with the blood, that issueth out, he anointeth with rags taken out of their garments vii sto●es that stand between them and invocateth Dionysius and Urania their gods: then the solicitor and entreater for the peace findeth surety for the stranger or citizen that was party. The like order was used in amities made among friends.  
THE Scythians made leagues after this manner: 
The Scythians league.  they filled a bowlle of wine, and mingled it with the blood of them that should enter the bond of peace, and then they weet in the bowl their arrows, axes, halberds and darts that done, they with many words vowed and cursed themselves and so drunk the wine both they and all the nobles present. The same use was among traitoures in their conspiracies at Rome. 
Barceans league.  The Barceans consented on their leagues thus They made their love day over a deep Cave very privy, and so long as the earth continued, so the pact endured. Dionysius, which was replenished with the spoils of many countries led the first triumph, 
Triumph.  and afterward, it was received of sundry nations, as the captains of Carthage when they sped well, triumphed. In Rome Romulus, after he had conquered Acron King of the Ceninens, crowned with Laurel and carried in chariot with four horses entered into the city triumphantly. And dedicated his pray and spoils to jupiter as Dionysius writeth. Albeit, Eutropius saith that Tarqvinius Priscus first triumphed of the conquest of the Sabines. 
Camillus.  Camillus led the first solemn triumph with white horses▪ and a gilded chariot, and a garland of gold, with all the captives following the chariot with themes and fetters about their necks. And the senate going before into the capitol to jupiters' temple, where they offered a white Bull and then returned. It was lawful for none to triumph but such as were dictator, consul, or praetor, albeit, Cneius Pompeiu● being but of the order of knights, triumphed as Cicero telleth. ovation is a less royalty than triumphs and was the worship of such as had ended any battle or achieved any feat without blodsheding, or when the battle lacked any of the due circumstances of appointing, they that came into the city with that pomp, were crowned with a garland of myrtyl. And went a foot into the capitol, all the senate following him, & there offered a sheep The first that had any ovation was Posthumius Tubertus. 
Posthumius Tubertus. The offering of the Lacedæmonians.  The Lacedæmonians when they vanquished their enemies by craft, policy, or deceit offered a bull: when they did valiantly subdue them by force of arms, they sacrificed a cock, of the manner of triumph, read Appianus Livius or julius Capitolinus.   

The xi Chapter. ¶ Garlands or crowns, the diversity of them, & of ointments.  
PLINY testifieth that Liber Bacchus did first invent and wear a garland made of ivy on his head: 
Garlands. Bacchus.  and after it was taken in a custom that when they sacrificed to any of the gods, they should be crowned with a garland, and the oblation likewise.  
notwithstanding I find that the use of garlands or crowns is of more antiquity than Liber Bacchus For Moses, that was many years afore him, 
Moses.  made many crowns and garlands of gold. At the first the manner was, in all plays and sacrifices to wind garlands of boughs of trees. And after they were garnished with variety of flowers among the Sicyomans by Pausias and Glycera his lemmanne. 
Pausias.  Not long after the winter garlands that be called Egyptian, 
Winter garlands.  which are made of wood splytters or ivory died with many colours, began to be had in quotidian usage.  
And in process they made crowns of brasenne plates guilded, 
Crowns of brazen plate.  or covered with silver, called for their thinness garlands. Last of all Crassus, the rich did first set forth in his games and shows, crowns with silver and golden leaves.  
And consequently there were invented many manner of crowns. As the triumphant crown that the Emperor or grand captain ware in this triumph, 
Corona triumphalis.  this was first made of Olive and afterward of gold. 
Muralis.  The mural or wall crown, that was given to him that scaled first the walls. The camp crown, that was the reward of him that entered first in arms into the camp of his enemies. Naval or sea crown, 
Navalis.  which was set on his head that first boarded his enemy's ship. And all these were of gold. The Obsidionall crown, 
Obsidional.  that was worn of him, that delivered a city besieged, and was made of grass. There was also a civil crown, 
Civilis.  which was a soverentie that a citizen gave to him that had valiantly preserved him from his enemies, this was made of Oaken branches. And this manner of crown the athenians did first device and gave it to the Pericles. 
Pericles.  There were moreover crowns of pearls, trench crou●nes, and garlands composed of the ears of corn, which as Pliny witnesseth was first in use among the Romans. 
Garlands of Cinnamon.  But garlands made of cinnamon, woven & embossed with gold VeVespasianus did first consecrate in the capitol in the temple of peace. In space of years the excess of crowns was such that the Grecians in their banquets crowned both their heads, and cups also, whereof the jomans were auctors. 
Cups were crowned.  By this sort of crowns Cleopatra empoisoned Antony as Pliny writeth, and Artaxerxes used crowns or garlands in his feasts, to this Virgil alluded in his Aeneidos. 
They set forth their golden goblets  
And crowned them with fresh chaplettes.  Ointments (as josephus writeth) notwithstanding that Pliny sayeth the contrary, 
Ointments  were used long afore the battle of Troy, for jacob sent to his son joseph in Egypt ointments: And Moses, that was. Ccc.l year afore the siege of Troy, maketh mention of ointments concerning the sanctification of the tabernacle, & priests of the old testament: Albeit it is not known who was first diviser of them. Pliny & Solinus report that Alexander when he wan the camp of Darius, found among other jewels and spoils a casket of ointments, that much pleased him: But Herodotus doth declare that it was in frequent use afore Darius time. For Cambyses Cyrus' son sent ambassadors to Aethiopus king of the Macrobians with great presents, 
Athiopus despised ointments.  whereof a bore of ointments was parcel. When the king had learned the manner of the confection of it, he contemned and neglected it as a thing of no value. It is not certain when they came into Rome: But I find in Pliny that the. CCCCC. lxv. year of the city Antiochus being vanquished, & Asia subdued and conquered P. Licinius Crassus and julius Caesar then censors commanded that no foreign nor strange confection of ointments should be sold in the city. 
Ointments might not be sold.    

❧ The xii Chapter. ¶ Who found out metals, smith's tolls, fire, candles, and bellows.  
OF all metal, wherein worldly substance consisteth▪ 
Gold,  gold, that all men so sore cover to have, is the most precious. For the desire hereof they have digged into the deep bottomless abyss of the earth, & at the length (as Phaletius said) they will dig Pluto out of hell for it. And Diogenes what time he was asked why gold look so pale, answered very well saying, because it hath many that lie in wait for it. Cadmus, as Pliny affirmeth, 
Cadmus' found gold.  found it in the mount Pangaeus in Torace, or as some think, it was Thoas and Eaclis that invented it in Panc●aia. Silver Erichthonius of Athens or Ceacus found out. I think they report that gold was found in Pangaeus, because there is great plenty in that hill, 
Silver.  as Herodotus doth write. The five brethren named Idei Dactyli found iron in Crete. 
Iron. Lead.  Midac●itus fe● lead out of the Ilelandes against Spain called Cassitrides, as Strabo declareth. Brass was found by Ciny●as in the i'll of Cypress, 
Brass.  & Solinas ●ayeth it was found in Crete. Ciny●as also devised the tongues, 
tongues. Lever. Stithe.  file or tape, lever, and stythe. notwithstanding Clement sayeth that Selmentes and Damnameneus two jews found iron first in Cypress, & the Pamnonians brass. Aristotle holdeth opinion that Lydus a Scythian first taught to melt & work brass, 
Melting brass.  Theophrast thinketh it was Delas a Phrygian. Strabo writeth that a certain people named Telchines wrought iron and brass first, & they made a sword named Harp, which they gave to Saturn. 
Harp. Smythesforge.  The smithesforge some think the Calibians found, & some suppose it were the Ciclopes, which first used the smiths craft. Diodorus holdeth the opinion that Idei Dactili & Vulcanus were auctors of fire, 
Idei Dactili.  iron, brass, silver, gold, & all that is wrought with the fire. 
Sothering of iron.  Sothering of iron Glaucus found, and Cadmus melting of gold. Nevertheless I take it that all these afore named found the use of such things in their countries where they were inhabitants. For the use of all such metal was perceived in the beginning of the world by Tubalcain which was son to Lamech and occupied smith craft. 
Tubalcain.  Clement referreth the tempering of iron to Delas. Fire is supposed to be the invention of Vulcanus: Victrivius sayeth that the trees tossed and shaken with winds, by beating together of their boughs excited fire. 
Fire.  But it had been more convenient to have ascribed the gift of it to God, which gave it to man to be remedy against the danger of cold. 
Pyrodes stroke fire out of flint. Matches.  Pyrodes first struck fire out of flint, Prometheus taught first to keep it in matches: Pliny telleth how the spies in armies and camps, 
Smiting fire with wood.  or else the shepherds devised to smite fire by rubbing of two pieces of wood together. Laurel and ivy be best for that use. bellows were found by Anacharsis as Strabo witnesseth: 
bellows. Candles.  Candles the Egyptians invented.   

The xii Chapter. ¶ Who ordained coins, looking glasses, rings with precious stones.  
COINAGE, 
Mony.  of what metal soever it was made, as it may appear by josephus, is very ancient: For Cain Adames son was very greedy in gathering together of money. Herodotus writeth, 
Lydians.  that the Lydians first coined silver and gold to buy and sell with. For afore the siege of Troy as witnesseth Homer, men used to change stuff ●or stuff. Albeit in the time of Abraham there was money currant, for he bought the double cave, to bury his wife Sata of the Hethi●e Ep●ron for. CCCC. sicles of syluce, 
Sycles.  which was afore the siege of Troy many years. In Rome the first coin of gold was smitten the. ccccc.clvii. year of the city. 
Gold in Rome.  And it was named a ducat, & after it began to be used in many places at sundry times. Phaedon began silver coin in the isle Egina. 
Phedon. Silver was coined in Egina.  It was minted in Rome. cccc.lxxxiiii. year after the city was builded, the print of it was a Chariot with two horses & some with four. 
janus coins of brass.  Iänus did cause brass to be coined with a face on the one side & a ship on the other side, to the intent to gratify Saturnus (which arrived there in a ship) by setting forth his memory to their posterity & successors. 
Servius Tullius.  Servius Tullius first coined brass with an Image of a sheep and an ox, as Pliny writeth. Looking glasses of silver were devised by Praxiteles in the time of Pompeius Magnus. 
Looking glasses.  There were also invented looking glasses of steel, lead, crystal, glass, & mingled stuff wherein we behold our visages. Albeit it is uncertain who did first find them, 
Sydon.  saving that Pliny saith one Sydon imagined them of glass. 
rings.  rings with a piece of stone wrought in them be reported of Pliny to have been made of jupiter for to keep in memory the punishment of Prometheus, 
Prometheus  for that he deluded the gods of the element of fire, & did traduce it to man's use, but that is a fable of small credit. For the usage of rings & precious stones is of great antiquity, for I read in Genesis that judas gave his daughter in law Thamar a ring, & broochs, as pledges of his promise. And Moses that was CCC. year before the battle of Troy speaketh of rings & precious stones for making of the ark & vestures of Aaron, as onyches & smaragdus or emerald. In Rome at the first they used rings of iron every man saving the tribunes. 
rings of iron.  It was long afore the senators had any rings of gold and as Macrobie writeth, they used them not so much for trimming & decking of themselves, 
rings served to seal letters.  as because to seal letters with them: 
A man might have but one ring.  insomuch that it was not permitted to any man to have more than one, & that was allowed in none but free men. afterward they began to grave seals in precious stones. 
rings were worn on the left hand.  And, lest they should be broken with stress, they wore them on the finger of the left hand, that is next the little finger, because the left hand is not put to much labour as the right hand or else as Macrobie sayeth, because there goeth a vain from that finger to the heart. 
knights ware rings. for a difference  rings also were used and worn of the knights of Rome that by them they might be dissevered and known from the common sort of the people.   

The xiiii Chapter. ¶ The original of glass, Amber, Vermilon, Myrrha, and Crystal.  
IN PHENICE which is a part of Syria, marching on jury at the foot of the mount Carmel, there is a pole called Candebea, whereof the river Belus springeth, in the which glass as Pliny writeth, 
Glass.  it engendered For it is reported that on a time when a merchants ship, that was freghted with saltpetre (for so some expound nitrum) arrived there. 
Nitre.  And as they roaming on the sands & sea banks prepared their meat, It fortuned that because they had no store of stones to bear up their vessels, wherein they sodde their meat, they took out of their ship great pieces of Nitre to set on their victuals, which after they chanced to be on fire & mingled with the sand, there ran bright flakes of this precious liquor. By this river is Memnon his tomb, & as josephus writeth, the nature of that water is to turn & transform other metals into glass. Amber, 
Amber.  as Diodorus witnesseth, was found in the isle Basilia, which lieth against Scythia above Galatia in the great Ocean, where it was first cast up, and was never seen nor found in any other place before. 
Vermilon.  Vermilon or red lead was found in Ephesus by Callias an Athenien: And it was in Rome counted & taken for holy insomuch that on their feastful days, they painted the face of jupiters' Image with it, & the bodies of them that triumphed, & Camillus triumphed so, as Pliny witnesseth. 
Myrrh.  Myrrh, which is an humour congealed and constipated together with heat, cometh out of the east parties & namely out of Carmania: Pompeius in his triumph of the pirates & robberson the sea brought it first into Rome. 
Crystal.  Crystal is a stone that is congealed of pure water not with cold, but by a power divine of heat, whereby it retaineth his hardness, and never relenteth or melteth, & receiveth diverse colours, & this is the mind of Diodorus. But Pliny holdeth opinion that it cometh of the ice, extremely frozen. Nevertheless it is uncertain yet who found it.   

The xu Chapter. ¶ The beginning of Imagery, and of Alexander's Image.  
CONCERNING the use of making Images, 
Images.  from whence it came auctors differ and vary. For Macrobius citeth one Epicadus that sayeth it began of a superstition of Hercules, 
Hercules.  which according to the number of his companions whom he lost in his voyage into far countries: When he came home into Italy made Images of them & cast them down at the bridge Sublicius into Tibre, to th'intent they should be carried into their native countries, thinking that to be a just parentation for their funerals. Nevertheless he taketh it that they came rather of the custom of the Archadians, 
The Archadians manner.  which as Diodorus writeth, in their wandering abroad repaired into Italy, & builded a chapel to Pluto & an altar to Saturn, where they pacified Pluto with the heads of men, & burned the bodies to Saturn. For so they expounded their oracle. 
An oracle.  
Et capita inferno et patri transmittite lumen,  
give heads to Pluto the god infernal,  
And Saturn his father the fire lustral.  ¶ The sacrifices that were offered to Saturn were named Saturnalia, After Hercules as he passed through Italy, when he had conquered & subdued Ger●on, advertised them to change that unlucky sacrifice into fortunate oblations, and taught them to make Images of little bones and to offer them to Pluto: And to light tapers of wax in honour of Saturn. Lactantius sayeth, 
Prometheus' made images  Prometheus made first Images of soft clay, & taught the way to make statues: Some say, as Diodorus writeth, that the Ethiopians found the first use of Images, & of them the Egyptians learned. notwithstanding I find that Images were long afore that time: For Rachel when her husband fled out of Mesopotamia, from Laban his father in law, did steal away her father's gods, and therefore it appeareth that Imagery is of an ancient beginning. And some there be that think men took occasion of God to make Images, which willing to show to the gross wits of men some perceiverance of himself, took on him the shap of man, as Abraham saw him & jacob also. And the scripture seemeth in sundry places to attribute to him hands, feet, eyes and ears, which be parts and members of men. And by this means men gathered the manner of making images of God, because to keep him in fresh memory. And this is the true original of Imagery. Spurius Cassius made in Rome the image of Ceres of brass. 
Ceres' image of brass.  afterward were made statues of men to excite & encourage valiant hearts to high enterprises. And for that cause the athenians set up the Images of Armodius & Aristogiton that slew & expulsed the tyrants. Leontinus Gorgias made himself an Image of pure gold not hollow first and set it at Delphos the lxxviii olympiad. 
Leontinus gorgias made himself an image of gold.  Pharnaces caused one to be made of silver like himself, which Pompey in his triumph removed. In Italy M. Attilius Clabrio made the first statue of gold on horseback in remembrance of his father: 
M. Attilius made the first image in Rome of gold.  There were also images made of brass, ivory, wood, & marble. The manner of the Romans was to set up their Images covered, but the Grecians used to form them naked, & the Romans also had a rite to brenne incense, & light tapers afore them. In this art many were very expert, as Pliny rehearseth But Phidias of Athens passed them al. In Rome the kyndered & family of the Macrians were accustomed to were on them the image of Alexander the great graven: 
Phidias.  as men in gold or silver women in calls & tynges: because it was reported, that he should achieve well in all affairs which did bear on him Alexander's Images either in gold or silver. 
Augustus' seal.  And therefore Augustus Caesar ●sed long the Image of him in sealing his letters.   

The xvi Chapter. ¶ Painting, and potter's craft, or working in earth.  

Painting.  PORTATURE, Gyges a Lydian, as Pliny thinketh, did first invent and devise it in Egypte. In Grece Pyrrhus the cousin of Daedalus, after Aristotle's mind. But Theophrastu● saith that Polygnotus an Athenian found it, 
Polygnotus  yet Pliny agreeth neither with Theophrast, nor yet with himself: for in his. ●xxv. book he saith that Polygnotus a Thasian did first paint women in single apparel, & trimmed their herds with calls of sundry colours, & set forth pictures to the showing more decente, in opening their mouths, and made their tethe to be sightly, & the visages more favourably to behold, but who found it, it is uncertain. For the Egyptians say they had that art vi M. years afore it came in Grece: And they of Grece affirm it was begun by the Sicyomans, & some of the Corinthians. Albeit all confess it began of the drawing of a man with lines. 
The beginning of painting.  In process of time it waxed more sumptuous with colours. Drawing pictures with lines or shadows Philodes an Egyptian or Cleantes a Corinthian devised. Thelephanes a Sicyonian & Ardices of Corinthe used first this art without colours, and Cleophantes of the same countries invented first colours. 
Cleophantus invented colours. Pensyl.  Apollodorus obtained much praise with the pensyl. In this excelled Tymagoras, Pythys Polygnotus Agla●phon with other that Pliny reciteth in the xii book: And Raphael Sanctus and Vr●inate, is very excellent in expressing of lively Images of men in this faculty. The potter's occupation that worketh all things in clay and earth, 
Potter's craft,  Chorebus an Athenian found as Pliny in his vii book telleth. In his xxxv book he ascribeth the original of it to Dibutades at Corinth, which by help of his daughter invented this craft, 
Debutades worker of clay.  for after she understood that a young man her lover should departed into a strange nation for the tender love that she bore to him, she drew his Image on a wall after the patron of his shadow by candle light, which her father filled & fashioned with clay, and made it into a figure & resemblance of his body, & dried it with the fire & set it in the ●ōmon hoot house where the maids & women kept baths: And there it remained till Mummius destroyed Corinth. 
Mummius destroyed Corinth.  Some say it was found by Rhetus & Theodorus in the isle of Samos, And Demaratus father to Tarqvinius Priscus king of the Romans brought it into Italy, 
Demaratus.  & after him Eucirapus & Eugrammus amplified the science more coptousely. Making of moulds, & the way to work images in them Lisistratus a Sicionian invented The potters wheel or frame, 
Moulds  
Potter's frame.  as Ephorus saith Anacharsis a philosopher of the country of Scythia found: Some say it was Talus Dedalus sister son The special workmen in this art were Dimophius and Gorgasus.   
❧ Here endeth the abridgement of the second book.   

The third book.  

The first Chapter. ¶ The invention of husbandry with other things concerning the same.  
HUSBANDRY or tilling the ground Diodorus sayeth, 
Husbandry.  was excogitat by Dionysius among the Egyptians, 
Dionysius.  In Grece & Asia by Triptolemus: as justine writeth, 
Triptolemus  in Italy Saturnus: but Virgil witnesseth, that Ceres was first inventrice of it. Nevertheless josephus declareth that it was perceived and found by Cain Adam's eldest son. 
Cain.  In the beginning men lived by Acorns, 

Men lived by acorns.  
Ceres.  
Corn sowing.   and other fruits of the earth till Ceres, as Pliny telleth, taught them of Athens, Italy, & Sicily to sow corn, which afore grew among other herbs. Diodorus referreth the invention of it to Isis. Albeit, justine affirmeth that Triptolemus found it in the time of Herichtheus king of Athens, but Diodorus saith he learned of Ceres, and had commandment to teach it abroad. In Italy Saturn instituted sowing as Macrobie testifieth, Pitumnus taught men first to muck & compass their land, and his brother Pilumnus taught men to bake and grind, 
Baking and grinding.  but Pliny saith that Argeus a king in Grece taught men to dung their lands in the time of Homer. 
Dunging land.  And Hercules afterward published it in Italy. Diodorus witnesseth that Dionysius the second yoked oxen to the plough first, whereas afore it was laboured by hand, 
Yoking oxen  Briges an Athenien, or as some report Triptolemus, & some say one Osiris found the plough: Trogus did say that it was Habis king of Spain that taught first to plough and sow. 
Plough.  Instruments of husbandry, as Virgyl supposeth Ceres found out, 
Instruments of husbandry  but we must take it that these men afore rehearsed did teach it first in sundry places, for it is manifest that afore their time the hebrews and Egyptians had knowledge of this science, As jacob, when there was a great dearth of corn in Canaan, sent his sons into Egypt to buy grain. And therefore without doubt the hebrews did first find out the way of tilling corn, grinding with other rustical instruments: sieves & sarces of here we●e found in France, 
sieves and sarces.  as Pliny telleth, and bultres of linen in Spain In Egypt they were made of fen rushes, and bulrishes.   

The ii Chapter. ¶ Wine, oil, honey, cheese, and strange trees brought into Italy.  
DIODORUS saith that Dionysius did first perceive the nature of the vine, 
Wine.  and taught men of Grece to plant it, and to press wine out of the Grape as Saturnus did in italy: Some say it was Icarus father of Penelope that found it in Athens, 
Icarus.  And was afterward slain of the husbandmen, when they were drunken. Athenaeus in one place writeth that Oresteus son to Deucalion first found the vine about the mount Aetna in Sicily: In another place he saith that it was found at the city Plithina in Egypt. 
Oresteus.  Aruntes a Tirhene banished out of his country by Lucinon, 
Aruntes brought into France.  whom he brought up of a child, carried first wine into France Seculus the son of Ventus invented the first food of men of the trees, and Eumolphus an Athenian taught the manner of ordering of them, but afore all these Noah was the first that either tilled the land, 
No planter of the vine  or planted the vineyard. And when he had drunk of the fruit of the grape, he was drunken. Wine taverns were set up first by the Lydians a people of Asia, 
Wine taverns.  which also found diverse games. Staphilus (as Pliny sayeth) deleied wine first. 
Deleiing of wine.  Drink that is made of barley which we call ale, and was the common drink of the Egyptians, was devised by Bacchus: And he taught it to such nations, as had no grapes growing. And for that cause England, Scotland, Ireland, France, and Germany, and all that border on the west and north seas use this drink, Albeit, the Germans put hops in it, and call it bear. In Grece, as Diodorus holdeth opinion Pallas showed the Olive, 
Olive oil. Making cheese.  and the way to make oil. And Aristaeus gathered first the cruds of milk, and made cheese, honey. And the oil mill, as Pliny witnesseth, notwithstanding the Olive was afore noah's flood, and Moses speaketh of oil that was used in sacrifices, whereby it may be perceived that oil was invented of the jews justine saith Gargorus king of Curetes found the fashion of gathering of honey, 
Gargorus.  
Gathering of honey.  he dwelled in the forest of Carchesia in Spain. There grew no Olive in Italy, Spain, nor Africa In the time of Tarqvinius Priscus the. C.lxxiiii. year of the city. And afterward the. cccc.xl. year of the city there were some, howbeit they were near the sea. But in deed honey was gathered first of the Hebrews shepherds. 
Chery trees.  The cheritres L. Lucullus brought out of Ponthus the year of the City vi C.lxxx. Zinziphas & Tuberes ii kinds of appletrees S. Papinius conveyed out of Syria and Africa into Italy in the time of s. Augustine. The Plane tree, the Laurel tree, the Fig tree, & apple trees, with other which is not needful to rehearse were brought in by divers men, whose names are not spoken of by any auctors.   

The iii Chapter. ¶ Who named beasts, instituted sacrifices, hunting, fait, pultries.  

Adam named beasts.  BEASTS after they were all created in their kind were named by Adam with the same names, that they be now called: 
Hiperbius.  Hiperbius son to Mars killed them first, but I had rather refer that to Abel Adam's son: for he did first offer to God the first begotten of his flock, 
Abel.  and from him it spread abroad among the hebrews, and also other countries. 
Swine was most commended in sacrifices.  Of all other swine were the first that were sacrificed of the Gentiles. In the sacrifices of Ceres' goddess of corn, as Va●ro witnesseth. In leagues of peace, & in Marriages: At length they came to such outrageous cruelty, that they sacrificed men. 
Eating of flesh.  Flesh was not used to be eaten until the time of No: and then God permitted it, but many countries long after that, forbore & kept great abstinence from flesh: As in the golden world under Saturn men only lived by fruits of the earth. The priests of Egypt refrained from flesh, eggs, and milk, because, 
Priests of Egypte. Eggs. Milk.  as they thought, eggs were but tender and soft flesh, and milk was blood saving that the colour was turned. And the Essenes' in jury, & jupiters' priests in Crete eat never flesh. Banqueting dishes and delicates were made in jonia, 
Banquets.  and then the evil custom was taken up by other countries: Albeit there were laws made in Lacedemony by Lycurgus, and in Rome by Fannius. For the abolishing of such excessive feasting, I would some good man would prescribe now a days a law to be precisely observed of all men, for I think there never was such riot in feasting as there is in this time. 
Hunting. Fishing. Salt.  Hunting & fishing the phoenicians found. Salt and the use thereof was perceived by Misor & Selech. In Rome Q. Hortensius did first set furth a Peacock at the Augurs feast. 
Peacock. Pultries.  Pultries of all kind of fowls were instituted by Marcus Laelius Strabo a knight of Brundusie. And Alexander Emperor had also such pultries. Warrens and parks were made first by Fuluius Hirpinu● And now they be everywhere used but most commonly in England to the great damage of good pastures, that might feed other cattle. The Wolf, the minotaur, 
Beasts that be badges.  the horse, the boar, were cognisance of the Romans armies: And Caius Marius in his second consulship appointed the Eagle for a badge of his army and legion, with many other now a days, which be in cote armours of noble men.   

The four Chapter. ¶ Who found flax and wool with such instruments and arts as long to the same, and silk.  

Linen.  LINEN or Flare, as Pliny saith, was found by the beautiful Lady Arachne of Lydia, & she taught also the way of knitting nets to take beasts, 
Arachne.  

Knitting nets.  
Spinning Weving.   fish, & fowls, Minerva instructed the people of Athens first in spinning & weaving wool: but in one place Pliny seemeth to ascribe the feat of weaving to the Egyptians. The walkers or fullers craft was invented by Nicias a Megarien: 
Fuller's craft D●yng wool Spindels.  The Lydians in Sardes died wool first.  
¶ Spindels for wool were first invented by Closter son to Arachne. ¶ hangings of arise which be used in halls or chambers Attalus king of Asia, devised: 
arise cloth.  & Pallas taught the use of clothing or apparel, as Diodorus writeth, & Eusebius sayeth one Vso a Silician borne, 
Vso. Apparel.  made first clothing & apparel for men of beasts skins: but in deed Adam whom God did first create, 
Adam made the first coat of leather.  made the first leather coats for himself & his wife Eve our old mother, leaving thereby a patron to all his posterity of that craft.  
The shoemakers art one Boethoius found. 
Shoemakers craft.  Attalus taught men first to weave gold in clothes. And the Phrygians invented brodering. 
Enbrodring.  The Greeks devised the mantyle, 
Mantyle.  and the etrurians found the robes of estate. And mingling of diverse colours in apparel, 
Motleys.  was the invention of the babylonians. Silk, 
Silk.  which in all countries is occasion of much dissolute behaviour in apparel, was found of the Cerites growing on their trees, and with witting they comb it of and make it fit for their uses. 

Spinning and weaving of silk.  
Pamphila. Purple colour.  
Hercules. Tyro.   Spinning and weaving of sick that cometh of worms, Pamphila the daughter of Platis devised it the Isle Coo. Purple colour was found as Pollux witnesseth by this occasion. As Hercules being in love with a beautiful lady named Tyro, walked on the sea cliffs, his greyhound chanced to find a shell fish called a purple, and when he had eaten it, the orient colour of the blood remained on his snout: which fresh colour the lady espying threatened Hercules that he should never company with her more unless he brought her a cloth died with that precious colour. Then Hercules willing to accomplish his ladies will sought the purple fish, and carried the blood to his sovereign lady. And thus began the purple colour among the Tyrians.   

The .v. Chapter. ¶ buildings made of clay, brick, stone, with other matters.  
MEN at the first lived like wild beasts in caves and wilderness, and also fed on fruits and roots of the earth: but after they had perceived the commodity of fire, and felt thereby a great comfort against the vehemency of cold: 
Houses.  some began to edify cottages of boughs of trees, and some digged caves in the mountains, and by often experiencing of such means they attained to a greater perfection in building. And afterward (as wits of men be inventive) they learned to fashion building with walls that they set up with long props. 
Making walls of houses  And did wind them about with small rods and so daubed them: and to keep out the storms, they covered them with reed, boughs or fen sedges. Thus in process of time they came to the art of building, 
Pallas invented building.  which as Diodorus saith, is ascribed to Pallas: but I can rather think that either Cain or else jobal son of Lamech found out this craft.  
Houses of clay, Doxius son of Genllius did first invent and set up, taking example at the swallows nest. 
Brykeworke.  Brycke buildings were invented by Euryalus and Hyperbius two brethren of Athens, as Pliny judgeth, albeit Diodorus referreth it to Vesta daughter of Saturnus. Epimenide● of Crete first used to hallow his house and fields with expiations. 
Blessing of houses.  tile and slate to cover houses were the invention of Sinyra son of Agriopa in the isle of Cypress. 
tile & slate.  
Stone delves  Stone delves or quarrels were found by Cadmus in Thebes, or as Theophrast writeth in Phoenicia. Albeit I think the invention of such arts may more justly be ascribed to cain or the posterity of Seth: 
first pillars.  which did make two pillars one of brick and another of stone, and wrote in them all the art of Astronomy, at which time I suppose pillars and brick were first made, whereby it appeareth that the cast of building hath been from the beginning of the world. Nevertheless, I deny not but these afore named did begin edifying in sundry countries.  

Marble.  Marble was used in building at Rome of rich men to show their sumptuous magnificence. As M. Scaurus being aediles caused ccc.lx pillars of marble to be carried to the making of a stage whereon an Interlude should be played: but Lucius Crassus was first that had pillars of Marble. M. Lepidus made the gates of his house with Marble of Numedie, 
Gates of marble.  not without reproach. He was consul the year of the city. cccccc.lxxvi. Mamurra a knight that was master of juli. 

Mamurca pinned his house with marble.  
gravers in marble.   Caesar's works in France, pinned first the walls of his house with broken marble. In graving Marble Dipoenus Scylus borne in Crete flourished first, afore king Cyrus reigned in Persie.   

The vi Chapter. ¶ Who made the first city, tents, temples, and pits.  
WHEN men were somewhat claimed of their uplandishe behaviour by reason that they were refreshed of their extreme cold by fire & such houses as they had devised, 
Occasion of making cities  they gathered them substance & gods to the sustentation of their households and families. But after they perceived that mighty and strong men did invade and despoil them of such stuff as they had they knit themselves together in a company, and dwelled in one circuit, which they walled about and named it a city. notwithstanding, there is much diversity of opinions among writers which was first. For Pliny sayeth Cecrops builded the first City, and called it by his own name Cecropia, 
Cecropia.  which was afterward called Athens.  
Strabo writeth that Phoroneus builded first Argos: 
Argos. Diospolis,  The Egyptians say, that Diospolis in their country was long afore: which is credible to be so because they be a very ancient nation. Trafon first made walls: towers, (as Aristotle saith,) the Cyclopians edified: 
Walls. Towers.  but Theophrast thinketh the phoenicians builded them.  
And Vergil referreth that feat to Pallas. But to say the truth Cain (as josephus declareth,) made the first City, 
Enochia.  and named it Enochia after his son Enoch. And the young men that came of Noah his lineage by the advise of Nembroth builded the first tower of an exceeding height which was called afterward Babylon. 
Babylon. Tents.   
Tents jobal son of Lamech invented, notwithstanding that the phoenicians affirm that the nepheves of Seculus found them.  
Temples, 
Temples.  as Diogenes supposeth were found by Epimenides in Crete. But Victruuius affirmeth that one Pythius a Carpenter made the first Temple in Prienne in the honour of Pallas: 
Pithius.  Herodotus saith that the Egyptians instituted the temples first In Rome, Romulus builded the first temple in the worship of jupiter Seretrius. 
Solomon.  To almighty God Solomon king of the hebrews builded the first temple three thousand, an hundredth and two years after the creation of Adam in jerusalem.  
pits Danaus digged first, as Pliny teacheth, after he came out of Egypte into Argos a country of Grece. 
Egyptians.  Nevertheless to tell the very original of them, Isaac his shepherds digged the first pits, 
Pits.  as appeareth in Genesis. And Moses caused pits to be digged in the wilderness when he did conduct the Israelites out of Egypte, 
Isaac digged pits. Moses.  which was. ccc. lxxxxiii. year afore that Danaus, came into Argos, neither was it Danaus but his daughters that digged the pit at Argos.   

The vii Chapter. ¶ The Laborynthes, turrets, sundry fashions of burials.  

Labyrinths.  LABYRINTHS which we may call Mases, were certain intricate & winding works with many entries and doors, in such sort that if a man were once entered, he could not issue out, without either he had a perfect guide or else a clue of thread to be his conduct. There were four of them most notable as it is reported: 
Four labyrinths,  The first was in Egypte, and was called of some the palace of king Motherudes, of some the sepulthre of Meres: but there be other that say, it was builded in honour of the son by king Petesucus or Tithoes, albeit Herodotus saith it was the common tomb of the kings of Egypt: this stood a little from the Pool of Myrios. 
Crete. Dedalus.  The second was made in Crete by Daedalus at the commandment of king Minos, wherein Theseus of Athens slew the Minotaur. The third was wrought in the Isle Lemnos by Zmilus, Rhodus, 
Lemnos.  and Theodorus carpenters of the same country  
The fourth Porsena king of the etrurians caused too be made and set up in Italy for his sepulchre, 
Porsena.  it was all of free stone & vaulted. The high steeples or turrets that the Egipcians call Pyramids, were between Memphis and Delta two cities of Egipte, of such hight, 
Pyramids.  that it was marvel how the stone and mortar could be carried so high. One of them that was greatest, was the work of three thousand and lx men. in .xx year, at the cost of king Chemis, 
The greatest spire Chemis made.  whom Herodotus nameth Cheopis, Chabreus brother to the same king made the second turret not equal in height. The third, king Mycerinus caused to be wrought twenty ●ote shorter than his fathers was. 
The cause of making the spires.  The occasion that they were made, as Pliny telleth, was least the people should be idle, and josephus saith the Egipcians enforced the hebrews to build those Pyramids, because they should be in subjection to them, and that they might be made slaves and drudges: or else least the kings should leave so much treasure to their successors, that it might move them to sedition or treason. Mausoleum that was the tomb of Mausolus' king of Caria, 
Mausoleum  
Artemesia.  his wife Artemesia builded most sumteously, and for that faithful love that she bore to him, she remaigned a widow all her life time. The manner of burial in diverse countries is of sundry fashions: 

Rites of burying.  
Massagetes.   as the Massagetes & Derbians judge them that die in sickness very wretches, and therefore when their parents, & kinsfolk wax aged, they strangle them and eat them, supposing that it is better that they should eat them, than the worms. 
Albans.  The Albans, that dwell by the mount Caucasus, take it to be a mortal crime if they regard or once name them that be ded. The Thracians keep solemnly the funerals of the dead corpse of men with great joy & solace: 
Thrariens fashion.  because they be dispatched by the death of the miseries human, and rest in felicity eterne: and contrariwise at the birth of their children they make great sorrow and lamentation, because of the calamities that they must sustain in this miserable life. The women of Ind take it for a great honesty and triumph if they may be buried with their husband: 
Women of Ind.  for it is granted to her that loved him best, there be other diverse manner of buryings among the Pagans and Heathen people, which for so much, as they exceed the bonds of humanity, & have in them no hope of resurrection at this present I omit and over pass them. The Romans, 
The Romans burned their dead bodies  because the dead corpses that died in extern battle were after their burial digged out of the ground, instituted the manner of burning the carcases of men departed which rite was executed on Sylla chief of all the house and kyndrede of the Cornelians, 
Sylla.  which feared lest he should be served as he had used Marius. They had also in Rome a manner of deifying or hallowing their emperors dead bodies, 
deifying of the emperor  after this sort When the emperor was dead and his body reverently buried with great exequys, they formed an Image of the emperor, pale as though he were sick, and laid it at the gate of the palace in a bed of ivory, 
Herodian.  and the physicians resorted thither to the bed vi days continually, the lords of the senate, and noble ladies and matrons standing on every side of the bed. The seventh day the young lords and nobility bore him on their shoulders in the bed▪ first into the old place of judgements called Forum Vetus and then into the field named Campus Martius where they chose their magistrates and high officers: where they laid him in a tent builded for the nonce, like a tower and filled it with dry wood and sweet ointments, and after they had finished the rites and ceremonies of their law, he that should succeed, in the empire put a fire brand to the tent, and then other laid to the fire good plenty. And by and by after all was burned, they let fly an Eagle out of the top of the turret, which, as they supposed, carried the soul of the emperor to heaven, and from thence forth they honoured him as a God. Commendations to the worship of dead bodies at funerales, 
Commendations.  Valerius Publicola first made in the praise of Brutus, and that was long afore the Greeks had any, notwithstanding Gellius writeth that Solon ordained that law in Athens in the time of Tarquinnins Priscus. 
Solon.  The Romans used to praise the women at their burials because on a time they were contented to give their golden evils to make a boulle to sand to Delphos, to the God Apollo. 
Women had commendations in Rome    

The viii Chapter. ¶ Who made spires called Obelisti, the marks of the broochs, the Egipcians letters, first Sanctuary.  
OBelisti, 
Obelisti. broaches.  which may be called long bruches or spires, were great and huge stones in Egipte made of masons from the bottom smaller and smaller of a large length, and were consecrated to the Son, because they be long much like the beams of the son. The first of them was instituted by Mitres, 
Metres.  which reigned in Heliopolis, being commanded by a vision too make it, and so it was recorded and written in the same. King Sothis set up four that were every of them, 
Sothis.  xlviii. cubits long: Ramises (in whose time Troy was destroyed) reared up one forty cubits of length, 
Ramises.  & another of eight hundred and nyntene foot, & every side was four cubits broad. Ptolomaeus Philadelphus made one at Alexandria of fourscore cubits. 
Prolomeus.  And Phaeron set two in the temple of the Son of an hundred cubits length a piece and four cubits broad, 
Pheron.  on this occasion: It fortuned that this king for a great crime that he had committed, was stricken blind, and continued so ten years, and after by revelation at the city Bucis it was told him that he should receive his sight, if he washed his eyes with the water of a woman, that was never defiled with any strange man, but was alway content with her husband. first he tried his own wife, and afterward many other till at the last he received his sight, and married her by whose urine he was healed, and recovered his sight, and all the other with his first wife he caused to be burned at once. Then for a remembrance he made his oblation with the two foresaid spires in the temple of the Son. 
Augustus Cesar removed two.  Augustus Caesar brought two of these broochs into Rome and set one in the great Tilt yard or Lists, if I may call Circus in those terms, the other he set in the field called Campus Martius: In these broochs for the most part were written Images of beasts, 
The manner of writing in egypt.  whereby their posterity and successors might perceive the renown of such princes, and the manner of their vows and oblations.  
FOR the Egipcians used the Images of beasts in the stead of letters, and as Cornelius writeth, 
Emblems.  they declared their minds by the figures and shapes of beasts, as by the Bee they signified a King ruling his commons with great moderation and gentleness, 
A Bee.  
Goshauke.  by the goshawk they mente spidie performance of their affairs.  

Sanctuaries nephews of Hercules.  Sanctuary (as Stacius writeth) made first by Hercules nephews in Athens, and was called the temple of mercy. From thence it was not lawful to take any man violently, that repaired thither for aid and comfort notwithstanding Moses which was long afore Hercules did institute three franchised towns, 
Moses.  wither it was permitted for them to go, that had done any murder unware or by chaunce-medly. Next after him Romulus ordained a sanctuary in Room to increase his citizens, 
Romulus.  and to have more numbered to build the city. There was a sanctuary in the Isle Calauria dedicated too Neptune, 
Calauria.  and another in Egipte at Canobicus consecrated to Hercules, 
Egipte.  & another to Osyridis, & in Syria one hallowed to Apollo. And there be many at this day in chrstendome, and namely in England: but now the liberty and numbered of them is sore minished, 
Sanctuaries in England.  because they were occasion of great crimes & enormities.   

The ix Chapter. ¶ Of Theatres, and Amphitheatres, and Baths.  
THEATRES were certain places, 
Theatres.  as scaffolds with pentises, wherein the people of Athens stood to behold the interludes that were showed, and they were made like half a circle with benches one above another, that they might without any impediment see the places. 
Dionysius.  Dionysius did first institute them in Athens: in the mids of the scaffold or theatre stood the stage, wherein Comodies, Tragedies, with other shows were exibited too the common sort. Of them the Romans took example to make such scaffolds: which Quintus Catulus caused to be covered with linen clothes, and hanged it with silk, 
Covering of scaffolds.  where as afore they had no vault to bear of the son or rain. But Marcus Scaurus being Aedil, that is, 
Edili●.  having the oversight of all public and private buildings, made the first in Rome that endure● for the space of thirty days, it was made up with pillars of Marble. 
Caius Curio  Caius Curio at his father's burial builded two theaters of timber after such a fashion that they might in time of interludes stand one contrary to another in such wise that neither play should disturb other: and when it liked him he turned them together and made an Amphitheatre, 
Amphitheatres.  which was a round scaffold full of benches of diverse hightes: wherein he set forth a game of sword players. Pompeius Magnus made the first standing Theatre of free stone, after the patron that he saw at Mitylene, when he had subdued Mithridates' King of Pontus. Caius julius Caesar builded the first Amphitheatre in the field consecrated to Mars, 

julius Cesar builded an Amphitheatre.  
The use of the Amphitheatre.   In this were set forth shows of wild beasts, and sword players: for the manner was that such, as were condemned too death, or taken prisoners in war should be cast there to the wild beasts to be devoured and slain. It was strawen with sand, 
Sand was strawen in the Amphitheatre  least the blood of those that were slain should defile them that fought, or discourage their hearts: and therefore, there were certain appointed too toss and straw the sand. 
Circus.  The place called Circus, that we may call Lists or Tilt yards were places walled about with stone of a great length, wherein was used coursing and jousting, and tourneing on horseback and on foot by champions and challengers: they were first named in Tarqvinius Priscus reign, and that was called the greatest. 
Circus Maximus.  After that two other were made one by Flamminius, and the other by Nero.  
THE first coursing, jousting, and running with other exercises in the Lists were what time Spurius Marcius, 
First jousting in Rome.  Philippus were consuls the year of the city five hundred threescore and seven.  
HOT Baths or Stues were used first privately of all men according to their degree and ability because of the preservation of health as they pretended: 
Baths private.  but in process they builded common Baths and hot houses too sweat in, 
Common Baths.  and the nobles did bath and wash with the commons, and finally without any shame men and women were permitted most lasciviously to bathe together most notable baths were they that Agrippa, 
Notable baths  and Nero, and Titus Vespasianus with other Emperors made, as julius Capitolinus writeth, they were both great and also gorgeously dressed like cities & big towns with all places of opportunity too maintain excessive riot in all sorts of men.   

❧ The ten Chapter. ¶ Who found the Carpenter's craft, and instruments of the same, Vessels of diverse measures.  

carpenter's art.  OAEDALUS, after the mind of Pliny, first invented the art of Carpentry, with these instruments following, the Saw, Chip axe, 
saw. Chip Axe. Plomlyne. wimble. Glue. Squire. Lyne. Shave.  and Plunline, whereby the evenness of the Squares be tried whither they batter or hang over, the Augore, or wimble, and Glue to join boards together. The Squire, the Line, the Shave, the Pricker or Punche were devised by Theodor a Samian. notwithstanding ovid writeth, that Talus Daedalus sister son invented both the Compass, 
Compass.  & also fashioned the Saw after the patron of the back bone of a fish: 
How the saw was found.  or as Diodorus saith by the example of the chaw bone of a serpent he found also the Shave, & for such benefits, as he did show & bestow to the use and profit of men, he was highly commended: 

Dedalus slew his nephew for envy.  
Pythagoras' rule.   but Daedalus envying that a boy being but his prentice should excel his master, cast him down out of a tower (as ovid witnesseth) and slew him. Pythagoras a Samian devised also another manner of rule or Squire, than this that we use commonly, fit for all manner of buildings as Victruuius declareth in the ix book. 
Penthesilea. Axe.  Penthesilea queen of Amazons is reported to have found the Axe. Albeit I think the invention of this art is more worthy to be referred either to the hebrews, which occupied such arts afore Daedalus time and in specially in making of the tabernacle which was curiousli wrought, or else to the Tyrians, that were in that faculty far above the hebrews. 
Tyrians were cunning carpenters.  For which cause Solomon wrote to the king of tire for work men to build the temple. Making of hollow vessels as barrels or hoggesheddes Speusippus imagined vessels of Osiare or wicker as baskets, 
barrels. Speusippus baskets. Ceres.  hampers with such like Ceres did first device as Servius writeth.   

¶ The xi Chapter. ¶ Who ruled first on the sea, found ships, merchandise.  
STRABO writeth that Minos King of Crete had the first rule of the sea: 
Who was ruler on the sea first.  but Diodorus saith that Neptunus had the Empire of it afore him, 
Neptune.  for he invented the feat in rowing in boats, 
Rowing in boats.  and made a navy, and was made Admiral of it by his father Saturnus. And Pliny reporteth that King Erychthras devised boats first and rowed in them in the red sea, 
Erichthras devised boats.  some say they were ordaigned by the Trojans in the narrow seas called Hellesponrus, some think they were invented in the English sea, 
English seas  and covered with leather and hides of beasts. Danaus' was the first that used any ship when he sailed out of Egipte into Grece: 
first ship.  as Pliny recordeth, although some suppose the Samotraciens, and some Atlas that found it. But too speak the truth Noha was the first that made the ship wherein he preserved from danger of the water all the living creatures that were saved too multiply the world: 
Noha made the first ship.  and that was the patron that all other made their ships after. jason first made the Galley, 
Galley.  which Sefostris king of Egypt used after him, and Erythaeus made the Barge with two order of Doors on a side, 
Barges.  Amocles or Corinthe, that with three course of Doors on a side: the Carthagiens', that with four, & Helichthon of Salamis, that with five doors on a side, which the Romans made in the first battle Punic Zenazoras Syracusane devised that, with six row of doors. Hippius a Tyrian conceived the making of the lighter or merchants ship the Cirenens invented the Noye or Gallion. 
Lighter. how. keel. brigantine. Bark. Boats of one piece.  Phoenicians the keel or demie bark, the Rhodians the brigantine, Cyprian'S the bark. Germans the boats of one piece, Illirians the Cock boat or Lighters. Rudders were found by the Copians, and the broad Doors the Plataeans devised. sails Icarus found, albeit Diodorus saith it was Aeolus: 
Cork ●oate. Rudders. Sails. mast. Cross piece. Ferry boats Ancores.  Daedalus fo●●e the Mast, and the cross piece where unto the sail is fastened. Ferry boats the athenians or the Salaminiens found, close galeres were found by the Thasians, the Tyrrhenes devised the ancores, and Eupalamius made it with two points or teeth, but some refer it to Anacharsis, which also invented the Grapull or Tacle of a ship. 
Grapull. Stemine. Sterne  The stem of the ship Pisaeus imagined. Tiphys found the strene after the example of the Kite, which in her flying turneth all her body with the turning of her tail. Minos' made the first battle on the sea. 

Battle on the sea.  
Merchandise.   Merchandise was first instituted for too certify men of necessaries, by the way of exchange: but after, when money was coined, it was occupied more for men's private wealth then for any common profit, and for that cause Cicero calleth it a vile and servile craft. 
philosophers were merchants.  Albeit plutarch witnesseth that Thales, Solon, Hypocrates, and Plato ●erquented this art. The Cartagiens found it, 
Cartagiens first merchants.  as Pliny writeth in the vii book, but Diodorus saith it was Mercury that found it. And Pliny in the ten book saith that Liber otherwise called Dionysius invented the trade of merchandise, 
Dionysius taught the trade of merchandise.  & therefore it is to be thought that the Cartagiens' learned the cast of merchandise of Dionysius. But the hebrews (as josephus witnesseth) used buying and selling in the time of Noah, 
Hebrues did buy and sell.  & joseph was sold to merchants, & carried into Egypte. The Lydians were first mercers & carriers abrob of stuff as factors and brokers do with us. 
Lidians. Mercers.    

The xii Chapter. ¶ Who instituted stews, dying of hear, barbers with other things.  
VENUS, 
Venus' a common woman  which was begotten of the froth of the sea (as poets fame) was a common harlot, and brothel of her body, and had many children by sundry men, as by Mars she had Harmonia, by Mercury, Hermaphroditus, by jupiter, Cupid, by Anchises, Aeneas: And because she alone would not seem to be an whore, 
Stews.  she ordained in Cypress that women did prostitute themselves for money to all that came. And justine telleth, that the manner of the maids of Cypress was to get their marriage good, 
Maids of Cypress.  by such filthy bawdry. And to help forth the matter, one Melampus brought out of Egypt into Grece the rites of Bacchus' sacrifices, wherein men use to company dissolutely with women in the night, 
Bacchanalia  in such wise that it is shame for christian men to speak of, much like our shows or dances called masks in England & bonefyres, 
Masks. Bonefyres. Spu. Posthumius abrogated Bacchus' feasts.  as they be used in some parts of the realm. But Spu. Posthumius, Albinus, and Q. Martius, abolished those feasts, I would all masks and bonefyres were likewise banished from among us christians. Albeit common women were long afore Venus time. 
Common women were of long time.  For it appeareth in Genesis, that judas son to jacob meddled with Thamer his daughter in law, because he supposed she had been an hoore by reason of her apparel. But to let that pass, yet it is pity to see among christian men stews & bawdry maintained, as though it were for a common weal: & honourable matrimony so neglected & polluted without any fear of God. This is a doctrine of the devil, if there be any. In Moses laws an aduontrer was stoned to death, and in Grece, 
Punishment for adultery.  in Rome and in Arabia, and diverse other countries he was punished by death, & among christiens it reigneth unpunished: God will strike ones for all, therefore let the ministers of the law provide a godly remedy. I would wish that women would follow the pagan Lucretia, or Hebrew Susanna, and men joseph, 
Lucretia. Susanna. joseph. dying of hear.  Medea found the dying and coloring of hear, and our women of England have not forgotten it, and beside that make their foreheads by their medicines brother than God made them, 
Broad foreheads.  with other enormities, wherein some of the physicians be greatly to blame, that teach such thinks to the frail creature. 
Bungling Physicians are blamed.  They be ashamed of God's creation & handy work in themselves or else they would nor amend it.  
barber's to shave and round, were instituted by the Abantes, 
barber's.  because their enemies in war should have no occasion to pluck them by the hear P. Ticinius Mena brought them into Rome the. CCC.liiii. year of the 
P. Ticinius Mena.  building of the city afore they were unshaven. Africanus was wont to be shaven every day. There be many other things, 
Things whose auctors be not known.  whose auctors for antiquity can not be known, & some because of the negligence of men that will not write such things.  
As no man can tell who began clocks, bells, the shipman's compass, the guns styrops, caps or bonnets, for that is but newly invented: because in old time men went bare head, 
Atheneus in the four book sayeth that C●essebius a barboure of Alexandria found out the orgamnes, and bringeth the testimony of Aristotle.  water mills, organs, & claricymbals, talowcandels, reclaiming of hawks, rings, with many other, which for the ancienty, or oversight of men be in extreme oblivion.   
¶ The end of the abridgement of the third book.   

The fourth book.  

The first Chapter. ¶ The beginning, and increase of Christ's religion.  
CHRIST'S religion, 
Our religion began of the hebrews.  wherein only resteth the whole hoop of our salvation, began of the hebrews, which were so named of Heber, and lived very devoutly, afore there was any law written, only by a natural inclination, & high courage excited to ensue truth and justice.  
The first that called on the name of God, was Enos, than Enoche, 
Enos called first on God.  No And afther him Abraham, Isaac and jacob, which because he had seen God was named Israel, 
Israel.  and of him the hebrews were surnamed Israelites Of the issue and lineage of his xii sons there came xii tribes or generations of jews, 
xii. tribes.  every tribe bearing the name of one of them: 
job.  job also was a perfect godly man, albeit an heathen, 
joseph.  and joseph was a mirror of chastity. To these men the will, promises, and revelations of God were showed first. notwithstanding they did not long persever in that perfect innocency of living, but partly for their corruptible & poisoned nature prone to vice, and partly by reason of the acquaintance, that they had with the Egyptians, 
Egyptians superstitious  a kind of people very superstitious & given to much Idolatry, fell from the purity into such extreme blindness of heart, ignorauncie of God, & idolatry, that they differed in nothing from the Gentiles & heathen. But God, as he is all merciful and long suffering, after. Cc.u years that Israel came into Egypt, and cccc. thirty. years after Abraham's going thither, by the valiant captain Moses delivered them out of the thrall doom and bondage that they were in & brought them through the red sea & wilderness, 
Moses delivered the Israelites from bondage.  into the land of promise, the fruitful land of Canaan: And yet they unkindly forgot all those benefits, and returned to their old wretchedness, and sinful abominations. Last of all, God considering that neither law of nature, 
God's mercy is showed.  nor law written, nor his great benefits, nor preaching of sundry prophets, whom they most truly murdered, could turn them from their stefnecked, and stubborn obstinacy: 
God is made man.  To show all kindness possible, sent his only begotten son equal to him in essential power, to be incarnate of a pure maid, that at the last they might by his example and preaching have an obedient heart toward their creator, which was borne (the year of the world .v. thousand. C.xcix. and the xli year of the reign of Augustus Caesar) of the virgin Mari to be our saviour, 
What year Christ was incarnate.  and intercessor for us afore the judgement seat of the father, as his name jesus doth pretend unto us.  
He by his example, teaching, and miracles, showed the path of salvation, 
Christ was persecuted to death.  but they enuiousely did persecute him to the vile death of the cross: nevertheless by his divine power he rose the third day in the xviii year of Tiberius the emperor his reign and after xl days he ascended to the right hand of God, 
The year of Christ's death & resurrection  leaving power and authority with his Apostles to establish the common wealth & religion of christians and the ten day after his ascension he sent the holy ghost into their hearts to strengthen and teach them all truth: 
The holy ghost is sent.  This was xxxiii years & three months after his incarnation. Thus our religion had it original, and the Apostles by their preaching amplified & enlarged it very much. For Peter first preaching to the jews in Jerusalem of the cruel murder, that they had committed against Christ jesus, converted and baptized in one day three. M. men and women. 
Peter converted, iii. M.  And by the miracle of healing the lame man at the beautiful gate of the temple he stayed and confirmed them strongly in the faith, albeit he suffered persecution greatly for the same: And Stephyn for his faithful testimony was stoned to death. 
Stephyn is martyred. Philippe.  Philip converted and baptized the Samaritans, and a certain eunuch of Candaces' queen of Ethiopia, the eunuch turned the queen with her family, and a great part of that country to the faith of Christ. 
Men were first called christians in Antioch.  After in Antioch the faithful named themselves Christians.  
Thomas preached to the Parthians, Matthew in Ethiopia, 
Thomas. Mathewe. Bartlemewe Andrew.  Bartholomew in Ynde, Andrew in Scytia, john in Asia, Peter in Galatia, Pontus, & Capadocia. Peter was borne in Bethsaida a city of Galilee, & brother to Andrew. 
Peter bishop of Atioche.  He was by ship of Antioch vii years, and converted many people of Asia: and after went to Rome in the time of Claudius, & there showed the Gospel with great increase, at the same time Mari the virgin, 
Mari the virgin died.  and mother of our saviour jesus Christ did change her life, and was Assumpted into the number of blessed spirits, which was the year of our salvation xlvii Not long after Paul being converted from his fantastical traditions to a preacher of Christ's Gospel, 
Paul is converted.  was brought to Rome, where he preached boldly the Gospel, notwithstanding the great persecutions that he suffered for it, 
Paul was headed. Peter was crucified.  and afterward suffered death by the way of heading, at the commandment of Nero, the same day that Peter was crucified on a cross. Thus daily the congregation of christians increased more and more, as the Acts of the Apostles and other histories doth declare at full. Albeit there was great trouble and persecution in every place, yet God by his power contrary to their expectation turned their cruelness to the furtherance of his word, confirmation of the faithful, and confusion of them that used tyranny.   

The ii Chapter. ¶ The institution of circumcision and baptism.  
GOD, which had made promise to Abraham, that he should be father of many nations, and that all the world should be blessed in his seed (that Christ) willing to stay his forth in the same promise appointed the covenant of circumcision between him & Abraham: 
Circumcision.  saying, every male shallbe circumcised, and the flesh of his fore skin shallbe cut round about, for a sign of the league & confederacy that I make with the. 
Abraham. circumcised.  Upon this commandment Abraham then being xcix years of age did cut his foreskin, & his son Ismales being then xii years old, whom he begat by Agar his bondmaid, and all his men servants: For this cause (as s. Cyprian saith) that he might have the first fruits of the blood, 
Why the blood was shed.  which should afterward shed his holy blood for the redemption of many, yea of all that believe in him. The fashion of it was to cut the fore skin of a man's yard with a knife of stone, as God commanded joshua that he should make knives of stone to circumcise all the Israelites the second time, 
The second circumcision.  and Moses did circumcise his children with a sharp stone. Chrisostome calleth circumcision the first and most ancient commandment, for there is no nation, 
Circumcision.  that gave any precepts or rules to live by afore Abraham or Moses: & therefore it is to be supposed that other countries took example at the hebrews to circumcise their children, 
Other countries do circumcise.  as the Pheniciens, and Arabiens, the Sarrocenes, the Ethiopians, the Egyptians, and the Colchians.  
This circumcision of the flesh was a figure to us of the circumcision of the heart, 
What circumcision signifieth.  and cutting away of all superfluous lust, carnal desires, and importeth a moderation and mortifying of the affects & concupicences of the old Adam I mean the sinful body: he that had not this sign was banished out of the number of the people of God, & had no par● in the promises made to Abraham. Baptism wherein is left to us a signification both of the mortification of the flesh and dying to the world, 
Baptism.  that we may walk in a new life, and also of the washing away of our sins by Christ's blood, and is the token that we be of the body of the congregation of the faithful, 
john Baptest author of baptism.  was instituted by s. john, son of zachary, the xu year of the Emperor Tiberius' reign, in the wilderness beside the famoose river of jordane, where he baptized much people. This baptism and washing was in the water to signify the washing away of our sins that should be by Christ, which baptized in the holy ghost & fire. There was signs of baptism in the old law, as the cloud, 
Signs of Baptism.  the red sea, the river of jordain. The first that was christened of the heathen was Cornelius of Cesaria, and the eunuchus of queen Candaces.  
Christening of enfantes was institute among us, 
Christening of enfantes.  as circumcision of children was of the jews celebrated the eight day. Iginius' bishop of Rome ordained first that children, which should be Christened, should have a godfather and a godmother, for to be witness of the sacrament that it was received. 
Godfather & godmother.  And Victor bishop there did institute that one might be christened either by a lay man or woman in time of necessity, 
When lay men may christian.  because enfantes were often in danger. There be three manner of baptisms (as Cyprian divideth it). One in water, 
Three baptisms.  whereof john was author, another in the holy ghost & fire, whereof Christ was institutor, the third is in blood, wherein the children that Herod slew, were Christened. It was also the manner in old time, 
The old custom of baptizing.  that they which were grown in age should be baptized in white apparel, and that was wont to be at Easter or Whitsonday only necessity constrained otherwise: In the mean time till those days came, they were taught the mysteries of the religion of Christ, which they should profess. Of that custom I suppose the sunday after Easter is called the white sunday. 
Whitsonday    

The iii Chapter. ¶ Of the priesthood of the hebrews, and degrees of the same.  
LIKE as in the christian common wealth there be two sorts of men, one called the laity, to whom appertaineth the ministration of the public weal, 
laity.  and all temporl affairs: the other is the Clergy, to whom belongeth the cure & charge of ministering the word of God, 
Clergy.  sacraments, & other decent ceremonies: so in the old law of the Hebrues there were two jurisdictions, one of them was captains & governors of the commons: the other was the priesthood that did offer up the sacrifices, & other oblations. 
Priesthood.  Of this degree of priests, Aaron and his sons were the first, 
Aaron first priest.  ordained and consecrated by Moses at the commandment of God. The manner and fashion of hallowing of them and their vestures is declared at large in the book of Exodus: As for Noah, which made the first alter, 
No made the first alter.  Melchisedech, Abraham, Isaac and jacob did make their offering rather of a natural devotion then any priestly authority. After that the Levites whom we use to call deacons were created by Moses to minister & serve Aaron in all the sacrifices, 
Levites.  to bear the ark and tabernacle, the holy vessels, and pitch the camp, and were discharged of all extreme affairs.  
next them were chosen the ministers, 
Ministers.  which did make ready the sacrifice, as Calves, Oxen, sheep with such other things, at the commandment of the Levites, these we may call subdeacons. Certain other were elected to light the tapers and lamps named accolytes. 
Subdeacons   
The Sextyns or porters were appointed to keep out all profane and unclean people: 
Sextyns.  And readers to preach and read the law and prophets on their sabbath days. 
Readers.   
There were moreover chanters & singers to sing the Psalms in the temple, 
Chanters.  whom David and Asaph did institute.  
Coniurars were ordained by Solomon 
Coniurars.  to drive evil spirits out of men.  
All these offices went by succession, neither was one promoted from one to another. 
Succession in priesthood.  Thus was the levitical priesthood appointed, which was but a sign & shadow of things to come that is Christ, in whom resteth the perfection and complete fulfilling of the law.   

The four Chapter. ¶ Of our priesthood, how it is double, what laying on of hands meaneth.  

Christ auctor of our priesthood.  CHRIST jesus our saviour, which was king & priest after the order of Melchisedeche, in the new testament hath instituted among us a priesthood to offer and do the functions of this new law: And it is of two kinds or sorts. The one is a spiritual priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices, 
Spiritual priesthood.  in this kind Christ offered and gave up himself a consummate oblation for the sins of the whole world as Peter saith, Christ died once for our sins, he being righteous for us unrighteous, that he might give us up to God mortified as touching the flesh but living in the spirit.  
OF this priesthood be all christian men, 
All christian men are priests.  which after the example of Christ must offer our prayers, thanks giving, and our bodies mortified: we be all of the degree of this kingly priesthood as Peter and also John in the Apocalypse do bear witness.  
THE second priesthood is a ministry, 
Second priesthood is a ministry.  that Christ did ordain following the order of the law, that we might have our teachers to instruct us in the Gospel, as the jews had their schoolmasters in the law. He did elect twelve bishops, whom he called by a new name apostles because they were appointed to be ambassadors into all parts of the world, 
Apostles.  with the mighty word of his power the glad tidings of his Gospel. He assigned also lxx disciples, 
Disciples.  to whom he gave the charge and office of preaching & teaching, which in stead of Aaron's sons, should be among us as inferior priests, 
Priests.  and s●●oures of congregations: and of these began the order of our Priests, 
Bishops.  as our bishops had their original of the apostles. As for the apostles and disciples, which were ministers and disposers of the mysteries of GOD, had no other manner of consecrating, but only the vocation and election of Christ into the office And so was Mathias chosen in the Acts into the room of judas, 
The manner of consecrating in the apostles time  so were the seven deacons chosen to minister too the poor people of the congregation. And Titus did chose in every town and city of Crete priests by the laying on of hands, which was a manner of admission without any further ceremonies, 
laying on of hands.  whereby authority was given them over the congregation, and boldness to execute earnestly his office with the assistance of the holy ghost. And therefore in the beginning of the church when a bishop was consecrated there was used no other rites or amabges, 
The fashion of the primitive church.  but only the people, to whom the election of the bishop belonged, should pray: and after the senioures or priests by laying on their hands admitted him too that degree. Of these Peter was called chief and first because both of his ancienty, and also for somuch as he was first elected. 
A bishops office.  A bishops room is not somuch an honour, as it is an heavy burden, not so much a laud, as a load. For his duty is not only to wear a mitre and crosear, but also to watch over the flock of the Lord vigilantly, to teach with the word diligently, with example honestly, and in all things too go afore them uprightly, and lead them in the way of truth, that they may follow the patron of his Godly living, and there as it were in a mirror behold how they ought too reform and conform their living. 
Scripture hereth these.  And this office of the bishopric & deacons were instituted by the scripture only, for priests in the primative church & bishops were all one  
BUT the bishops of Rome following the shadows of the old abrogate law of the hebrews have ordained a swarm of diverse other orders, as porters, or sextens, 
Rome made more orders.  readers exorcists, accollites, subdeacons, deacons, pristes, bishops, archbishops, as a certain degree one above another, whereby they should ascend to the highest dignity. Caius' bishop Rome did begin the orders first, yet some say: Iginius did ordain those degrees long afore Caius time. And I grant well that Iginius might be the first diviser of them, 
Iginius did device first orders.  & afterward Caius accomplished the work, & brought it to a final consummation.  

The office of a priest.  THE office of a priest (as Christ ordained it) was too teach, baptize, and minister the Sacrament of the altar, and thanks giving, bind and lose, and judge of doctrines. Therefore, let them take heed that admit such too be priests, as cannot perform the duty of the ministry. For many suppose if they can mumble up a pair of matins and say Mass they be perfect priests.   

The .v. Chapter. ¶ The manner of shaving priests crowns, who may no● be priest, what age he must be of.  
THE common and general badge of all Priests is the shaven crown, 
The shaven crown is the priests badge  where by the Clergy is dessevered from the laity, and be put in remembrance by it how they ought all together to relinquish and despise all carnal pleasure, and worldly treasure, and ensue after heavenly things, which be eternal. This as Beda writeth, 
Occasion of shaving crowns.  grew into a custom, and was decreed by a constitution, to the intent that the thing which was before approbrious, might grow to honour and comeliness. For Peter what time he preached at Antioch, 
Peter was mocked for his baldness  was scorned and mocked because of his bald head, or shaven crown, and it was a contumelious thing both among the Romans and Lombard's too be shaven. I think the original cause of it did proceed of the ceremonies of the Nazarees, 
shaven crowns came of the Nazarees  which when they had lived long time) as josephus telleth very devoutly), they shaved their heads and sacrificed the heir in the fire too God whereby they signified that they did dedicated themselves wholly to live in a Godly perfection. Samuel was a Nazaree, and Samson also. I suppose, 
Priests of Egipte were shaven.  that this rite of the Nazarees came out of Egipte where the Priests were customably shaven in token of sorrow and heaviness for the death of their God Apis. And they were also shaven daily because they should be without filth in their quoridian sacrifices.  
THE signification of the priests crowns is to declare that they ought to reject terrene and earthly substance, 
What the crown signifieth.  reserving to themselves only a compitente sufficience. 

Anacletus forbade priests too have beards.  
Siricius decree of them that were twice married.  
Lame men may not be priests.   Anacletus first forbade priests to have beards, or long side heir.  
Siricius decreed that all those men that were twice married, or wedded a widow should be no priest. Anastasius commanded that none that was lame or maimed should be admitted to be a priest. Bonifacius instituted that no man could be a priest afore he were thirty years old, 
The age of priests.  for that was the age of priests in the old law: But the counsel of Laterane thought it sufficient if he were xxv. years old, after the example of the Levites, which at that age ministered in the tabernacle. 
Stalling a bishop.  Anacletus also appointed that every Bishop should be stalled and consecrated of their other ancient bishops.   

¶ The vi Chapter. ¶ Who devised Parishes, and Dioceses the order of Cardinals, Notaries and Chamberlains.  
AFTER that the priesthood was ordaigned, both least the cure should be over great, and also that every man might know what his charge was, and how far his office extended, 
Dionysius.  Dionysius the year of our lord cc.lxvii. divided both in Rome and other places, churches, 
Churches. churchyards.  churchyards, and parishes to curates, and dioceses to bishops, and commanded that every man should be contented with his prescript bonds. 
Parishes. Dioceses.  But afore that Evaristus appointed titles of cures to the priests in Rome, whose duty was to christian all that were converted from Paganism to christian religion, 
Cures in Rome.  and resorted thither to receive the faith, and to bury the dead. And afterward Marcellus decreed that there should be xxv in number. 
Cardinals,   
THESE because they were the chief priests in Rome, and had the prerogative afore the rest were named Cardinals and of them without doubt the order of Cardinals sprung first which for somuch as they were in daily presence with the bishop of Rome, that then had the primacy of christendom, were had in great reputation and reverence. And Innocencius the fourth of that name, 
Innocencius  which was about the year of our lord. M two hundred fifty and four, willing to augment and advance their dignity, 
cardinals ride.  commanded by decree, that from thenceforth they should ride when they came to the bishops palace, 
Cardinal hats.  and were a red hat, whereby was mente that they ought to be in ar●dinesse too adventure themselves for the law of religion, and spend their blood in Christ's cause: And Paulus bishop ordained that they should have scarlet robes or kittelles. 
Scarlet robes.  This order standeth of three sorts, for some be bishops and be in numbered six. The Cardinals of Hostia, 
Order of cardinals.  Sabine, Portua, Tuculane, Praenestine, and Alban, the other were either priests or deacons, albeit, in no certain or special numbered. But there is another order in Room of Notaries, 
Notaries. Who ordained notaries.  which were appoyneted by julius the first of that name, too writ the acts of all godly martyrs, and confessors and register them for a perpetual example of constant & virtuous living: Albeit, I think it rather to be the invention and device of Clement, which ordained seven Notaries too enroll the notable deeds of Martyrs. And Antherius after did more firmly ratify it. Also Leo the first a godly and well disposed man, seeing the people repair thither from all parts of the world for pardon, appointed certain officers of the priests, whom he named Chamberlains, 
Chamberlains.  too keep the tombs and sepulchres of the apostles and Martyrs, that they perceiving the holy reverence about the apostles graves might be more inflamed with devotion.  
BUT all such offices be now perverted and turned from that godly purpose to vain worldly ostentation and pomp, 
Offices be sold in Rome  & be ready merchandise in Rome, the promotions be so great.   

❧ The vii Chapter. ¶ The prerogatives of the bishop of Room and his election.  
ONE special prerogative and privilege of the bishop of Rome is, 
The bishop of Rome may change his name.  that he may change his name, if it seem to him not very pleasant too his ear●s: As if it be a malefactor, he may call his name Bonifacius, if he be a coward, he may be called Leo, for a carter Vrbanus, and for a cruel man, Clemens. This was the ordinance of Sergius, 
Sergius invented the changing of his name.  and they say they do it after the example of Christ, which changed Simon Bar-Iona his name into Peter: And of this it came too pass that every bishop, when he was elected, chose the name of one of his predicessoures.  

Bishops of Rome be borne on men's shoulders.  THE bishop of Rome is also borne on men's shoulders, which custom came of the election of Stephanus the second, whom the people for his great virtue, and godliness, with much joy of the election bore on their shoulders: The manner of the pomp of bearing was admitted, but the counterferring, and following of his virtue and sincere living was omitted. Albeit it might spring of a gentle custom, that was among the Romans, that every rich man or high potestate should be borne of h●s servants in a bed.  
THE authority too chose the bishop of Rome belonged first too the Emperor of Constantinople, 
Election of the bishop of Rome.  & the deputy of Italy, till the time of the Emperor Constantyne, which licensed the Cardinals and the people of Rome to elect him. This was about the year of Christ, cccccc. four score & five. 
The Empire is removed in to France by bishops of Rome.  A few years after Gregory the third with other his successors, when they were vexed by the Lumberdes, seeing they could not have ready help of the Emperor of Constantinople, required aid of Charles Marcel●e, Pippin, and Charles the great king of France. For which benefits Leo the third made and denounced Charlemagne Emperor, and gave him authority to ratify and confirm the election of the bishop of Rome: but Nicolas the second restrained the election only too the Cardinals, 
The cardinals chose him now.  which custom remaineth at this day.  
THE great possessions that the bishops of Rome hath contrary to the example of Christ, whose vicar's they name themselves, and Peter's poverty their predecessor, were given them by Charles and Lewes emperors. 
Charles gave the lands to the sea of Rome.  And yet, notwithstanding all that large benignity, and kindness showed too him and his ancestors, 
Otho a German is made Emperor.  John the twelve made Otho king of Germany Emperor and afterward Gregori the third a German borne, because too gratify the Emperor his country man, decreed that the bishops of Magunce, Treverence, and Colyne, the Merques of Brandbrough, 

Prince's Electoures.  
Decree by the Bishop of Room.   the county palatine, Duke of Saxone, and King of Boemie should have full power to choose the Emperor. About the year of our Lord one thousand and two.  
THUS the bishops of Room have been enhanced in worldly power that they think themselves equal with Princes, Kings and Emperors: But as it was falsely usurped, so shall it by the word of GOD be rooted out and extirped as an unprofitable tree.   

The viii Chapter. ¶ The dividing of Priests into sundry degrees, a manner of swearing, and excommunication.  
GREGORY surnamed the great, where afore time, Priests and chief Priests were only used in the congregation, first divided them into patriarchs and archbishops. patriarchs at the first were of Room, Antioch, 
patriarchs  Alexandrie, Jerusalem, and Constantinople: archbishops had their title to be called Metropolitaines', 
archbishops.  because their sea was in the mother city of the Provence. Clement the first ordaigned that all patriarchs, and archbishops should wear a paul which doth signify meekness and justice, 
The paul is decreed to the patriarchs.  wherewith they should specially be garnished. Then also the inferior orders begun too be divided, 
Archdeacon's.  as that the archdeacon should be above Deacon, and Archeprieste above the priest, and over them the Deans, and then were ordained cannons, that sing in cathedral churches Antherius permitted that a bishop might change his bishoppericke, 
Changing of bishoprics.  for another upon an honest cause, if he were thought sufficient to discharge a greater, for his learning and Godliness. Caius' first made a statute, that a priest might not be convented afore a temporal judge: 
A priest might not be convented.  but least any man should be circumvented by fraud or guile, Entichianus instituted that the accusation should be put in writing afore the judge. Likewise Cornelius decreed that a man should not take or require an oath of a priest: but only in matters concerning our religion and faith. 
An oath might not be required of a priest   
THE manner of swearing was in old time of this sort: He that should swear, took a stone in his hand, & said, if I deceive you to my knowledge, 
The manner of swearing.  jupiter banish me out of all good men's company, preserving the rest of the city, as I cast away this stone from me. And (as Pliny doth write) it was not lawful for any man too bear an office five days unless he were sworn. In like manner our bishops, kings, Priests, and other officers swear afore the● be admitted to the office.  
justinianus emperor appoyneted first that men should swear by the Gospel, 
Swearing by the Gospel.  and now a days all that swear lay their hand on the book and kiss it saying, so help me God and the holy Gospel, because as the Gospel of our religion and faith may for no cause be violated, so an oath in no case may be broken.  
THE fashion of excomunicating men that be obstinate and dissobediente too the officers: 
Excommunication.  Or common transgressors came, as some think out of the rites of the jews, which banished out of their synagogue all those that ran in obstinacy against their traditions.  
AND some suppose it sprung of the religious folk in France named Druids, 
Druids.  which (as Caesar recordeth) If either a private man or officer were not conformably ordered after their ceremonies, excluded him out of their company.   

The ix Chapter. ¶ Consecrating Nuns, taking of our caps, kissing the Pope's feet, and washing of feet.  

Nuns.  THE custom to consecreate Virgins making a vow of chastity was first found by Pius the first which instituted▪ also that none should be made afore she were twenty and five years old: 

The age of Nuns at their profession.  
The time of professing.   and that they might be consecrated at no time but in the epiphany or twelve day, Easter even and on the feasts of the apostles oules it were when any unprofessed wet in point to die. And Sotherus caused that a decree was made that no such professed should touch cope, 

nuns might touch no cope nor incense.  
When it began.   or put e●sence into the Censoures', the year of our Lord GOD an hundred three score and fifteen: It seemeth too have begun of the apostles, which is proved by Paul's words, where he saith: Let no widow be chosen afore she be three score years of age with diverse like sayings. Linus bishop of Rome commanded that no woman should entre into the congregation or temple with her head bare, 
Women may not be bare headed in the church.  which appeareth to have been taken of the hebrews: for the bishop in the old law might not uncover his head, and in Arabia & Cartage it was taken for an unhonest, and unreverent thing if a woman should uncover her head & go bare. The taking off of our caps to our superiors signifieth that we should disclose and show them all such things as we have in our custody. 
taking off of caps.  The rite diabolike of kissing the bishop of Rome's feet, took it original of the manner of the Romans, which in their Paganite used to kiss the feet of their priests and other nobles, 
Kissing the bishop of Rome's feet.  in token of obedience: as Seneca telleth how Caius Caesar stretched out his left foot that Pompeius a Carthagien might kiss it: Pomponius Laetus writeth that the Emperors used to give their hands to be kissed of the nobles, and then to take them up to kiss their mouths, and the commons kissed their knees, but Caius Caligula and Dioclesianus made them to stoop to their feet. This pagan example our christian bishop and God's vicar, full ungodly and ungodly doth counterfeit. All other bishops used to deliver their right hand to be kissed of such as came to salute them: 
Right hand.  for the right hand, as Pliny saith in the eleventh book, hath in itself a certain religion, and therefore we make all covenances and promises with it. 
Saluting with kisses.  The manner of saluting with kisses is very ancient, for it was the usage of the hebrews to kiss strangers at their first meeting, as jacob kissed Rachel afore he broke unto her that he was of her kindred, and Laban, after he knew him to be his sister's son, embraced him with his arms & kissed him. And the Romans custom was to kiss their kinsfolk, but afterward it was extended to further familiarity, & is now frequented very laciviously. Albeit in Rome it was an ordinance that women should kiss their kinsfolk because that if she had drunk any wine, 
Law for drinking wine.  contrary to the law made against the women for drinking of wine, by such means she might be espied. 
Washing of feet on maundy thursday.  Washing of feet on Maundye thursday, that the priests use among themselves, and nobles to inferior persons, is a counterfeit of the institute of christ, which to show them a patron of humility and meekness, washed the Apostles feet. The kings and queens of England on that day▪ wash the feet of so many poor men and women as they be years old, 
Kings and Queens of England.  and give to every of them so many pence with a gown, and an other ordinary alms of meat, and kiss their feet, and afterward give their gowns of their backs to them that they see most needy of all the number. It is a godly institute, I would there were more such ceremonies to help the poor. For they be now neglected & not regarded, but lie dead often in the streets for lack of sustenance.   

The ten Chapter. ¶ The institution of priests called Flamines, with other religions of the Romans.  
NUMA Pompilius the second king of Rome, willing to reclaim that fierce nation from war and chivarie, to the regard of justice, and keeping of peace ordained to the high God jupiter a sacred person called Flamen Dlalis, 
Flamen Dialis.  that is jupiters' priest And to advance the order he set him in a chariot of ivory, and a costly rob: but so soon as his wife was diseased he was discharged and gave over his office. He never road out nor might not lie one night out of the city, lest any sacrifices should be neglected by such absence. Swearing was clean foreboden him, because an oath is a manner of punishment to any fire borne man, and namely to a priest which hath charge of all divine observances: For his word should have the weight of an oath. I would wish that our bishops would mark and follow both those properties of these Heathe● religious for then the state of our religion should be in better case than it is, and other would not enforce so lightly a priest to the necessity of an oath, which should have no other terms, but yea & nay to confirm or deny their saying. Beside this Flamen, that was called Dialis because he was consecrated to jupiter, there were by the same Numa ordained two other, one to Mars and another to Quirine, albeit plutarch saith it was Romulus that instituted priests to jupiter and Mars. virgins vestals were of his bringing in also, 
Vestals.  and founded in honour of Vesta daughter to Saturnus. The first that ever was chosen in to the religion, was called Amata, 
Amata.  and of her all were named, likewise, a maid might not be under six years of age, nor above ten if she were created of this religion. These continued in their profession thirty. years, whereof the first ten they spent in learning the rites, the other ten they ministered, & the last of their years they taught other novices, and when her term of years was expired she might marry, or tarry in that religion still. They were found at the charges of the common chest, and if any of them committed any carnal act with any man, she was borne in the sight of all the people out of the city and at the gate named Collina was buried quick. They road in a waggon and other magistrates rose to them, and if they came by in time of execution, the condemned was quite delivered. 
Pontifex maximus.  This religion began at Alba by the institution of Ascanius, & was renewed in Rome by king Numa. A high bishop was also devised by him to have the chief stroke in all ceremonies of sacrificing, and he prescribed the days and places, of sacrifices and in what form they should be done. He ordained also to gradiuus Mars twelve priests named Salii, 
Salii.  because they danced in a solemn manner, and went about the city with songs: they wear a broidered coat, with a brazen breastplate, and a round target. It seemeth that Numa took this rite of the hebrews, for David went afore the Ark of the lord dancing. Heralds of arms which were called Facialis Sacerdotes were invented by him to have charge to provide that no battle were unjustly taken in hand, 
Faciales Sacerdotes.  they also made leagues, established peace, or if it were not duly made he might break it, & offer oblation, for the offences of the captain and the whole army. 
Pater Patratus.  Pater Patratus was an officer that made all leagues or bonds, and was created by the Heralds, as Marcus Valerius first Herald ordained Spurius Fusius first into the office of Pater Patratus. After the expulsing of kings, was an office called Rex Sacrificulus appointed, 
Rex Sacrificulus.  which should do all such customable observances as the kings should do, albeit he was under the high priest or bishop, the first that did bear that office was Marcus Papyrius. 
Epulones.  Epulones had the office of appointing feasts and solemn banquets to jupiter & the other gods: 
Sodales Titii.  these were also called Sodales Titii, which were ordained by Romulus after he joined fellowship with Titus Tatius.   
¶ The end of the abridgement of the fourth book.   

The fifth book.  

The first Chapter. ¶ Of the decking of churches on holy days, offering of Images of wax and tables of miracles, solemnizing first masses of priests.  
THERE be many superstitious customs crept in among the Christian congregation, which came of a gentle opinion: & because they could not altogether be abolished and extirped, at the least way they were transposed to a better use, and removed from Idolatry to the garnishing of churches and temples of the faithful people. 
Decking of churches.  As trimming of the temples with hangings, flowers boughs, and garlands, was taken of the heathen people, which decked their Idols & houses with such array. 
Offering Images of wax or tapers.  In like manner it is to be thought of the rite of hanging up Images of wax, & tapers afore saints, or as aften as any member is diseased, to offer the same in wax, as legs, arms, feet, paps, oxen, horse, or sheep, which were hanged up in the church afore that saint, by whom (as they believed (they had obtaigned health of the said member or beast: For this came of an old paynim fashion of sacrifices, that the Pagans offered to Saturnus & Pluto in an Isle of Italy named Cotyllia, whereof I spoke afore. I think the bearing of candles, that we use on the feast of the Purification of our Lady called Candelmasday, 
Candelmasse day.  came of this gentile rite also, that in burning them we might worship the saints as they honoured their false God Saturn. 

Lamps. hangings. Lights.  
Writing tables of miracles.   It seemeth that lamps & hanging lights began of the candles that Moses set up to burn in the tabernacle. The fastening up of tables wherein the miracles are written for a monument and testimony to the posterity, came of a custom, as Strabo writeth, that is used in Grece, where the manner is, that whosoever was relieved of any sickness or malady, should hang up a table containing the recovery of his health, in the temple of that God that had preserved him, and specially there were many set up in Aesculapius' temple at Epidaurus. The use of feasting on holy days, 
first Mass of priests.  and at the first Mass of priests was borrowed also of gentility, which honoured the day of consecrating their religious as solemnly, as the day of their nativity, with devout and religious breakfasts and feasts, calling it the native day of their sacred parsonages: whereof Apuleius, maketh mention. And it is a good usage, because the day of the birth bringeth but only life, the day of consecrating a priest bringeth or else ought to procure a good and godly life. 
Drinking on Maundy thursday.  Albeit on Maunday thursday hath been the manner from the beginning of the church to have a general drinking, as appeareth by s. Paul's writing to the Corinthians, & tertullian to his wife.   

The ii Chapter. ¶ The manner of casting money to the people, New Year's gifts, dancing, Ma●yng, Christenmas lords.  
IT smelleth also of gentility, that the bishop of Rome, emperors, and Kings at their coronation are wont ●o scatter money among the commons, 
Casting of money abroad  & make royal feasting, which is a pretence or comfort of the beneficence or liberality, that is to come afterward. For the old Romans used the same order and institution in their triumphs, games, and funeral, as Suetonius recordeth. 
New years gifts.  giving of Newyear's gifts had it original there likewise for Suetonius Tranquillus reporteth that the knights of Rome gave yearly on the kalends of january a present to Augustus Caesar, although he were absent. Which custom remaineth in England, for the subjects send to their superiors, and the noble personages give to the kings some great gifts, and he to gratify their kindness doth liberally reward them with some thing again. But I commend more the manner of the Italians, 
The laudable manner of the Italians.  for there the richest and most noble give to the poor inferiors, it is a signification of good & prosperous fortune of all the whole year then following.  

Daunsing.  THE use of dancing Livy saith came from the tuscans to Rome which we exercise much on holy days as they did, not without slander of our religion, and hurt and damage of chastity, as for masks they be so devilish that none honesty can be pretended to colour them: 
Masks.  Zacharias bishop of Rome made a decree against it, but that availeth nothing. At the kalends of May the youth aswell men as women are wont to go a maiing into the fields and bring home boughs & flowers to garnish their houses and gates, 
Maiing.  and in some places the churches, which fashion is derived of the Romans, that use the same to honour their goddess Flora with such ceremonies whom they named goddess of fruits.  

Christenmas lords.  THE christenmas lords, that be commonly made at the nativity of our lord, to whom all the household and family with the master himself must be obedient, began of the equability that the servants had with their masters in Saturnus feasts, that were called Saturnalia: wherein the servants have like authority with their masters during the time of the said feasts.  
And this furnishing of our bellies with delicates, 
Fastins even.  that we use on fastingham tuiesday, what time some eat till they be enforced to forbear all again, sprung of Bacchus' feasts, that were celebrated in Rome with great joy and delicious fare.  
AND our Midsummer bonefyres may seem to have comen of the sacrifices of Ceres' goddese of corn, 
Bonefyres.  that men did solemnize with fires, trusting thereby to have more plenty and abundance of corn: And the disguising and mumming that is used in christenmas time in the north parts came out of the feasts of Pallas, 
Disguising.  that were done with visars and painted visages named Quinquatria of the Romans.   

The iii Chapter. ¶ The manner of anointing priests, kings,, them that be christened, confirmed or sore sick.  
WHAT TIME Moses had builded the tabernable, he was commanded to make a confection of holy ointment, wherewith both the work, the vessels, priests, and also kings which be called to that office or dignity, 
Kings and priests were anointed.  aught to be enoyled: So that it came to pass that the anointing was the very token & difference whereby kings were known among the hebrews, 

Anointing is the token of kings.  
Purple rob is the difference of the Emperor. Aaron and Saul first anointed.   as the Emperors in Rome were known by their purple robes. Aaron and his sons were the first anointed priests, and Samuel enoyled Saul first king over Israel, and so consequently it grew into a custom that priests & kings were anointed. By which thing is signified that they be specially favoured of God, and like as oil lieth a loft on the water, 
The nature of oil.  or other liquore, so the office of a Priest and dignity of a Prince surmounteth all other degrees of ministers, both that in active and also contemplative life.  
Silvester bishop of Rome ordained first that all that were christened, churches, and chalices should be anointed with oil. Our oil, 
Anointing of children christened, Churches, Chalices. The confection of our oil  that is now used is made of oil Olive, and natural Balm, Fabianus commanded that it should be renewed every Maundy thursday.  
Clement the first ordained that all children and other that were christened should be anointed again with Crisme, and he instituted also the sacrament of Confirmation, 
Chrism. Confirmation  supposing that no man were a perfect christian man, if that rite and ceremony were by negligence omitted. For this cause, that the holy Ghost might more plentifully be given to them by the hands of the bishop.  
This thing began of the example of the Apostles, which sent Peter & john into Samarie to lay their hands on them, that they might receive the holy Ghost. It is only ministered by a bishop in this wise, 
The manner of confirming.  first he asketh the name of the child & then maketh the sign of the cross in his forehead with the C●isme: saying, I sign the with the token of the cross and confirm the with the chrism of salvation. In the name of the father the son and the holy ghost, that thou may be replenished with the holy spirit and have everlasting life, so be it. And then he smiteth the cheek of the child softly, but if it be of a great age, he geveh a sharp stroke, that he may remember that mystery, saying, peace be with the. 
Felix.  Felix the fourth did institute that such aswere in extremes should be enoyled, following the example of the Apostles, 
Exteme unction.  which, as Mark witnesseth, cured many diseases by anointing them, and saint james speaketh of a like thing in his Epistle.   

The four Chapter. ¶ The beginning of marriage of priests, when it was forbode, with other laws touching marriage.  
MOSES the minister of God amongst the Israelites, which were desirous to augment and amplify their issue, ordained that all men indifferently, as well priests as lay people should take wives, lest the debarring them from Matrimony, might be occasion of greater enormity and inconveniency among them. Albeit because of the dignity of the order of priesthood he made restraint that they should mari none, 
When a priest might not marry.  that was taken prisoner, bond woman, or divorced from their former husbands, and the bishops might not be married but too maids. As concerning our priesthood, 

Silvester. bishops married maids.  
A priest might but marry on●   Silvester the first after the text of saint Paul, commanded that a priest should marry but one wife, and after to live sole alone: As Paul had a wife, as may appear in his Epistles too the Philippians and Corinthians. And Clement bishop of Alexandria and Ignatius which was in Paul's time witness the same. 
Paul.   
PETER and Philip had wifues and daughters, 
Peter & Philip had wives  whom they bestowed honestly in marriage to husbands. And saint Peter seeing his wife led to death for the profession of Christ, with great rejoice of her constancy said, wife remember the lord. This order the Greeks, and all the east parts of Christendom use, which would not consent to the counsel of Nice, wherein it was propounded that the priests should forsake their wives: 
Panu●ius withstood the counsel of Nice.  And namely Panutius the holy and chaste bishop that came out of the borders of Egipte withstood that decree very earnesty. Siricius the first forbade the priests of the West parties and deacons to marry, the year of our Lord three hundred thirty and seven. He instituted also that he that either wedded a widow, or took a second wife, could not be made priest. Pelagius the second enforced the subdeacons, 
Subdeacons forsake their wives.  to forsake their wives. And Gregorius, because he thought it violent to divorce them ordained that from his time none should be subdeacon on less he vowed chastity before. notwithstanding the laws afore made took no effect among the priests of the West parties until the time of Gregory the seven which was the year of our lord. M.lxxiiii. 
Gregory established the single life of priests.   
AND here Polydore protesteth that the single life of priests doth more harm to the religion, shame to the order, and grief to honest men, than their constrained chastity profiteth: if they were restored to the liberty, and chose it were no prejudice to the christian common wealth, and honesty for the order. In the beginning men married their sisters and kinswomen, 
Degrees of kindred inhibited.  but Moses restrained them of the hebrews from the first and second degrees, and Fabianus forbade the third and fourth which custom standeth now in effect. Theodorus did inhibit first that a man might not marry that maid, 
God brother & God sister.  to whom his father was a godfather. It was confirmed first by Gregory and after by Alexander the third, that no man should marry his brother's wife lest it should be thought to be a counterfeit of the hebrews. 
Lamech had two wives.  Lamech was the first that ever had two wives, whose example many other ensued afterward. The custom of purifying was taken of the Hebrues, 
Purification of women at child bearing.  but there is no day or time appointed for it. Nevertheless for an honest order, they use commonly not to be purified afore the month day, & then with a few honest matrons she cometh accompanied to the church, & offereth a wax taper & the chrisom.   

❧ The .v. Chapter. ¶ Of the temples, churchyards, when the cross was first had in reverence.  
IN the old testament, Moses set up a tabernacle curiously edified to God wherein supplication and intercession was made to him for the sins of the people. 
Moses builded a tabernacle.  And in that he made the Ark of covenant in the which he put the two tables of stone, 
The Ark.  containing the law of the ten commandments, Aaron's rod, and the pot of Manna. After him Solomon king of the hebrews made at Jerusalem a temple of costly array and sumptuously wrought. 
Solomon made the first temple to God  I cannot (to say truth) perfectly tell where the first church of christian men was builded, 
The first church of christians.  but by all conjecture it seemeth that it was made of the Apostles, either in Ethiopia, where Matthew preached, or in lower Ind, where Bartholomewe taught, or in Scythia, where Andrew showed the word of God. Where they doubtless either caused new churches too be edified, or else transposed the idols temples to serve the christian men's use, abolishing superstition, & planting the true religion of Christ. Albeit it were not against reason to suppose there was a temple or house of prayer appointed by james at Jerusalem.  
IN Rome the first that I read of was consecrated by Pius bishop of Rome in the street called Patricius at Novatus baths in honour of the virgin Prudentia, 
First church in Rome.  at the request and suit of Praxedis her sister. And after Calistus made a temple to the virgin Mari in a place beyond Tyberis, and instituted a churchyard in Appius street, 
A churchyard  and called it after his own name: 
Abraham ordaigned the first place of burial.  notwithstanding Abraham was the first that made any place of burial in Hebron, where he bought of Ephron an Hittite the double cave for three hundred sickles of silver with the ground about it, and there was Sara his wife and he himself buried.  
NOHA builded the first alter, 

Noha builded the first alter.  
Bonifacius caused altars to be covered with lenyn clothes.   and offered upon it a burned sacrifice to the lord. And Bonifacius the third caused that they were covered with linen clothes. Constantinus when he had won the battle against Maxentius, by reason of a vision that he saw of the cross the day of the battle, 
Constantine for bade putting too death on the cross.  ordained that from thence forth no man should suffer death on the cross. And so in process of time it was had in much reverence and worship. And Theodosius made a law that there should no Image of the cross be graven in stone, 

No Image of the cross might not be graven in earth.  
Helen found the cross.   marble, or in earth, lest men should tread on it. Helen Constantine's mother a very virtuous woman repaired too Jerusalem, to seek the cross of our lord where with great labour and diligence she found it, and with it the other two whereon the thieves were hanged, but it was easy to perceive Christ his cross by the title, which then did remain, albeit sore wasted and corrupted with antiquity.   

¶ The vi Chapter. ¶ Of the ancient rite of sacrificing, feastful days, dedicating temples, the mystery of Fire, holy Water.  

Cain and Abel sacrificed first.  CAIN and Abel the two sons of our first father Adam offered in sacrifice to GOD the first fruits of their goods. Abel his oblation was milk. Cain his gift was corn. Afterward, when the priesthood was ordained, Aaron and his sons offered diverse things with sundry ceremonies, which be showed at large in the book of Leviticus. The Gentiles almost all sacrificed to the idols men or women after sundry rites, 
men were sacrificed by the Gentiles.  as appeareth in the histories & Gentile auctors. And if it fortune that they omitted any such abominable idolatry, they had great punishment, 
Punishments that they suffered for omitting the oblations.  destruction of their fruit, corruption of their waters, infection of the air death of cattle, great droughtes, women had evil deliverance, with many such plagues, as Dionysius Hilicarnasseus witnesseth, which the spirits of the air procured to delude & seduce men and confirm them in their error.  
THE holy days among the jews were diverse, 
Holy days.  as the Sabbath day, the feast of the new Moon, the passover, the feast of sweet bread, Pentecost, the feast of Tabernacles, the dedication day: which be all showed largely in the old Testament.  
The usage of dedicating churches is of great antiquity, 
Dedicating of churches.  for Moses did sacrifice the tabernacle, & Solomon consecrated the temple that he builded at Jerusalem. And Esdras after, when they returned from the captive of Babylon hallowed the temple new again. Of them we receive our rite of hallowing of churches, albeit we have more ceremonies than they had.  

Fire.  FIRE was kept continually on the altar by the priests, for without it and salt could no sacrifice be duly made or ordinarily offered, and we in our Masses have ever a taper of wax burning. And the emperors of Rome had Fire bourn afore them, 
Emperors of Rome had fire bourn afore them.  & the Vestales had ever perpetual Fire in the temple where they served Vesta.  
THE spirits of the air, that gave doubtful answers to them that required any question of them, were at the coming of Christ all destroyed For what time he was carried into Egipte, 
Oracles seized at Christ his coming  which is a country full of superstition and Idolatry, all the Idols of that region were overthrown & fell to the ground at his coming thither. And in the time of Adriane the Emperor, both the wicked sacrifices were abolished, and also the oracles of Apollo at Delphos, jupiter Hammon in Egipte, with like vanities were subverted by the power of God through his son jesus Christ.  
HOLY water was ordaigned by Alexander the first to be consecrated to drive away spitites, 
Holy Water  and was commanded that it should be kept as well in churches, as in private houses for the same use: whereof are grown among the common people many superstitious errors contrary to the word of God, and therefore it were no harm if the form of consecrating thereof were redressed, & changed into a more godly fashion.   

❧ The vii Chapter. ¶ Who ordaigned praying, why we look Eastward, preaching the Sacrament of the altar.  
FOR so much as we are created of God after his own Image, for the intent to honour and serve him▪ and so finally too enjoy the eternal inheritance of heaven, 
Prayer.  which we must attain to by prayer acknowledging our own infirmity, and referring us to the mercy of our most loving father. It shall be convenient therefore to declare the institution of prayer.  

Prayer was at the beginning.  PRAYER therefore was from the beginning, as Abel prayed, Noha, Abraham, Isaac, jacob, with other patriarchs prayed to GOD in all their doubtful affairs, & gave thanks for the good acheving of them Moses & Aaron with other as Anna the wife of Helcana showed us example of prayer: 
Christ prescribed a prayer.  But Christ is the first that did show to us any special form of prayer, as appeareth in the Gospel of Matthew. Afterward, when men began to count & reckon their prayers, as though God were in our debt for often begging of him, there were devised by one Petrus Heremita a Frenchman of the city of Amias beads to say lady psalters on, 
Beads.  the year of our Lord a thousand xc that is four hundred lvi years ago. The manner of turning our faces into the east when we pray, 
Turning our faces eastward.  is taken of the old ethnics, which as Apuleius remembreth, used to look Eastward and salute the son: we take it in a custom to put us in remembrance that Christ is the son of righteousness, that discloseth all secrets. But that was not lawful for the hebrews as may seem to us by the setting of the tabernacle, & they must ever look toward the temple as the story of Daniel declareth. Moses when he had received the ten commandments, assembling the people together showed them the will of God, and that was the first sermon or preaching: 
Preaching.  and the prophets had without doubt open collations: 
John Baptist.  And afterward John baptist in the wilderness of jury preached, and so did Christ himself and gave authority to the Apostles & disciples by special commandment to do the same.  
THE blessed sacrament of the altar was instituted by our saviour jesus Christ, 
The institution of the sacrament.  a little before his passion in Jerusalem at his supper, when he had ended the Paschal lamb, in this wise: He took bread, & after he had given thanks, he broke it, & gave it to his disciples saying, take and eat, this is my body that shallbe given for you: And taking the cup gave likewise thanks, & took it to them saying, drink all of this, for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for the remission of sins. This under the form of bread & wine he gave to them particularly his body and blood sanctified in and by the word? And gave commandment that like sacrifice should be made in remembrance of him. 
Alexander decreed that the Sacrament should be consecrated of sweet bread.  Alexander the bishop of Rome did ordain that this oblation should be made of sweet bread, where afore it was leavened bread. And he commanded that water should be mixed with wine in the cup.   

The viii Chapter. ¶ Who sacrificed first after Christ's tradition, and increased the parts of Mass.  
EVERY thing at the first in the mystery of the lords supper was plain sincer and without any misture of ceremonies, 
The old rite of consecrating.  containing more virtue than solemnite. For it is manifest that Peter, which either first of all, or else with the rest of apostles did consecrate often times after the rite that he had received of Christ by and by after the consecration joined to the lords prayer or Pater noster: And I suppose it was not much differing from the Mass that is used in the church on good Frydaie. Celestinus ordaigned the prayers that the priest saith when he revesteth himself to Mass or at putting on his clothes, that beginneth judica me deus. etc. 
judicame deus.  Albeit it seemeth by the words of Chrisostome in the xi homely on Mathewe that it was taken of the churches of Grece and Asia, which used to sing psalms while the people assembled together. Damasus instituted the confession at the beginning of Mass, 
Confi●eor.  and some refer it to Pontianus. Kyrië eleëson was frequented in Grece first, 
Kyrie eleeson.  and Gregorius caused it to be said nine times in the latin church. 
Gloria in excelsis  Gloria in excelsis is ascribed of some too Telesphorus, of some to Hylarius, of some to Symmachus, and the counsel of Toletane thinketh that the doctoures of the church made it: 
collects.  collects Gelasius & Gregory gathered. 
Grayle.  And the grayle was appointed by them also. 
Alleluya▪  Alleluya was translated from Jerusalem to the latin church in the time of Damasus. The tract Durandus saith was devised by Telesphorus, and sequences were invented first by one Nothgerus an Abbot. 
Sequences. Epistle. Gospel.  The Epistles and Gospel were (as Hierom writeth) used in the East churches of very ancient time, wherefore I suppose we had the manner to read the Epistle & Gospel of those churches: albeit some say Telesphorus ordaigned them, 

Saint Hierome did divide the Epistles and Gospels.  
Standing at the Gospel.   & some suppose that Hierom at the request of Damasus did divide them, as we read them now at this day. Anastasius commanded that we should stand at the Gospel in tokening that men should be in a readiness to defend the doctrine of the Gospel. 
Credo.  The first part of the Crede Marcus ordaigned to be red, after it was made by the counsel of Nicene: And the second part Et spiritum sanctum, that the counsel of Constantinople composed Damasus caused to be read in the church. Entichianus instituted the offertory to be sungen whilst the people offered such things, as went to the relief and comfort of the poor: 
Offertory.  The offertory remaigneth, but the poverty is forgotten as though they had no part in Christ and were vile abjects of the world.  
Gelasius made the prefaces, 
Prefaces.  howbeit in the beginning they used but one preface. And Sextus put to the sanctus out of the Prophet Esaias. Washing of hands began either of the old testament, 
Washing of the hands.  where they did nothing with unwashed hands, or else of the Gentiles, which afore their sacrifices used too wash their hands, as Hesiodus witnesseth.  
BURNING of incense, 
incense.  that was occupied in the old testament by Aaron and of the Panimes in their superstitious rites, Leo the third ordaigned to be had in the latin church. The privity of the Mass called the Canon was made by diverse persons, as Gelasius made Te igitur. 
Canon.  Sitirius added Communicantes, and Alexander the first, that was long before them, made Qui pridie, 
Qui pridie.  and that was the beginning of the Canon before that time. For Alexander was three hundred lx years & more before Gelasius. Hanc igitur Leo joined, 
Hanc igitu●  and Gregory annexed three petitions in the same Diesque nostros, and so forth. Innocentius the first instituted that priestest in the upper part of the church, called the Chansell or choir should kiss one another, and that Pax bourn should be bourn to the people. 
Pax.  
Blessing with chalices  Blessing with hands and Chalices came out of the hebrews ceremonies: For Aaron after he had sacrificed, blessed the people. And Christ at his ascension blessed his disciples. 
Agnus dei.  Sergius ordained the Agnus dei seven hundred years after Christ to be song of the Clergy at the time of the communion. The often turning of the priest at the altar, 
Turning about of the priest.  when he saith Dominus nobiscum or Orate fratres, came of the hebrews rites, wherein sacrifice time the priest turneth him to cast the blood of the sacrifice on the people, and the ethnics used the same fashion in their superstitions, and therefore doubtless we had these ceremonies of them.   

The ix Chapter. ¶ Why we say Ite missa est, whereof the word mass and ceremony came, the first manner of taking the Sacrament.  
WHEN Mass is ended the Deacon turning to the people saith, Ite missa est, 
Ite missa est.  which words are borrowed of the rites of the Pagans, & signifieth that then the company may be dismissed. It was used in the sacrifices of Isis, that when the observances were duly and fully performed and accomplished, than a screl or minister of the religion should give warning or a watch word what time they might lawfully depart: And of this sprung our custom of singing Ite missa est, for a certain signification that the full service was finished.  
Mass is an Hebrew word (as Reucline saith) and signifieth an oblation or sacrifice with all circumstances concerning the same. 
Mass.   
¶ The Romans called all such service, as appertained to their gods, 
Ceremonies.  in one general name ceremonies because a certain people named Cerites, which received devoutly the relics, and other observances of the Romans religious, and preserved them, for when the frenchmen by the valiantness of their captain (Brennius that was an Englishe-man) had won the City, for which benefit all the rites of their gods universally were named ceremonies.  
Alexander inhibited priests, that they should not sacrifice, but once on the day, 

One Mass on a day.  
Three Masses on Christmas day.   and Telesphorus permitted them to say three Masses on christmas day: first at midnight what time Chryst was borne, the second in the morning, when the shepherds visited him, the third at further of the day, where afore time it was not lawful to celebrate afore the third hour of the day.  
Felix the first decreed that no Mass might be said but in places consecrated, 
Mass must be said in places consecrated  saving in the time of necessity, and that none but priests admitted should intermeddle with the mysteries of consecration, because that authority was only given to the Apostles at the beginning, by whom priests be meant and understand.  

Corner masses be forbodden.  Anacletus ordained that no Mass should be done, but in the presence of two at the least, lest the priest should say in vain to the walls Dominus vobiscum, when none were present, and therefore they do evil that consecrate in corners alone. Albeit, Gratianus referreth that to Soterus which perchance did renew that constitution.  
The Sacrament was used of our predecessors in the primative church every day as Luke witnesseth in the Acts of the Apostles, 
Daily communion.  and Anacletus caused it to be renewed by a decree upon pain of excommunication: And Victor denounced that those should be interdicted from all services, 
Uncharitable persons were interdicted from service.  that when they should receive the Sacrament would not be reconciled to their neighbours of all grudges hatreddes, and displeasures.  
Zepherinus an hundredth year after Anacletus commanded that all that professed Chryst or bare the name of Christians, being of the age of xii or xiiii years should at the lest once in the year at Easter receive the blessed Sacrament. 
Taking of the housel at Easter.  Fabianus decreed that they should receive it thrice in the year.  
Innocentius the third decreed that the Sacrament should be kept in the Churches, 
Keeping the Sacrament in Churches.  to the intent to be in a readiness at all times, lest they that were sick should want that spiritual comfort in that troublesome time of death, and Honorius the third confirmed the same.   
¶ The end of the abridgement of the fifth book.   

The sixth book.  

The first Chapter. ¶ Auricular Confession.  
ALBEIT man redeamed with the precious blood of our saviour Christ jesus is fully reconciled to God, 
We be reconciled by Christ  and all the heaviness of his displeasure be appeased: yet the poisoned nature of man is such, the occasions of sin be so many and great, that in this slipper way of worldly life we must need, our infirmity enforcing us thereto, fall into the snares of the devil and sin. But God, as he is all mercy, 
Repentance a remedy of sin.  willing the death of no sinner, but that he convert and live, hath left us the comfortable salve of repentance, as a present remedy against all such incursions of our enemy, or fragility of body) whereby we may with a good hope call to our heavenly father for the forgiveness of our offences and trespasses. For as the prophet Ezechiel recordeth, what hour soever the sinner doth lament and is repentant for his sins, god (for his son jesus sake) will no longer ●ere them in remembrance Therefore whosoever with concupiscence vanquished, 
Desperation is forbodden.  or by lust enforced by error deceived, or by force constrained doth fall to any spice or kind of injustice, let him not despair in his own conscience, or mistrust the bottomless mercy of God, but with good courage repair to this medicine repentance and contrition of heart. Consequently it shallbe the penitents office and duty, after such heaviness taken, as it were by a vomit, to spew out of his conscience all such unwholesome things as might remain still, engendre desperation, or imbecil his hope in the promises of God. 
Auticular Confession.  For this cause confession named auricular, that is made to the priest, was at the beginning instituted: that men might therein open their hearts to their curates and receive at their hands the oil of the Gospel of Christ to supple their raw & stark sores. It was the institution of Innocentius the iii that so many, 
Innocencius did ordain confession to the priest.  as were by age subject or in danger to commit sin, should at the lest once in the year be confessed to their curates, to whom it concerneth to know the behaviour of his parishioners, forsomuch as he must rendre a straight account of his cure. And therefore it is evil in mine opinion to have these common penitenciaries, which be occasion, 
Common penitencers.  that both curates give not their counsel where need is, & also men thereby be more bold to sin seeing they shall not be rebuked of such common confessors, but for their money have ready absolution with small exhortation to amend their sinfulness. This confession is proved of the text of s. james where he saith confess your sins one to another, 
Texts proving confession.  and one pray for another, & also of the .xx, chapter of john, where Christ saith, receive the holy ghost. Whose sins soever you remit, they are forgiven them, and whose sins soever you retain, they are retained. Therefore we must receive confession for the absolution sake, that is given into the hands of the ministers.   

The ii Chapter. ¶ matins, singing of psalms by course, Legends of saints.  

matins Prime and hours.  MATINS with Prime and hours were appointed first by Hierom, for one Eusebius of Cremona & diverse other, that lived with him, to the intent that they might have certain laudes and praising of God to sing in the churches And the fathers and old governors of congregations received them following this verse of David in the c.xix psal. Seven times in the day have I given and sung praise to the. Cipriane writeth that the Prime and other hours took their original of Daniel. Which after the custom of his country, thrice in the day, morning noon, & evening, on his knees used to pray. It was also the rite of the Heathen to have morning prayers, 
Apuleius de asino aureo libro xi  for Apuleius saith that their religious, when all things were duly finished, song salutations of the new light, and showed that it was Prime of the day, where he meaneth by salutations the morning songs that we call matins, and there declareth how the hours of the day were sorted and divided for sacrifices & prayers. Pelagius the second was the first that commanded priests to say them daily, 
Pelagius charged priests to say maryns daily  that like as the just man falleth seven. times on the day, so by instant & continual prayer he might as often rise and amend. Gregorius put to the beginning of every hour, 

Deus in adiutorium was added by Gregory.  
Lady matins   Deus in adiutorium, and Gloria patri. etc.  
Vrbanus the second ordained the lady Mattyns to be said daily, and confirmed them in the counsel, which he had at mount Clare in France.  
The division of David's psalter in to vii parts called nocturnes, 
Nocturnes.  according to the vii days in the week, was the work of Hierome at the request of Damasus bishop of Rome, which also gave commandment that it should be red so in the churches, and added Gloria patri to the end of every psalm. 
Who made Gloria patri.  The Gloria patri was made in the counsel of Nicene.  
Damasus also instituted that the psalms should be song and said by course, 
Singing Psalms by course.  Albeit some say Ignatius did devise that afore his time, which thing was learned of David or Asaph, for in the old synagogue they used to sing their psalms after that sort, but our singing is far from their manner. For our singers cry out so loud, that we hear nothing save a noise, and those that be present can not be edified with the word. It were great furtherance to the religion, if those singers not far unlike to jays were either vanished out of the temples, 
Our common singers be rebuked.  or else their singing were so modified with more soberness, that the words might be understand to the edifying of the laity, which is sore blinded with singing and sound of instruments, that be not fit to edify but to delight the ears. This modest singing was used by the holy Athanasius bishop of Alexandria through all his province and diocese, 
Athanasius  as Austen witnesseth. 

Libro confess. and ten  
The Crede was said every hour. Tunes of the hymns.  
Legends.   Damasus commanded that the common Crede should be said at every hour. Vitalianus invented the decente tunes, wherein the hymns be song, and joined the Organs to them. Legends of saints were made the year of our lord D.ccc. by Paulus Diaconus and Isuardus a monk at the desire of Charles the great. 
Common Legends.  And forsomuch as the persecutions were so great that in the time of Dioclesian the emperor there died xvii M. christian men within xxx days space, they could not particularly write all their lives, but made certain general Legends of martyrs, Confessors, virgins, which we now call the common, & the fathers commanded those to be red in the church on such saints days. Afterward many, thinking that they should be heard rather for their much babbling sake, devised sundry manners of praying & diverse uses: 

Uses in the service.  
Benettes use.   as Benettes monks had one use, Barnard's another, and Domynickes brethren had one order by themselves, & every provincial bishop made a several use in his diocese, and all were confirmed by the bishops of Rome.   

The iii Chapter. ¶ The beginning of fasting, alms, Aduent, Lent, Embring days.  
FASTING and Alms deeds be as saint Austen saith, the two wings of prayer, wherewith it is made stronger and lighter to fly into the presence of God, and be more acceptable in his sight. 
Fasting.  Fasting hath been used from the beginning of the world What time the fruit of the tree of knowing good and evil was forbodden to our first parents in Paradise because by such abstinence they might obtain and enjoy the felicity everlasting. 
Alms.  Alms in like manner sprung of the infirmity and neediness of the nature of men: for as they felt hunger, cold, nakedness, and such other calamities, as be in our mortal life, they were constrained to desire aid and secure of other men, and of alms. 
Moses made the first law of Alms.  Albeit Moses was first that ever prescribed any law of giving alms, as appeareth in the book of deuteronomy. This charitable alms, must be so freely given, that we exempt none from the use and part taking of it, and as the scripture saith without respect of parsons.  
As for fasting of that original proceeded further, 
Flesh was not eaten before Noe.  for the use of flesh and wine from Adam till the time of Noha was unknown. And Moses forbore meat forty days, and Helias did likewise: Our saviour Christ fasted the same space. And God pardoned the ninivites of their crimes because they fasted with repentance. 
Example of fasting.   
The jews also in their law, so oft as they either asked any benefit of God, or would pacify his wrath, or render thanks for his benefits, or kept any solemn feasts used commonly to fast. And certees he keepeth, 〈◊〉 the true fast, 
True fast.  which forbeareth 〈◊〉 or foregoeth his supper, but he that mynysheth his affections, abateth his anger, suageth his pride, modifieth his desires, mortifieth his lusts, suffereth patiently all adversity, that chanceth to him, that man is the true faster, Albeit the other is a coadiutoure to that thing and helpeth much that purpose. Therefore to the intent we might reclaim such corruptions of our old Adam, The Apostles did ordain the fast of Lente, 
Lent.  as Hierome in a pistle to Mercella doth plainly declare. Wherefore they that refer it to Telesphorus, be foully deceived, 
Telesphorus didappoint it afore Easter.  for he did not institute it first but appoint that it should be kept afore the Easter. And added another week to it, that we call Quinquagesima. This week he commanded priests to fast more than the laity, 
Quinquagesima.  because that they, which ought to be holier than the rest, should in this ordinary fast show more abstinence than other. The Apostles also instituted that iii weeks afore the nativity of our Lord, 
●●uent.  named Christmas should be solemnly fasted, which constitution was a while kept universally but afterward it was resigned to the monks and religious persons. Calistus or as some think Vrbanus did begin the Embringdays quarterly for the preservation and amplification of fruits ordained for the sustenance of man and beast. 
Embering daies.  Albeit, I can rather take it to be an imitation of the old Roman feasts, 
Romans had three sacrifices for fruits.  which thrice in the year had sacrifices for the prosperous success of their corn, one Vinalia for their wines, the other Robigalia for all their grain, lest it should be mildued. The third Floralia for all their fruits. These vain superstitious old bishops of Rome turned to a godly use, 
Superstition turned into religion.  and transposed their feasting into fasting, that the rather at the contemplation of our prayers and fasting, God might prosper the increase of all the fruits to the sustentation of his creatures.   

The four Chapter. ¶ Watches were turned into fasts, fasting of Fridays and Wednesdays, naming the days of the week in sundry wise.  
IT was the manner, from the beginning of our christian faith, that for so much as it pleased our saviour to be borne in the night, 
Watches.  priests did rise in the night season, and song the hours canonical otherwise named the Matyus: & the lay people was accustomed on those saints evens, that were any solemn feasts, to watch at the tombs of Martyr spraiing and singing holy psalms. Which thing the testimony of Pliny doth well approve, where he writeth in a pistle to Trajan, how that much number of people was slain, in whom he could never espy any fault, saving that afore day at certain times and feasts they arose, and song of commendation of Christ, whom they called God. But as time is corrupter of all things worldly, in process as devotion began to abate, in stead of hymns they song dissolute ballads, & prayer was turned into wanton dalliance.  
The youth went about light amorous company, the eldest persons practised bawdry, women were not ashamed to give themselves to be corrupted in all kind of whoredom. Upon this occasion the old fathers, seeing lest it might grow to a further in convenience turned the Vigilles into fasting days. 
Vigilles were made fasts.  notwithstanding the priests used their ordinary times of service, as they were wont to do, and such feasts were called by the name of Vigilles, and observed with no less reverence than the fast of Lent. This remedy was provided after saint Hieromes time, which died the year of our Lord. cccc.xxii. when Bonifacius the second was bishop of the sea of Rome.  
The like custom was also observed among the Egyptians, 
Egyptians rite in watches.  which on the evens of their high feasts fasted, and after they had slept they offered a cow: 
Night sacrifices are abolished.  all such night sacrifices and observances for like causes were by a perpetual law in Grece abrogated by Diagundas a Theban. The fast of wednesday and friday was commanded by the fathers, 
Diagundas. wednesday friday.  because on the one day Christ was crucified, and on the wednesday judas purposed in his mind to betray him as Apolonius the eloquent orator supposed. Silvester the first, bishop of Rome, 
Days were turned into feries.  abhorring the memorial of the vain Gentile gods, decreed that the days of the week, which had afore the names & titles of the Son Moon, Mars, Mercury, jupiter, Venus, and Saturn, should be called the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh ferie: in semblable manner as the jews counted their days from the Sabbath day. He did also call the first ferie Dominicus dies, 
Dominicus dies. Sunday. Sabbatum.  that we name Sunday, and called Saturday Sabbatum of the old holy day and rest of the hebrews: all these things were done at the suit of Constantine then Emperor. Albeit the Apostles afore that time had consecrated the Sondaie to the Lord, because that day he rose from death, & the jews Sabbath was turned into it, as may appear by the decree of Pius, that ordained the Easter to be kept on the Sunday, 
Easter is appointed on the Sunday.  and therefore I think Silvester did but only renew the same act of the Sunday. It was the invention of the Egyptians that the days were first named after the seven planets, 
Days were called of the Planets.  as Diodorus recordeth. Sancte Gregory was the author that neither flesh, nor any thing that hath affinity with it, 
White meats is foreboden of fasting days.  as cheese, milk, butter, eggs should be eaten on such days as were fasted. We have also a manner usage of hallowing the table, and meat afore we be set, that begonnen of the imitation of Christ, which used the same fashion over the five loves in the wilderness, and at Emaus also he did insemblable wise consecrate the table in the presence of his disciples: so was the form of saying grace after supper taken like wise of the custom that Christ commonly kept at his suppers. 
Grace at meat.  
Reading the bible at meat  The manner to read apart of the Bible at dinner time hath been of long continuance, and did proceed of the Godly doctrine, that Christ instructed his disciples in at all times, but namely at his last supper, wherein he treated of the perfection of all the mysteries of our religion. And thus our fathers, to keep in memory such an wholesome institution did bring in this manner of reading the scripture at meat or meal time.   

❧ The .v. Chapter. ¶ The original of holy days, paschal candles, birth days.  
LIKE as the jews had in their law, which was but only a shadawe of things too come, holy days appointed for the execution of the mysteries of their religion, whom they in one general term named Sabbath days, 

Sabbath days of the jews.  
Holy days.   of the rest and vacasion that they had from bodily labours: semblably our fathers have ordaigned festival days in the new testament, wherein Christian men (all profane businesses, and evil matters laid apart) might wholly apply and bend themselves to Godly and spiritual meditations. As the perusing and reading of scriptures, 
Works due for the holiday  hearing of devout sermons, rendering honour to God by sacrificing, praying, and well doing, be works feet and convenient for the holy day, and also reverencing the memorial of saints on such days as be assigned to that purpose, is on the holy day laudable. For oblation is only due to God as Paul & Barnabas did openly testify at Listra. For when he had commanded by the power of the word of God, that the man, which was lame from his mother's womb should arise and walk the people for wonder and marvel of the miracle would have done sacrifice to them, but they renting their clothes departed out of the press and with sharp words rebuked their enterprise, as a thing unmeet to be done to any mortal man, or worldly creature. first of all the feast of Easter was instituted by the Apostles, 
Easter is instituted by the Apostles.  and prescribed by Pius the first to be solemnized on the Sondaie. Afterward as it chanced that alteration of that matter arose. 
Victor.  Victor that was bishop of Rome about the hundred ninety and six year of our lord decreed that it should altogether be kept and celebrated on the Sondaie from the fourteen day of the first month, that was March, 
Easter is too be kept in March.  until the xxii of the same, lest our order & count should agree with the jews, which kept it somewhat sooner than that appointment speaketh of: albeit many foreign bishops at the first refused that constitution, because they thought it not out of course or amiss to keep that feast after the precedent of saint John the Apostle, 
Saint John kept the jews' Easter.  which renewed ever the rite of the jews in the feast of Easter.  
THE custom of hallowing paschal candles on Easter even was commanded by Zozinus to be frequented in every church. 
Paschal candles.   
THE manner of keeping holy the birth day of every man was much used in Rome, 
Birth days  albeit the Persians had that usage afore them, for there it is the fashion that every man after his habilite● should with many observances, and great dentie feasts worship the day of their birth, and of them the Romans received that superstition.   

❧ The vi Chapter. ¶ Of the institution of holy days, and canonizing.  
AS you have heard the sanct John the Apostle did celebrate the feast of Easter, 
Easter.  even so the other Apostles as it is said were authores not only of the same Easter feast, but also ordained those days, wherein our saviour had done any mystery concerning out salvation or information, should be kept holy, and to the intent they might be more reverenced of their posterity, they themselves kept them during their life very devoutly: as the Sundays. 
Feasts instituted by the apostles.  Aduent, the nativity, Circuncision and epiphany of our Lord, the Purification of our lady called Candelmas, Lente, Palm sunday, Maundy thursday, when Christ after supper washed his disciples feet Goodfridaie, Easter, the Ascension, and Witsondaie. As for the feast of Pentecost was afore used of the hebrews: 
Pentecost.  for l days after that the lamb was sacrificed in Egypt,, the law written by the hands of God was given by Moses in the Mount Oreb in the wilderness of Sinai. And l days after the death of Christ, which like a lamb was offered of the jews for our Paschal, the Apostles received the law of the spirit. The feast of transfiguration came also of the jews: 
Transfiguration.  for like as Moses his face was transposed into a perfect brightness, after he had commoned with GOD in the Mount, so now after the shadow and vail were taken away by Christ his coming, it pleased God to show to his disciples his transfiguration, as a declaration of the shadow past and a figure or signification of the immortality to come. In consideration whereof the holy fathers perceiving the use of such holy days confirmed and ratified them by a decree made in the counsel had at Lions in France & furthermore commanded that such days, as either our holy saints departed this life, or else wrought any miracle or did any notable deed to the increase of our religion should be kept holy, because christian people might have more opportunity too hear the word of God, and more devoutly serve him in an uniform order.  

Festes instituted at the counsel of Lions.  THAN were instituted the feasts of saint Stephen, Inuocentes, Silvester, John Baptist, the Apostles days. Conversion of Paul, our lady days, Laurence, Michael, Martyne, and generally of all saints, 
Alhallowday  which was the constitution of Bonifacius the fourth. For he caused that the temple which Marcus Agrippa did edify in honour of all the Romans Idols, as the name Pantheon doth pretend was by the licence of Phocas then Emperor turned into the church of All-Hallows, and consecrated the twelve day of May: 
Gregori changed Alholow day.  and Gregory the fourth afterward willed it too be kept the first day of November.  

Cross days. Corpus Christi day.  THE feasts of the invention and exaltation of the cross, and Corpus Christi day were dedicated by Urban the fourth, and denounced for holy days. 
Lammas day.  Silvester at the su●e and instance of the Emperou●● Constantine assigned the day of ad Vincula sancti Petri called commonly Lammas in memorial of Peter's pains, persecution, and punishment that he suffered for the religion. Felix the first of purpose to magnify the glorious commendation of Martyrs, 
Memory of Martyrs.  made a statute that yearly oblation should be had in memorial of them: and Gregory would that Mass should be sa●ed over their bodies, which thing Vigilantius thought worthy to be rejected, & refused, albeit the report goeth that Anacletus was of this constitution the first author. The same Felix instituted first that the day whereon any temple was dedicated, 
Dedication days.  should be hallowed of that village or town, and made also a law that such churches, 
Reconsiliation of Churches.  as men doubted of whether they were consecrated or no, should be hallowed again. And Felix the fourth did ordain that bishops only should dedicate them, and that the same dedication day should be kept holy yearly afterward.  
THE fashion to deify men that had done any benefits to the common wealth, 
deifying of dead men or women.  is one of the most ancient usages, that I read of. For antiquity even from the beginning was accustomed to make gods of their kings, which either by abundance of benefits, or notable qualities, and prows had wonnen the hearts of their commons. And specially the Romans did that with great pomp of circumstances: and many observances as I did declare afore in the third book out of Herodiane. Of them our bishops learned as by a pattern their rite of canonizing sanctes, 
canonizing of saints.  and the yearly sacrifices, that Gregory and Felix appointed, concerned nothing else but too declare that those Martyrs were saints and of the household of God. Last of all Alexander the third ordained that no such divine solemnity should be given to any man openly without he were canonized, 
The Pope must allow saints,  and admitted to be a saint by the bishop of Rome his bull, because no man should choose himself any private saint, or commit any peculiar Idolatry.   

❧ The vii Chapter. ¶ Institution of year days or Obites, and the manner of Mourning.  
FUNERAL exequys, 
Diriges or exequys.  that be done over dead bodies, were the institution of Pelagius albeit Isidorus ascribeth the original of it to the Apostles, and he himself did augment the rites, that we use in this time. Ambrose supposeth that it proceeded of the custom of the hebrews, which lamented jacob forty days, and Moses the space of thirty days, for that time is sufficient for the wise to weep in. It was also the usage of ancient Romans to mourn: 
Mourning.  For Numa Pompilius assigned oblations to the infernal gods for the dead, and did inhibit that a child under the age of three years should be bewailed, 
Laws of mourning  and that the elder sort should be mourned no more months than he had lived years. But commonly the longest time of a widows mourning was but ten months, 
Ten months was the common time of wedding.  and if any were married within the space again, it was counted a great reproach, wherefore NUMA ordaygned that such as had mourned up afore the day limited, 
Expiation of hasty marriages.  should offer a cow, that was great with calf for an expiation. Nevertheless if that rite were used now a days and namely in England, we should have small store of veals, there be so many that marrow within the time prescribed. Plutarch writeth that the women in their mourning laid a part all purple, 
Apparel in mourning.  gold, and sumptuous apparel, & were clothed both they and their kinsfolk in white apparel, like as then the dead body was wrapped in white clothes The white colour was thought fittest for the dead, 
White colours for mourning.  because it is clear, pure, and sincere, and least defiled, and when the time of their weeping was expired, they put on their other vestures. Of this ceremony, (as I take it,) the French queens took occasion, 
French queens in their widowehode wear white clothing.  after the death of their husbands the kings too wear only white clothing, and if there be any such widow, she is commonly called the white queen. The jews ended their mourning after xxx days and English men keep the same rite. 
Black garments of mourning.  The mourning garments for the most part be altogether of black colour, and they use to wear them a whole year continually, unless it be because of a general triumph or rejoicing, or new magistrate choosing or else when they be toward marriage. But the custom of mourning is no other thing then mere superstition, 
Mourning is superstition & Hypocrisy.  specially if women or men have a louting look, and a laughing heart. For all such lamentation helpeth nothing the dead corpse or soul of the deceased, and disquieteth sore the living.  
THE manner of washing dead bodies, and specially of noble men, 
Washing dead bodies.  and anointing them, was received of our ancestry, which used to wash the bodies of the dead, and it was the office of them, that were nearest of his kindred, to do it. 
Solle Mass day.  Solle Mass day that is the second day of November was begun by Odilo that was provost or Provincial of the Monks of Cluniacenses order, 
Odilo.  upon the occasion that he heard about Aetna the mountain of Sicily oftentimes great weeping lamentation, & crying: which he supposed to be the yelling of evil spirits, that bewailed because the souls of dead men were taken from them by the petitions, and sacrifices of well disposed christian people therefore he persuaded his covente in the time of John bishop of Rome to make a general obite of all solles the day next after the feast of all saints. About the year of our lord. M and two our fathers received it as a godly institution full of pitiful charity: & thus by process of this Monks supposition, sprung much vain superstition.   

❧ The viii Chapter. ¶ Of the seventh day, thirty day, old manner of burial, hallowing chalices, priests garments with other things.  
HORATIUS the Poet and Servius writ that the Romans used customably the ninth day after the burial to renew the sacrifices and solemn rites of the funeral which they named in latin Novemdialis: 
Novemdialis.  of this we in our religion have gathered the fashion of keeping the seventh day with exequys and other ordinary oblations. 
Seventh day.  And in England the custom is to keep the thirty day or month mind with like Obites, 
Thirty day.  as were done on the burial days. Or else it might seem that this keeping of the seventh day was brought up after the same sort among us, as in marriages they used in old time to renew their vows the seventh day. 
Marriage vows renewed.  For like as that day was the solemn beginning of increasing the issue of mankind, so the same day of burial is or should be the complete finishing and end of every thing. 

Burial is an end of all things.  
massilians usage at burials.   The massilians in France passed and spent the days of their burials, with private oblations, and feasting of their kinsfolk without any manner lamentation or sorrow, which thing the English at this day use commonly to do. In burials the old rite was that the ●ded corpse was borne afore, 
Rite of burials.  and the people followed after, as one should say, we shall die and follow after him, as their last words to the coarse did pretend. For they used too say, when it was buried on this wise, far well we come after thee, and of the following of the multitude they were called exequys. 
Far well we shall come after.  Albeit they used at kings, and noble men's funerals to go afore with tapers▪ which custom we keep still.  

Chalices of wood.  CHALICES, wherein the blood of Christ is consecrated, were at the first of wood, and that was the institution of the Apostles, which would prevent all occasion of avarise in priests: but Zepherinus afterward commanded that they should consecrate in a vessel of glass. notwithstanding in process that custom was broken. 
Chalices of Glass.  And Gratianus decreed that they should say Mass and consecrate with chalices of silver or gold, 
Chalices of silver or gold  or else if those might not be gotten, in chalices of tin, albeit some refer this to Urban the first. Sextus the first commanded that the corporaces should be of linen cloth only and that of the finest, 
Corporaces'.  and purest: and he forbade that any lay man should handle the hallowed vessels and namely women were inhibited. The hallowing of priests vestures, 
Hallowing of clothes of priests.  and altar clothes, with other ornaments of the church and the diversity of vestures of sundry orders was taken out of the hebrews priesthood, & used in our church first by Steven bishop of Rome first of that name. For at the beginning priests in their massing used rather inward virtues of soul then outward apparel of the body, which is rather a glorious gaze, than any godly edifying. Sabinianus decreed first that the people should be assembled together to hear service at certain hours of the day by ringing of bells: 
Ringing to service.  And john the xxii ordained that bells should be tolled every day thrice in the evening, & that then every man should say thrice the ave maria. 
Tolling the ave bell. Use of bells came of the Hebrews.   
The use of bells came first of the hebrews, where the high priest or bishop had in the skirts of his uppermost vestures little bells to ring, when he was in the holy place within the vail. And even the veil, hangings, candelsteckes, with other vessels that we use in the church came also of their ceremonies. The banners that be hanged abroad in the easter time may be used to declare the triumph of Christ over death, the devil, and hell, 
Banners.  & were taken of the heathen, which in their victories did bear banners to declare & signify the conquest of their enemies.   

The ix Chapter. ¶ Of vows, going barefoot, Litanies, praying for them that niece, crossing the mouth when men yawn.  
WHen we be brought into any extreme calamity, or dangerous adventure, that can by no man's power or provision be relieved, the urgent necessity constraining us, we fall to prayers, and vows making, as when we promise to set up candles, 
Vows.  Images of wax, or silver, with other like, supposing thereby to obtain remedy of our grief. This custom was borrowed of the hebrews, 
Vows came of the Hebrues  which used to make such vows to God: & diverse other countries of the Gentiles used the rite to their false gods. In like manner going barefoot was taken up of the jews fashion: 
Going barefoot.  which in their sickness & other misfortunes were wont to pray continually xxx days, forbear wine, shave their hear, and after go barefoot to the temple & make oblation. This manner of vow was so earnestly used in the time of the emperor Nero, when Florus was precedent of jury, 
Bernice sister of Agrippa.  the Bernice sister to king Agrippa went herself barefoot to the tempt of Jerusalem, to obtain some gentleness for her countrymen at Florus his hands, but all in vain, for his avarice was so unsatiable that no lowliness could pacify it. Even so we in any of our afflictions, sickness or other heaviness make vows to God & his saints, & perform them going to the place barefoot in semblable manner as the jews did. 
Supplications.  Supplications were ordained in a great earth quake by Mamercus bishop of Vienne in the time of Leo the first. These be called of the Greek word litanies, 
Litanies.  & are commonly named processions, because the people proceed forth a long in array ii & two. together, and go from place to place praying loud. They be called the less litanies. And Agapetus, as it is reported▪ first appointed them to be sung every sunday in or about the church: although it seem by Tertullian's words, that they have be used from the beginning of the church, & therefore it may be supposed that Mamercus did only renew the custom. Afterward Gregory ordained the great Litanies called septiformis letania, 
Letania maior.  the same time that much people in R. perished through a great plague of swelling of the privy members, which came of a corrupt air, that was poisoned with adders and snakes, that were cast out of Tiber at a marvelous high tide.  

Nesing.  There was another plague whereby many as they sneezed died suddenly, whereof it grew into a custom, that they, that were present when any man sneezed should say, 
Why we say Christ help.  God help you.  
A like deadly plague was sometime in yawning, wherefore men used to fence themselves with the sign of that cross: 
Yawning.  
crossing of our mouth.  both which customs we retain still at this day. In all other extreme affairs, that we go about we use to sign ourselves with the token of the cross. And this hath been the usage from the beginning of the church.   

❧ The ten Chapter. ¶ Of Images, tithes, and who permitted the clergy to have possessions.  
AT the first there was no Imagery nor pictures in the churches, but all occasions of Idolatry were withdrawn according to the commandment of the old law. 
Images.  notwithstanding it crept in among christians by little and little, and men made Images of Christ on the cross after the example of Moses which set up that brazen serpent, 
Abagarus.  and Abagarus duke of Edissemans' a nation beyond the river Euphrates sent a Painter to draw the Image of our saviour jesus, but for somuch as he could not behold the brightness of his face, Chryst laid a napkin on his face, wherein he by his divine power printed the resemblance of his visage, and sent it by the painter to the duke. A little napkin was given by him (as it is said) to a woman, that had the bloody flux, whose name new writers say was Veronica, 
Veronica.  and Luke the Evangelist had the Image of Mari the virgin in a table painted. And in the sixth counsel had at Constantinople by the commandment of Constantine & Justinian, the second his son, 
Images were commanded to be honoured  it was decreed that Images should be received into the churches, and worshipped with great reverence, as a thing whereby the laity might be instructed, as in stead of scripture, and that incense might be burned, and tapers lighted afore them. This was about the year of our lord vi. C.xxxii. or as some take it about the vii C.iii year of our lord, what time Agathus was bishop of Rome. Afterward Constantine bishop there confirmed that decree, and caused Images in the church of saint Peter and pronounced Philippe the emperor an heretic, 
Philip emperor is proclaimed an heretic.  because he had shaven & scraped away the Imagery that was in saint Sophy's temple. Not long after they were ratified & established in the counsel of Nice where were assembled by the procurement of Hyrene mother of Constantine the sixth. Ccc.l bishops. 
Hyrene.  The great prophet of God Moses, and his successor joshua divided the land of Canaan among the Israelites, assigning no part thereof to the tribe of Levye, because they were the lords por●ion saving that he gave them habitations in every tribe, 
Tithes.  and a little pasture for their nee●e, sheep, and other cattle. Therefore, because they ministered in the tabernacle of the lord, and executed such ceremonies, as appertained to their religion, he appointed for them the first fruits and tenths to live on. And after this sort began the paying of tithes by the institution of Moses.  
And Origene on the book of Numery affirmeth that this commandment is to be observed of us after the letter, 
Origenes opinion of tithes Homelia xi  without any allegory or mystical interpretation.  
And it appeareth by Christ's words, 
Luke ii Christ alloweth tithes.  that he alloweth the literal sense of the old law, where he saith in the gospel, woe be unto you Scribes and Pharisees, ye that tithe mint and Rue, and all manner of Herbs, & pass over judgement & the law of God, these aught to have been done, & not to leave the other undone, where you may perceive how that as he commandeth one, so he would not have the other omitted, that be signified there literally, Eutichianus, because in the old testament the first fruits were offered to the lord, ordained that corn should be consecrated on the altar: as Oil and incense was burned in the hebrews synagogue, and that decree remaineth still in effect in some places. But so the priests virtue is so old, and men's devotion waxeth so cold, that in stead of the first fruits, now a days the people use to bring on the sundays a few loaves of bread, in some places two or three as they be disposed, 
Holy bread.  and those the priest consecrateth, and parteth by pieces among the people, that where as in time passed they used to receive the sacrament on those days, now they eat this bread hallowed in memorial of it. And this they do after the pattern of Christ, which was ever wont to hallow bread afore he either eat it or gave it to his disciples. Other nations also used to offer their first fruits & tithes, 
first fruits were offered of divers countries.  as the Romans offered to Hercules, and Bacchus offered to jupiter, Mars gave to jupiter the tenth of his prey of Lydia. Vrbanus a man of godly living, and singular learning about the year of our lord. CC.xxii. decreed that it was lawful for priests to receive such rents or lands, 
Possessions are permitted 〈◊〉 the clergy.  as were given them: Albeit there was nothing private to any man, but common to all. And thus by little & little the spiritual possessions were enlarged, and bishops of Rome were greatly enriched. Lucina an holy maid of Rome made Marcellus byshyp there, her heir and executor, and afterward Constantine did largely endow the same bishop.   
❧ Here endeth the abridgement of the sixth book.   

The seventh book.  

The first Chapter. ¶ The beginning of the solitary life of religious persons.  
THE MATTER hath been long in controversy who first began to inhabit wilderness, for some (as s. Hierome witnesseth) that have ransacked the uttermost, say that Helias and john Baptist were auctors of the life solitary, but as the one was more than a prophet, so the other was above the state and condition of Monks.  

Beginning of religions.  Some assign the original of it to Antony, other refer it to one Paul a Theban surnamed Eremite, because he laid the foundation of the manner of living solitary. Nevertheless for so much as every man may speak his fantasy in a thing doubtful, I think the institution of this monastical life to have proceeded of the Essees, 
Essees.  a religious brotherhood among the Hebrues, that lived after a greater perfection than the Monks did in their superstitious & fantastical traditions as appeareth by the viii book of Eusebius de preparatione evangelica.  
Of their precedence antony, and Paul the Theban took example of ordering the rules and precepts of their religious scolars. Albeit, 
Paul the hermit.  it shall agree of good right to ascribe the original of it to Antony, which, although he were not the first, yet he did specially encourage the endeavours of all other to lead that life, and authorized the discipline of Monks in Egypt: And afterward Basilius in Grece, and Hilarion in Syria did much augment & amplify that purpose. 
Hilarion.  For this Hilarion a man of great virtue, by calling on the name of jesus, healed at the city of Gaza the sons of a noble woman, whereupon the brute of him was so noised that many out of Syria & Egypte repaired unto him, & he founded abbeys in Palestine, & instructed them with rules of living. 
Antony●s perfection.  As for Antony he lived in the wilderness of Thebais in Egypt, & builded there an abbey, where he himself, with Sarmatas, Amatas, and Macarius his disciples lived in so earnest contemplation and prayer▪ 
Disciples of Antony.  that they lived only with bread and water: his holiness was such, that Helena, mother of Constantine did commend herself and her son to his prayers, He died in the wilderness, when he was an C.u. years old, 
Antony lived an C.u. year.  the year of our salvation. CCC.lxi. his disciples Amatas and Macharius increased much the religion after his death, & Sarmatas was slain by the Saracenes. 
Religion hath grown to superstition.  The institution of this state of living came I grant of a good zeal to godliness, but the devil perverter of all good things did so empoysone the hearts of them, that followed, that they had more trust in their works, than faith in Christ's blood, & then every man began new rules of works to be their own saviours, and went so supersticiousely to work, that all was out of rule and abominable in the sight of God.   

❧ The ii Chapter. ¶ The division of monastical life into sundry sec●●s and ●actions.  

Benet,  AN hundredth lxvi year after the death of Antony, Benet an Italian borne at Nursie in Vmbria, when he had lived long in solitariness, resorted to a city of Italy named Sublaque a city of the Latins forty miles from Rome. And forbecause he was greatly delighted with wilderness, and also the people pressed there much to see and hear his preachings, he departed thence to Cassine. And in the time of john the first about the year of our lord. CCCCC, 
Benet builded an abbey at Cassinum.  xxiiii. he builded there an abbey and assembled the Monks that were dispersed alone in diverse places, into one covent, and ordered them with instructions of manners, & rules of living confirmed with three vows, that is chastity, wilful poverty, and obedience, because they should all together mortify their own will and lusts.  
These three forenamed vows Basilius bishop of Gesaria did first institute and publish in the year of our lord. CCC.lxxxiii. 
Three vows Basilius ordained.  And also assign the year of probation or trial, that religious persons had afore they were professed. 
The year of probation.   
The order of Cluniacenses were ordained by one Odon an abbot at Masticense, a village of Burgundy, 
Cluniacenses.  And William duke of Aquitany gave them on house, the year of our lord. ixC. xvi. in the time of Sergius the third. Not long after the religion of Camaldimenses was begun by Romoaldus of Ravenna in the mount Apenninus, 
Camaldimenses.  the year of our lord viii C.l. they kept perpetual silence, every wednesday & friday they fast bread & water, they go barefoot, & lie on the ground. In a part of the same mountain called Vallis Vmbrosa or the shadowed valley in the year of Christ's incarnation M lx. under Gregory the vi. john Gualbert began a new sect of Monks, 
Shadowed valle order.  & named them of the place where the abbey stood, the shadowed valie order. The Monks of Oliuere sprung up as a fruit of discord the same year that the variance was among the three bishops, 
Monks of Oliuere.  & were instituted by Barnardus Ptolomeus the year of Christ M. cccc.vii. under Gregory the xii The faction of Grandimontensers began by Steven of Avernus in Aquitany or Guienne the year of our lord. M.lxxvi. under Alexander the second, 
Grandimontensers.  & had their title of the mountain where their abbey stood. A little after the same time Robert abbot of Molisme, in Cistercium a Forest of Burgundy did institute the order of Cistercians, 
Cistercians order.  albeit some ascrib this to one Ordingus a Monk, that persuaded Robert to the same, above the year of our lord: M.xcviii. under Urban the second: Of this religion was the great clerk s. barnard. Almost an. C. year after this in the year of our lord. M.C.lxvi. The order of Humiliates was devised by certain persons exiled by Fredericus Barbarussa, which, 
Humiliates.  when they were restored to their country, appareled the selfes in white, & lived by a kind of vow, in prayers, penury, & working wool, & were admitted by Innocentius the third, and other his successors. Celestines were founded by Celestinus the fift of that name bishop of Rome in the year of our lord. M.C.xcviii. 
Celestines.  In England saint Gylbert at Tyrington, & Sempringham began an order called after him Gylbertines in the time of Eugenius the fourth, 
Gilbertines.  the year of Christ's incarnation. Mcxlviii.  
The justinianes were invented by 
justinian's.  Lewes Barbus a religious man of Venice. In the abbey of saint justine at Padway, the year of our salvation. M. CCCC.xii. in the days of john the xxiii  
There were also orders of nuns devised after the same rules of superstition, 
Nuns.  as the other be.   

❧ The iii Chapter. ¶ Of the Hierominians, Canons, charterhouse Monks, white friars, Crouchefryes with other.  
HIERONIMIANS had their beginning of s. Hierome, 
Hieronimians.  which leaving his native country went into jury, and there not far from Bethlehem builded him an house where he lived very devoutly the latter end of his life, in the time of Innocentius the vii The year of our lord. M. CCCC.v. After his example other counterfeited a resemblant of perfection naming themselves Hieronimians, wearing their cloothes of white, and a coop plaited above over their coat gird with a leather girdle.  
There were also certain hermits called Hierominians of the foundation of one Charles Gravel of Florence, 
hermits Hicronimians  which made himself an Hermit of the same religion in the mountains of Fessulus: other there be, that say one Redo earl of mount Granel did institute them in Fessulus in the time of Gregory the xii Yet there be, that say that the original of this brotherhood was instituted of Hierom in desert, & that Eusebius of Cremona with other devout and holy men, 
Eusebius Cremonenris.  which kept conversation with him did enlarge and augment the family of that profession.  
As concerning the cannons regular, there be two opinions: 
Chamnon regular.  for some say that Austen by and by after he was created bishop brought his cannons in this rule and form of living, wherein they have been so long trained and nuzzled up: other some brag and make their vaunt, that it was devised of the Apostles, and of this opinion was Thomas of Aquine But howsoever the matter go: Austen was doubtless either the inventor of the sect, or renewer of it, and therefore may be justly taken for an author of that faction, and so was he likewise of Augustine's hermits. The canons clothing was a white cote, 
canons apparel.  & a linnyn rochet under a black cope with a scapuler to cover their head and shoulders: 
hermits Augustine's.  The hermits have a contrary vesture, a black coat with alike scapuler and another coat of white, & a leather girdle. Of these there be diverse orders. As the order of s. Saviour of the scopettines, 
The order of Canons or hermits. Scopettines.  which were ordained by one Steven & james two men of Senes in the time of Urban the .v. the year of Christ. M.ccc.lxx. and Gregory the xi by his consent confirmed them in their hypocrisy  
The Frisonaries is another brood which began among the etrurians in the county of Luce's, 
Frisonaries.  that is other wise called lateraneuse, by the device of james Britianes in the time of John the xxiiii the year of Christ. M. cccc.xii. & they were amplified & increased by Eugenius the four The iii order is titled the brethred of s. Gregory, 
Brethren of saint Gregory de Alga  de Alga, this was ordained at Venece by Laurence justinian in the time of Innocencius the vii the year of our lord. M, cccc. seven. with divers other orders which forsomuch as they rise suddenly like toad stoles in a rain, I will omit them. Bruno of Colen, the red sometime the philosophi lecture at Paris did institute the Charterhouse monks in the diocese of Gracianopolis, 
Charterhous monks.  at a place named Cartusia in the year of our lord. M.lxxx. under Gregory the vii their life was outwardly full of painted holiness, in forbering flesh fasting bread and water every friday, full of solitariness, much silence, ever pinned in, and women were banished out of the house, with other semblable ceremonies. The Carmelites or white friars were, 
Carm●lites.  as some say begun in mount Carmelus after the example of Helias the prophet, which lived their long solitary, they were first assembled together by Almericus B. of Antioch, the year of our lord. M.clxx. in the time of Alexander the iii & they were so called our Lady friars of a chapel of our lady that was in the hill Carmelus. Nevertheless upon. cccc. years after in the time of Innocentius the third they were reform by Albartus bishop of Jerusalem, 
Carm●lites clothing is changed.  according to the rule of Basilius, and the colour of their cope was turned into white by Honorius the third where afore it was russet.  
The order of Pemonstratenses was instituted in the diocese of Laudune by Northbergus a priest, 
Piemonstratenses.  and the precepts of that covent were gathered out of s. Austin's rules, and admitted for good by Calixtus the second, in the year of our lord. M.c.xx  
The Crouch or cross Friars began about the year of our lord. M.cc.xu by the device of Cyriacus bishop of Jerusalem, 
Crochfriers.  which showed Helen mother of Constantine where the cross lay hid: And in memorial of the cross, he caused this brotherhood & college of Friars to bear the cross, And yet they never knew what the cross weighed in their bodies or in their hearts, & forsomuch as they were sore wasted Innocentius the iii renewed the religion.   

The four Chapter. ¶ Black, and Grey friars, the trinity order, Brigidians, Iesuates, new hermits and Bonhomes.  
about the time of Innocentius the third arose two famous founders of two superstitious sects, 
Dominicke. Frances.  I mean Dominicke the spaniard, and Francis the Italian, of the country of Vmbria.  
Dominicke at the first was a Cannon, 
friars Dominickes.  but because he could not suffer to have a superior, and was also weary of the cloister, he invented a new fraternity named Dominicans, black Friars, or friars preachers, because they had the charge to preach the Gospel, without mixture of any pharisaical leaven. The new guise of their vesture made innocent Innocentius to wonder.  
But Honorius the iii by his bull honourably admitted them, 
Dominicke is canonized.  the year of our lord. M.cc.xx and Gregory the ninth put the matter out of all doubt canonized Dominicke, and by his bull under lead allowed him for a saint.  
Frauncesse, 
Frances.  that was first of the friars Austin's, thinking that sect not to be sufficiently furnished with hypocrisy, began a new trade of living in the mount Appoeninus in a place named commonly javerna 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 Minores of the humility & lowliness of heart that they should have, 
Minorites.  but that was smally regarded & furthest from their study. Two years after, that was the year of our Lord. M.CC.xxix. Frauncisse was sanctified by Gregory, 
Frauncisse is made a saint  & made a saint, Fraunciscanes 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 titled them selves observants more worthy to be called obstinate.  

Obseruamtes.  The latter fellows were brought into England by king Edward the iiii. & were greatly enhanced by the famous prince king Henry the vii  

Clara.  At the same time was Clara the virgin, country woman to sayncte Frauncisse, which was a great foundress of Nuns of the same rule that Frauncesse gave his covent: of them sprung the bastard penitencers in the days of john the xxii and the year of our lord. M.CCC.xv. 
Penitencers.   
The order of the trinity under the said Innocentius was begun by john Marta, 
Order of the trinity.  and felix Anachorita in France, in the country of Meldine. Then also was founded, or else not long after in the time of Martin the fourth the brotherhood of Mayres servants by one Philip of Florencia a Physician, and benedict the xi confirmed it in the year of our Lord M.CCC.lxxxv.  
The order of Brigidians was instituted by Brigidia a widow, 
Brigidians.  that was princess of Sueta under Urban the .v. in the year of our Lord. M.ccc.lxx. it was aswell of men as women, albeit they dwelled severally by themselves. 
jesuits.  The family of jesuits was the invention of johannes Columbinus in the city of Senes in the time of the same Urban, the year of our lord. M.ccc.lxviii. they were no priests nor consecrated persons, but were men of the lay sort given & addicted to prayers, & had the name of jesuits because the name of jesus should be often in their mouth, they be much like to our bedemen in England.  

New hermits.  The sect of new hermits began in Urbine a city in Italy in the country of Vmbria, where Polidor Vergile was borne, and was the devise of one Petrus an Hetruriane, and they had in the same city a goodly hospital or guild hall.  

Bonhomes.  The Bonhomes were instituted in England by Edmund son of Richard earl of Cornewel, which was brother to Henry the iii and was elected king of the Romans, & heir apparent to the Empire by the prince's electors about the year of our Lord. M.CC.lvii. The special head place of that religion was Astrige, where the noble king Henry the viii hath now a goodly Palace. This Edmund brought the blood of our saviour, as it was said into the realm   

The .v. Chapter. ¶ The original of sacred knights and white sect.  
WHILST the city of jerusalem, afore our christenmen had conquered it in the year of our lord. M.xcix was in subjection to the Saracens, 
Gravekepers or sepulchre knights.  the Latin christians, that lived their 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 ccc.xiiii and renewed the year of Chrst. M.ccc xcvii. in the time of Celestine the iii bishop of Rome.  
After the pattern of this house was devised a like house of virgins in me mortal of Mari Magdalen, 
Magdalene sisters.  to receive the women that resorted thither. It began in the ii Vrbanes days, the year of our Lord. M. lxxxxix. notwithstanding because the multitude of latin pilgrims waxed very great they builded three hospitals of s. John baptist, as some say, albeit, some think it was of john Eleemosinarius, that was the patriarch of Alexandria in the reign of the emperor Phoca. This sect one Gerardus adorned with a white cross in a black vesture: grand captain of these knights was Ramundus, 
Ramundus.  when Clement the .v. had the sea of Rome, about the year of our Lord. M.ccc.x. yet some affirm that the beginning of them was in the iii Alexander's days, the year of Christ. M.c.lxxix. and they be called of the order of s. john, 
Knights of the Rhodes.  or knights of the Rhodes, because they wan the Rhodes from the Turks, which afterward they lost again in january, in the year of our salvation. M. CCCCC.xxiii. albeit, they did long defend it manfully.  
The templars order was begun in Gelacius the ii his days, 
Templer knights.  in the year of Christ's incarnation. M.C.xxviii. by Hugo Paganus, and Gaufradus de sancto Alexandro: they were named templars, because they kept in a part of the buildings near to the temple, they kept Barnardus rule in their living. But Clement the .v. deposed them partly for that they renounced the faith, & conspired with the Turks, & partly forother notable crimes  
The order of Tentonickes or dutch Lords began in Jerusalem by a dutch man whose name is not known: 
Dutch lords.  Their office was to fight against the enemies of Christ's cross, it began in the days of Clement the third, the year of Christ's incarnation. M.c.xc Petrus Fardinandus a spaniard began the order of saint james knights, 
Knights of saint james  that lived after s. Austin's rule, under Alexander the iii and in the year of our lord. M. c.lx.iii the same bishops days.  
¶ Sanctius a king ordained the factions of Calatravean knights, which professed the rule of the Cisterciences. 
Calatravean knights.  Of the same profession be they of the order of jesus Christ's knights, 
Knights of jesus Christ.  which were instituted by john the xxii. bishop of that name in Portugal to resist the Saracens.  
Alexandrians brotherhood of knights in the realm of castle, 
Alcantarian knights.  that begun in Gregory's time the ix about the year of our salvation M.cc.xl but who was auctor of them is uncertain. james king of Aragonia did found two. sects of knights, one named of s. Mari, 
Knights of saint Mari de Mercede Mountesians  de Mercede of those the office was to ransom such as were taken prisoners in wars against the Turks: The other sect is called Montasian knights, and they were a red cross, both these orders Gregory the xi. did allow the year of our lord. M.  

Minims.  The order of Minims or lest brethren were founded by one Franciscus Paula a Silician after the example of Frauncisse his Mmorites.  

Apostolic brethren.  The Apostolic brethren began in the year of our lord. M.cclx. by the institution of Gerardus Sagarelus in the town named Perma in Lombardie in the time of Alexander the fourth.  

white sect.  The whit sect sprung up in the Alps, & descended into italy having apriest for their captain. But Bonifacius perceiving they should do no good to his honourable estate if they continued, caused their captain to be headed at Viterbium, as attainted of some heresy, the year of our lord. M. cccc. They were a great number, & did no other thing but lament the state of mankind, & bewail the sins of the people. therein as of this fashion both men & women, & were called the whit sect, because they wear white clothing.   

The vi Chapter. ¶ The ninivites, Assyrians, Antonians, and Ceretanes.  
NO less superstition is in the fraternity of the ninivites, 
Ninivites.  although they advance themselves to have received their manner of living of 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 Christ's blood. The rites be specified with outward holiness: 
Rites of ninivites.  as often assembling to prayer hiring of chantry priests supporting poverty, & be clothed in sackcloth and scourge one another with whips. Of this painted penance they call themselves ninivites, as though they appeased God's wrath in the same wise, as they of Niniveh did, where in deed they had hearty contrition for their offences, these have but pretenced holiness and penitence: they began under Clement the four the year of our lord a thousand two hundredth threescore and five.  
The manner of their whipping came of the Roman sacrifices and Lupercalia, 
Whipping whence it came Lupercalia  whereof I spoke afore, for they used the same custom of a superstitious opinion: Or if a man would be curious in bolting out the original of their beating, it may appear to have proceeded of an observance of the Egyptians. For the usage was there, 
An usage of the Egyptians  that whilst they offered a cow with many ceremonies to their great Idol, as Herodotus witnesseth during the burning thereof, they should, one beat another miserably with wands or rods. The title of their fraternity came of the Romans, which had divers felowshyppes as Sodales Titii, 
Fraternities.  and Fratres Aruales that sacrificed to Ceres' Goddess of corn. Another sort there is not only idle, but also thievish, & they be called Assyrians, the same that we name commonly Egyptians: 
Assyrians.  These, as all men have heard, 
Egyptians.  and many have by experience proved, be so light fyngered, and such rigbies children, that they will find two things, afore they lose one.  
The men by such pyllery, theft, and plain stealing, and women by palmestry, blessings, 
Crafts of the egyptians.  with like other sorcery, and witchcraft furnished with lies, seduce and deceive a great number of simple people in every country and region.  
And because they should have more liberty to speed their purposes, 
The Egyptians excuse.  they say, it is their vow, and penance is given them to go in continual pilgrimage. Fie on that pilgrimage, that is maintained by picking, and redoundeth to the profit of none, but to the extreme loss of many as well countries as men.  
The occasion that these vagabonds stray thus abroad came of an old Idol that they worshipped in their Paganism named the goddess of Syria: 

Goddess of Syria.  
Libro viii de asmo aureo.   wherewith they used to gad from place to place to beg money, wine, milk, cheese, corn, and other stuff as Apuleius writeth.  
The same people now they be christened, play their parts in like manner with sundry subtleties: and that they get by lying, picking, stealing, bribing, they make money of, and so return home laughing to scorn all those simple persons, that they have thus deceived.  
Seeing all other superstitions be abolished and rooted up, it is pity that this should take still effect, and be unpunished. The Antonians were a counterfeit of Antony's perfection, 
Antonians  but they differ as much from his holiness as white from black, they have a 
The token of Antonians.  on their breast, that meaneth Tolle, teaching them to take what they can get be it cow, ox, calf, or pig, for they offer swine to him, as they did sacrifice sheep to Bel in Babylon, they were instituted in the year of Christ. CCC.xxiiii.  

Ceretanes.  The Ceretanes began in Ceretum a city of Vmbria, & ever they used to go a begging at the latter end of harvest when the barns were stuffed with corn, and so like drones devour that that other have gotten with the sweat of their brows.  
Of these valiant beggars there be in every place more than a great many: 
Ceretanes play in summer and beg in winter.  but I cannot tell what time they were instituted, and how soon they be put down it skilleth not.   

❧ The vii Chapter. ¶ The original of Mahomates sects.  
OF all these superstic●ouse sects afore rehearsed there is not one so diabolical, as the sect of mahometans as well for the filthiness of all unlawful lusts, 
mahometans.  as other outrageous naughtiness, that they occupy daily, to the great endamaging of christendom, and increase of their own infidelity  
OF this unreverent religion, 
Mahomete.  Mahomete a noble man, borne in Arabia, or as some report in Persie was author: & his father was an Heathen Idolater, and his mother an Ismaelite, wherefore she had more perseverance of the Hebrues law. This wicked plant brought up and fostered under his parents, and instructed like a mongrel in either of their laws: be came expert, and of a ready wit: And after the death of his father and mother, he was in household with one Abdemonaples an Ismaelite, 
Abdemonaples.  which put him in trust with his ambergris, and other affairs, and after his decease he married his mastresse a widow. There he fell in acquaintance with the Monk Sergius an heretic of Nestor's sect, 
Sergius.  that fled from Byzans into Arabia: and by his counsel and advise this Mahomete about the year of our Lord six hundred and twenty, and the xii year of the reign of the Emperor Heraclius began in Arabia to found a new sect, 
Mahomete preached seditiously.  & by seditious sermons seduced much people and many countries. He conquered by help of the Arabians diverse lands, and subdued them as tributories, and compelled them too live after the tradition of his laws, that he gathered out of the new, and old Testaments, and diverse heresies of Nicolaires, Manichees, and Sabellians. He died the forty year of his age, 
When Mahomete died.  and his body was carried by the Saracenes into a city of Persia called Mecha, 
Mecha. Caliphas.  and laid in a coffyne of Iron. Caliphas succeeded Mahomete but he was deposed for his superstition, and another of the same name was substituted in his room. 
Homar.  Homar was the third, 
Homar won Jerusalem.  that reigned and he after the conquest of the Persians, wan Jerusalem, and all Syria, the year of our Lord fi●e hundred and fourscore in the time of Agathö bishop of Rome and Constantyne the fourth Emperor. This sect waxeth daily bigger and bigger, partly through the discord of Christian princes, and partly by reason of our sinful living, that daily groweth to greater enormities, that deserve the heavy hand of GOD over us.   
¶ Here endeth the abridgement of the seventh book.   

The eight book.  

❧ The first Chapter. ¶ Of Relics, stations, the year of jubilee, Pardons.  
NOT LONG after the martyrdom of Peter and Paul, 
Relics.  both many, & that of diverse sorts as well men as women 〈◊〉 the example of their constancy, were encouraged to suffer sundry kinds of torments in several parts of the world for the mainteignance of Christ his religion. 
Many bishops of Rome suffered mar●tyrdome.  But namely in Rome much murder of innocent blood was committed of tyrants by many manner of punishments, and a great number died in Chrstes cause, among other certain bishops to the soume of thirty and two were slain by extreme persecution, unless it were seven of them, which by death were prevented afore they attained the crown of Martyrs. Therefore considering that much martyrs blood was spent, & that specially in Rome and many from other places were conveyed thither, Cletus and Anacletus bishops there did seriously go about to reverence them. For the one appointed a place, 
Martyrs were severally buried.  where Martyrs should severally have their sepultures apart from the lay people, and the other by degree denounced him accursed as a sacrilege, that by word or deed hindered men's devotion from visiting the tombs of the Apostles. Upon this occasion Calistus the first builded beyond Tiber a church in honour of our Lady, 
Churches of our Lady.  and Constanstyne Emperor edified to Peter, Paul, and Laurence temples This matter was by Gregory the saint set forward to the increase of superstitious devotion: 
Peter's church.  For he appointed these Litanies of saints with Ora pro nobis too be sungen with Masses on certain solemn days in the chief temples of the city promising them▪ 
Litanies.  that repaired thither at such solemn feasts clean remission of sins by his pardon. And he named the pompous sacrifices stations because they were celebrated on certain days limited and prescribed by statute. 
Stations  Bonifacius the eight in the year of our Lord a thousand three hundred, appointed the year of jubilee, or grace, to be kept every hundred year with clean remission A pena & culpa to all them that visited the temples of the apostles Peter & Paul. 
jubilee every hundred year.  And this was taken up of the example of the hebrews, albeet they did keep it every l years or else as some think be assigned the years according to the old feasts of Apollo and Diana which the Romans Heathen solemnized every hundred year, and of that they were called Ludiseculares. About fifty years after. 
Ludiseculares.  Clement the sixth decreed that it should be celebrated every fifty years as the hebrews rite was, 
jubilee at fifti years.  because no man was able to attain the old jubilee of an hundred years. last of all Sextus the fourth restraygned the year of grace to the xxv. year, 
jubilee at xxv years.  and he himself kept it at that day, which was in the year of God's grace showed by his son jesus Christ too the world a thousand four hundred three score and fifteen. 
Pardons.  About the same time Pardons were very ●ief, and much used but who was the first author of them I have not red in any writer, saving that saint Gregory (as I said afore) proclaimed Pardons as a reward for them, 
Pardons were profitable to the purse.  that came too his Stations. This seed sown by Gregory grew too a ripe harvest in the time of Bonifacius the ix which reaped much money for the chaff. After this Alexander the sixth that was in the year of our Lord a thousand five hundred assinged the jubilee and Stations to be had insundery provinces and countries, 
jubilee was sent into all countries for money.  to the intent that less throng of people and more thrift of money might come to Rome, and so the people should only lose their money and save their labour. 
Moses was first author of the jubilee  But Moses was the first author of the jubilee, as appeareth by josephus in the old Testament.   

❧ The second Chapter. ¶ The bishop of Rome's titles Collages of Scribes, sealing Bulls with Lead, Annates,  

Titles of the Bishops of Rome.  FOR somuch as nothing is so decent for a priest as gentleness nothing so fit as lolinesse, nothing more comely than humbleness according to the saying of our saviour, learn of me for I am meek and loly in heart, nor nothing more against their order then pride & arrogancy: 

divus Gregorius.  
servus servorum dei.   Gregory the saint, bishop of Rome named himself servus servorum dei, which thing he did not only usurp in title but also express in deed. This name & preface was received a●d used of his successors, but his hearty meekness was refused, as a thing that diminished their pontifical estate. Cle●us added to salutem & Apostolicam benedictionem, 
Salutem & Apostolicam benedictionem.  as a salutation condign and appertaining to the virtue & godliness and a resemblant to Christ's greeting, which was peace be with you, 
Christ's greeting.  or of the hebrews, that used too say in their metynges' peace be with thee: 
The hebrews saluting.  And this all our bishops have reserved to themselves as a peculiar● saluting.  

Scribes.  AS concerning the Scribes, that used to write the letters Apostolical where afore time they were wont to write for nothing, or else asked very little, John the xxii desirous too increase & enlarge his substance founded a collage of Scribes that should write & indite letters of their own devise, and do other offices, 
Collage of Scribes.  but they must be chosen out of his own clerk, and must pay and be dismissed of money, afore they could be admitted to the room. He did also institute the tax or subsidy, that they pay, 
Taxes of ben●fites.  which have benefits of his gift & presentation. All such things, as belong to the Apostolical penetencers, 
Penitencers.  Benet the xii divised first, 
Price of all writs.  and determined the price of all writs & bulls The custom of sealing the bishop of Rome's bulls with lead was taken up by Stephen the third and Hadrian the first to the intent they should endure longer, 
Bulls sealed with lead.  where afore time the usage was to sele in wax with a ring. And this was the year of our Lord seven. c.lxxii. at which time Hadriane was bishop afore those days I find no mention of sealing with lead, as afore Carolus Magnus none of the Roman Empiroures sealed letters with gold. 
Carolus magnus sealed first with gold Breviatours  Pius the second did create Breviatours, and set them in an order, which Paul deposed, but Sextus afterward renewed the room, as commodious for the purse: and also instituted the new collage of solicitors and proctor's, 
solicitors.  by whose counsel and advise all bulls and grants were made and ratified. He also ordained i●. Notaries of the treasure Apostolical, 
Notaries.  & assigned to every of them certain fees and profits, that he might have speedy utterance of the rooms Innocencius that succeeded next Sextus devised the collage of Secretaries, and Alexander the sixth increased the number of writers of his briefs to the sum of four score and above. 
Collage of secretaries.   

Somoners.  THE Somoners, and catchpoles that were hangers on to those breviators were by Nicolaus the third put out of office, least all the poor sheep should be ●leied to the quick. But all this riff-raff filled not so much the pope's coffers in seven years as his Annates did in one. 
Annates.  Annates he calleth the yearly revenues or half part of the fruits of a benefice or spiritual promotion, that he received of the new Incumbentes. These began first at his own benefices whereof he was patron, and Clement the .v. generally decreed it, 
A general decree of Annates.  in the year of our lord. M.CCC and v. Bonifacius the ix. and John the xxii renewed the decree for fear of forgetting because it helpeth much the purse.   

❧ The third Chapter. ¶ Of the sect of Symoniakes, Heretics, Schisms.  
PHILIPPE the deacon, what time he had by his preaching converted them of Samaria to Christ's religion, among many other he turned one Simon a Magicien and enchanter, and baptized him. 
Simon Magus.  In short space after, Peter and John were sent thither to confirm them in the faith by giving them the holy ghost through laying on of hands, this Simon perceiving the feat of Peter that he could by laying on of hands give the holy ghost, 
Simon proffered money for too have power too give the holy ghost  proffered to give a large sum of money too have that power taught him, whereas he should rather have obtained it by faith and godliness. Peter moved at those words, with anger said, th● money shall turn to thy destruction, because thou supposedest the gifts of God to be bought with money, neither shalt thou have one portion or dole of this charge, for thy heart is not upright afore God. Thus rejected of his suit he became a great enemy to Peter, and in Rome seduced by his magic much people in somuch that he was taken, and proclaimed by Nero his charter a god with this title, 
Simon was made a God.  Simon deus sanctus. But Peter with the sword of God's word, after long conflict of words, and contention of miracles, between the Capitoly or counsel chamber and the Mount Aventine caused that, as he was by his Magical exorcisms lifted up, & flying in the air, 

Simon did fly in the air.  
Simon broke his leg.   he had such a fall, that he broke his leg & it cost him his life in Aretia, where he lay at surgery for the healing of his leg. Of him all, that buy or sell the gifts of the holy ghost, and say the world was not of the creation of God, but proceeded of a power above, were named simoniacs, 
Simoniakes  and so we call them that buy or sell benefices and spiritual promotions, which thing (although it be often used) is plainly foreboden by the scriptures. Next Simon succeeded his disciple Menander a Samarytane borne, 
Menander. Samaritanus  which called himself a saviour sent from heaven to preserve and save men, and promised them▪ 〈◊〉 received his baptism should live immortally, he did more harm, and perverted more than his master Simon had doen. In the same time the heresy of the Nicolayans began, 
Nicolaians'.  which taught that wives should be used in common as the anabaptists do now at this time. Then also Corinthus enterprised to mixed the new law with the old, 
Corinthus.  affirming that circumcision ought too be observed and kept, and that after the resurrection men should live a thousand years in carnal lusts and pleasures. 
Hebion. John did write his Gospel against Hebion  At those days Hebion his heresy broke out, which said that Christ was not afore his mother, against this fellow John wrote his Gospel last of all the Evangelists. About that time were other diverse heretics, 
Basilides.  as Basilides that affirmeth there were two beginnings or principal causes of things contrary, & his scholar Marchion a Stoicien, 
Marchion.  that denied Christ to be the son of GOD, 
Valencianus  and Valenciane, that said Christ took no flesh of the virgin's body, but passed through her, as it were through a pipe or condute, 
Montanus.  them also Montanus named himself, the comforter or holy ghost. Apelles was then also, 
Apelles.  which said Christ was but a fantasy in the sight of men, 
Sabellius.  and Sabellius, that said the father, the son, & the holy ghost were but one person, and Paulus Samosatenus, 
Paulus Samosatenus.  which denied the two natures to be in Christ, and that he began but of his mother, and that she had after him more children by joseph. And thus began heretics first to spring up. As for Schisms, which sprung of such heresies and erroneous opinions, 
Schisms.  
Novatianus  Novatianus a priest of Rome was author of the first in the year of our Lord two hundred fifty and five in the time of Cornelius bishop of Rome: 
Mundi.  he named his disciples Mundi that is pure and clean, and offenders he affirmed that they ought not to be admitted, but rejected although they were penitent for their sins: which openion the anabaptists now maintain. He was condemned ●i Cornelius bishop of Rome as an heretic with all his adherentes. About four score years after in the reign of Constantine the great Arrius a priest of Alexandria was the beginner of a sect & schism that denied the son too be of the substance of GOD the father, 
Arrius.  but this was convict in the counsel of Nicene, albeet not extincted. 
A Schism,   
THE third Schism was when Damasus was bishop of Rome, where in they contended not only with voices and words: but also with violence and weapons, by reason of the ambition of the bishops there assembled. 
Schism of a later time.  Other Schisms have sprongen in our time to the great disquietness and confusion of Christian religion, & destruction of common wealths, which I pray God may be redressed & stayed to the honour of him, to the confirmation of the faithful, to the subversion of hypocrisy, to the avanncement of God's word, too the mitigating of the trouble of poblike weals, too the establishment of perpetual unity of heart, and continual peace, all dissension and war extinguished.   

¶ The four Chapter. ¶ When the first general counsel was kept, and which were allowed by the fathers.  

Counsels.  THE custom of assembling counsels, to take deliberation of things doubtful, or matters serious, is of a great ancienty aswell among the hebrews, as other nations: And by such a manner counsel was Mathias surrogated and substituted in the stead of judas, 
Mathias elected by a counsel.  into the number of the apostles. And by a counsel holden at Jerusalem the Apostles discharged the gentiles of Moses law. 
Cornelius called the first counsel.  Cornelius was the first, as plainly appeareth, that called together any counsel and that was in Rome of six hundred bishops, as many priests, with a great multitude of deacons, In this counsel the heresy of the Novatians was convicted, and at the same time sat also a counsel at Carthage where saint Cyprian was bishop. 
Counsel of Cartage.  Eusebius writeth also that once in the days of Dionysius, and likewise in the time of Felix, the fathers summoned another counsel at Antioch to condemn Paul Samosatene, 
Counsel of Antioch.  which denied the two natures of Christ, as is aforesaid.  
FIVE other counsels were celebrated in the reign of Constantine the Emperor, 
Counsel of Nicaea.  and all were in Grece one at Nicaea a city of Bithine, where were gathered three hundredth & xviii bishops to confu●e Arrius and his secre. This was the year of Christ three hundredth twenty and four, the same time that Silvester the first was bishop of Rome.  
THE second was at Constatinople, 
Counsel at Constantinople  when Damasus was bishop of Rome, wherein Macedonius and Eudoxus were condemned because they did deny the holy ghost to be God.  
HHE third was at Ephesus celestine the first, 
Counsel at Ephesus.  then occupying the sea of Rome. There was Nestor his heresy abolished, that said Mari the virgin was mother of Christ a man, but not as he was of God, and that the person of the God heed and his manhood were ii sundry persons.  

Counsel at Chalcedonie.  THE fourth was at Chalcedonie under Leo the first, where Entiches an heretic was improved: these four saint Gregory thought worthy to be admitted and allowed to the establishing of our religion.  
THE .v. was solemnly kept at Byzance at the commandment of Vigilius bishop of Rome: 
Counsel at Byzance.  and in this was Theodorus reasoned with, which affirmed that Marie did bear only a man and not God and man: For that cause the counsel there, then decreed that Christ's mother should be called Theotocos or Deipara that is bearer of God, 
Deipara.  and the acts of this counsel were received by Gregory.  
THE sixth counsel, Constantine the fourth, at the request and suit of Agathon, called also at Byzance, where two hundredth bishops condemned Macarius of Antioch. 
Another counsel at Bizance  This counsel was accepted by Hadriane the first. 
No counsel may be called without the pope's consent  That no counsel might be legitimate, or lawfully assembled without the bishop of Rome his consent and assent was the constitution and decree of Marcellus the first, and afterward, julius, Damasus, and Gregory ratified the same.  
Martin the fifth made a law that every tenth year the bishop of Rome, 
Counsels should be called every tenth year.  and all Christian princes should meet together to consult of matters concerning our religion, & christian faith. It was decreed at the counsel of Nicene that every bishop should twice yearly have a synod or senes general within his diocese to correct and reform such things as were out of order. 
Senesin every diocese.  But now the matter is so handled that senes be only courts to gather their senage and proxy with a procession, and a sermon that the half understand not: other correction I hear of none.   

The .v. Chapter. ¶ Of the first persecutors of the christian, and first Martyrs.  
CHRIST, 
Christ was a witness of the truth.  which came into this world, and was incarnate to bear witness unto the truth, had for his true testimony great envy of the jews, insomuch that they persecuted him to the vile death of the cross for his earnest record and report of the truth: and they did no less pursue the Apostles and messengers of the truth. For when they following the example of their maiester did openly declare the word of truth, and namely Peter did sore rebuke the wickedness of the jews in putting to death Christ the author of life, advertising them to repent & amend: the jews were so furious & wood, that first they murdered Steven, as the Acts of the Apostles testify, because he was a vehement witness of the truth. This Shephyn did two year continually after Christ's death dispute with all the learned men of Alexandria, 
Stephyn disputed with all the learned men of Iury.  Cirene, Cilicia, and Asia, and by heavenly wisdom confounded their worldly reasons and human learning. Wherefore they were so sore vexed with heat and malice against him, that they violently thrust him out of the city, 

Stephyn is stoned to death.  
Stephin first open defender of our faith.   and then cruelly stoned him to death: Thus Stephyn was the first open maintainer & defender of our christian religion Afterward, as Luke telleth, so bitter and sharp persecution did braced out against the Christians that were in Jerusalem, that they were enforced to stray abroad, and were scattered throughout all jury and Samarie, saving that the Apostles remaygned & sojourned still at Jerusalem. notwithstanding, this persecution was the occasion of great furtherance of the Gospel, by reason they seized not but preached still the word every where with great increase, and augmenting of the faithful number.  
Among the Heathen nations Nero was the first prince that persecuted our religion universally: 
Nero first persecutor of all the heathen princes.  and put Peter and Paul to death, and consequently many other innocentes were slain cruelly. For when of a devilish mind that he had, he could not spare even his country, but either for displeasure of the ruinous houses which grieved him to behold, or else desirous to see a resemblant of the burning of Troy, he set on fire the more part of the city of Rome, with so huge a flame, 
Half Rome was burned by Nero.  that it burned six days and six nights continually, to the impoverishing of many thousand rich citizens. Then to mitigate the shameful & abominable deed, and to stint the brute and slanderous report that went on him for that flagiciouse fact, there were forged false witnesses to say the christian men did this act, and so many simple innocent smarted for that tyrants pleasure: And to obdurate himself in mischief, he proclaimed an open persecution against all, that professed the name of Christ. 
Persecution done by the Emperor.  Not long after Domitiane renewed afresh another affliction of the christians, & Traianus raised the fourth, Marcus Antonius & Lucius Aurelius Commodus stirred up the v. persecution. Aelius Pertinax moved the sixth. Maximinus procured the seventh, Decius the eight, Valerianus the ix and Aurelianus caused the ten And Dioclesianus began the xi which was sorest, 
Dioclesiane made the greatest persecution.  sharpest, and of longer continuance than any of all the rest: in such sort, that scripture books were burned and churches plucked down, christian magistrates that did bear any office, were deposed, soldiers were enforced to deny their faith, or else forego their goods and forbear their lives by a general proclamation. Neither were the three cruel tyrants, Maxentius, Licinius, 
Maxencius.  and Maximianus behind with their parts, but were as busy as the best, to procure trouble to the christian people.  
Constantinus borne in England, 
Constantinus first stayed the christian faith  was the first christian emperor, that advanced and defended the causes of our religion, & preserved christian men in peace & quietness. In all these persecutions many did suffer martyrdom, as divers histories record, but Stephyn was first martyr of the new testament. 
Stephyn was the first martyr.  For john Baptist died afore the consummation of the old law. After his example many other ensued and sustained like crosses for the truth sake, which all now reign with God, to whom alone be all glory, honour, & praise world without end. Sobeit.   
¶ The end of the abridgement of the eight and last book of Polidore Vergile.   

❧ A Table by the which ye ❧ may lightly find every special matter or sentence contained in this book.  

AARON and Saul first anointed. C.iii  
Abbeys. C.xxxv.  
Abel. xii. and lxvii  
Aborigines, vi.  
Abraham. xxvi.  
Abraham taught the contents of Geometry to the Egyptians xxix.  
Abraham is circumsited. lxxxv.  
Abraham ordained the first place of burial. C.vii  
Adam the first man. vi.  
Adam named beasts. lxvii.  
Adam made the first coat of leather. lxix  
Advent. C.xix.  
Adultery▪ ix. lxxxi.  
Aelas. xxv.  
A●olus observed the winds. xxvii.  
Aeromancia. xxxiiii.  
Aethiopus despised ointments. lvii.  
Age of priests▪ x●i.  
air. iiii.  
Alhalow day. C.xxiiii.  
Almose. C.xviii.  
Amber. lxi.  
Amphion. xxiii.  
Amphitheatres. lxxvii.  
Anacletus forbade priests to have beards. xci.  
An●xagoras. two.  
Anaximander. ii.vi.  
anchors. lxx●.  
Andronicus. xxvii  
Annates. C.xii  
Anointing is the token of kings. C.iiii  
Anointing of children. Ibidem  
Antioch. lxxxiiii.  
Antoninus Enipho a schpie master. xv.  
Apollo. two.  
Apollo God of medicines. thirty.  
Apostles lxxxiiii & lxxxix  
Apparel. lxix. u.v.  
Apparel in mourning. c.xxvi.  
April. xlii.  
Apuleius de asino aurco▪ c.xvi.  
Arrabians. viii.  
Archadiens. xxii.  
Archadiens brought instruments into Italy, xxiiii.  
Archadiens manner. lxii.  
Archagathus the first physician in Rome. ●xx.  
archbishops. xcv  
archdeacons. Ibidem  
Archelaus nineteen.  
Archilaus. xviii.  
Archilocus found jambus. xvii.  
Archimedes devised the spear. xxvii.  
Ariopagites judged in the night. xxxix.  
Arrese cloth lxix.  
Aristocracy. xxxviii.  
Aristotle had the first liberary. xlvi  
Arithmetic. xxix.  
Ark. c.vi.  
Art of memory. xlvii.  
Artificial. xx●v.  
As●lepiades abbolished physic. xxxii.  
Assinius polo had the first library at Rome. xlvi.  
Astrology. xxvi. xxvii.  
Athanasius. c.xvii  
Athens made many books. xlvi▪  
Atlas. xxv. xxvi.  
Atoms or motes. iiii.  
Authors of the names of countries. seven.  
Augustus' seal lxiii.  
Auricular confession. xcv  
Axe. lxxix.   

B  
BAbilon. seven. lxxii.  
Bacchus. lv.  
Baking▪ lxv.  
Balm an herb. xxxii.  
Banners. c.xxix  
Banquets. lxviii  
Baptesme. lxxx●●●●.  
barber's. lxxxii.  
Barchian league. liv.  
Barges. lxxx  
Barks. Ibidem.  
baskets. lxxviii  
Baths. Ibidem.  
Battle on the sea. lxxx.  
Beads. c.ix.  
Beasts that be badges lxviii.  
Bedel denounced noon xliiii.  
Beholding the bowels of beasts. xxxv.  
Bells. c.xxix  
bellows. lix.  
Belus two. xi.  
Bennettes use. c.xxvii.  
Bible. c.xxi.  
Biing of wife's. ix.  
Birds. xxxv.  
Birth days. c.xxiii.  
Bissextus. xliii.  
Bishops. lxxxvi. xc.  
Bishops of Rome may change their names. xciii.  
Bishops of Rome be borne. Ibidem.  
Bishop's married maids. c.u.  
Blood letting. xxxii.  
Boates. lx●ix.  
Bolts. xlix.  
Bonfires. lxxxi. C iii.  
Bondage. xxxix.  
Books. xlv  
Bow and shafts. xlix  
Bowels of beasts. xxxv.  
Brakes & slings. xlix.  
Brazen trump. xxiiii.  
Brass. lviii.  
Brick work. lxx.  
bridle bits. l  
Brigantine. lxxx.  
broaches. lxxv.  
Building. lxx  
Bulls of lead. C.xlix.  
Burial is the end of all things C.xxviii.  
burying. lxxiii.  
burying of an Emperor. lxxiiii  
Burning dead bodies Ibidem.   

C  
Cadmus'. xii. xiii.  
Cadmus wrote the first story of Cirus. nineteen  
Cadmus found gold. lviii.  
Cain. xii. lxv.  
Cain and Abel sacrificed first. C.vii  
Caius Claudius. xvii.  
kalends xliii.  
Camillus. lv.  
Cancer. xxxii.  
candles lix  
Candelmas day C.  
Canis. lii.  
canonizing of saints c.xxu  
caps. xcvii.  
Cardinals. xcii.  
Carpenter's art. lxxviii.  
Cartagens were first merchants lxxx.  
Casting lots. xxxv.  
Casting money abroad. C.ii  
Cecrops. viii. xii.  
centaury was found by Chiron. xxxii.  
Ceres. xxxvii.  
Ceres' Image. lxiii.  
Ceremonies why they were so named. C.xiii  
Chaldees. xxi. xxvi.  
Chalices of wood. C.xxviii.  
Chalices of silver and gold. Idem  
Chamberleines. xciii.  
Chariotes l.  
Charms. xxxiii.  
Chances. lii.  
Chanters. lxxxviii  
Cherry trees. lxvii.  
Cheese making. lxvi.  
Chess. li.  
Chip are. lxxviii.  
chiromancy. xxxiiii.  
Chiron author of salves. xxxi.  
Chittering of birds. xxxv.  
Chius. lii.  
Chrysippus two.  
Chrism c.iii  
Christ author of our priesthood. lxxxviii.  
Crystal. lxi.  
Christmas lords. c.ii  
Christening of infants. lxxxvi.  
Churches and church yards. xcii. c.  
Cicero xxi.  
Circenses. lii.  
circumcision. lxxxv.  
Civil crown. lvi  
Civil law▪ xxxvii.  
Cleanthes. two.  
Cleophantus invented colours. lxiiii.  
Clergy. lxxxvii.  
Clocks. xliiii.  
Cock boat. lxxx.  
Coining. lix  
Collage of secretaries c.xlix.  
Comedies. xviii.  
Commendations to dead bodies. lxxiiii  
Common wealth. xxxviii.  
Common women. lxxxi.  
Communion. c.xiii.  
Compass. lxxviii.  
Confession. c.xv.  
Confirmation. c.iiii  
Conjurers. lxxxviii.  
Constantine forbade putting to death of the cross c.vii  
Constantyne borne in England, first christian emperor. c, lvi.  
Consuls of Rome. xl.  
Corax gave rules of rhetoric. xxi.  
Corn sowing. lxv.  
Corona triumphalis. lvi.  
Corporaces'. c.xxviii  
Corpus Christi day. c.xxiiii.  
Covering of scaffolds lxxvii.  
Counsels. c.lii  
Counting by nails. xxix.  
Cranes or vernes. xlix.  
Cratus taught grammar in Rome. xv  
Cries. liii.  
Cross bows. xlix.  
Cross days. c.xxiiii.  
Cross forbode to be made. c.vii  
Crowns of brazen plate. lvi.  
Crowns of divers sorts. lvii.  
Cups were crowned. lvii.   

D  
Days of every month. xliii.  
Days turned into feries. c.xxi.  
Days named of the planets. Ibidem.  
Daily communion. c.xiiii.  
Daphis found the shepherds earolles. xvii.  
Dardanus Crezenius xxiiii.  
Darts. xlviii.  
David song in metre. xxiii.  
Daunsing. li. c.ii.  
Decking of churches. c  
Declamator. xxi.  
Decrees. xl.  
Dead bodies. lxxiiii. and c.xxu  
Dedalus slew his nephew.. lxxix.  
Dedication days. c.xxu  
Dedicating of Churches. c.viii  
Degrees of kindred inhibited to marry. C.vi.  
deifying of the Emperor. lxxiiii.  
Deleing of wines. lxvi  
Demaratus taught the Etrurians letters. xiiii.  
Demaratus. lxiiii.  
Democratia began in Rome. xli.  
democracy. xxxviii.  
Democritus. vi.  
Demosthenes. xxi.  
Denouncing the Dictator. xl.  
Diseases. xxxi.  
De●any. xxxii.  
Division of nations. seven.  
Divorcement. x.  
Diagoras. two.  
dials. xliiii.  
Dialoges. xxvi.  
Debutades. lxiiii.  
Dyce. li.  
Dictatoures first in Rome. xl.  
dictators office. Ibi.  
dying of wool. lxix.  
dying of hear. lxxxii.  
Dioceses. xcii.  
Dioclesian a great persecutor. C.lu  
Diodorus. xii.  
Dionysius. lxv.  
Dirceus captain of the Lacedæmonians. xxiiii.  
Diriges or Exequys. C.xxvi.  
Disguising. C.iii  
diverse divisions of the year.. xlii.  
diverse divisions of the day. xlv.  
diverse kinds of metre. xvii.  
diverse manners of paper. xlvii.  
diversity of speeches. seven.  
Divisions of the night xlv.  
Dreams. xxxvi.  
Drinking on maundy thursday. C.i.  
Druids. xxv.  
Drumslades in war xxiiii.  
Dulcymers. xxiiii  
Dunging land. lxv.   

E  
EAster. C.xix.  
Easter appointed to be kept on the Sunday C.xxi  
Easter instituted by the Apostles. C.xxii  
Easter is to be kept in March. C.xxii  
Eating of flesh. lxvii.  
Eclipse of the Sun and moon. xxvii.  
Eggs. lxviii.  
Egyptians. two. xxvi.lxxii.  
Egyptians are superstitious lxxxiii.  
Egyptians letters. xii.  
Egyptians found Geometry. ●xviii.  
Egyptians found the year. xlii.  
Election of the bishop of Rome. xciiii.  
Electoures of the Emperor. Ibidem.  
Eliazer driveth out spirits. xxxiiii.  
Elymnete. lx.  
Embring days. C.xix.  
Embrodering. lxvii  
Ennius called the poets holy. xvi.  
Empedocles. vi. xxi  
Endymion perceived the course of the Moon. xxvii.  
Enos. xii. lxxiii.  
Epicarmus. xiii.  
Epicurus. two.  
Epicurus taught grammar first. xv.  
Epulones. C.  
Ethiopians. xii.  
Ethiopians opinion of man. vi.  
evander brought letters into Ital. xiiii.  
Even and odd. lii  
Eumolphus xiii.  
Excommunication. x●vi.  
Exequys or Diriges. C.xxvi.  
Exercises. l.  
Extreme unction. c.iiii   

F  
FAmous Physicians. xxxi.  
Fanes. xx●viii  
Fasting. C.xviii.  
Faunus. i.  
Feasts instituted by the Apostles. C.xxiii.  
Feasts instituted at the counsel of Lions. C.x iiii.  
February. xliii  
Fac●ales Sacerdotes. xcix.  
Feeding of birds. xxxv  
Ferry boats. l●xx.  
Fetters. xli.  
F. was taken of the Ay●lians. xiiii.  
F. for .v. consonant. xiiii  
Fiddlers & pipers. xxiiii.  
fighting on horseback. l.  
Figures of Arithemetike. xxix.  
Fire. iiii. lviii.c.viii.  
Fire and water given in token of chastity. x.  
first mass of priests c.i.  
first church of the christians. c.vi.  
first church in Rome c.vii  
Fishing. lxviii.  
Flesh was not eaten before Noe. c xviii.  
flying of birds. xxxv.  
five parts of Philosophi. xxvi.  
Foreheads lxxxii.  
Fredrick Feltrius liberary. xlvi.  
Fuller's craft. lxix.  
Funerals. lxxiiii.  
Funeral plays. li.   

G  
Galley. lxxx.  
Games. li  
Garlands. lv lvi.  
Gates of marble. lxxi.  
Geomancy. xxxiiii.  
Gymnosophistes. xxv.  
Glasses to look in. lix.  
Glass. lx.  
Glue. lxxviii.  
God his nature. iii.  
God made made. vi.  
God what he is. iiii.  
God was the author of laws. xxxvii.  
God is made man. lxxxiiii.  
God's mercy. Ibidem.  
Goddesses of favour. xxiii.  
God father and Godmother. lxxxvii.  
Godbrother and godsister. c.vi.  
Gold. lvii. lix.  
Gonnes, & when they were first made. xlix.  
Good angels. i.  
Goshauke. lxxvi.  
Grace at meat. c.xxi.  
Grammar ii parts. xv.  
gravers in marble. lxxi  
Grecians learned in Egypt. xxvii.  
Gregory established the single life of priests. c.u.  
Greek stories. xx.  
Grinding. lxv.   

HAberion xlviii.  
Allowing of priests vestures Cxxviii.  
Hampers lxxviii.  
hangings. lxix.  
Harness xlviii.  
Harp lviii.  
Harp who found it. xxiii.  
Hebrew letters xiii.  
hebrews were authores of Poetry xvi.  
hebrews were authores of philosophi. xxv  
hebrews after josephus found geometry xxix.  
hebrews ordaygned democracy xxxviii.  
Hechwall xxxi.  
Helen found the cross Cvii.  
helmets xlviii.  
Herb called balin. xxxi  
Herbs were created for man. Ibidem.  
Hercules' basilicus. lii.  
Hercules' lxi.  
Heretics. Cli.  
Heroical verse xvii.  
Hiperbius. lxvii.  
Hypocrates thirty.  
Histories. nineteen.  
Hoy lxxx.  
Holy bread. Cxxxii  
Holy days. Cviii and Cxxii.  
Holy water Cix.  
Honey lxvii.  
Horses xlix.  
Hostanes wrote books of magic xxxiii  
Hours. xliii. liii.  
Houses lxx.  
Hunting lxviii.  
Hunting staves xlix.  
Housbandry lxv.   

I  
Jacob made a league liv.  
januarie. xliii.  
janus xii.  
janus coins of brass. lix.  
javelins. xlviii.  
Icarius lxvi.  
Idei dactili. lviii.  
Ideses xliii.  
Idolatry xi.  
jehosuah liv.  
Iginius made first orders xc.  
John Baptist Cx.  
John Cuthenbergus found printing. xlvi  
Images lxi. cxxxi.  
Images of kings. xi  
Images of wax. C.  
Institution of wedlock. viii.  
Instruments of husbandry. lxv.  
Instruments of physic. thirty.  
job. xvi.  
joseph. lxxxii.  
Iron. lviii.  
Isaac digged pits. lxxii.  
Isis. i.  
jubilee. C.xlvii.  
julius Cesar made the year perfect. xliii.  
jupiter. two.  
justes in Rome. lxxii.  
jousting spears. xlix.   

K  
keel. lxxx.  
Eping the secrament in churches. cxiiii  
Kingdom began in Egypt. xxxviii.  
Kings how they behaved themselves. Ibi.  
Kings of Rome. xxxix  
Kings and Queens of England. xcviii.  
Kings and priests were anointed. C.iii  
Kindred inhibited too marry. C.vi.  
Kissing the bishop of Rome's feet. xcvii.  
Knights wear rings for difference lx.  
Knights of the Rhodes. C.xli  
Knights of saint james C.xlii  
Knights of jesus Christ. Ibidem.  
Knitting nets. lxviii.   

L  
Labyrinths. lxxii.  
Aborers' pass the time with songs. xxii.  
Lacedæmonians manner of war. xxiiii.  
Lacedæmonians offerings lv.  
laity lxxxvii.  
Lamech had two wives. C.vi.  
Lame men may not be priests xci.  
Lammas day. c.xxiiii.  
Lamps Ci.  
Latyn stories. xx.  
Law. xxxvi.  
Law for drinking of wine xcvii.  
Law makers. xxxvii.  
Laws of mourning C.xxvi.  
laws natural. xxxvi  
Lead. lviii.  
Leagues. liii.  
Leap year xliii.  
Legends C.xvii.  
Leg harness. xlviii.  
Lent C.xix.  
Leoncious Gorgias Image. lxiii.  
Litanies. C.xxx.  
Letters. xii.  
Letters too count with all xxix.  
Letting of blood. xxxii  
liefer lviii.  
Levites lxxxviii.  
Liberty of the old satires nineteen.  
Libraries xlviii.  
Licinius calvus. xli.  
Lycurgus' xxxvii.  
Lidians lix.  
Lighter lxxx.  
Line lxxviii.  
Linen lxxii.  
Linus xvi.  
Livius Andronicus xvi  
Looking glasses. lix.  
Lots. xxxv.  
Lucretia lxxxvii  
Lupercalia. lii.   

M  
MAgiciens. xxv.  
MAgi. xxxiiii.  
Magic xxxiii.  
Mahomates sect. cxlv  
Maids of Cypress. lxxi.  
Maids of Rome and Grece. x.  
Maiing. C.ii  
Maioram xxxii  
Malcolme king of Scots ix.  
Manners of diverse nations in marriages. viii.  
Manner of reckoning years. xxix.  
Mantill. lxix.  
Manumission. xxxix.  
Marble lxx.  
Merchandise. lxxx.  
March xli.  
Marcus Cato banished physicians out of Rome. xxxi.  
Marcus Tuditanus xvii.  
Marcus Valerius ordaigned a Dial in Rome xliiii.  
Marry the virgin died. lxxxv.  
Marriage began in paradise viii.  
Marriage of diverse nations. Ibidem  
Marriage of priests. Ciiii  
Marius' xli.  
Mars author of chivalry xlviii.  
Martyrs Cxlvii. and C.liiii.  
Masks lxxxi. Cii.  
Massagetes viii.  
Mass the parts thereof C.x. C.xiii▪  
Masts lxxx.  
Marches lix.  
matins, Prime and Hours Cxxvi  
Measures and weights xxix.  
Meats forbidden on fasting days Cxxi.  
Melissus xi.  
Melting brass. lviii.  
Memory. xlvii.  
Memory of martyrs Cxxu.  
Menander nineteen.  
men drified i  
men lived by acorns lxv.  
men of great memory xlvii.  
men were first called christians in Antioch. lxxxiiii.  
men were sacrificed by the gentiles Cviii  
men wrote in plates xlvi.  
Menon xii.  
Mercury xxvi.  
Mercury found the concords xxii.  
Mercury found the Harp xxiii.  
Mercurius Trimegistus appointed twelve hours in the day. xiiii.  
Metals lviii.  
Meter, diverse kinds thereof xvii.  
Mice engender of the mud v.  
Milk lxviii.  
Ministers lxxxviii.  
Minos. xxxvii.  
Minos had the first rule on the sea lxxix.  
Mirre lxi.  
Moly xxxii.  
Monarchy xxxviii.  
Months xliii.  
Months minds. Cxxviii.  
Money lix.  
Monks Cxxxv.  
Morispikes xlix.  
Moses. xiii. xvi.lvi. and lxxii. lxxvi.  
Moses did prowlgate the first laws. xxxvii.  
Moses did write the first story xx.  
Moses found the trump xxiiii.  
Moses ordaigned divorcements x.  
Mossolanus xxxv.  
Motleis lxix.  
Moulds lxiiii.  
Mourning C.xxvi.  
Mourning is superstitious Hypocrisy. Cxxvii.  
Mummius destroyed Corinth lxiiii.  
Mural crown lvi.  
Music xxii.  
Music maketh a man effeminate. xxiii   

N  
NAbles xxiiii.  
Ached games. li. and lii.  
Nasamones ix.  
Natural xxxv.  
Nature gave music to men xxii.  
Nature of oil Ciii.  
Naval crown lvi.  
Necromancy xxxiiii.  
Nemi li.  
Neptunus' ●.  
Neptunus' had the Empire of the sea. lxxix.  
Nero first persecuter Clu.  
sneezing Cxxx.  
Nets lxvii.  
New yerares gifts C.ii  
Night sacrifices are abolished Cxx.  
Nilus doth overflow Egypt xxviii.  
Ninus did enlarge his Empire xxxviii.  
Noha made the first altar lxxxviii. and Cvii.  
Noha planter of the vine lxvi.  
Noon xliiii  
Noons xliii.  
Notaries xcii. and Cxlix.  
Numa added too the year. xiii.  
Numbers. xxix.  
Nuns. xcvi.   

O.  
OPelisti. lxxv,  
Observing of days. xxvi. thirty.  
Observing of diet was beginning of physic. thirty.  
Ob●idionall crown. lvi.  
Occasion of Idolatry. xi.  
Ochus xxv  
Odd and even lii.  
Offering. C.  
Offices sold in Rome. xciii.  
Oil. C.iii  
ointments. lvii.  
Olympiad's. l.  
Olive oil lxvi.  
One God. iii.  
Opinion of philosophers. two.  
Opinion of the birth of man. v.  
Oracle lxii  
Oracles doubtful. i.  
Oracles seized at Christ's coming. C.viii  
Orator. xxi.  
Order of Cardinals. xcii.  
Order of manumission. xxxix.  
Orest●us. lxvi.  
Organs. lxxxii.  
Organie xxxiii.  
Orpheus. xii. xvi.xxi. and xxv.  
Original of Heathen gods. i.  
Otho a German made emperor. xciiii.   

P  
Painting. lxii.  
Alamedes array. xlviii.  
Pallas. two.  
Pamphilia. lxix.  
Panace. xxxii.  
Pansies lvi.  
Paper xlvii.  
Parchment. Ibidem.  
Pardons. C●lvii.  
Parishes xcii.  
Parts of Rhetoric. xxi.  
Parts of the night xlv  
Parthians. xxxii.  
paschal candles. C.xxiii.  
Pater patratus. C.  
patriarchs. xcv.  
Paul is converted. lxxxv.  
Peacock. lxviii.  
Pelagius caused subdeacons to forsake their wives. C.u.  
Peniten●ers C.xlix  
Pencil. lxiiii.  
Pentecost. C.xxiii.  
Persecutors. C.liiii.  
Peter and Philippe had wives. C.u.  
Peter crucified. lxxxv  
Peter converted three thousand. lxxxiiii.  
Phedon lix.  
Pherisides. xx.  
Phidias lxiii.  
Philippe Emperor proclaimed an heretic. C.xxxi.  
Philosophy xxv.  
Philosophy in three or five parts. xxvi.  
Phirrhus dance. li.  
physicians famous. xxxi.  
Physicians. lxxxii.  
Physic thirty.  
Phoroneus. xxxvii.  
Pillars lxx.  
Pipers & fiddlers. xxiiii  
Pirodes stroke fire out of flint. lix.  
Piromancie xxxiiii.  
Pisistraius made the first book. xlvi.  
Pythagoras called himself a philosopher. xxv.  
Pythagoras observed the day star. x●vii.  
Pythagoras rule. lxxix.  
Pits who first digged them. lxxii.  
Plays or shows. l. and lii.  
Plato v.  
Pliny xiii.  
Plough. lxv.  
Plucking out of teeth thirty.  
poets. vi.  
poets be called holy of Ennius' xvi.  
Poetry xv.  
Polares. xlix.  
Polignotus. lxiii.  
punishment for adultery. ix. lxxxi.  
punishment for omitting oblations. cviii.  
Pontifex Maximus xcix.  
Possessions permitted too the clergi. C. and xxxii.  
Posthumius lv.  
Potter's craft lxiiii  
Potters frame. Ibi.  
Prayer. Cix.  
Preaching Cx.  
Price of writs. C. and xlix.  
Priests xcv.  
priests first Mass C.i.  
priests forbidden to marry Cu.  
Priests of Egypte. lxviii.  
Priests of Egypte. wrote stories xx.  
priesthood lxxxvii. and lxxxviii.  
primative church. lxxxix.  
Prime xliiii.  
Prince's Electoures. xciiii.  
Printing xlvi.  
Prisons xli.  
Prognostications. xxviii.  
Promotheus. lx. lxii.  
Prophesiing xxxv.  
Prose xx.  
Protagoras two.  
Psalter of David. xvi.  
Psammaricus v.  
Ptolomeus libraries xlvi.  
Pultryes lxviii.  
Punishment for adultery viii.  
Purification of women Cvi.  
Purple colour. lxix.  
Purple robe. Ciii.   

Q  
Q Letter xiiii.  
Varelles xlix.   

R  
RAmmers xlix.  
Eaders lxxxviii.  
Reading the bible at meat C.xxi  
Reclaiming of horses xlix.  
Reconynges xxix.  
Reconsiliation of churches C.xxv.  
Regalles xxiiii.  
Religion seven. lxxxiii.  
Religions from the Cxxxvii. too the. C. and xiv. leaf.  
Relics C.xlvi.  
Repentance a remidy for sin Cl.  
Rewards, l.  
Rex sacrificulus. C.  
Rhethorician. xxi.  
Rhetoric xx.  
Right hand xcvii.  
rings. lx.  
ringing to service. C.xxxi.  
Rites of burying. lxxiii.  
Rites of marriage. x.  
Royal ornaments. xli  
Romans burned their dead bodies. lxxiiii.  
Romans league. liv.  
Rome made orders. xc  
Romulus xxxvii.  
Romulus' ordered the year. xlii.  
Rowing in boats. lx. ix.  
Rudders lxxx.  
Rue xxxiii.  
Ruling common wealth xxxviii.   

S.  
SAbbothe days of the jews. C.xxi  
Sacrament of the altar Cx.  
Sacrifices lxii.  
Sails lxxx  
Solomon. xvi. lxxii.  
Solomon made the first temple C.vi.  
Salt lxviii.  
Saluting with kisses. xcvii.  
Sanctuaries lxxv.  
Sand dial. xliiii.  
satires. xviii.  
Saturnalia games. liii.  
Saturnus father of the gods two.  
savoury. xxxii.  
saw. lxxviii.  
Scaffolds lxxvii.  
Scarlet robes xcii.  
Schisms. C.lii.  
Scythians league. liii  
Scotland use. ix.  
Scribes Cxlviii.  
Secretaries. C. xllx.  
Sects from the. C. and xxxiiii too the C.xlv. leaf.  
Selandyne xxxii.  
Senio. lii.  
Servius Tullius lix.  
Sethis' posterity. xxvii  
Sextyns. lxxxviii.  
Shafts, xlix.  
Shawms xxiii.  
shaven crowns. xc.  
Shields. xlviii.  
Ships lxxx.  
Shoemakers craft. lxix.  
Shroue●wesday. ciii,  
Sycles lix.  
Silk lxix.  
Silla xli.  
Silver lviii.  
Silver coined in Egina. lix.  
Silvester commanded that a priest should have but one wife. C.u.  
Simony. C.l.  
Simonides iii  
Singing psalms by course. C nineteen.  
Singing to the lute. ●xiiii.  
single livers ix.  
Scythes. xlix.  
sieves & sarces. lxvi.  
slings xlix.  
Smiting fire with wood lix.  
Smiths forge. lviii.  
Socrates' xxiii.  
solicitors. C.xlix.  
Soll. xliiii.  
Solle mass day. C. and xxvii.  
Summoner's. C.xlix.  
Sons of Noha. seven.  
Sons of Seth found the letters xiii.  
Sothering of Iron. lviii.  
Spears xlviii.  
Speaking of the nature of God is dangerous. lii.  
Spyndelles. lxix.  
Spinning lxviii. lxix.  
Spirits xxxiii.  
Spiritual priesthood lxxxviii.  
Spurius Caruilius. x.  
Squire lxxviii.  
Stations. C.xlvii.  
Stalling a bishop. xci.  
Sta●es. xlviii.  
steeples. lxxiii. lxxiiii.  
Stephen is martyred lxxxiiii.  
Stars of what power they be. xxvi.  
Stews lxxxi.  
Stithee lviii.  
Stocks xli.  
Story of a Kings daughter. ix.  
Striking of the clock xliiii.  
Subdeacons. lxxxviii.  
subsides and taxes xli.  
Succession in priesthood lxxxviii.  
sundry division of the day. xlv.  
Superstition turned into religion C.xix.  
Supplications. C.xxx.  
Susanna. lxxxi.  
Swearing xcvi.  
Swine commended in sacrifices lxvii.  
sword. xlviii.  
Sword players. liii.   

T  
Table's. li.  
Aching of housel at Easter C.xiiii.  
Talus li.  
Tapers C.  
Targets. xlviii.  
Taxes or subsidy that they pay which have benefices. C.xlix.  
Taxes or Subsidies xli.  
Telesphorus did appoint Lente to be kept afore Easter. C.xix.  
Tennis. li.  
Tents lxxii.  
Texts proving confession C.xvi  
Thales two. xlii.  
Theatres lxxviii.  
Themistocles. xxiii.  
Theodosius commanded that no Cross should be graven on the ground. C seven.  
Theseus' first tyrant xxxix.  
Thessaly used Magic. xxxiii.  
Thracians fashion of burying lxxiii.  
Three strings in the harp. xxiii.  
Three parts of philosophy. xxv.  
Three masses on Christemasse day. C.xiii  
Three parts of physic. thirty.  
Three kinds of laws. xxxvi.  
Three powers of the stars. xxvi.  
tile and slate. lxx.  
Tyrians were cunning Carpenters. lxxix.  
Tysias gave rules of rhetoric. xxi.  
Tithes C.xxxii.  
Titles of Bishops of Rome C.xlviii.  
tongues. lviii.  
Towers lxxi.  
Tragedies. xvii.  
Tragos. xvii.  
Transfiguration. C. and xxiiii.  
Tribunes xl.  
Triumphs lv.  
Tryx. xviii.  
True fast. C.xix.  
truce for years. liii.  
Tubalcain. xxii xlviii and lviii.  
Turning our faces Eastward C.ix  
Two kinds of prophesying. xxxv.  
Two parts of grammar. xiiii.   

V  
Venus' lii.  
Enus a comen woman. lxxxi.  
Vermilion. lxi.  
Vigilles C.xx.  
Visers were found by Echilus xviii.  
Voices. xxxix.  
Vows. C.xxix. and C.xxxv.  
Use of Scotland. ix.  
Uses in the service. C.xviii.  
Vulcanus. lviii.  
Vultursii. lii.  
Vxor ab ungendo. x.   

W  
Wagons. l.  
Alles of houses. lxx. and lxxi  
Washing of feet on maundy Thursday xcviii.  
Washing dead bodies. C xxvii.  
Watch words. xlviii.  
Watches, Wards. xlviii. C.xx.  
Water is cause material. iiii.  
Water dial. xliiii.  
weights and measures. xxix.  
Weving lxviii.  
Wethercockes'. xxviii  
Whitsondaie. lxxxvii  
What men were deified. i.  
wimble lxxviii.  
Winds. xxvii.  
Wine lxvi.  
Wine taverns. Ivi.  
Winter garlands. lvi.  
wool lxix.  
Women had commendations in Rome. lxxv.  
Women may not bare their heads in the church xcvii.  
Women of Ind lxxiiii.  
Works due on the holy days. C.xxii  
World made of nought. iiii.  
World was made by metre. xvi.  
Wrestling. li.  
Writing in Egypte. lxxvi.  
Writing tables. C.i.   

X.  
X Letter. xiiii.  
Xamolxis. xxv.  
Xerxes. li.   

Y  
Yawning. C.xxx.  
Ere, who found it. xlii.  
images. lxi.  
images of the winds xxviii.  
images of wax. C.  
Yoking oxen. lxv.  
Iron. lviii.  
Yuye. xxxii.   

Z.  
ZEno. vi.  
Oroastes found Magic. xxxiii.   
❧ The end of ❧ the Table.   

IMPRINTED at London within the precinct of the late dissolved house of the grey Friars, by Richard Grafton Printer to the prince's grace, the xvi day of April, the year of our Lord. 1546.  
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