Polidore Virgil, by Birth an Italian, the greatest Antiquary in his Time: He was Archdeacon of Wells, in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth.   

THE WORKS OF THE Famous Antiquary, Polidore Virgil. Compendiously Englished by John Langley, late Master of Paul's School, London. CONTAINING The Original of all Arts, Sciences, Mysteries, Orders, Rites, and Ceremonies, both Ecclesiastical and Civil. A Work Useful For all Divines, Historians, Lawyers, and all Artificers.  
LONDON, Printed for Simon Miller, at the Star in St. Paul's Churchyard, 1663.   

Polidore Virgil.  
The First BOOK.  

CHAP. I. The Original of the Heathen gods.  
WHen the spirits of the air (whom the Scripture calleth, 
Ephes. 6.  Rulers of this world) began to give answers of Prophecy, out of Images, made to resemble mortal men, and by their wicked subtlety, did pretend themselves sometimes to be of the number of good spirits, sometimes gods celestial, and sometimes the souls of valiant Lords: they brought men into such error and perplexity, that in short space they did altogether alienate men's hearts from the religion and reverence of the true God. And for as much as their spiritual nature is subtle, they usurped the name of good Angels. For according to 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 them: the other with all its endeavour, studied to profit them. These invaded particularly every house, conveyed themselves into men's bodies, and closely in their entrails, embezzled their health, procured diseases, illuded their hearts with fantastical visions and dreams: and by such mischief enforced men to repair to them for help, 
Oracles doubtful.  and inquire their Oracles and answers; which of purpose had doubtful understandings, lest their ignorance should be perceived. By these deceitful means they were so deified, that sundry people after divers sorts chose them gods, and with great reverence worshipped them. For such men as a Nation had attained any special Commodity by, to the furtherance or garnishing of their living, 
What men were deified.  or builders of Cities, or Ladies excellent in Chastity, or men puissant in Arms, were honoured for gods; 
Isis. Neptunus.  as the Egyptians had Isis; the Assyrians, Neptune; the Latins, Faunus: the Romans, Quirine; 
Faunus. Pallas. Apollo. Jupiter. Belus.  Athens, Pallas: the Delphians, Apollo; the Grecians, Jupiter; the Assyrians, Belus, and many Countries had divers other gods; and some (which is a shame to speak) worshipped brute beasts, and 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 Images, to the spirits invisible, they were persuaded that there were many gods, and of no smaller number then mortal men.  
Of this variety of opinions, 
Opinions of the Philosophers.  the Philosophers (which laid aside all private and public affairs, employing all their study in searching out the truth) took occasion to dispute of the nature of gods diversely. 
Thales.  Thales Milesius, which first searched such matters, said, That God was an Understanding, that made and fashioned all things of the water, as matter prejacent. Pythagoras' called him, A Lively Mind, that pierced and passed through all things, of whom all living creatures received their life. 
Cleanthes.  And Cleanthes defined God to be The Air. 
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 were no gods. 
Diagoras.  Diagoras and Theodorus affirmed plain, 
Theodorus.  That there was no God at all. 
Protagoras.  Protagoras reported, That he knew no certainty of the Gods; wherefore the Athenians banished him out of their Empire. 
Epicurus.  Epicurus granted there was a God; but one that was neither liberal, bountiful, nor had any regard of things: that is to say, God is no God; but a cruel and unkind Monster. 
Anaximan▪  Anaximander supposed the gods to be born, and not to die, till after many ages. The Egyptians, because of the Ancestry of their lineage, feign the gods to have begun among them, and that they were but two, and everlasting: the Sun, whom they called Osiris; and the Moon, that was named Isis. Notwithstanding Lactantius writeth, 
Saturnus father of the gods.  That Saturnus was the first 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.  
But in such variety of opinions, it is a thing difficult to determine the first offspring of their gods, both because they be but vain, and also sprung out of mortal humanity. And again, to speak of God, 
To speak of the nature of God is dangerous.  as he is in his supernatural essence, is a thing 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 Poet 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 as often as the King required of him an answer, he increased the number of the days of deliberation: the King marvailing that he doubled so many times the days, inquired why he did so? For the more (said he) that I consider the thing, and muse on it, the more obscure and intricate it seemeth to me. Which thing if the Philosophers (which like to blind warriors, wand'ring 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 Macrobius writeth) There is but one God, 
One God.  subject to no mutability, who is One Eternal Being, of all natural things: the cause principal who saith by his Prophet Esay, I am God, before me there was no other, neither shall be after me, without 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 to every where.  
And Plato saith, There is but one God, and affirmeth that this world was created by him; and was called God, because he giveth freely to men, all things good and profitable, 
What God is.  and is the principal fountain of all goodness in this world.   

CHAP. II. The Principles of natural things.  
ALthough it had been convenient to have begun this present Treatise with declaring the principles of natural creatures; and so consequently to have expounded the original of the gods, forasmuch as they have their beginning of the same things: yet the reverence that I have to the true God, which was before 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 he most probable, until I come to the truth itself. Thales, one of the seven wise men of Greece, hath an opinion, that water was the material cause of all things. chose, Heraclitus, an Ephesian, and Hippasus, suppose all to be procreated of fire. 
Water is cause material. Fire.  Empedocles saith, the four Elements were the causes of things, as Lucretius writeth.  
Of Water, Earth, Air, and fiery gleed: 
Four Elements.  All things natural duly proceed.  
Anaximenes thinketh all things to have their beginning of the Air. 
Air.  Metrodorus affirmeth the universal World to be eternal, without beginning or end. Epicurus one of Democritus disciples, putteth two causes, 
Atomos.  Atoms, or Motes, and vacuity or emptiness, of these he saith, the four Elements come. These are the opinions of the Philosophers, that were men without the knowledge of God: 
The World was made of naught.  but (as Moses and Josephus record) the Scripture concludeth that in the beginning, God made all things of nothing; as Saint John saith, all things were made by him. And therefore (as Lactantius writeth) let no man be curious in searching, of what material God made these great and wonderful works, for he form 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. 
Plato.  Of the same opinion is Plato, in his book called Timeus.   

CHAP. III. The procreation of Man, the diversity of Languages, and division of Nations.  
THe most famous writers of natural Histories (as Diodorus recordeth) 
The opinions of the birth of man.  spoke of two sundry manners of birth, and first stock of mankind. For they which contend that the World was ungenerate, and without any danger of corruption, say also that man hath been in a certain perpetuity, without beginning. Of this opinion, were Pythagoras, Architas, Xenocrates, and Aristotle, with other Peripatetics, 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, and natural resolution of things may be perceived. 
The second opinion.  Other that suppose this world had both an Original cause of being, and shall also end by putrefaction, hold opinion that man had a time of his Generation. 
The Egyptians opinion of man.  For this cause the Egyptians report, that men were first born among them, as well by reason of the fruitful rankness of the soil, and seasonableness of the Air, and because of the River Nilus, which for the lusty fatness of the slime, doth procreate divers kinds of beasts, and hath in itself naturally a certain nutritive power. 
Mice engendered of the mud.  For in the Country of Thebais Mice be engendered of the mud: wherefore men in those parts stand in admiration when they behold the foreparts of them to the breast, wallow and move sensibly in the mire, and the hinder partts not yet fashioned, and without shape. 
The story of Psammaticus.  Nevertheless, Psammaticus their King, desiring to know in what Country, men were first begotten, devised this means. He caused two young Infants new born, to be delivered to his herdsmen, to be brought up among his cattle, and commanded that no man should speak any word to them, because he would know what word they would speak first. Then two years after when the herdsmen opened thè 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 born. The Ethiopians do conjecture themselves to be the first, because no man would come out of any other place into that Region, 
The Aethiopians opinion of man.  and they of that be by a general con●ent, 
Aborigines.  called homebred, and (as Diodorus saith) it is probable that those under the Meridional Aequator, should be the ancientest of all. 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 is situate 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, and 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 thinketh men were first made of Water and Mud, 
Democritus,  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, 
Poets.  some feign, how man was made out of soft clay by Prometheus. Some say, that they sprung of the hard stones that Deucalion and Pirrha cast: And thus much is of the vain opinions of the Gentiles. 
God made man.  But to speak the truth, (as Scripture teacheth) the beginning of man was in Jewry. For God, when he had finished the World, 
Adam the first man.  did create the first man, Adam, of the Earth of the field of Damascus, as some think. Thus Adam, made by God, marrying his Wife Eve, was author, and beginner of the whole Posterity and Lineage. But for as much as God form but one man, and endued him with one kind of speech only, to utter and declare the things that he contained in his mind: men perchance will marvel, what the cause should be, that there be at this day so many divers languages, 
Diversity of speeches.  that according to the variety of Countries, there be sundry speeches. And therefore I thought it convenient to show the occasion of the same. When Nimrod the son of Cham, that was son to No, after the universal flood, went about to withoraw men (which feared the danger of drowning) from the worship of God, 
Religiou.  supposing all their hope to consist in their own might and power, persuaded them to build a Tower of such altitude, that the water should not be able to overflow it. 
Babylon.  Whilst they were thus earnestly occupied about their enterprise, God divided their speeches in such sort, that not one of them could understand another, by reason of the discord and disagreeing of their languages. And thus began the diversity of tongues that we use now. The same was the occasion that the posterities of No were dispersed and scattered abroad. 
Division of Nations.  For when one could not understand another's language, it came to pass, that every man departed into sundry Provinces add Countries, and there named places, whereof they had the government; and also Cities, which they builded, after their own names, as Eusebius testifieth. The sons of No were Sem, 
Sons of Noah.  Cham, and Japhet. The issue of Sem was Elam, whereof the Elamites came. Assur, of whom the Assyrians were named. 
Authors of the names of Countries.  Arphaxad was the first founder 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 Seba, whereof the Sebees came; and Evila, of whom came the Evelites. 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.   

CHAP. IU. The beginning of Marriage, and sundry rites of the same.  
GOD, after that he had fully accomplished, and perfectly created the world, and when all the creatures therein were in their kind consummate, (as Moses teacheth) he made man last of all, to be Lord and Sovereign of the whole body of the world, as one of whom all his work should be subject, because he was fashioned after his own likeness. 
Instruction of wedlock.  And lest so worthy a creature should by death perish, or the world might want his governor & ruler, it pleased 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 brute beasts: therefore hath God joined Adam and Eve in Marriage in Paradise, 
Marriage began in Paradise.  before they knew sin, that by the congression and company of these two sexes, and kinds, their issue might be enlarged, and so replenish 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 enter 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 Scythian, the Stoics, and Athenians, used their children and wives in common, and copulated with them abroad openly like beasts. 
Massagites.  The Messagites married every one a wife, but they used them commonly. Among the Arabians it is the manner, 
Arabians.  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 to 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, there was a certain King's daughter of excellent beauty; which had fifteen brethren, that loved her all entirely well, and used one after another, to resort to, and keep company with her: she began by such daily dalliance, to be weary of their wanton company, and devised this feat, 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 to 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 to 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. 
Buying of Wives.  The Assyrians and the Babylonians bought their wives in open Market at a common price, which custom among the Saracens and Arabians yet still remaineth. When the Nazamones were first married, 
Nazamones  they used to suffer their wives to lie the first night with all her guests, in the worship of Venus; and from thenceforth they kept themselves chaste, and pure of living. A certain people of the Carthaginians, which border on Egypt, were wont to offer such maidens as should be married, to the King of that Region, to deflower whom it pleased him. 
The use sof Scotland.  In Scotland also the usage was that the Lord of the soil should lie with the bride before her husband: but for so much as it was unfitting to be frequented among Christians, their King Malcolm, the third of that name, 
Malcolm King of the Scots.  about the year of our Lord, M.XCIX. did abolish that beastly abomination, and 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 and Esseni among the Hebrews, which did abhor the calamities and troubles 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 522. (Marcus Pomponius, and Caius Pap●rius being Consuls) first sued a Divorce from his Wife, because she was barren: for which fact, although he affirmed openly before the Censors that he did it only because he would have issue, yet he was evil spoken of among the common sort. This decree of divorcing was taken out of the Laws of Moses, 
Moses ordained Divorcements.  which made the first constitution of that statute; 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. The Rites of Marriage were divers in Rome; 
Rites of Marriages.  the manner was, that two children should lead the Bride, and another bear a Torch before her 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 instead of the Torch, there is born here a cup of Silver or Gold before them. A Garland also of Corn-eares was set on her head; or else she bore it in her hand, or if that were not, when she came home, wheat was scattered abroad over her head in betokening of plenty and fruitfulness.  
Also before she came to bed to her Husband, Fire and water were given her, 
Fire and Water given in token of chastity. Maids of Rome and Greece.  which have power to purify and cleanse, signifying thereby that she should be chaste and honest of her body. There were besides these, divers Rites which I omit. The maids of Greece and Rome (as it may appear by Homer and Catullus) were usually accustomed to gird their Privity with a lace, or swathel, till the day of their Marriage. The Bride anointed the posts of the doors with swine's grease, because she thought by that means to drive away all misfortune, whereof she had her name in Latin. Neither might she step over the threshold, 
Vxor ab ungendo.  but must be born over, to declare that she loseth her Virginity unwillingly, with many other superstitious ceremonies, which be too long to rehearse.   

CHAP. V. The Institution of Religion and who Worshipped gods first with sacrifice.  
IT is no doubt but men which at the first without any Governor, led a barbarous and rude manner of life, 
Occasion of Idolatry.  did highly advance their first King's honour and praises; and by the persuasion of the Devil, either for their wonderful courage 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 wellbeloved of their people, le●t a fervent memorial 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 chevalry, they reverenced them as gods, for every valiant courage would with more alacrity 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 service of the gods to be performed, by the ordinance of Melissus, 
Melissus.  in the time of Jupiter, or not long before. Yet that the true and certain 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 3180 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 begiuning of the World, are deceived. H●rodotus saith, that the Egyptians first builded Altars, Temples, Images, and offered 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 Numa Pompilius.  
Diodorus thinketh that the Aethiopians did institute the Rites of sacrificing 
Aethiopians.  to the gods, which thing Homer in his Ilias witnesseth, where he telleth how Jupiter and the other gods went into Aethiopia to the oblations that were customably made there, and also repaired thither to be cherished with the fragrant odours, that perfumed the sacrifices. And the Aethiopians received this reward of their holiness; that they should never be conquered, but ever live in liberty. without any bondage. Lactantius affirmeth, that Melissus King of Crect 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' out of Venice, 
Cadmus.  and Orpheus out of Thrace, 
Orpheus.  brought first into Greece the mysteries, solemnities, dedicating of Images, 
Cecrops.  and Hymns of their gods.  
Albeit, Herodotus saith that Cecrops King of Athens transported all such constitutions and ordinances out of Egypt into Greece, and first invocated Jupiter, founded Images, set up Altars, and offered sacrifices, that were never seen before in Greece. But to God Almighty, whom we Christians honour and serve, 
Cain.  Cain and Abel first offered; 
Abel.  and Enos first called upon the name of the Lord. 
Enos.    

CHAP VI Who found the Letters, and the number of them.  
Letter's, wherein is contained the treasure of knowledge, 
Letters.  and by whom things notable be preserved in fresh remembrance, after the opinion of Diodorus, were found by Mercury in Egypt, yet some say one Menon an Egyptian devised them: 
Diodorus Menon.  but instead of the letters they of Egypt used to signify and declare the intents and conceits of their minds by the figures of beasts, 
The Egyptianss letters.  Fishes, Fowls, and Trees. Pliny saith, he thought that the Assyrians excogitated the letters which Cadmus brought out of Phoenicia into Greece, 
Pliny.  which were but 16 in number. 
Cadmus found fourteen letters. Palamedes added four letters.  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, viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Simonides found as many, viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Whose power is contained in our letters. Aristotle saith there were 18, of the old, viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. and that Epicarmus put to the other two, 
Epicarmus.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 S. Hermolaus is supposed to have added sy. Herodotus writeth, how that the Phoenicians that came with Cadmus to inhabit Thebes, 
Cadmus.  brought letters into Greece, which were never seen in use there before-time. Some think the Aethiopians 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.  which reigning long before Cadmus' days, 
Moses.  taught the Jews the letters, and thence the Phoenicians received them, and the Greeks learned of them. Which thing is conformable to the saying of Pliny before rehearsed: for Jury is a part of Syria, and the Jews be Syrians. Nevertheless I find by Josephus that writing was before Noe's flood, 
The Sons of Seth found the letters.  for the sons of Seth wrote in two Pillars, one of brick and another of stone, the Science of Astronomy; whereof that of stone, in the time of Josephus remained in Syria. Philo ascribeth the invention of them to Abraham, which was elder than Moses, albeit I had rather assign to Seths children, the beginning of writing. As for the Hebrew letters which be now, 
Hebrew letters.  according to Saint Jeromes opinion, were but newly invented, and devised by Esdras: for before that time the Hebrews and Samarites used all one Characters.  
The old greek letters were the same that the Romans use now, 
Greek letters  as Pliny conjectureth by a certain brass Table that came from Delphos, which was dedicated and hanged up in a Library in the Temple of Minerva at Rome in his time. 
Evander brought letters into Italy.  They were brought into Italy by Evander, and the Arcadians which came into Italy, to inhabit there, as Ovid telleth in his book Defastis.  
The Etrurians had also a form of letters by themselves, wherein the youth of Rome was instructed, as well as in the Greek letters, 
Demeratus taught the Etrurians letters.  which one Demeratus a Corinthian taught the Etrurians. And like as the Grecians had enlarged the number of their lette●s, so the Italians following their example, put to theirs, f k q x y z h. which h is no letter, 
The letter F. was taken of the Ae●lians.  but a sign of aspiration: f they received of the Aeolians, which both among the old Romans and Aeolians had the same sound and pronunciation that p. with an aspiration hath, which we use in writing Greek words. And afterward Claudius Caesar, as Quintilian writeth, appointed that it should be taken in the place of v. consonant, as fulgus for vulgus, fixit for vixit; And even so our English men use to speak in Essex, for they say Fineger for Vinegar, Feal for Veal, and chose, a Vox for a Fox, vour for four: And in 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 Latin. q. was added because it hath a grosser sound then c. The letter x. we had also out of Greece, although (as Quintilian judgeth) we might well forbear it, forasmuch that they used for it either c s or g s. Likewise y and z, were sent from the Grecians, and be used of us only to write Greek words.   

CHAP. VII. The Invention of Grammar.  
NExt the Letters, the invention of grammar ordinarily succeeds, both because it is the foundation and ground whereon all other Sciences rest: and also forasmuch 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 & writing without fault, so that every word have his due letters, and (as Quintilian supposeth, 
Two parts of Gramm  is divided into two parts: the way to speak congruously, and declaring of Poets. As Tully writeth, there is required in Gramarians, 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 Grammarians, and Orators to have a regard and respect, how to speak. Hermippus saith that Epicurus first taught the Art of Grammar, 
Epicurus taught Grammar first. Crates taught Grammar in Rome.  and Plato espied and perceived first the commodity and 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 and third battles of Punicks, a little before the death of Ennius the Poet. It is of all other Sciences the most special, for it showeth a means to attain all the rest of the liberal Sciences. Neither can a man come or attain to any excellency in any Art, unless he have first his principles of Grammar, perfectly known, and throughly perceived.  
Therefore in old time Grammarians were called judges and allowers of all other writers, and for that cause they were called Critici.  
In this excelled Didymus, and Antonius Enipho, 
Antonius-Enipho a Schoolmaster.  whose School Marcus Cicero resorted unto divers times after his affairs of the Law were ended: Nigidius Figulus, Marcus Varro, Marcus Valerius Probus, and the arrogant Palemo●, with many other of the Greeks, Aristarchus, Aristotle, and Theodoces were chief.   

CHAP. VIII. Of Poetry, and Meter, and sundry kinds of the same.  
POetry is a goodly Art: 
Poetry.  as well 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 Poets: for it proceedeth not of Art or Precepts, but of a natural inspiration, and spiritual power. 
Poets be called holy, of Ennius.  And therefore Ennius called Poets holy, because they be by a special prerogative commended and praised to us of God. The beginning of this art is very ancient, and, as Eusebius saith, it flourished first among the Hebrews, that were long before the Greeks. 
Hebrews were Authors of Poetry. Moses.  For Moses the great Captain of the Jews, what time he led them out of Egypt 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 Hexameter 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 in war, and escaped the assaults and dangers of treason, living in great peace, devised many pleasant tuneable Hymns, for the praise of God in sundry kinds of Meter. For as Saint Jerome saith, the Psalter of David goeth in as good number and measures, 
The Psalter of David.  as either the Greek Planudes, or the Latin Horatius: sometime in Alcaeus number, sometime in the Metre of Sapph, sometime with half measures. What is goodlier than the song of Moses in Deuteronomy, and of Isaiah? more ancient than Solomon? more perfect than Job? 
Solomon. Job. Orpheus. Linus.  We may worthily ascribe the invention of it to the Hebrews: but indeed Orpheus and Linus, and after them, Homer and Hesiodus did first polish and adorn the Art with all kind of Furniture. The Romans received it not till of latter time; for Livius Andronicus (as Tully writeth) in the 513 year after the City was builded, 
Livius Andronicus.  (Caius Claudius Cento, and Marcus Tuditanus being Consuls) set forth the first interlude or fable, a year before Ennius was born. Before those days, it was had in such despite, that if one had professed himself to be a Poet, he was supposed to be as bad as a murderer, The beginner of Meter was the true God, 
The World was made by Metre.  which proportioned the world; with all the contents of the same, with a certain order as it were a Meeter: for there is none (as Pythagoras taught) that doubteth, but that there is in things Heavenly and Earthly, a kind of harmony; and unless it were governed with a formal 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 by a spiritual influence used in their works, to Jupiter, as to Almighty God.  
Of Metres there be divers kinds that have their name, 
Divers kinds of Meter. Heroical verse.  either of the thing that is described therein, (as heroical Meter is so called of the Wars of noble men that be contained in it) wherein also Apollo gave his Oracles, therefore Pliny saith we have that Meeter of Pythius Oracle; or of the inventour as Aesclepiadical; or of the quantity of Jambus, 
Archilocus found Jambus.  because it standeth of a short and a long, which Archilocus found first, of the number of feet, as Hoxamoter and Pentameter, which is also called Elegiacal, the shepherd's song, Daphnis the son of Mercury found: 
Daphnis found the Shepherd's carols.  and other devised 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.   

CHAP. IX. The beginning of the Tragedies, Comedies, Satyrs, and new Comedies.  
Tragedy's and Comedies, 
Tragedies.  had their beginning of the oblations, (as Diodorus writeth) which in old time men devoutly offered for their fruits to Bacchus. For as the Altars were kindled with fire, and the Goat laid on it, the Choir in honour of Bacchus, sung 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 noisome to the Vines, whereof Bacchus was first inventour, was Sacrificed to Liber: Or of the grounds or dregs, which in Greek is called Tryx, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Vizards were found by Eschylus.  with the which stage-players used to paint their face, before that Eschylus devised Vizards. The beginner of them, alter the mind of Horace, was Thespis, albeit, Quintilianus saith, Eschylus set forth first open Tragedies before any other, Sophocles and Euripides did furnish them more gallantly. 
Famous Tragedies.  In Rome Livius Andronicus made the first Tragedy, wherein Accius, Paccuvius, Ouidius, 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 a Banqueting, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  or Come a street, and Ode a song. Yet it is uncertain among the Grecians who found it first. In this kind of writing, Aristophanes, Eupolis, and Cratinus bore the price: of the Romans, Livius Andronicus found it first. 
A Tragedy.  In a Tragedy noble personages, as Lords, Dukes, Kings and Emperors be brought in, with an high style. 
A Comedy.  In a Comedy, amorous dalliance, matters of love, and deflowering of maidens be contained. Heaviness is appropried unto a Tragedy, and therefore, 
Archilaus.  when King Archelaus desired Euripides, to write a Tragedy of him, he denied it, wishing that never such thing should chance to him, as should be worthy of of Tragedy; for it hath ever a miserable end, and a Comedy hath a joyful end. 
A Satire.  A Satire is a Poesy, rebuking vices sharply, not regarding any persons. 
Two sorts of Satyrs.  There be two kinds of Satyrs; the one, which was both among the Greeks and Romans of ancient time used, for the diversity of Metres much like a Comedy, saving that it is more wanton. Demetrius of Tharsus and one Menippus a bondman, whom Marcus Varro did counterfeit, were writeth in this kind. The second manner of Satyrs is very railing, only ordained to rebuke vice, and devised of the Romans, upon this occasion. When the Poets, 
Liberty of the old Satire.  that wrote the old Comedies, used to handle for their arguments not only feigned matters, but also things done indeed, which although at the first, it was tolerable, yet afterwards it fortuned by reason that they inveighed 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 Comedies, substituted such Satyrs, as they had newly imagined. 
New Comedy.  Then also began the new Comedy, which concerneth generally all men of mean estate: and hath less bitterness and railing, but more pleasantness and pastime for the auditors. Of this Menander and Philemon were Authors, 
Menander.  which assuaged all the crabbedness of the old writings. Of them Cicilius, Nevius; Plautus, and Terentius, learned to compile Comedies, although (as Quintilian saith) they never attained to the least proportion of their Patrons, because the Latin Tongue is not so fit to receive the ornaments of Eloquence, as the Greek Tongue is. The Satyrs had the name of Barbarian gods that were rude, 
Satyr's whereof they were named.  lascivious, and wanton of behaviour. In this form of writing Lucilius, Horatius, Persius, Juvenal, obtained great fame and praise.   

CHAP. X. 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 Noblemen to ensue such activity in enterprises, as they read to have been done by their Ancestors; and also discourageth and dehorteth wicked persons from attempting of any heinous deeds or crime, knowing, that such acts shall be 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 Cyrus.  which contained the actions of Cyrus' King of Persia. Albeit, Josephus supposeth it to be made 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 Hebrews, 
Moses did write the first Stories.  and the creation of the World: or else to the Priests of Egypt and Babylon. For the Egyptians and Babylonians, have been of longest continuane very diligent; in setting forth things in writing; insomuch, 
Priests of Egypt wrote stories.  that their Priests were appointed for 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.  Pheresides, a Syrian, wrote first Prose, in the time of King Cyrus. For it is no doubt, but he that wrote Histories, wrote also Prose first; and Pheresides was long after Moses, which was 688 years before Joatham King of the Jews. In whose time the Olympiads began; and this Pheresides (as Eusebius writeth) was but in the first Olympiad. 
Greek stories.  Of the Grecians, Xenophon, Thucydides, Herodotus, Theopompus, flourished most in writing Histories. Of the Romans; 
Latin stories.  Titus Livius, and Caius Crispius Salustius, with divers other, were had in high estimation. Before that time they used Annals or Chronicles, which contained only the actions and facts of every day severally. The first office of an Historiographer, is to write no lie. The second, that he shall conceal 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 and lives of men, their behaviours, purposes, occasions, deeds, sayings, casualties, atchieving, and finishing of things. The renour of the words asketh a brief perspicuity and sincere truth, with moderate and peaceable ornaments.  
We may be sure, 
Rhetoric.  that by and by after men were form, they received of God the use of speech, wherein when they perceived some words to be profitable, and some hurtful in uttering of them: they appointed and compiled an art of speech, or communication, called Rhetoric. Which (as Diodorus saith) was invented by Mercury: 
Mercury▪ Empedocles.  but Aristotle affirmeth, that Empedocles was first author of the Oratorial Art. In Rome, this seat 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 Commonalty were promoted into the degree of Senators, and achieved much worship by it; 
Corax and Thiseas' gave rules of Rhetoric.  Corax, and Thisias, being Sicilians, gave first precepts in writing of this Science. And their Countryman Leontinus Gorgias succeeded them. Demosthenes was principal among the Grecians: among the Romans, 
Cicero.  Tullius Cicero had no fellow. Now as touching the effect and property of it, 
Parts of Rhetoric.  there be in it (as Cicero writeth) five parts; first, to invent matter to speak; then, formally to order his devices; next, to polish it, and furnish it with elegant terms, and choice words, and to have it in perfect memory: and last of all, to utter it with a comely gesture, in such sort, that it delight: for the convenient treat ableness thereof, doth 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 abundant grave severity. In terms of this faculty, we have this difference; we call him that defendeth matters, and pleadeth causes, an Orator. A rhetorician, is he that teacheth or professeth to be a Schoolmaster in that Art. A Declamator, is he that is occupied in feigned causes, either for his own exercise, or to instruct others thereby.   

CHAP. XI. Who Invented Music; and what efficacy it is of, in humane affairs.  
Music, by the testimony of ancient Poets, 
Orpheus.  is very ancient; for Orpheus and Linus, both born of the lineage of the gods, were very excellent Musicians. And because the one by the sweetness of his Harmony, delighted and mollified 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 powers, and deeds of Arms of Lords, were used to be sung with Lutes at the royal Feasts; as jompas in Virgil, and Demodocus in Homer bear witness.  
The Finders of Music, 
Finders of Music, after divers Authors. Zephus. Amphion.  as Pliny supposeth, was Amphion the son of Jupiter by Antiope. The Grecians ascribe the finding of it to Diodorus. 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 and shrill sound of Brass, and so brought and traduced into numbers and measures. Polybius affirmeth, That it came from the Arcadians, 
Arcadians  which have an exceeding mind to that Science. And Diodorus writeth, 
Mercury found the Concord's.  That Mercury found Concord's of singing. Albeit, it is like that these only were the first setters out of it in Greece of late time: for Josephus telleth, 
Tubulcain.  That Tubulcain an Hebrew, the son of Lamech, which was many Ages before them, used much to sing to the Psaltery 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, 
Nature gave Music to men.  for a special remedy, to mitigate the cruel pains, wherein man is plunged; for a child newborn, ceaseth its crying at the singing and lulling of his Nurse. In all kind of labours, 
Labourers pass away the time with Songs.  singing is comfortable, the Gally-man, the Ploughman, the Carter, the Carrier, ease the tediousness of their labour and journey, with carollings, and whistling: yea, the brute beasts be delighted with songs and noises, as Mules with bells, Horses with trumpets and shawms, are of a fiercer stomach to their appointed Ministry. And of whom (think ye) learned the Birds their diversity of tunes? Who taught the Nightingale such sundry notes? Doubtless even nature was of this agreeable Harmony, the only Schoolmistresse. 
Music maketh men effeminate.  But the Egyptians did forbid their young folks learning of Music, because it seduceth and maketh effeminate the hardy, courage of men. And Ephorus saith, It was ordained to delude and deceive men. Nevertheless, 
Socrates.  Socrates' wa● not ashamed in his old age, to learn to play on the Harp. 
Themistocles  And Themistocles, because he refused the Harp at a Banquet, was reckoned unlearned. 
Salii Martis.  The Priests of Mars in Rome, talled Salii, sung verses about the City: And especially the great Prophet David, 
David.  which sung the Mysteries of God in Meter, frequented singing.   

CHAP. XII. Who Invented Musical Instruments, and brought them into Italy.  
IT is said, 
Mercury.  that Mercury found the Harp first. 
Harp.  For as he walked by the River Nilus after an ebb, he found a Tortoise all withered, and nothing remaining but the sinews; which as he fortuned to strike on them, made a certain sound: and after the pattern of that, he fashioned an Harp, and according to the three times of the year, Summer, Winter, 
The strings in the Harp.  and Spring, he put to it three strings, a treble, a base, and a mean. This Instrument he gave to Apollo, and Apollo delivered it to Orpheus: some think Amphion found it. 
Amphion.  I find, that the Harp had seven strings, to resemble the seven daughters of Atlas, 
Gods of favour.  whereof Maia, Mercury his Mother, was one. And then after that, were two other put to, to represent the nine Muses.  
Some re●er the original of the Harp and Pipe to 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, 
Shalms.  another a Shalm, the third a Pipe. Shalms were at the beginning made of Cranes legs, and after of great reeds, 
Dardamus Trezenius.  Dardamus Trezemius used first to play and sing with them. Pan an heathenish God, found the Pipe of small Reed first, 
Pipe.  to solace his love. Eusebius saith, Cybele found it, and some suppose it was Apollo. Timarias' played on the Harp or Lute first, without Ditty, and Amphion sung first to the Lute, but the Harp was found before by Tubal, 
Singing to the lute.  and fashioned like the Greek letter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  
Hermophilus first distributed the pulse, and beating of the Veins, to certain measures of Music. And the Prophet David found divers instruments, as Regals 
Regalls.  and Nebles. 
Nebles.  The Troglodytes found the Dulcimers. 
Dulcimers.  Pisceses Terrenes found the brazen 
Brazen  Trumpet, 
Trumpet.  which the Terrenes footmen used in their wars: some think it was Tirreus, or Dirceus an Athenian. For when the Lacedæmonians made war against the Messenians, and the wars were long endured, 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 shame, yet they received him, and used his counsel, and he taught them to play on Trumpets, which were so fearful to the Athenians, by reason of the strangeness of the noise, that they fled forthwith, and so they obtained Victory. 
Moses found the Trumpet Arcadians brought Instruments into Italy. Lacedæmonians manner of war.  Moses the valiant Captain of the Hebrews found the Trumpet, and made it of Silver. The Arcadians did first bring all Musical Instruments into Italy, where before that time, they used only Mountainous Pipes. Thucydides writeth, that the Lacedæmonians used first in war Shalms. Clarions, and Rebecks, to the intent that when they were ready to the wars, by such playing, they might better keep array. The Romans footmen joined, Drumslades, 
Drumslades in war.  with Trumpets. 
Pipers.  Haliattes' King of the Lydians had in the battle, 
Fiddlers.  against the Milesians Pipers and Fiddlers, playing together, the Grecians, as they went to war, had Lutes going before them, to govern their pace, all other Countries (as we do now) used trumpets in battle.   

CHAP. XIII. The beginning of Philosophy.  
THe Science of Philosophy, which Tully calleth the Study of Wisdom, Searcher out of Virtue, Expulser of Vice, (according to divers opinions) was brought out of Barbary into Greece. For it's said, 
Magicians.  That in Persia the Magicians (for so they called their wise men) were excellent in knowledge; in Assyria, 
Chaldees.  the Chaldees; in India, the Gymnosophists, having their name, 
Gymnosophists.  because they went naked, had their part of wisdom; of which faction one Budas was chief. In France, the Druids: 
Druids.  in Phenice, Ochus: 
Ochus.  in Thrace, Xamolxis, 
Xamolxis.  and Orpheus: 
Orpheus.  in Libya, Atlas. 
Atlas.   
The Egyptians say, That Vulcanus the son of Nilus found the first principles of Philosophy. Laertius writeth, That Philosophy began in Greece, where Museus and Linus were first learned men: but Eusebius saith, That Philosophy, 
Hebrews were Authors of Philosophy.  like as all other Sciences, sprung among the Hebrews, and of them the Greek Philosophers, which were a thousand years after Moses, learned all their knowledge. The name of Philosophy was not used among them, till the time of Pythagoras, 
Pythagoras calleth himself, a Philosopher.  for he called himself a Philosopher; and the study of wisdom, Philosophy: whereas formerly it was named Wisdom, and they that professed it, had the title of Wisemen. There be three parts of it; 
Three parts of Philosophy.  one called natural, another moral, and the faculty of disputing, called Logic: Natural, treateth of the World, and contents thereof, which Archelaus brought out of jonia unto Athens. Moral, informeth the life and manners of men; this part Socrates traduced from heavenly things, to the use of life, and to discern good and bad. Logic inventeth reasons on both parts, and was found by Zeno Eliates: 
Five parts.  others divide it into five parts, natural, supernatural, moral, mathematical, and Logic. Dialogues were made first by Plato, or at the least furnished with more eloquence; for Aristotle saith, that they were devised by Alexamenus Scire●s.   

CHAP. XIV. 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: 
The power of the Stars.  and as Julius Firmicus supposeth, the Stars have also a power in the birth of men, to make them of one fashion or other, this or that complexion, of good or bad disposition, according as the Aspects, Conjunctions or Oppositions do procure. 
Observing of days.  And the Egyptians have devised and appointed to every night and day its peculiar god, and what destiny, or death shall chance to him that is born 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, invented Astrology, 
Astrology.  wherein the whole movable course of the Heaven, the rising, going down, and order of the Planets be comprehended, which the Egyptians boast themselves to have found; 
Egyptians.  though some say Mercury 
Mercury.  was author of it; and Diodorus affirmeth it to be Actinus the son of Phoebus. Nevertheless, Josephus plainly declareth, that Abraham instructed them, 
Abraham.  and the Chaldees in that Art, and thence it came into Greece; 
Grecians learned in Egypt.  for all the learned men of Greece, as Pherecides, Pythagoras, Thales, acknowledge, that they were disciples to the Egyptians and Chaldees. 
Atlas.  But Pliny writeth, that Atlas was the first founder of it, and therefore the Poets feign, that he beareth Heaven on his back. Servius thinketh it was Prometheus that found it. Nevertheless, all these (as I suppose) 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.  the sons of Seth devised first the Science of the Stars, and for as much as they feared lest their Art should perish, before it came to the knowledge of men, (for they had heard their grandfather Adam say, that all things should be destroyed by the universal flood) they made two Pillars, 
Two Pillars preserved Astrology from the Flood.  one of stone, the other of Brick, to the 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 probable, that the Egyptians & Chaldeans 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, Sulpitius Gallus; in Greece, Thales Milesius perceived the cause of the Eclipse of the Sun and Moon. Endimeon marked first the course of the Moon and her changing, as Pliny writeth. Pythagoras (as some say) observed the course of Venus, called, the Daystar; but (as Laertius supposeth) it was Permenides. The Sphere was divised by Archimedes a Syracusian; 
Archimedes  but Diogenes taketh it to have been Museus; and Pliny a●cribeth it to Anaximander. The winds were first observed by Aeolus, 
Aeolus.  as it is reported, upon this reason; The Inhabitants of the Islands 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, 
Four Winds.  be four, according to the four principal Regions of the air; they that be more curious, make eight. 
Andronicus.  And especially one Andronicus Cerestes which builded in Athens a Turret, and set on every side of it, 
Images of Winds.  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, which he had made, so that it would turn with the wind, and stand with his face toward the wind that blew, and point with a rod to the Image of the same Wind; which manner is now used in all Countries; for they set up Weathercocks or Fans, 
Weathercocks.  to show out of what Quarter the Wind bloweth. 
Fans.    

CHAP. XV. Who Invented Geometry, Arithmetic, with other things.  
Nilus', 
Nilus overfloweth Egypt.  the most famous River of the World, from the time that the Sun is in Tropico Cancri, until it come to the Equinoctial line in Libra again, doth overflow all the Downs and plain Countries of Egypt: 
Prognostication of plenty and scarceness.  by the altitude and deepness of this flood, the Egyptians foresee the plenty and scarcity of fruits to come. For if it increase but unto the depth of twelve or thirteen Cubits, it portendeth lack of sufficiency: if it pass fourteen, and so to sixteen, it importeth great plenty. In the time of Claudius Caesar, it waxed eighteen Cubits, which was the greatest tide. The lest was in the time of the battle at Pharsalia; whereby it signified, how it abhorred the murder of the valiant Pompey.  
When Nilus, with such inundations had partly diminished, partly transposed, the Meers and Landmarks, whereby their portions of land were disordered, they were compelled often to measure their bounds afresh: for that cause the Egyptians vaunt, 
Egyptians found out Geometry.  that Geometry was invented by them to measure Lands. As Arithmetic by the Phoenicians, the better to perform their Merchandise. 
The Jews found out Geometry.  But Josephus seemeth to attribute both to the Jews, saying, That God prolonged the time of their lives, because they were employed in studies to search out Astrology and Geometry; and the Egyptians were ignorant in Geometry and Arithmetic, 
Abraham taught the Egyptians Contents of Geometry.  until the time that Abraham taught them. Geometry contained the description of lengths, breadths, shapes, and quantities. In this Strabo in Greece excelled, in the time of Tiberius; and Ptolemy, under Trajanus and Antoninus: In Italy, Plinius and Foninus.  
Measures and Weights were found by Sidonius, 
Measures and Weights.  (as Eutropius saith) the same time that Procas reigned in Albany; Ahaz in Judah; and Jeeroboam in Jerusalem. Some write, that Mercury devised them in Greece; Pliny ascribeth it to Phidon of Argos; Gellius, to Palamedes. Strabo, to one Phidon of Elis in Arcady. Di●genes saith, that Pythagoras taught the Greeks weights and measures; but Josephus affirmeth, that Cain found them first of all.  
Numbers, 
Numbers.  some say, were invented by Pythagoras; some, by Mercury: Livius supposeth, that Pallas found them. 
Manner of reckoning years.  The manner of counting years in Greece, was by Olympiads, which contained the space of five years, as the Romans did Lustra, which contained the same number of years: and sometimes by nails. 
Counting by Nails.  For every year the Consul or chief Judge called Praetor, in the Ides of September, fastened a nail in the wall of Jupiter's 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 Figures. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 
Figures of Arithmetic.  which, because they be in quotidian use, it needeth not to declare.   

CHAP XVI. Physic, and the parts thereof.  
Physic, which with remedies provided by God, 
Inventors of Physic.  doth much comfort and cure men in their maladies and diseases, that break forth in their bodies, is thought worthily to have been invented of the Gods. For it is supposed that Mercury found it among the Egyptians, some say it was Apys their god; 
Apollo god of Medicines.  or Arabus son to Apollo: some refer it to Apollo himself, because the moderate heat of the Sun is banisher of all sickness. Clement doth attribute the finding of it to the Egyptians in general, and the amplifying and enlarging of it to Aesculapius, which, beside other things, 
Drawing out of Teeth.  found the plucking out of Teeth, Notwithstanding, whosoever found the notable knowledge of Medicines, it is no doubt but it was perceived, by what things were wholesome, and what unwholesome. And as they observed how the sick folks used their diet, 
Observing of diet was the beginning of Physic.  and marked how some for greediness did eat much, and some forbore their meat because of faintness of their stomach. Whereby they learned that abstinence was a helper and furtherer of health: and by such observance other Precepts of Physic were gathered.  
It hath three parts, 
Three parts of Physic.  one of Dieting, another of Medicines, the third of Surgery, for by one of these three ways, are diseases relieved. But forasmuch as it often changeth, it was very obscure till Hypocrates did renew it: 
Hippocrat●s reduced it to an Art.  and whereas 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: our of all such precedences, he gathered Precepts of Physic, and brought it first to a formal Art.  
In Rome, Archagathus, of Peloponuesus, was the first Physician, 
Archagathus the first Physician in Rome.  in the five hundred thirty fifth year of the City, (Lucius Emilius, and Marcus Livius being Consuls) and was made Freeman of the City, which was first made a Surgeon; after, for the sharpness of his cutting and searing, he was named a Butcher and Murderer: and afterward, when the number began to increase, they were expulsed out of Rome, 
Marcus Cato banished Physicians out of Rome. The manner of the Egyptians in their diseases.  and banished by Marcus Cato, as Pliny telleth in his thirty sixth Book.  
In Egypt 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 communed with the Patient. In the latter days, 
Every disease had a sundry Physician.  the Egyptians distributed the Art of Medicines, in such sort, that every Disease had a divers Physician to minister in it, as one for the eyes, one for the head, others for the entrails; and likewise, other for other sicknesses, and so it came to pass, 
Famous Physicians.  that all places were full of Physicians. In this Art Cassius, Calpitanus, Aruntius, Rubrius, Antonius, Musa, Galenus, Avicenna, excelled.   

CHAP. XVII. The Inventours of herbs medicinable, what remedies men learned of beasts.  
NAture doubtless, 
Herbs were created for man.  the Mother and Governess of all things, did create herbs, as may appear by many examples, partly for the delectation, and partly for the Health 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.  and the Hechewall, 
Hechewall.  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, 
Parthians.  that the Parthians, which Anthony put to flight, constrained by extreme famine, chanced to eat a certain herb, whose nature was to make them that eat it, to forget all other things, and only dig up stones, as if they would do some great matter; and after such extreme travail died. Of such Medicines made with Herbs, Chiron, son to Saturnus, 
Chiron was Author of Medicines and Salves.  and Phillara was the finder, and devised also salves for wounds, Sores, Biles, although some think it was Apollo, and some refer it to his son Aesculapius, whom Chiron brought up to the Samothracians. But I suppose they attributed the Invention of it to Chiron, because he found the Herb Century, 
Centaury was found by Chiron.  wherewith he healed the wound that he had by Hercules shafts, 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, only he saith, 
Aesclepiades abolished Physic.  Aesclepiadss; which was an excellent Physician, did abolish the use of it, for as much as it annoyed the stomach, and engendered evil humours. Mercury found the use of Moly: 
Moly.  Achilles, Yarow: Esculapius, 
Panace.  Panace; and sundry men found sundry herbs, Medicines of Honey, Sol, the son of Oceanus, invented: and beasts taught men certain herbs, necessary for Medicines. As the Hart stricken with an Arrow, driveth it out with Dittany; 
Dittany.  and if he be stinged with a Spider he healeth himself with eating Pills, or a certain herb named Cancer. 
Cancer.  Selandine, 
Selandine.  wh●ch 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 Torteise, ready to fight with the Serpent, armeth himself with Savery, 
Savery.  or Margerum. 
Margerum.  The Boar in his sickness, cureth himself with the Ivy. 
Ivy.  Of the water Horse in Nilus, 
Letting of blood.  men learned to let blood: For when he is weak and distempered, he seeketh by the River side the sharpest Reed-stalks, and striketh a Vein in his Leg against it, with great violence, and so easeth his body by such means; 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 Physicians to Minister Glisters: For when she is full, she purgeth herself, with her crooked beak, at the Fundament. The Wesil in chase the Serpent, preserveth herself with Rue, 
Rue.  and the Stork with Organy. 
Organy.  In Greece, Orpheus, Museus, Dioscorides; In Rome, Marcus Cato, Pompeius Levius, wrote of the nature of Herbs. Pliny thinketh that this Art was first received among the Romans.   

CHAP. XVIII. The beginning of Magic, driving out of Spirits, Charms, Prophesying in sundry manners.  
Magic had its beginning of Physic, and was the invention of Zoroastres King of the Bactrians, 
Zoroastres found Magic.  which reigned eight hundred years after the siege of Troy, the same time that Abraham and Ninus reigned, about three thousand one hundred fourscore and five 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 compacted of Physic, Superstition, and the Mathematical Arts. 
Thessaly used Magic.  The Thessalonians especially were accused, with the frequent use of this practice, the writer of this art was Hosthanes. 
Hosthanes wrote books of Magic.  Pythagoras, Empedocles, Democritus, Plate with divers others, s●iled into far Countries to learn it: wherein Democritus was most famous, three hundred years after the City was builded, in which time, Hypocrates published the Art of Physic.  
The manner to drive out spirits out of men that were possessed with them, 
Driving out of spirits.  and Charms to heal corporal maladies, King Solomon taught, 
Charms.  as Josephus witnesseth: and he saw it done by Eleazar in his time, 
Eleazar driveth out spirits.  before Vespasianus then Emperor. The manner to heal them was thus: He put to the nose of the possessed man a Ring, wherein was enclosed a root that Solomon had showed, wherewith he drove out the spirit, and the man fell down: then he conjured with such Orisons and Exorcisms, as were appointed by Solomon to banish the spirit out of the Demoniak.  
The Sages or Wisemen of Persia which in their language be named Magis, being wholly addict to the honouring of their fall 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 some words, they could do and bring to pass any thing that they would.  
By them were invented these 6 kinds of Magic; Necromancy, which is by raising up of dead men; as in Lucan, one raised from death, told the adventures of the battle of Pharsalus.  
Pyromancy, that telleth things by the fire and lightning; as Tenaquilla, the wife of Tarqvinius Priscus, prophesied, that Servius Tullius should be King of Rome, because she saw the fire environ his head. The finding of this, Pliny referreth to Amphiaraus.  
Hieromancy, that is, a kind of prophesying by the air, as by flying, feeding, singing of birds, and strange tempests of wind and hail.  
Hidromancie, was prophesying by water: as Varro writeth, that a Child did see in the water the Image of Mercury, which in 150 verses told all the chance of War against Mithridates' King of Pontus.  
Geomancy, was a divination, by opening of the earth.  
Chiromancy, is a conjecturing by beholding the lines, or wrinkles of the hands, called commonly Palmistry.  
Which vain illusions, and false persuasions, it becometh all true Christians to eschew and abhor.   

CHAP. XIX. Two kinds of Divination, Soothsaying, casting Lots, and interpreting of Dreams.  
CIcero maketh two kinds of divinations, 
Two kinds of Prophesying.  one natural, and another artificial. Natural is that, which proceedeth of a certain commotion of the mind, 
Natural.  that chanceth sometimes to men when they be in dreams, or sleeping: sometimes when they prophesy in manner of fury, and ravishing of mind; as Sibylla and divers other religious persons did. Of this kind were Oracles of Apollo and Jupiter-Hammon. Albeit they were often false, because they came of a devilish policy, and man's subtlety: but such as come of the Holy Ghost, and not of a blasphemous 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 Hetruscians: 
Beholding the bowels of beasts.  For as it fortuned a man that ploughed, to raise up a deeper furrow than he was wont to do; one Tages suddenly arose out of the earth, that taught them all the feats of Soothsaying; but Pliny saith, one Delphus found it.  
The divinations by looking on the feeding of birds, 
Feeding, flying, and chattering of birds.  Theresius a Theban, devised. Caras first marked the chattering of them; and Pythagoras observed their flying.  
Orpheus' added the divination by other beasts. What store we ought to set by such divinations, 
Massolanus letteth the Augury.  Massolanus a Jew teacheth us: When he was in the wars, a certain Prophet commanded every man to stand, till he had taken a conjecture of the bird that flew by: but Massolanus took privily a bow and shaft, and killed the bird; wherewith the Wizard, and divers others were displeased: Then he said to them, Why dote ye 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 foreknowledge, she would not have come hither to have been killed of me.  
Casting of Lots, Numerius Suffusius devised first at Pr●nest.  
The expounding of dreams, 
Dreams-reading.  Pliny ascribeth to Amphiction; but Trogus assigneth it to Joseph son to Jacob. Clement saith, 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 First Book.   

Polidore Virgil.  
The Second BOOK.  

CHAP. I. 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 estates of men, no natural Creature, nor the World itself, can consist firm and stable. For it obeyeth GOD; and all other things, air, water, land, and men, be in obedience to it. Chrysippus calleth it a knowledge of all Divine and humane matrets, commanding equity, and expulsing wickedness and wrong.  
There be of Laws three kinds: one natural, 
The Laws Natural.  that is not only appropried to man, but also it concerneth all other lively things either in the Earth, Sea, or Ayr. As we perceive in all kinds of living creatures, naturally a certain familiarity of male and female, procreation of issue, and a proclivity 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 generally through all the World; as to show a man the way, to communicate to men the commodity of the Elements, Water and Air; to this kind appertaineth the Law of Arms; and it is called in Latin, Jus gentium.  
Civil Law, 
Civil Law.  is the private Law of every Country or City, as of the Romans, Lacedæmonians, and Athenians. This consisteth in decrees of Princes, Statutes, and Proclamations.  
The chief and principal laws were promulgate by God, confirmed after the most pure and perfect manner that natural equity could devise or conceive, and be instable constancy, and subject to no transmutation. After the example of these, man hath invented Laws to descend and preserve good men, and to punish and keep evil persons in office and good order.  
Such Laws Ceres made first, 
Lawmakers.  as Diodorus supposeth: 
Ceres.  but others think it was Rhadamantus; and afterwards others in divers Countries devised and ordained Laws: as in Athens, Drac● and Solon: in Egypt, Mercury: in Crete, Minos: in Lacedemonia, Lycurgus: in Tyre, Tharandus: in Argos, Phoroneus: in Rome, Romulus: in Italy, Pythagoras; or, after the mind of Dionysius, the Arcadians, that were under Evander as their Sovereign Lord and chief Captain. Notwithstanding, the very true Author of Laws, 
God was the true Author of Laws.  was God, which first planted in us the Law of Nature; and when it was corrupted by Adam, and his posterity, he gave the written Law by Moses to reduce us again to our first state and true instinct of Nature; 
Moses promulgated the first laws in writing.  which was before all other, as Eusebius declareth.   

CHAP. II. Who ordained the first governance of a Cominalty, Tyranny, with other Constitutions.  
THe administration of a Common-weal is after three sorts, 
The manner of ruling the Commonwealth.  as Plato divideth it; Monarchy, where one ruleth. Aristocracy, when the best men govern. 
Monarchy.  Democracy, or popular state, 
Aristocracy.  where the common people have a stroke in ruling the publikeweal. 
Democracy.  Principality or a Kingdom was first begun by the Egyptians which could not long subsist without a King or Ruler: 
Kingdom began in Egypt.  there reigned first, as Herodotus saith, Menes; and their manner was to choose him among the Priests of their Religion: and 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 and Priest. The Diadem, that was the token of the Honour-royall, had its beginning by Liber Bacchus.  
The Athenians first ordained the state of a Commonwealth, 
Democracie began in Athen●.  that was governed by the whole Commons, as Pliny thinketh; albeit they had also Kings, whereof Decrops Diphyes, which reigned in Moses' time, 
First Kings how they behaved themselves.  was the first, For, as Justine writeth, Every City and Nation had at the beginning a King for their chief Governor; which attained to that dignity by no ambition or favour, but by a singular Wit, and sober modestness, and reigned with such loyalty, that seemed only in title a King; in deed, a Subject.  
Ninius King of the Assyians, 
Ninius did enlarge his Empire.  contrary to the old ●ite and custom, of an ambitious desire that he had to bear rule, first arrogantly usurped the Emof all Asia, except India. As concerning the Institution of the Commonwealth, where the Commons do all things, notwithstanding the mind of Pliny, I suppose it began among the Hebrews, 
Hebrews ordained Democracy.  which were ruled by a popular State many years before that Athens was built.  
The form of Policy, 
Aristocracy.  which is governed by the best, (as the Romans Commonwealth was) I cannot well understand when it had its original, unless I should assign it to the Thebans, which in the time of Ninius ruled the Egyptians, whose rule, because the valiant and noble bore the authority, was called a power or potency, which was the 3185th year of the World. 
Theseus' first Tyrant.  Pliny writeth, That after Theseus, Phalaris was the first Tyrant; whereby it appeareth, that he thinketh Theseus was author of tyranny: 
Nembroth.  but Nembroth of the lineage of Noah, not long after the flood, used tyranny.  
Bondage (as Pliny supposeth) began in Lacedemonia: 
Bondage.  yet I find that it began among the Hebrews, and had its original proceeding of Chanaan the son of Cham, who, because he had laughed his father Noah to scorn, as he lay dissolutely when he was drunk, was punished in his son Chanaan with penally 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 took the bondmen by the head, or some other part of his body, saying, I will this fellow be free, and put him forth of his hands. 
Areopagites judged in the night.  The Council of the Areopagites, (which were called so of the Court of Mars) were instituted by Selon to judge of life and death, their custom was to use such Sovereignty, and integrity in Judgement, that they heard all causes and matters in the night, and 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 before them. Voices which be used and occupied in Consultations, 
Giving of voices.  Judgements, and Elections were first ordained by Palamedes.   

CHAP. III. The three manner of Regiments in Rome, the beginning of Ornaments-Royall, with other matters pertaining to a Commonwealth.  
Room, which was the most renowned City of all the World, both for the Valour of Arms, and Civil Policy whereby it was governed, had three forms of Regiment. In the beginning it had Kings; 
Kings of Rome.  for Romulus, which was builder thereof, reigned there; and after him, six other, under whom, the Principality lasted 244 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 two Consuls, 
Consuls in Rome.  Junius Brutus, and L. Tarqvinius Collatinus. They had the name and title of Consuls, of the consultation and provision which they made for the Commonwealth. They ruled the Empire, conducted Armies; and by these Officers, because they were annual, the years were counted. Within 12 years after the expulsing of the Kings, when 40 Cities of the Latins, Octavius Manilius, son in law to Tarqvinius, being their captain, made insurrection, and conspired against the Romans, 
Dictator first in Rome.  T. Largius was created Dictator or great Master; which office was highest in authority: and, as Dionysius thinketh, it was taken of the Greeks, among whom, Ely●netae had the same power that Dictator's had in Rome. Livius referreth the original of them to the Albans: And the Carthaginians had also their Dictator's. 
The space of the Dictator's Office.  This Magistrate was never used saving in great dangers of the Commonwealth, and it continued but six 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, and that no time but in the night: 
The time of denouncing the Dictator.  albeit what time the Veientes had won the Romans Camp, A. Cornelius Cosus, Marshal of the Army, need so constraining, denounced Mamercus Aemelius for Dictator, contrary to that statute, About 300 years after the building of Rome, the public State was transferred from the Consulship, 
Decrees.  unto the Rule of Ten, called Decem-viri, which endured but three years; for by reason of the outrageous lust of Appius Claudius, against the Maid Virginea, they were deposed, and Consuls were substituted to supply their room. Then, the 310th year of the City, in the place of Consuls, were chosen Marshals or Provosts of Armies, 
Tribunimilitum.  whom they named Tribunes, Aulus Sempronius, Attacinus, L. Attilius Longus, and T. Colicius Sieulus. 
Democracie began in Rome.  The authority of the Commons became daily more seditious, and confederacies increased. In such sort, that C. Cunuleius brought to pass, that the Commonalty married with the Nobility, and the Tribunes by their earnest instance and suit, caused that the high Offices were permitted to them of the common sort. At the 355th year of the building of the City, 
P. Licinius, a man of the Commons.  P. Licinius Calvus was made Tribune of the Army. The 389th year, L. Sextus Lateranus attained the Consulship: the 399 year, C. martin's Lateranus was created Dictator.  
From this manner of Governance, 
L. Sylla.  it was by Sylla and Marius brought to one Ruler or Prince again. 
C. Marius.  Thus hath Rome had all kinds of administration of the Commonwealth. 
Royal Ornaments.  The Imperial ornaments of the Kings of Rome, as fardels of rods, the axe, the garland of gold, the Chair of Ivory, the Kyrtil or Cope, Chatio●, trapped-Horses, Rings, Coat-Armours, Robes, Mantles of Estate, Embroidered Gowns, with garments of Baudkyn or Motley, with all other Royal Apparel, began among the Tuscans, which Tarqvinius Prisons subdued, and used these first by the permission and licence of the Senate. The 12 Lictours or Sergeants, Romulus first appointed after the manner of the 12 Nations of the Etrurians, whom he conquered, which gave to every of their kinds, when he was crowned, a Lictour or Sergeant: whose duty was to wait on the Magistrates, and bear the Rods, and Axe of Execution. The rods (as Pliny writeth) were of birch. The institution of Taxes or numbering the people, Servius Tullius King, began in Rome first, but Moses long before that time numbered the Israelites, and 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, Gyves, Staves, with like instruments to punish malefactors, Ancus Martius (as Livy saith) did first appoint them to keep men in fear and good order.   

CHAP. IU. Who ordered the Year, the diversity of it, Months, Noxes, Ides, Kalends, and Prime.  
Herodotu writeth that the Egyptians first found out the year by the course of the Planets, and divided it into twelve Months. Diodorus assigneth it to the Thebans, which standeth with the opinion of Herodotus, because the Thebans be a nation of Egypt, and Egypt was sometimes named Thebes. Servius saith that Eudoxus found it first, and after him Hipparchus. Laertius ascribes it to Thales a Milesian, which (as he testifieth) first perceived the seasons and times of the year, and parted it into 365 days, but that was only among the Grecians. Josephus witnesseth that the year was devised by the Hebrews in Egypt, before Noah's flood. 
Divers devisions in the year.  There be divers fashions of dividing the year; The Archadians finished their year in three Months, the Carians and Acarnans in six Months: there was a year that consisted in 30. days, which was counted by the change of the Moon, there was also the great year that ended, 
The great year.  when all the Planets returned into one point or Line, and after the mind of Cicero, it contained 12954. years of the Sun. Josephus in his Antiquity saith it contained but six hundred years. The other Grecians numbered the full year with 353 days. 
Romulus' ordered the year.  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 born of the froth of the Sea, which is called Aphros: May of the Ancient men: June of the young men: the other he named in their order, and number, as Quintilis, Sextilis, September, October, November, 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. Notwithstanding, forasmuch as this year which Romulus ordered, did neither agree to the course of the Sun, nor changes of the adding Moon; Numa applied it to the course of the Moon by adding 56. 
Numa added to the year.  days, whereof he made two Months, the one he named January of Janus, the first king of the Latins, the other February of their god Februus. Afterward, Numa, supposing God to be delighted with odd numbers, gave to January, April, June, August, September November, December, twenty nine days. To March, May, Quintilis, and Sextilis, that is July and October, thirty one days, and to February twenty eight days. Last of all, 
Julius Caesar made the year perfect.  Julius Caesar put to the whole year, ten days and, six hours, whereof he added to these Months, January, August, and December, every of them two days: and to April, June, September, and 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: and the six hours every four years amounteth to one day, which causeth Leapyear (as we call it) in Latin it is named Bissextus, 
Leap-year. Bissextus.  because every fourth year we count twice the sixth Calends of March.  
The Months have their name because they measure the course of the Moon. Thus the year hath twelve Months, whereof April, June, September, and November have thirty days, 
Days of every Month.  all the rest hath one and thirty days, saving February, which hath but twenty eight, In the year be 52 weeks and a day. There be 365 days and six hours. The Calends, Nones, Ides, have their appellations of the manner of the reckonning of the Romans. The first days were named Kalends, from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, to call: for at every change of the Moon, the chief Ruler of the Sacrifices (called Rex sacrificulus) assembled all them of the Country of Rome, in the Capitol, and showed them their Festival days, and what it was lawful to do that Month. The Nones had that name; because they were the ninth day from the Ides, which Ides be the midday's of every Month, and had their appellation of the Hetrusians Term iduare, that signifieth to divide in the middle. This fashion of counting the Months, endured to the 450 year of the City, and was kept secret among the Bishops of their Religion till the time that C. Flavius, P. Sulpitius Avarrio, and P. Sempronicus Sophilongus, then being Consuls, against the mind of the Senators, disclosed all their solemn feats, published them in a Table that every one might have perseverance of them. The Prime, whereby we find the Conjunction of the Moon, and all movable Feasts, as Lent, Easter, Whitsonday, and such like, was invented by the great Clerk Saint Bernard, or of Julius Caesar, as appeareth in the tenth book De divinis officiis.   

CHAP. V. Who ordained the hours, dials, and Clocks, deviding the day and night.  
HOurs, which being in number 24, accomplish the space of a day and night, were so named of the Sun, which in the Egyptians language is called Horus. They at the first were appointed but 12. For H●rmes Trismegistus, perceiving a certain beast consecrated to their god Serapis, 
Mercurius Trismegistus appointed 12 hours.  to make water or piss twelve times in the day, at equal distance, supposed that the day ought to be divided into twelve hours.  
This number did continue long, but afterward the day was divided into 24 hours. Anaximenes' a Milesian found in Lacedemonia the first Dial, that declared the hours by the shadow of the Gnomon. It was long before they were used in Rome, for (as Pliny writeth) in the 12 Tables, there was only rehearsed the rising and going down of the Sun: and a few years after, Noon or Midday was added, which the Beadle or common Crier did denounce. This was only on clear days, when they might perceive the course and altitude of the Sun. 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 Messala, 
M. Valerius Messala ordained a Dial in Rome. Water Dial.  than Consul in the first Punic battle. The waterdial was used first in Rome by P. Scipio Nasica, the 900th year of the City, to divide the hours of the day and night. Albeit it was invented by Cresibins of Alexandria. 
Clocks.  Afterwards Clocks made of Metal were invented by subtle wits, 
Sand-Diall.  and sand-dials' were made, whose Authors be yet unknown. In some places the Clocks strike 24 hour● by order; 
Striking of the Clocks.  in other some, as in the Well parts of the World, it smiteth twice in the day. In such order that the 12th hour is at noon, and at midnight. The days which be reckoned diversely in several nations, 
Sundry Divisions.  began in Egypt, where the year and Months were also devised, they take all the space from midnight to midnight for one day, and the Roman● used the same manner. For the Sunrising is the beginning of all affairs, and functions, the night is a time of Counselling: they had also 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 two first served for salutation,  
The third for Lawyer's alteration.  
Two next were spent in labour diversely,  
The sixth men might themselves rest quietly.  
The seventh, of Works was a resolution,  
The Eighth was for wrestlers; and in Conclusion.  
The ninth was limited for men's repast,  
And so for 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 from noon to noon: but commonly from morning till night is called a day. 
Parts of the Night.  The night was divided into four watches, whereof every one (as Hierome witnesseth) contained three hours.   

CHAP. VI Who set forth Books first, or made a Library, Printing, Paper, Parchment, or Art of Memory.  
BOoks which contain (the Monuments of ingenuous wits, and a Register of all Valiant prowess, as Lae●tius thinketh, were first published 〈◊〉 Greece. 
Pisistratus made the first Books.  Gellius saith, it was Pisistrat●● that made the first book, and exhibit it to be read openly. Yet Josephus de●clareth that the Hebrews and Priests 〈◊〉 Egypt and Chaldee set forth Books first.  
The Athenians multiplied the number of Books, 
Atheus made many books.  which Xerxes carrye● from thence into Persia, and Seleuo● king of Macedony caused them (man● years after) to be conveyed to Athen● again. 
Ptolomeus Libraries.  After that, Ptolomeus King o● Egypt gathered together 700000 books which were all burnt at the battle o● Alexandria. Nevertheless, Strab● recordeth that Aristotle did institute the first Library, 
Aristotle had the first Library.  and left it to Theophrastus' his Disciple, and taught the Kings of Egypt how they should order their Library: Theophrastus left it to Melus, and of him Seepsis received it. There was also a very ancient Library at Pergamus.  
In Rome, 
Asinius Pollio.  Asinius Pollio had the first Library, which was the occasion that good wits employed great study in learning, to the ample furtherance and commodity of that Commonwealth. There be at this day many in Italy, but the most famous, 
F. Feltrius.  is the Library which Frederick Feltrius Duke of Urbine did cause to be edified. Truly the commodity of Libraries is very profitable and necessary; but in comparison of the Art of 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 and Latin Authors from the danger of corruption. It was found in Germany at Mogunce by one J. Cuthembergus a Knight; 
John Cuthenbergus found Printing.  he found moreover the Ink by his devise that Printers use, sixteen years after Printing was found, which was the year of our Lord, 1458, one Conradus an Almain brought it into Rome, and Nicholas Johnson a Frenchman, did greatly polish and garnish it: And now it is dispersed through most parts of the World.  
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, and their private matters in Tables and wax, for tables (as Homer testifieth) were before the siege of Troy. Paper was devised by King Alexander, as Varro affirmeth; it was made of a kind of fenny Rushes, that grew in the marish grounds of Egypt. But Pliny saith, it was used in the time of King Numa● that reigned 300 years before Alexander, and his books, which were found in a chest of stone in a field, by L. Pitilius a Scribe, were written in Paper. In process of time, paper, that we use now, was invented; it is made of, linen cloth, beaten together in Mills for that use.  
Parchment, as Varro witnesseth, was found in Pergamus: albeit, Jewish Historians (as Josephus showeth) used Parchment: they wrote also in Goats in's and sheepskins in old time, as Herodotus declareth.  
There be divers manner of Papers, as Paper-royall, Paper-demy, blotting paper, merchant's paper.  
The usage of writing by characters, is very ancient, and was found by Tyrotullius Freman, (as Eusebius supposeth), and Julius Caesar used it much in secret and privy Counsels.  
The Art of 
Men of great Memory.  Memory was found by Simonides in Thessaly: For when he was invited to a banquet at a Nobleman's house, called Scopa, it chanced that he was sent for to speak with two young men at the gate, and straightway the Banqueting-house fell, and destroyed all the guests. Then he, because he remembered in what order and place every one 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 an Art. Cyrus, King of Persia, excelled in Memory, which could call every man in his Army by name. Cyneas the Ambassador of Pyrrhus the day after he came to Rome, saluted every order of Nobles by their proper names. Mithridates could speak 22 Languages. Julius Caesar could write, read, indite, and hear a tale, all at once. Adrianus the Emperor could do the same.   

CHAP. VII. 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 saith) by Pallas: the manner of War (as Diodorus thinketh) was invented by Mars. But Josephus telleth, 
Tubulcain.  that Tubulcain, which was before 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. Before the finding out of Weapons, men used to fight with their fists, feet, and biting. And thus began battle, as Lucretius writeth: 
Hands and feet, tooth nail,  
Were first Weapons in battle.   
Afterward they began to fight with Staves and Clubs. And therefore they assign to Hercules a staff and a Lion's skin. For men in the beginning used staves to revenge their injuries and quarrels, and covered their bodies with skins of wild beasts instead of Armour. Palamedes ordered and set men first in array, 
Palamedes appointed Watches and Warding.  appointed Watches and Warding to be kept, 
Watchwords.  and Watchwords in the battle of Troy. At the same time Sinon found out Beacons and Fires. Pliny saith, that the Phoenicians 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, and Spears, the Lacedæmonians found: yet Herodotus supposeth the Targets and salads to be the invention of the Egyptians, and so to have come into Greece.  
The Habergeon was devised by Midias Mossenius, shields by Pretus and Acrisius, as they fought together.  
Leg harness and crests of salads were invented by the Carians, Javelins and Datts with thongs or strings by Btolas son to Mars; Bills by the Thracians; just Spears and More-Spikes, by Tyrrhenus: they were used first in the siege of Capua, that Fulgius Flaccus laid to it. Penthesilea imagined Pole-axes, and Pikes, hunting staves: bow, Shafts, and Sythes, Jupiter's son invented: although Diodorus ascribeth the invention of them to Apollo. Artabanus, 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 Crossbows; the Syrians, Quarrels or Bolts: and the Phoenicians found Brakes and Slings. Howbeit, Vegetius holdeth opinion, that Baleares, a people which dwell in the Spanish Seas, ordained Slings. Cranes, or Vernes, to wind up great weights, were the device of Ctesiphon. The Ram, called in Latin, Aries, wherewith walls be overthrown, was made by Epeus at Troy. Artemo Clazemonius instituted the Seek or Tertise, called in Latin, Testudo, to undermine Walls. But of all other that ever were devised to the destruction of man, the Guns be most devilish, which was invented 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: suddenly there arose a great flame out of the Mortar, and lifted 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 at Claudius Dyke against the Genuates, which was in the year of our Lord, 1380. 
What year Guns were found.  For this Invention he received this benefit, that his name was never known, left he might for this abominable devise, have been cursed and evil spoken of, whilst the world standeth.  
Bellerophon (according to the judgement of Pliny) taught first to manage and ride Horles: 
Riding of Horses.  which road the swift Pegasus into a Mountain of Lybia, called Chimaera, as Diodorus supposeth it was Neptune, that not only taught to ride horses, but also (as Lucan supposeth) brought to light the first horse. Bridles, bits, horse-harness, or trappers, the Peletronians, a Nation of Thessaly, found; and as some think, the way to break and tame horses, was learned of them; which also taught shooing of horses. Also the Numidians road their horses without saddles. Carts with two horses, and Wagons, the Phrygians first used. Chariots, Erichthonius devised first in Greece. Fight 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 and commendation.   

CHAP. VIII. The Institution of Olympiads, with other shows and games.  
THere were four principal Plays or Shows in Greece; 
Plays or Shows.  whereof the most principal was Olympiads: which were kept every fifth year in the Mount Olympus, and ordained by Hercules, one of the five brethren, named Idaei Dactyli, in honour and remembrance of Jupiter. 
Corilus.  In this game, Corilus an Arcadian won first the prize (as Eusebius saith). Pliny affirmeth, that Hercules, son of Alcumena, obtained the victory there first. 
Exercises used in the Olympiads.  There was wrestling, running with horses, and on foot, turnying, leaping, coursing with Chariots; contention of Poets, Rhetoricians, Musicians, and disputations of Philosophers. The manner was then to proclaim wars, or enter leagues of peace: the reward of the victorious, 
The reward of the Victors.  was a garland of Olive, which Tree grew there beside. By this they counted their years, as the Romans did by Lustra and their Counsels.  
The second Show was Pythii, 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 Isthmii, devised by Theseus, in the worship of his father Neptunus, as Hercules had done by Jupiter: they had the name Isthmii, of the narrow place in Greece, that Corinth stood in, where the Plays were celebrated, beside an old Temple of Neptune, environed with a dark Wood of Peche-trees. They that won the mastery, had a garland of Pinetree.  
The fourth game was Nemei, named of the Forest Nemea. 
Nemei.  These Feasts the Argivans kept in reverence of Hercules, that slew their mighty Lion whose skin he beware for his Armour. 
Pyrrhusdance.  Pyrrhus' dance was that wherein the Lacedæmonians practised their youth, from 5 years of age, as a preparative to greater affairs of war. It was first instituted in Cree● by one Pyrrhus, that was one of the Cibeles Priests. They danced it in armour, and with weapons on horseback, as Solinus testifieth.  
Naked games were first invented by Lycaon; Funeral plays by Arastus; wrestling by Mercury; Dice, Tables, Tennis, and Cards, were sound of the Lydians, a people of Asia, and begun not for any Lucre or pleasure, but for a Commonwealth. For when their Country had great scarceness and want of Corn, insomuch that it was not able to suffice the people, they mitigated and suaged their hunger and scarcity, by taking their meat moderately one day, and by applying such sports and pastimes the next day, to drive away the tediousness of their famine and hunger. The Chess were invented the year of the world 3635. by a certain Wise man called Xerxes, 
Xerxes.  to declare to a Tyratt, that Majesty or Authority without strength, assistance, and help of his subjects, was casual, feeble, and subject to many calamities of fortune; his intent was to break the fierce cruelty of his heart, by fear of such dangers as might 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, Ox, ●oat, Fallow or red Dear, which in Latin is called Talus. 
Talus.  It hath four chances, the ace-point (that is named Canis, or Canicula) was one of the sides, he that cast it, laid down a penny, or so much as the games were agreed on, the other side was called Venus, that signifieth 7. he that cast the chance, won six, and all that was laid down, for the casting of Canis. The two other sides were called Chius and Senio: He that did throw Chius wan. 3. And he that cast Senio, gained 4. This game (as I take it) is used of children in Norfolk, 
Chancebone.  and they call it the chancebone; they play with three or four of those bones together: It is either the same, or very like to it.  
There was a game at the Dice called Vultursu, and Hercules Basilicns, that Plautus maketh mention of: but the inventours of those games be yet unknown, albeit, it seemeth to be a device of the Romans; and likewise the Author of the game, 
Odd and Even.  named odd or even, and holding up of hands or fingers is uncertain.  
There be some that refer the finding of the Cards and Chess to the noble Palamedes:   

CHAP. IX. Certain plays of the Romans.  
LUpercal was a Cave at the foot of the mount Palatine, hallowed to Pan a Mystical god of the Arcadians, where the custom was to sacrifice 〈◊〉 dog, because he should keep the Wol● from their folds.  
The oblation was made in February, after this rite and fashion. The young men all naked, 
The Rites of these feasts.  ran and coursed about wantonly and lasciviously, in honour of Pan, with whips and scourges, in their hands: and the Women offered themselves, to be beaten with their scourges, supposing that it helped to the fruit fullness of Children: This pastime was instituted by Evander, that came out of Arcadia, Marcus Antonius, in this play being naked, let the Diadem on Julius Caesar's head.  
There was also another Show called Circensis, which were celebrated in aplace walled about, named Circus, where was used fight, and Coursing of Horses, and running with Charets.  
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 tournying: These were long used among the Romans, and had the title of great plays or games.  
The third kind of Plays were Saturnalia, which continued five days in December, and were kept very costly and sumptuously with great sport and gladness, and continual feasts, and usually presented one another with gifts,  
It was also the manner in tho●e Festival days, that servants should have equal power in things, and like authority, and sit at the Table with their Masters, because in Satur's time, all things were used in common. Janu● ordained them in honour of Saturn●●●, (as Macrobius declareth) and some say they began in Athens.  
There was also another game of Sword-players unarmed: 
Sword-Players.  the occasion of their beginning, was because the Romans when they went to war, should see Fight, Wounds, and Swords, to the intent they should be the less afraid of their enemies armed, or be discouraged, when they saw the bloody Wounds in the Field, therefore the Chief Captain or Lieutenant of the Host, should exhibit to the people, a Game of Fencing of Sword-players.   

CHAP. X. Who found Truce, Leagues, sundry kinds of making Triumphs and Ovations.  
TRuce (that is called a Covenant of Peace for a season) was instituted by Lycaon; 
Truce.  it was taken sometimes for years, 
Truce for Years.  as the Romans took truce with the Veientes for forty years; 
Hours.  with the Cerites for an hundred: sometimes Truce was made for hours, as Caius Pontius, a Samnite, required of the Dictator of Rome, truce for six hours. Leagues of peace, Theseus did ordain in Greece; but Diodorus assigneth it to Mercury. Nevertheless, they were in frequent use long before that time in Assyria and Egypt, and namely among the Hebrews. For Jacob made a league with Laban. And Moses offered conditions of peace to the Princes of the Countries, by whom he passed: and after him, Joshua confirmed a bond of peace with the Gibeonites. Therefore it is a great difficulty to know the inventor of it. There were divers fashions of making Leagues, as the Romans manner was thus; The Herald of Arms at commandment of the King, took a hogg appointed for that purpose, and smote him, saying; So let Jupiter smite him, that disannulleth this holy league. But Polybius writeth, that the Herald 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 o● think the contrary, I pray God that I alone be destroyed and cast away, as I cast this stone from me; and forthwith he threw down the stone. When the Arabians made a league of peace, there stood one between the two parties, that did cut it with a sharp stone, the hollow of the hand of the confederates, and with the blood that issued out, he anointed seven stones that stand between them, with rags taken out of their garments, and invocateth Dionysius and Urania their gods: then the Sollicirer giveth surety for the stranger or Citizen that was of his part. The like order was used in Amity's made among friends.  
The Scythians made Leagues after this manner: They filled a bowl of Wine, and mingled it with the blood of him that should enter the bond of peace, and then they wet their Arrows, Axes, Halberds and Darts in the bowl: 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 traitors in their Conspiracies at Rome.  
The Barceans consented on their leagues thus: 
Barceans' League.  they made their day of Confederacy, over a cave very privy, and so long as the earth continued, so the pact endured. Dionysius, which was replenished with the spoils of many Countries, 
Triumph.  led the first 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 Cenineus crowned with Laurel and carried in a Chariot with four horses, entered into the City triumphantly. And dedicated his prey and spoils to Jupiter, as Di●nysius writeth. Albeit, Eutropius saith, that Tarqvinius Priscus first triumphed of the conquest of the Sabines. Camillus led the first solemn triumph with white horses, 
Camillus.  a gilded Chariot, and a Garland of gold, with all the Captains following the Chariot, with chains and Fetters about their necks. And the Senate going before into the Capitol of Jupiter's 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 Pompeius, 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 bloodshedding; or when the battle lacked any of the due circumstances of appointing. They that came into the City with that pomp, were crowued with a garland of Myrtill; And went on foot into the Capitol, all the Senate following him, and there offered a sheep. The first that had any Ovation, 
Posthumius Tubertus.  was Posthumius Tubertus. The Lacedæmonians when they vanquished their enemies by craft, policy, or dec●it, offered a Bull: when they did valiantly subdue them by force of Arms, they sacrificed a Cock, according to their manner of triumph: Read Appianus Livius, or Julius Capitolinus.   

CHAP. XI. Garlands or Crowns, the diversity of them, and of Ointments.  
PLiny testifieth, 
Baccbus.  that Bacchus did first invent and wear a garland made of Ivy on his head: and after it was taken in a custom, that when they sacrificed to any of the gods, they were to be crowned with a garland, and the oblation likewise. Notwithstanding, I find that the use of Garlands or Crowns, is of more antiquity than Bacchus. For Moses; 
Moses.  that was many years before him, made many Crowns and Garlands of gold. At the first, the manner was, in all Plays and Sacrifices, to make Garlands of boughs of Trees. And after they were garnished with variety of flowers among the Sicionians, by Pausias, 
Pausias.  and Glicera his leman. Not long after, Winter Garlands, that be called Egyptian, which are made of wood or Ivory, did with many colours, began to be had in use. And in process, they made Crowns of brazen plates gilded or covered with silver, called for their thinness, garlands. Lastly, 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 his triumph; this was first made of Olive, and afterward of gold. 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, which was set on his head, that first boarded his enemy's ship. And all these were of gold. The Obsidionall Crown, that was worn of him that delivered a City besieged, and was made of Grass. There was also a Civil Crown, which was a Sovereignty 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 devise, 
Pericles.  and gave it to Pericles. There were moreover Crowns of Pearls, Trench Crowns and Garlands, composed of the ears of Corn, which as Pliny witnesseth, was first in use among the Romans. But Garlands made of Cinnamon, woven and embossed with gold, Vespasianus did first consecrate in the Capitol, in the Temple of Peace.  
In some space of years, the excess of Crowns was such, that the Grecians in their Banquets, crowned both their heads and Cups also, 
Cups were crowned.  whereof the jonians were authors. By this sort of Crowns, Cleopatra empoisoned Antony, as Pliny writeth. And Artaxerxes used Crowns of Garlands in his Feasts: to this Virgil alluded in his Aeneides, 
They set forth their golden goblets,  
And crowned them with fresh chaplettes.   
Ointments (as Josephus writeth) (though Pliny saith the contrary) were used long before the battle of Troy; for Jacob sent to his son Joseph in Egypt ointments: and Moses, that was three hundred and fifty year before the siege of Troy, maketh mention of Ointments, concerning the sanctification of the Tabernacle, and Priests of the Old Testament. Albeit, it is not known, who was the first deviser of them. Pliny and Solinus report, that Alexander, when he won 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 before Darius' time. 
Aethiopus devised Ointments.  For Cambyses, son to Cyrus, sent Ambassadors to Aethiopus King of the Macrobians, with great presents, whereof a box of Ointments was a 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 565th year of the City, Antiochus being vanquished, and Asia subdued and conquered, 
Ointments might not be sold.  P. Licinius Crassus, and Julius Caesar, than Censors, commanded that no foreign nor strange Confection of ointments should be sold in the City.   

CHAP. XII. Who found out Metals, Smiths, Coals, Fire, Candles, and Bellows.  
OF all Metal wherein worldly substance consisteth, Gold, that all men sorely Covet to have, is the most precious. For the desire hereof, they have digged in the deep bottomless Abyss of the Earth, and at the length (as Phalerius said) they will dig Pluto out of hell for it. And Diogenes when he was asked why Gold looked 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 Pangeus in Thrace, or as some think, it was Thoas, and Eaclis that invented it in Panchaia. Silver, Erichthonius of Athens or Ceacus found out. They report that Gold was found in Pageus, because there is great plenty in that hill, as Herodotus doth write. The five brethren named Idei Dactyli, found Iron in Crect. Midacritus brought lead out of the Islands against Spain, called Cassitrides, as Strabo declareth. Brass was found by Cinirs, in the Isle of Cyprus, and Solinus saith it was found in Crect. Ciniras' also devised the Tongues, File, and Lever. Notwithstanding Clement saith, that Selementes and Damnameneus, two Jews, found Iron first in Cyprus, and the Pannonians Brass. Aristotle holdeth opinion, that Lydus a Scythian first taught to melt and work Brass, 
Melting Brass.  Theophrastus thinketh it was Delas, a Phrygian. Strabo writeth that a certain people named Thelchines, wrought Iron and Brass first, and they made a Sword named Harp, which they gave to Saturn.  
The Smith's Forge some think the Caelybians found, 
Smith's ●orge.  and some suppose it were the Cyclopes, which first used the Smith's craft.  
Diodorus holdeth an opinion, that Idei Dactyli and Vulcanus were Authors of Iron, 
Idei Dactili.  Brass, Silver, Gold, and all metals that are wrought with the fire.  
Sothering of Iron, 
Sothering of Iron.  Glaucus found; and Cadmus, melting of Gold. But I take it that all these before named found the use of such things in their own Countries. For the use of all such mettle was perceived in the beginning of the World by Tubulcain, which was son to Lamech and occupied Smith-craft. Clement referreth the tempering of Iron to Delas.  
Fire is supposed to be the invention of Vulcanus: Victruvius saith that the Trees tossed and shaken with Winds, by beating together of their boughs excited fire. But it had been more convenient to have ascribed it to the gift of God, which gave it to man to be a remedy against the danger of cold.  
Pirodes first stroke fire out of Flint; 
Pirodes stroke fire out of Flint.  Prometheus taught first to keep it in Matches.  
Pliny telleth how the Spies in Armies and Camps, 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; Candles the Egyptians invented.   

CHAP. XII. Who ordained Coins, Looking Glasses, Rings, with precious stones.  
Coin, of what metal soever it was made, (as it appears by Josephus) is very ancient; For Cain, Adam's son was very greedy, in gathering together of money: Herodotus writeth that the Lydians first coined Silver and Gold to buy and sell with. For before the siege of Troy, as Homer witnesseth, men used to change one commodity for another. Yet in the time of Abraham, there was Money currant, for he bought the Cave to bury his Wife Sarah, of the Hittite, Ephron, for 400 Shekels of Silver, which was before the siege of Troy many years.  
In Rome the first coin of Gold was made in the 547th year of the City, 
Gold in Rome.  and it was named a Ducat, and after, it began to be used in many places at sundry times. Phedon began Silver coin in the Isle Egina. It was minted in Rome, in the 484th year after the City was builded: the print of it was a Chariot with two horses, and some with four. 
Janus coins of Brass.  Janus did cause Brass to be coined, with a face on the one side, and 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 and successors. Servius Tullius first coined Brass with an Image of a sheep and an Ox. 
Looking-Glasses.  Looking Glasses of Silver were devised by Praxiteles in the time of Pompeius Magnus: There were also invented looking Glasses of Steel, Led, Chrystal-Glasse, and mingled stuff, wherein we behold our visages. Though it is uncertain who did first find them, yet Pliny saith that one Sidon invented them of Glass. 
Sidon.  Rings with a piece of stone wrought in them, be reported of Pliny to have been made of Jupiter, to keep in memory the punishment of Prometheus, 
Prometheus.  for that he deluded the gods of the Element of fire and did traduce it to man's use, but that is a fable not to be credited. The use of Rings and precious stones is of great antiquity, for I read in Genesis that Judah gave his daughter in Law Thamar a Ring, and broochs, as pledges of his promise. And Moses, who was 300 years before the battle of Troy, speaketh of Rings and precious stones for making of the Ark and vestures of Aaron, as Oriches and Smaragdus, or Emerald. In Rome at the first they used Rings of Iron every man saving the Tribunes. It was long before the Senators had any Rings of Gold, 
Rings served to Seal Letters.  and as Macrobius writeth, they used them, not so much for trimming and decking of themselves, as to seal letters with them; insomuch that it was not permitted to any man to have more than one, and that was allowed to none but Freemen. 
Aman might have but one Ring  Afterwards they began to grave Seals in precious stones. And lest they should be broken with stress, 
Rings were worn on the left hand.  they beware them on the finger of the left hand, that is next the little finger, because the left hand is not put to so much labour as the right hand, or else (as Macrobius saith) because there goeth a Vein from that finger to the Heart. Rings also were used and worn of the Knights in Rome, that by them they might be distinguished and known from the common sort of people.   

CHAP. XIV. The Original of Glass, Amber, Vermilion, Myrrh, and Crystal.  
IN Phoenicia, which is a part of Syria. at the foot of the Mount Carmel, there is a Pool called Candebea, whereof the River Belus springerh, in the which, Glass, as Pliny writeth, is engendered. For it is reported that on a time when a Merchant's Ship, that was freighted with Saltpetre (for so some expound nitrum) arrived there; and as they prepared their meat on the sands and Sea-banks: It fortuned that because they had no store of stones to bear up their Vessels, wherein they sod their meat, they took great pieces of Nitre out of their Ship to set their Victuals on, which after they chanced to be on fire, and mingled with the sand, there ran bright flakes of this precious Liquor. By this River is Menon's Tomb, and as Josephus writeth, the nature of that water is to turn and transform other metals into glass. 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 not found in any other place before. Vermilion or Red Lead was found in Ephesus, by Gallius an Athenian. 
Vermilion.  And it was i● Rome counted and taken for holy, insomuch that on their Feastival days, they painted the face of Jupiter's Imag● with it, and the bodies of them that triumphed; and Camillus triumphed so, as Pliny witnesseth. Myrrh, which is a● humour congealed and constipated together with heat, 
Myrrh.  cometh out of the East parts, and namely out of Carmania● Pompeius in his triumph of the Pirates and Robbers on 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 of divine heat, whereby it retaineth its hardness, and never relenteth or melteth, and receiveth divers colours, and this is the opinion of Diodorus. But Pliny supposeth that it cometh of the Ice, extremely Frozen. Nevertheless it is uncertain who found it.   

CHAP. XV. The beginning of Imagery; and of Alexander's Image.  
COncerning the use of making Images, from whence it came, Authors differ and vary. For Macrobius citeth one Epicardus, that saith, it began of a superstition of Hercules, 
Hercules.  who, 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, and cast them down at the Bridge Sublicius, 
Wood-bridg.  into Tiber, to the intent they should be carried into their natural Countries, thinking that to be a just Funeral. Nevertheless, he taketh it, that they came rather of the custom of the Arcadians, 
The Arcadians manner.  which, as Diodorus writeth, in their wand'ring abroad, repaired into Italy, and builded a Chapel to Pluto, and an Altar to Saturnus; where they pacified Pluto with the heads of men and burned the bodies to Saturn. 
An Oracle.  For so they expounded their 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 and subdued Geryon, advertised them to change that unlucky sacrifice into fortunate oblations, and taught them to make Images of heads of men to Pluto: And to light Tapers of Wax in honour of Saturn. Lactantius saith, 
Prometheus' made Images.  Prometheus made first Images of soft Clay, and taught the way to make statues: Some say, as Diodorus writeth, that the Aethiopians found the first use of Images, and of them the Egyptians learned.  
Notwithstanding I find that Images were long before 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 some think that men took occasion from God to make Images, who willing to show to the gross wits of men, some representation of himself, took on him the shape of man; so Abraham and Jacob ●aw● him. 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 received 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 Ceros in brass. 
Ceres' Image of Brass.  Afterwards statues of men were made, to excite and encourage valiant hearts to high enterprises. And for that cause the Athenians set up the Images of Hermodius and Aristogiton, that slew and expulsed the Tyrants. Leontinus Gorgias, made himself an Image of pure Gold, not hollow, first; and set it in Delphos the 78th Olympiad. Pharnaces caused one to be made of Silver like himself, 
M. Attilius made the first Image of Gold in Rome.  which Pompey in his Triumph removed. In Italy, M. Attilius Glabrio, made the first statue of Gold on horseback in remembrance of his Father: There were also Images made of Brass, Ivory, Wood, and Marble.  
The manner of the Romans was to set up their Images covered, but the Grecians used to form them naked, and the Romans also had a Rite to burn incense, and light Tapers before them. In this Art many were very expert, as Pliny rehearseth. 
Phidias.  But Phidias of Athens passed them all. In Rome, the kindred and family of the Macrians were acoustomed to wear on them the Image of Alexander the great, Graven: as, men in Gold or Silver, Women in Calls and Rings: because it was reported that he should archieve well in all affairs, which did bear on him Alexander's Image, either in Gold or Silver.  
And therefore Augustus Caesar used long the Image of him, 
Augustus' Seal.  in sealing his letters.   

CHAP. XVI. Painting, and Potter's craft, or Working in Earth.  
Gyges' a Lydian, as Pliny thinketh, did first invent and devise portraiture in Egypt. In Greece, Pyrrhus, the Cousin of Dadolus, according to Aristotle's mind. But Theophrastus saith, that Polygnotus an Athenian found it: 
Polygnotus.  yet Pliny agreeth neither with Theophrastus, nor yet with himself: for in his 35th book, he saith, that Polygnotus a Thalian, did first paint women in single apparel, and trimmed their heads with Calls of sundry Colours, and set forth Pictures to show more decent, in opening their mouths, and made their Teeth to be seen, and the Visages more favourable to behold; but who found it, it is uncertain. For the Egyptians say they had that art 600 years before it came to Greece: And they of Greece affirm it was begun by the Sicionians, and some of the Corinthians. Albeit, all confess it began of the drawing of a man with lines. In process of time it waxed more sumptuous with colours. 
The beginning of painting.  Drawing pictures with lines or shadows Philocles an Egyptian, or Cleanthes a Corinthian, devised. Thelephanes a Sicionian, and Ardices of Corinthus found this Art first, without Colours, and Cleophantes of the same Country invented Colours: 
Cleophantus invented colours.  Apollodorus obtained much praise with the Pencil. In this excelled Timagoras, Pithius Polygnotus, Aglaophon, with others that Pliny reciteth in the 12th Book. And Raphael Sanctus, an Vrbinate, 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  Chotebus. 〈◊〉 Athenian found; as Pliny in his seventh book telleth. 
Dibutades Worker of Clay.  In his 35th book he asscribeth the Original of it to Dibutades at Corinth: which by the help of his Daughter invented this craft. For after she understood that a young man her lover should depart into a strange Nation for the tender love that she bore to him, she drew his Image on a Wall after the pattern of his shadow by Candle-light, which her father filled and fashioned with Clay, and made it into a figure and resemblance of his body, and dried it with the Fire, and set it in the common Hothouse where the maids and Women kept Baths: And there it remained till Mummius destroyed Corinth. 
Mummius destroyed Corinth.  Some say it was found by Rhenus, and Theodorus in the Isle of Samos. 
Demeratus.  And Demeratus father to Tarqvinius Priscus King of the Romans, brought it into Italy, and after him Euchiras, and Eugranias' amplified the Science more copiously. Lisistratus a Sicionion invented making of moulds, and the way to work Images in them. The Potter's Wheel or frame, 
Potter's frame.  (as Ephorus saith) Anarcharsis a Philosopher of the Country of Scythia, found: Some say it was Talus, Daedalus sister's Son.  
The special Workmen in this Art were Demophilus, and Gorgosus.   
The end of the Abridgement of the Second Book.   

Polidore Virgil.  
The Third BOOK.  

CHAP. I. The Invention of Husbandry, with other things concerning the same.  
HUsbandry or tilling the ground, 
Husbandry.  Diodorus saith, was excogitated by Dionysius among the Egyptians; 
Dionysius.  In Greece and Asia, by Triptolemus 
Triptolemus,  (as Justine writeth); in Italy, by Saturnus: but Virgil witnesseth, that Ceres first devised it. Nevertheless Josephus declareth that it was found by Cain, Adam's eldest son. In the beginning, men lived by Acorns, 
Men lived by Acorns.  and other fruits of the Earth till Ceres (as Pliny telleth) taught them of Athens, Italy, and Sicily to sow Corn, which before grew among other herbs. Diodorus referreth the invention of it to Isis. Albeit, Justine affirmeth that Triptolemus found it in the time of Erichthous▪ King of Athens: but Diodorus saith he learned it of Ceres, and had Commandment to teach it abroad. In Italy, Saturn instituted sowing, as Macobhius re●●isieth, Pi●umnus taught men first to muck and compass their land, and his brother Pilumnus taught men to bake and grind, 
Baking and grinding.  Pliny saith, that Augeas a King in Greece taught men to dung their lands in the time of Homer, 
Dunging land.  and Hergules afterwards published it in Italy. 
Yoking Oxen.  Diodorus witnesseth that Dionysius the second, yoked Oxen to the Plough first, where as before it was laboured by hand. Briges an Athenian, or as some report Triptolemus; and some say, one Osiris found the plough: Trogus saith that it was Habis King of Spain that taught first to plow and sow. Instruments of Husbandry, 
Plough.  as Virgil supposeth, Ceres found out, 
Instruments of Husbandry.  but we must take it, that these men before rehearsed, did teach it in sundry places: for it is manifest, that before 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 the earth, grinding, with other rustical instruments. Sakres of hair were found in France, as Pliny telleth; and Boulters of Linen, in Spain. In Egypt they were made of Fen rushes, and Bulrushes.   

CHAP. II. Wine, Oil, Honey, Cheese, and strange Trees brought into Italy.  
DIodorus saith, 
Wine.  that Dionysius did first perceive the nature of the Vine, and taught men of Greece to plant it, and to press wine out of the Grape, as Saturnus did in Italy. Some say it was Icarius, father of Penelope, that found it in Athens. And was afterward slain by the Husbandmen, when they were drunk. Atheneus in one place writeth, 
Oresteus.  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 Plinthina in Egypt. Aruntes a Tirrhene, banished out of his Country by Lucinon, 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 before all these, 
Noáh planter of the Vineyard.  Noah was the first that either tilled the Land, or planted the Vineyard. And when he had drunk of the fruit of the grape, he was drunk.  
Wine-Taverns were set up first by the Lydians, a people of Asia, which also found divers games. Staphylus (as Pliny saith) allayed wine first. 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 Beer. In Greece, as Diodorus affirmeth, Pallas showed the Olive, and the way to make Oil. 
olive-oil.  And Arist●●● gathered the cruds of milk, and made Cheese first. 
Making Cheese.  And the Oyl-Mill as Pliny witnesseth, notwithstanding the Olive was before Noah's flood: and Moses spoke of Oil, that was used in sacrifices, whereby it may be perceived, that the Jews invented Oil. Justine saith, Gargorus, 
Gargorius.  King of Curetes, found the fashion of gathering Honey, 
Gathering honey.  he dwelled in the Forest of Carchesia in Spain. There grew no Olive in Italy, Spain nor afric, in the time of Tarqvinius Priscus, the 174th year of the City.  
And afterward, the 440th year of the City, there were some, howbeit, they were near the Sea. But indeed honey was gathered first by the Hebrews shepherds. The Cherry-trees, L. Lucullus brought out of Pontus, the year of the City 680. Ziziphas and Tuberes, two kinds of Appletrees, S. Papinius conveyed out of Syria and afric, into Italy, in the time of Augustus Caesar. The Planetree, the Laurel-tree, the Figtree, and Appletrees, with other, which is not needful to rehearse, were brought in by divers men, whose names are not spoken of by any Authors.   

CHAP. III. Who named Beasts, instituted Sacrifices, Hunting, Salt, Poultries.  
Beast's, 
Adam named 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 rather refer that to Abel, Adam's son; 
Abel.  for he did first offer to God the first begotten of his flock; and from him it spread abroad among the Hebrews, and also other Countries. Of all other, Swine were the first that were sacrificed of the Gentiles, in the Sacrifices of Ceres, Goddess of Corn: as Varro witnesseth, in Leagues of peace, and 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 Noah; and than God permitted it: but many Countries long after that, forbore and kept great abstinence from flesh: a● in the golden World under Saturn, men only lived by fruits of the earth. The Priests of Egypt refrained from flesh, 
Priests of Egypt.  Eggs, and milk, because, 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, and Jupiter's Priests in Crect, never eat flesh. 
Banquets.  Banqueting dishes and delicates were made in jonia, and then that evil custom was taken up by other Countries: albeit, there were laws made in Lacedemonia by Lycurgus, and in Rome by Fannius, for the abolishing of such excessive feasting. I would some good man would now prescribe a Law, to be precisely observed of all men. For I think there was never such riot in feasting as there is in these times. Hunting and fishing, the Phoenicians found. Salt and Those thereof was perceived by Misor and Salech. In Rome, Q. Hortensius, did first set forth a Peacock, at the Augurs feast. Poulteries of all kind of fouls, were instituted by Marcus Laelius Strabo, a Knight of Brundisium. And Alexander Emperor, had also such Poultries. Warrens and Parks were made first by Fulvius Hirpinus. And now they be every where used, but most commonly in England, to the great damage of good pastures, that might feed other Cattle. 
Beasts that be Badges.  The Wolf, the Minotaur, 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 adays, which be in Coats of Arms of Noble Men.   

CHAP. IU. Who found Flax, and Wool, with such instruments and Arts as belong to the same, and Silk.  
Linen or Flax, as Pliny saith, was sound by the beautiful Lady Arachne of Lydia, and she taught also the way of knitting Nets to take Beasts, Fish, and Fouls. Minerva instructed the people of Athens first, in spinning and weaving Wool: but in one place, Pliny seemeth to ascribe the feat of Weaving to the Egyptians.  
The Walkers or Fuller's craft, was invented by Nicias, a Megarian: the Lydians in Sardis died Wool first.  
Spindle's for Wool, were first invented by Closter; son to Arachne. Hangings of Arras, which be used in Halls or Chambers, Attalus King of Asia devised: and Pallas taught the use of clothing or apparel, as Diodorus writeth: and Eusebius saith, one Vs● a Sicilian born, made first clothing and Apparel for men, of beasts skins: but indeed Adam, whom God did first create, made the first Leather Coats for himself, 
Adam made the first coat of Leather.  and his Wife Eve, our old Mother, leaving thereby a pattern to all his posterity, of that craft.  
The Shoemaker's Art, 
Shoemaker's craft.  one Boethoius found. Attalus taught men first to Wove Gold in clothes. And the Phrygians invented broidring. 
Embroidring.  The Greeks devised the Mantle, and the Etrurians found the Robes of estate. And mingling of divers colours in Apparel, was the invention of the Babylonians. Silk, which in all Countries is occasion of much dissolute behaviour in Apparel, was found of the Cerites, growing on their Trees, and with wetting they comb it off, and make it fit for their uses.  
Spinning and weaving of Silk, 
Spinning and Weaving Silk.  that cometh of Worms, Pamphila the daughter of Platis, devised it in the Isle Coos. Purple colour was found, as Pollux witnesseth, upon this occasion; As Hercules, being in love with a beautiful Lady, named Tiro, walked on the Sea-Cliffs, his greyhound chanced to find a shellfish, called a Purple; 
Hercules. Tiro.  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 be admitted to her presence, 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.   

CHAP. V. Buildings made of Clay, Brick, Stone, with other like matters.  
MEn at the first lived like wildbeasts, in caves, and also fed on fruits and roots of the earth: but after they perceived the commodity of fire, and felt thereby a great comfort, against the vehemency of cold: some began to edily Cottages of boughs of Trees, and some digged Caves in the Mountains, 
Houses.  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, 
Making Walls of Houses.  that they set up with long props. And did wind them about with small rods, and so daubed them: and to keep out the storms, they covered them with reeds, 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 rather think, that either Cain, or else Jobal, son of Lamech, found out this art.  
Houses of clay, Doxius, son of Gellus, did first invent and set up, taking example at the Swallow's nest. Brick-buildings were invented by Euryalus and Hyporh●us, two brethren of Athens, as Pliny judgeth: albeit Diodorus referreth it to Vesta, daughter of Saturnus. Epimendes of Crete first used to hollow his house and fields, 
Blessing of ●ouses.  with expiatio●s. Tyle and Slate to cover houses, were the invention of Siniras', son of Agriopa; in the Isle of Cypress.  
Stone-delves or quarrels were found by Cadmus in Thebes, or (as theophra writeth) in Phoenicia. Yet I think the Invention of such Arts may more justly be ascribed to Cain, or the posterity of Seth: 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 feat 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 was used in building at Rome, of rich men, to show their sumptuous magnificence. As M. Scaurus, being Aedilis, caused 360 Pillars of Marble to be carried to the making of a Stage, whereon an interlude should be played: but L. Crassus was the first that had Pillars of Marble. M. Lepidus made the Gates of his house with Marble of Numidia. He was Consul, the year of the City 676. Mamurra, a Knight, that was Master of Julius Caesar's Works in France, pinned first the Walls of his house with broken Marble. In gra●ing Marble, Dipoenus Scilus, born in Crete, flourished first; 
Gravors in Marble.  before King Cyrus reigned in Persia.   

CHAP. VI Who made the first City, Tents, Temples, and Pitts.  
WHen men were somewhat reclaimed from their brutish behaviour, 
Occasion of making Cities.  by reason that they were refreshed from their extreme cold, by fire, and such houses as they had devised; they gathered them substance and goods, 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 saith, 
Cecropia.  Cecrops builded the first City, and called it by his own name, Cecropia, which was afterward called Athens. Strabo writeth, that Phoroneus first builded Argos: 
Argos. Diospolis.  the Egyptians say, that Diospolis in their Country was long before: which is credible to be so, because they be a very ancient Nation. Trason first made Walls. Towers, (as Aristotle saith) the Cyclopians edified: but Theophrastus thinketh the Phoenicians builded them.  
And Virgil referreth that feat to Pallas. But to say the truth, Cain (as Josephus declareth) made the first City, and named it Enochia, after his son Enoch. And the young men that came of Noah his lineage, by the advice of Nimroth, builded the first Tower, of an exceeding height, which was called afterward Babylon.  
Tents, Jobal son of Lamech invented: notwithstanding that the Phoenicians affirm, that the Nephews of Seculus found them.  
Temples, as Diogenes supposeth, were found by Epimenides in Crete. But Victruvius affirmeth, that one Pithius a Carpenter, made the first Temple in Priene, in the honour of Pallas. Herodotus saith, that the Egyptians instituted Temples first. In Rome, Romulus builded the first Temple, to the worship of Jupiter Feretrius. To Almighty God, Solomon, King of the Hebrews, builded the first Temple (3102 years after the Creation of Adam) in Jerusalem. Pits or Wells Danaus digged first, as Pliny teacheth, after he came out of Egypt into Argos, a Country of Greece. Nevertheless, to tell the very original of them, 
Isaac digged Pits.  Isaac his shepherds digged the first Pitts, as appeareth in Genesis. And Moses caused Pitts to be digged in the Wilderness, when he did conduct the Israelites out of Egypt, which was 393 years, before that Danaus came into Argos; neither was it Danaus, but his daughters, that digged the Pit at Argos.   

CHAP. VII. The Labyrinths, Turrets, sundry fashions of Burials.  
LAbyrinths, which we may call Mazes, were certain intricate and winding works, with many entries and doors, in such sort, that if a man were once entered, he could not issue out, without he had either a perfect guide, of else a clew of thread to be his conduct. There were four of them most notable, 
Four Labyrinths.  as it is reported: the first was in Egypt, and was called of some the Palace of King Motherudes, of some the Sepulchre of Mexes: but there be other that say, it was builded in honour of the Sun, 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 Mirios. The second was made in Crect, by Daedalus, at the Commandment of King Minos, wherein Theseus of Athens slew the Minotaur. The third was wrought in the Isle Lemnos by Smilus, Rhodus, and Theodorus, Carpenters of the same Country. The fourth, Porsenna, King of the Etrurians, caused to be made and set up in Italy for his Sepulchre, it was all of Freestone, and vaulted. The high Steeples or Turrets, that the Egyptians call Pyramids, were between Memphis and Delta two Cities of Egypt, of such height, that it was marvel how the stone and mortar should be carried so high. One of them that was greatest, was the work of 3040 men, in 20 years at the cost of King Chemis, whom Herodotus nameth Cheopis. Chabreus brother to the same King, made the second Turret, not equal in height. The third King Micerenus caused to be wrought, 20 foot shorter than his fathers was, The occasion that they were made, as Pliny telleth, was, lest the people should be idle: and Josephus saith, the Egyptians 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, lest the Kings should leave so much Treasure to their Successors, that it might move them to Sedition or Treason. 
Mausoleum.  Mausoleum that was the Tomb of Mausolus' King of Caria, his wife Artemesia builded most sumptuously, 
Artemesia.  and for that faithful love that she bore to him, she remained a Widow all her life time.  
The manner of burial in divers countries, is of sundry fashions: as the Massegetes and Derbians, judge them that die in sickness very wretches; and therefore when their Parents and kinsfolk wax aged, they strangle them and eat them, supposing that it is better that They should eat them, than the Worms. The Albans, the dwelled by the Mount Caucasus take it to be a mortal crime if they regard, or once name them that be dead. The Thracians kept solemnly the Funerals of the dead Corpse of men, with great joy and solace: because they be discharged by death from humane miseries, and rest in eternal felicity; and chose at the birth of their Children they made great sorrow and lamentation, because of the calamities that they must sustain in this miserable life. The Women in India, take it for a great honesty and Triumph, if they be buried with their Husband: for it is granted to her that loved him best. There be other divers manners of burying among the Pagans, and Heathen people, which forasmuch as they exceed the bounds of humanity, and have in them no hope of Resurrection, which I shall at this present omit, and overpass them. The Romans, because the dead corpse, 
The Romans burned their dead bodies. Sylla.  that died in 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 kindred of the Cornelians, which feared lest he should be served as he had used Marius. They had also in Rome, a manner of deifying, or hallowing their Emperor's dead bodies, after this sort. When the Emperor was dead, and his body reverently buried, with great exequys, they form 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: and the Physicians resorted thither to the bed six 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 Martiu●, where they chose their Magistrates and high Officers, where they laid him intent builded for the purpose, 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 Firebrand to the Tent, and then others did the like. And 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 thenceforth they honoured him as a god. Commendations to the worship of the dead bodies at Funerals, Valorius Publicola, first made in the praise of Brutus, and that was long before the Greeks had any, notwithstanding Gellius writeth that Solon ordained that law in Athens in the time of Tarqvinius Prison's. 
Women had Commendations in Rome.  The Romans used to praise the Women at their burials, because on a time they were contented to give their Golden Jewels to make a boul to send to Dolphos, to the god Apollo.   

CHAP. VIII. Who made Spires called Obelisci, the marks of the broaches, the Egyptians Letters, first Sanctuary.  
OBelisci, which may be called long broochs or Spires, were great and huge stones in Egypt, made by Masons, from the bottom smaller and smaller, of a large length, and were consecrated to the Sun, because they be long, much like to the beams of the Sun. The first of them was instituted by Mitres, which reigned in Heliopolis, being commanded by a Vision to make it, and so was it recorded and written in the same. King Bochis set up four that were every of them 48 Cubits long: 
Ramese.  Rameses' (in whose time Troy was destroyed) reared up one, forty Cubits of length, and another of 819 foot, and every side was four Cubits broad.  
Ptolomeus Philadelphus made one at Alexandria of four Cubits. 
Ptolomeus.   
And Phoron set two in the Temple of the Sun, of an hundred Cubits length a piece, and four Cubits broad, 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 always content with her Husband. First he tried his own wife, and afterwards 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 burnt at once. Then for a remembrance he made his oblation with the two foresaid Spires in the Temple of the Sun. Augustus Caesar brought two of these Broaches into Rome, and set one in the great Tiltyard or Lists, if I may call Circus in those terms; the other he set in the field called Campus Martius: In these broaches 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 ●ows and oblations.  
For the Egyptians used the Images of beasts in the stead of letters, and as Cornelius writeth, 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; by the Goshauk, they meant speedy performance of their affairs.  
Sanctuary (as Stacius writeth) was 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 before Hercules, did institute three franchised Towns, whither it was permitted for them to go, that had done any Murder unawares; o● by chance-medley.  
Next after him, 
Romulus:  Romulus ordained a Sanctuary in Rome, to increase his Citizens, and to have more number to build the City. There was a Sanctuary in the Isle Calvaria, dedicated to Neptune; and another in Egypt, at Canopus, consecrated to Hercules; and another to Osiris; and in Syria; one hallowed to Apollo. And there be many at this day in Christendom, and namely in England: but now the liberty and number of them is diminished, because they were occasion of great crimes and enormities.   

CHAP. IX. Of Theatres, Amphitheatres, and Baths.  
Theaters, were certain places, 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 Plays; Dionysius did first institute them in Athens: in the midst of the Scaffold or Theatre stood the ●●age, wherein Comedies, Tragedies, with other shows, were exhibited to the common sort. Of them the Romans took example, to make such Scaffolds: 
Covering of Scaffolds.  which Quintus Carulus caused to be covered with linen clothes, and hanged it with silk; whereas before they had no vault to bear off the Sun or Rain. But Marcus Scaurus being Aedil, that is, having the oversight of all public and private buildings, made the first in Rome, that endured for the space of thirty days, it was made up with Pillars of Marble. Caius Curio, at his father's burial, builded two Theatres 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, which was a round Scaffold full of benches of divers heights; wherein he set forth a game of Sword players. Pompeius Magnus made the first standing Theatre of freestone, after the pattern that he saw at Mitylene, when he had subdued Mithridates' King of Po●tus. cain's Julius Caesar builded the first Amphitheatre in the Field consecrated to Mars. In this were set forth Shows of wild beasts, and Sword-players; for the manner was, that such as were condemned to death, or taken prisoners in war, should be cast there to the wild beasts to be devoured and slain. It was strewed with sand, lest the blood of those that were slain, should defile them that fought, or discourage their hearts: and therefore, there were certain appointed to toss and strew the sand. The place called Circus, that we may call Lists o● Tyle-yards, were walled about with stone of a great length, wherein was used Coursing and just, and Tourneying on horseback and on foot by Champions and Challengers: they were first made in the reign of Tarqvinius Priscus, and that was called the greatest. After that, two other were made, one by Flaminius, and the other by Nero.  
The first Coursing, 
First just in Rome.  just, and running, with other exercises in the Lists, were, when Spurius Posthumius Albinus, and Quintus Martius Philippus, were Consuls, the year of the City 567.  
Hot Baths were used first privately of all men, 
Private Baths.  according to their degree and ability, because of the preservation of health as they pretended: 
Common-B●ths.  but in process they builded common Baths and Hothouses to sweat in; and the Nobles did bathe and wash with the Commons; and finally, men and women were permitted most lasciviously to bathe together. Most notable baths were they that Agrippa, 
Notable Baths.  and Nero, and Titus Vespasian, with other Emperors, made, as Julius Capitolinus writeth: they were both great, and also gorgeously dressed like Cities and big Towns, with all places of opportunity, to maintain excessive riot in all sorts of men.   

CHAP. X. Who found the Carpenter's Craft, and Instruments of the same; Vessels of divers measures,  
DAedalus, after the mind of Pliny, first invented the Art of Carpentry, with these Instruments following, the Saw, Chip-Ax, and Plomline, whereby the evenness of the Squares be tried, whether they batter or hang over, the Augore or Wimble, and Glue, to join boards together. The Squire, the Lyn●, the Shave, the Pricker of Punch, were devised by Theodore a Sa●i● Notwithstanding standing, Ovid writeth, that Talus, Daedalus' sister's son, invented the Compass, and fashioned the Saw after the pattern of the backbone of a Fish: 
How the Saw was found.  or as Diodorus saith, by the example of the jawbone of a Serpent; he found also the Shave: and for such benefits as he did show and bestow to the use and profit of men, he was highly commended: But Daedalus envying that a boy, being but his Apprentice, 
Daedalus slew his Nephew for envy.  should excel his Master, cast him down out of a Tower (as Ovid witnesseth) and slew him. Pythagoras a Samian, devised another manner of rule or Squire, than this that we use commonly, fit for all manner of buildings, as Victruvius declareth in the ninth books. Penthesilaea 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 before Dedalus time and specially in making of the Tabernacle which was curiously wrought; 
The Tyrians were cunning Carpenters.  or else to the Tyrians, ●hat were in that faculty far above the Hebrews. For which cause Solomon wrote to the King of Tyre for workmen to build the Temple. Speusippus invented making of hollow Vessels, as Barrels or Hogsheads. Vessels of Osiar or Wicker, as Baskets, or Hampers, with such like, Ceres did first devise, as Servius writeeths.   

CHAP. XI. Who ruled first on the Sea, found Ships, Merchandise.  
STrabo writeth that Minos King of Crect had the first rule of the Sea: 
Who was ruler on the Sea first. Neptune.  but Diodorus saith that Neptunus had the Empire of it before him, for he invented the feat of Rowing in boats, and made a Navy, and was made Admiral of it by his father Saturnus. And Pliny reporteth that King Erichthras devised Boats first, and rowed in them in the Red Sea: 
Erichthras devised Boats.  some say they were ordained by the Trojans in the Narrow Seas called Hellespontus; some think they were invented in the English Sea, and covered with Leather and Hides of beasts. Danaus' was the first that used any ship when he sailed out of Egypt into Greece, as Pliny recordeth, although some suppose it to be the Samothracians, and some Atlas that found it. But, to speak the tru●h, Noah was the first that made the Ship wherein he preserved from danger of the Water, 
Noah made the first ship.  all the living creatures that were saved to multiply the World, and that was the pattern that all other made their ships after. Jason first made a Galley, which Sesostrias' King of Egypt used after him, and Eytheus made the Barge with two order of Oars on a side, Amocles of Corinth, that with three course of Oars on a side: the Carthaginians, that with four; and Nesichthon of Salamis, that with five Oars on a side, which the Romans made in the first Punic battle▪ Zinagoras a Syracusan devised that with six rows of Oars. Hippius a Tyrian conceived the making of the Lighter, or Merchant's ship. The Cirenians invented the Hoy or Gallion. Phoenicians the Keel or Demy Bark. The Rhodians the Brigantine. Cyprians the Bark. Germans the boats of one piece. Illyrians the Cockboat or Lighters. Rudders were found by the Copians, and the broad Oars the Plateans devised. Sails Icar●● found, albeit, Diodorus saith it was Aeolus. Daedalus found the Mast, and the cross piece whereunto the Sail is fastened. Ferry Boats the Athenians or the Salaminians found: close C●lleys were found by the Thasians. The Tyrrhenes devised the Anchors, and Eupalamus made it with two points or Teeth; but some refer it to Anacharsis, who also invented the Grapples or Tackle of a ship. The stem of the ship Piseus imagined. Tiphis found the stern 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. Merchandise was first instituted to furnish men with necessaries, by way of exchange: but after, when Money was coined, it was occupied more for men's private wealth, then for any common profit, 
Philosophers were Merchants. Carthaginians first Merchants. Dionysius taught the Trade of Merchandise. The Hebrews did buy and sell.  and for that cause, Cicero calleth it a vile and servile craft. Albeit, Plutarch witnesseth that Thales, Solon, Hypocrates, and Plato frequented this Art. The Carthaginians found it, as Pliny. writeth in the 7th book, but Diodorus saith it was Mercury that found it. And Pliny in his tenth Book, saith that Liber otherwise called Dionysius, invented the Trade of Merchandise, and therefore it is to be thought that the Carthaginians learned the Trade of Merchandise of Dionysius. But the Hebrews, (as Josephus witnesseth) used buying and selling in the time of Noah: and Joseph was sold to Merchants, 
Hebrews did buy and sell.  and carried into Egypt. The Lydians were first Mercers, and carriers abroad of stuff, as Factors, Pedlars, and Brokers do with us.   

CHAP. XII. Who Instituted Stews, Dying of Hair, Barbers, with other things.  
Venus', 
Venus, a common woman.  which was begotten of the froth of the Sea, (as Poets feign) 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 a whore, she ordained in Cyprus, that women should prostitute themselves for money to all that came. And Justine telleth, that the manner of the Maids of Cyprus, was to get their marriage do●er, by such filthy bawdry. And to help further the matter, one Melampus brought out of Egypt into Greece, the rites of Bacchus' sacrifices, wherein men use to company dissolutely with women in the night, in such wise, that it is a shame for Christian men to speak of: much like our Shows or Dances, called Masks, in England, and Bonfires, as they be used in some parts of the Realm. But Spu. Posthumius, Albinus, 
Spu. Posthumius abrogated Bacchus' Feasts.  and Q. Martius, abolished those Feasts; I would all Masks and Bonfires were likewise banished from among us Christians. Yet common Women were long before Venus' time. For it appears in Genesis, that Judah, son to Jacob, meddled with Thamar his daughter in law, because he supposed she had been a whore by reason of her apparel. But to let that pass, 
Common women were of long time.  yet it is pity to see among Christian men, Stews and bawdry maintained, as though it were for a common-weal: and honourable Matrimony so neglected and polluted without any fear of God. This is a doctrine of the Devil, if there be any. In Moses laws, an advoutrer was stoned to death; and in Greece, in Rome, and in Arabia, and divers other Countries, he was punished by death; yet among Christians it reigneth unpunished: God will strike once 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.  
Medea found the dying and colouring of hair; and our women of England have not forgotten it, with other enormities, wherein some of the Physicians be greatly too blame, that teach such things to that frail creature. They be ashamed of God's Creation and handiwork in themselves, or else they would not amend it.  
Barbers, to shave and round, were instituted by the Abantes, because their enemies in war should have no occasion to pluck them by the hair. P. Ticinius Mena brought them into Rome the 354th year after the building of the City: before, they were unshaven. Africa●●s was wont to be shaved every day. There be many other things, whose Authors for Antiquity cannot be known; and some, because of the negligence of men, that will not write such things. No man can tell who began Clocks, Bells, the Ship-man's Compass, Gowns, Stirrups, Caps or Bonnets, ●o that is but newly invented: because in old time, men we●● bareheaded. Water-Mills, Organs, and Claricymbals, Tallow-Candles, reclaiming of Hawks, Rings, with many others, which for the antienty, or oversight of men, be in extreme oblivion.  
Atheneus in his fourth book, saith, That Ctesibius, a Barber of Alexandria, found out the Organs, and bringeth the testimony of Aristotle.   
The End of the Third Book.   

Polidore Virgil.  
The Fourth BOOK.  

CHAP. I. The beginning and increase of Christian Religion.  
THe Christian Religion wherein only reste● the whole hope of o● salvation, 
Our Religion began of the Hebrews.  began of th● Hebrews, who were so named of Heber, and lived very devoutly, before there wa● any law written; only by a natural inclination, excited to perform justice and truth.  
The first that called on the name of God, 
Enos called first on God.  was Enos, than Enoch, and Noe. after them Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who because he had seen God, was named Israel, and of him the Hebrews were surnamed Israelites. Of the issue and Lineage of his twelve Sons, there came twelve Tribes or Generations of Jews, every Tribe bearing the name of one of them: Job also was a perfect godly man, 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 persevere in that perfect innocency of living, but partly for their corruptible nature, prone to vice, and partly by reason of the acquaintance that they had with the Egyptians, a kind of people very superstitious, and much given to Idolatry, they fell from their purity into such extreme blindness of heart, ignorance of God▪ and idolatry, that they differed in nothing from the Gentiles and Heathen. But God as he is merciful and long suffering, 205 years after that Israel came into Egypt, 
Moses delivered the Israelites from bondage.  and 430 years after Abraham's going thither, delivered them out of the thraldom and bondage that they were in, by the valiant Captain Moses; and brought them through the red Sea, and Wilderness, into the land of promise, the fruitful land of Canaan; ye● 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 his sundry Prophets, (whom they most cruelly murdered) could turn them from their stiffnecked and stubborn obstinacy: To show all kindness possible, 
God is made Man.  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 this example and Preaching, have an obedient heart towards their Creator, which was born (the year of the World 4997, 
What year Christ was incarnate.  and and the 41 year of the reign of Augustus Caesar) of the Virgin Mary, to be our Saviour, and intercessor for us before the Judgement Seat of the Father, as his name Jesus doth portend unto us.  
He, by his example, teaching, and miracles, 
Christ was persecuted to death.  showed the path of salvation▪ but they enviously did persecute him to the vile death of the Cross; nevertheless, by his divine power he arose the third day, in the 18●h year of Tiberius the Emperor his reign, 
The year of Christ's Death and Resurrection.  and after 40 days he ascended to the right hand of God, leaving power and Authority with his Apostles, to establish the Commonwealth and Religion of Christians; and the 10th day after his Ascension, 
The Holy Ghost is sent.  he sent the Holy Ghost into their hearts, to strengthen and teach them all truth. This was 33 years and 3 months after his Incarnation. Thus our Religion had its original, and the Apostles by their preaching, amplified and 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 baptised in one day 3000 men and Women. 
Peter Converted three thousand.  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 Stephen for his faithful testimony, 
Stephen is martyred.  was stoned to death. Philip converted and baptised the Samaritans, and a certain Eunuch of Candaces. Queen of Ethiopia; 
Men were first called Christians in Antioch.  the Eunuch turned the Queen with her family, and a great part of that Country to the faith of Christ. After in Antioch, the faithful named themselves Christians.  
Thomas preached to the Parthians, Matthew in Ethiopia, Bartholomew in's India, Andrew in Scythia, John in Asia, Peter in Galatia, 
Peter, Bishop of Antioch.  Pontus, Cappado●ia▪ Peter was born in Bethsaida, a City of Galilee, and brother to Andrew. He was Bishop of Antioch seven years; and converted many people of Asia: and after went to Rome, in the time of Claudius, and there preached the Gospel with great increase. At the same time Mary the Virgin, 
Marry the Virgin died.  and Mother of 〈◊〉 Saviour Jesus Christ, did change her life, which was the year of our salvation 47▪ Not long after, 
Paul is converted.  Paul being converted from his fantastical Traditions, to a Preacher of Christ's Gospel, was brought to Rome, where he preached boldly the Gospel, notwithstanding the great persecutions that he suffered for it, 
Paul was beheaded.  and afterward suffered death by the way of beheading, at the commandment of Nero, 
Peter was crucified.  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 do declare it fully. Albeit there was great trouble and persecution in every place, yet God by his power, contrary to their expectation▪ turned their cruelty to the furtherance of his Word, confirmation of the faithful, and confusion of them that used tyranny.   

CHAP. II. 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 is Christ) willing to stay his faith in the same promise, appointed the Covenant of Circumcision between him and Abraham, 
Circumcision.  saying, Every male shall be circumcised, and the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut round about, for a sign of the League and Confederacy that I make with thee. Upon this Commandment, 
Abraham is circumcised.  Abraham then being 99 years of age, did cut his foreskin; and his son Ismael's, being then 12 years old, whom he begat of Hagar his bondmaid; and all his servants: For this cause (as S. Cyprian saith) that he might have the first fruits of the blood, which should afterward shed his holy blood for the redemption of many; 
Why the blood was shed.  yea of all that believe in him. The fashion of it was, to cut the foreskin 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, chrysostom calleth Circumcision the first and most ancient Commandment; for there is no Nation, that gave any precepts or rules to live by, before Abraham or Moses; and therefore it is to be supposed, 
Other Countries do circumcise.  that other Countries took example at the Hebrews, to circumcise their Children, as the Phoenicians, and Arabians, the Saracens, 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 casting away of all superfluous lusts, carnal desires, and importeth a moderation and mortifying of the affects and concupiscences 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, and had no part 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, 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 Baptist author of Baptism.  was instituted by Saint John, son of Zachasry, the 15th year of the Emperor Tiberius his reign, in the Wilderness, beside the famous River of Jordan, where he baptised much people. This baptism and washing, was in the water, to ssignifie the washing away of our sins that should be by Christ, which baptised in the Holy Ghost and fire. There were signs of Baptism in the old Law, as the Cloud, the Red-Sea, the River of Jordan. The first that was christened of the Heathen, was Cornelius of Caesaria, and the Eunuch of Queen Candaces.  
Christening of Infants was instituted among us, as Circumcision of children was of the Jews celebrated the eighth 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. And Victor Bishop there, 
When Laymen may christian.  did institute, the one might be christened either by a layman or woman in time of necessity, because Infants were often in dange●▪ There be three manner of Baptisms, (as Cyprian divideth it.) 
Three Baptisms.  One in water, whereof John was author; another in the Holy Ghost and fire, whereof Christ was Institutor: the third, in blood, wherein the children that Herod slew, were christened. 
The old custom of baptising.  It was also the manner in old time, that they which were grown in age should be baptised in white apparel, and that was wont to be at Easter or Whit-sunday; 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 7th Sunday after Easter, is called, the White-Sunday.   

CHAP. III. Of the Priesthood of the Hebrews, and degrees of the same.  
LIke as in the Christian Commonwealth there be two sorts of men, one called the Laiety, to whom appertaineth the ministration of the public weal, and all temporal affairs: the other is the Clergy, to whom belongeth the cure and charge of ministering the Word of God, Sacraments, and other decent ceremonies: so in the old Law of the Hebrews, there were two jurisdictions, one of them was Captains and Governors of the Commons: the other was the Priesthood, that did offer up the sacrifices, and other oblations. Of this degree of Priests. 
Aaron first Priest.  Aaron and his sons were the first, 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 Altar, 
Noah made the first Altar.  Melchisedech, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, did make their offering rather of a natural devotion, than any Priestly authority.  
After that, the Levites, whom we use to call Deacons, were created by Moses to minister and serve Aaron in all the Sacrifices, to bear the Ark and Tabernacle, the holy Vessels, and pitch the Camp, and were discharged of all te●●rene affairs.  
Next them were chosen the 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 Accolites.  
The Sextons or Porters were appointed to keep out all profane and unclean people. And Readers to preach and read the Law and Prophets on their Sabbath days.  
There were moreover Chanters and Singers to sing the Psalms in the Temple, whom David and Asaph did institute.  
Conjurers were ordained by Solomon to drive evil spirits our of men.  
All these Offices went by Succession, 
Succession in Priesthood.  neither was one promoted from one to another. Thus was the Levitical Priesthood appointed, which was but a sign and shadow of things to come, that is Christ, in whom resteth the perfection and complete fulfilling of the Law.   

CHAP. IU. Of our Priesthood, how it is double; What laying on of hands meaneth.  
CHRIST JESUS our Saviour, 
Christ Author of our Priesthood.  which was King and Priest after the order of Melehisedech, in the New Testament hath instituted among us a Priesthood to offer and do the functions of the 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, thanksgiving, and our bodies mottified: 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 that Christ did ordain following the order of the Law, 
Second Priesthood is a Ministry.  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, with the mighty word of his power to carry the glad Tidings of his Gospel.  
He assigned also 70 Disciples, to whom he gave the charge and office of Preaching and teaching, which in stead of Aaron's Sons, should be among us, inferior Priests, and Seniors of Congregations: and these began the order of our Priests, as our Bishops had their original of the Apostles.  
As the Apostles and 70 Disciples; which were Ministers and disposers of the Mysteries of God, 
The manner of consecrating in the Apostles time.  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: So were the seven Deacons chosen to Minister to the poor people of the Congregation. And Titus did choose in every Town and City of Crect, 
Laying on of hands.  Priests by the laying on of hands, which was a manner of admission without any further Ceremonies, 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, 
The fashion of the Primitive Church.  when a Bishop was consecrated, there was used no other Rites or Ceremonies, but only the people to whom the Election of the Bishop belonged, should pray: and after the Seniors or Priests by laying on their hands, admitted him to that degree. Of these Peter was called chief, and first, because both of his ancient●y, and also forasmuch as he was the first Elected.  
A Bishop's room is not so much an honour, 
A Bishop's office.  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 Crosier, but also to watch over the flock of the Lord vigilantly, to teach with the Word diligently, with example honestly, and in all things to go before them uprightly, and lead them in the way of Truth, that they may follow the pattern of his godly living, and there as it were in a Mirror, behold how they ought to reform and conform their lives. And this office of the Bishopric and Deacons was instituted by the Scripture only: for Priests in the Primative Church and Bishops were all one. 
Scripture beareth these   
But the Bishops of Rome following the shadows of the old abrogate law of the Hebrews, 
Rome made more Orders  have ordained a swarm of divers other orders, as Potters or Sextons, Readers, Exorcists, Accolites, Subdeacons, Deacons, Priests, Bishops, Archbishops, as a certain degree one above another, whereby they should ascend to the highest dignity. Caius' Bishop of Rome did begin the Orders first: 
Iginius did devise first Orders.  yet some say, Iginius did ordain those degrees long before Caius his time. And I grant well that Iginius might be the first deviser of them, and afterward Caius accomplished the work, and brought it to a final consummation.  
The office of a Priest (as Christ ordained it) was to teach, 
The Office of a Priest.  Baptise, and Minister the Sacrament of the Altar, and thanksgiving, bind and loof, and judge of Doctrines.  
Therefore let them take heed that admit such to be Priests, as cannot perform the duty of that ministry. For many suppose if they can mumble up a pair of Matins, and say Mass, they be perfect Priests.   

CHAP. V. The manner of shaving Priests Crowns, who may not be Priest, what age he must be of.  
THe common and general badge of all Priests is the shaved Crown. 
The shaved Crown is the Priest's badge.  whereby the Clergy is dissevered from the Laity, and be put in remembrance by it, how they ought altogether 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 of Crowns.  grew into a custom, and was decreed by a constitution, to the intent that the thing which was before opprobrious, might grow to honour and comeliness. For Peter when he preached at Antioch, 
Peter was mocked for his baldness.  was scorned and mocked because of his bald head, or shaved Crown, and it was a contumelious thing, both among the Romans and Lombard's to be shaved. I think the original cause of it did proceed of the Ceremonies of the nazarenes, 
Shave Crowns came of the nazarenes.  which when they had lived long time (as Josephus telleth) very devoutly, they shaved their heads, and sacrificed the hair in the fire to God, whereby they signified that they did dedicate themselves wholly to live in Godly perfection. Samuel was a Nazaren, and Samson also. I suppose that this Rite of the nazarenes came out of Egypt, 
Priests of Egypt were shaved. What the Crown signifieth.  where the Priests were customably, shaved, in token of sorrow and heaviness, for the death of their God Apis. And they were also shaved daily, because they should be without filth, in their quotidian Sacrifice  
The signification of the Priests crouns, is to declare, that they ought to reject terrene and Earthly substance, reserving to themselves only a competent sufficiency. Anacletus first forbade Priests to have beards, or long hair.  
Siricus decreed, that all those men that were twice married, or wedded a Widow, should be no Priests.  
Anastasius commanded, 
Lame men may not be Priests.  that none that was lame or maimed, should be admitted to be a Priest.  
Bonifacius instituted, That no man could be a Priest, 
The age of Priests.  before he were 30 years old; for that was the age of Priests in the old Law. But the Council of Lateran thought it sufficient, if he were 25 years old, after the example of the Levites, which at that age ministered in the Tabernacle.  
Anacletus also appointed, 
Stalling a Bishop.  that every Bishop should be installed and consecrated of other ancient Bishops.   

CHAP. VI Who devised Parishes, and Dioceses, the Order of Cardinals, Notaries, and Chamberlains.  
AFter that the Priesthood was ordained, both lest the cure should be overgreat, and also that every man might know what his charge was, and ho far his Office extended; Dionysius, the year of our Lord 267, divided, both in Rome and other places Churches, Churchyards, and Parishes, to Curates; and Dioceses to Bishops, and commanded every man should be contented▪ with his prescript bounds. But before that, 
Cures in Rome.  Euaristus appointed titles of Cures to the Priests in Rome, whose duty was to christian all that were converted from Paganism to Christian Religion, and resorted thithen 〈◊〉 received ●he faith, and to bury the dead. And afterward Marcellus decreed, that there should be 〈◊〉 in number.  
These, because they were the chief Priests in Rome, 
Cardinals.  and had the prerogative before the rest, were named Cardinals▪ and of them without doubt, the order of Cardinals sprung first, which for as much as they were in daily presence with the Bishop of Rome, that then had the primary o● of Christ endome, were had in great reputation and reverence. And Innocentius the fourth of that name▪ (which was about the year of our Lord, 
Innocentius.  1●54.) willing to augment and advance their dignity, commanded by 〈◊〉 that from thenceforth they should ri●● when they came to the Bishop's Palace, and wear a red hat, 
Cardinal Hats.  whereby was mean▪ that they ought to be in ●●●endinesse, to adventure themselves for the love of Religion, and spend their blood in Christ's Cause: and Paulus, Bishop, ordained, that they should have Scarlet Robes or Kirtells. This order standeth of three sorts, for some be Bishops, and be in number s●x. 
Order of Cardinals.  The Cardinals of Hostia, Sabine, Portua, Tusculane, Prenestine, and Alban. The other were either Priests; or Deacons, albeit in no certain or special number. But there is another Order in Rome of Notaries, which were appointed by Julius the first of that name, to write the Acts of all godly Martyrs and Confessors, and register them for a perpetual example, of constant and virtuous living. Albeit, I think it rather to be the invention and device of Clement, which ordained seven Notaries, to enrol 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, to keep the Tombs and Sepulchers 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 a vain worldly ostentation and pomp, and be ready Merchandise in Rome; the promotions be so great.   

CHAP. VII. The Prerogatives of the Bishop of Rome▪ and his Election.  
ONe special Prerogative and Privilege of the Bishop of Rome, 
The Bishop of Rome may change his name.  i●, that he may change his name, if it seem to him not very pleasant to his ears. As to speak merrily if he be a malefactor's, 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: if nocent, Innocentius: if ungodly, 
Sergius invented the changing of his name.  Pius. This was the ordinance of Sergius; and they say, they do it after the example of Christ, which changed Simon Barjona his name into Peter: and of this it came to pass, that every Bishop when he was elected, chose the name of one of his predecessors.  
The Bishop of Rome is also born 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, bare on their shoulders. The manner of the pomp of bearing was admitted, but the imitating and following of his virtue and sincere living, was omitted. Albeit, it might spring of a gentile custom that was among the Romans, that every rich man or high Potentate, should be born of his servants in a bed.  
The authority to choose the Bishop of Rome, 
Election of the Bishop of Rome.  belonged first to the Emperor of Constantinople, and the Deputy of Italy, till the time of the Emperor Constantine, which licenced the Cardinals and the people of Rome, to elect him. This was about the year of Christ 685. A few years after, Gregory the third; with other his Successors, 
The Empire is removed into France by Bishops of Rome.  when they were vexed by the Lombard's, seeing they could not have ready help of the Emperor of Constantinople, required aid of Charles Martelle, 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 Nicholas the second, rerestrained the election only to the Cardinals; which custom remaineth at this day.  
The great possessions that the Bishop● of Rome have, contrary to the example of Christ, (whose Vicars they name themselves) and Peter's poverty, their predecessor, 
Charles gave the Lands to the See of Rome.  were given them by 〈◊〉 and L●wi●, Emperors. And yet notwithstanding all that large benignity and kindness showed to him and his Ancestors, John the 12th made Oth●, King of Germany, 
Otho, a Germane, is made Emperor.  Emperor; and afterward Gregory the third, a Ger●●● born, for to gratify the Empero●● his Countryman, Decreed, that the 〈◊〉 shops of Mogunce, Treverance, and C●●len, the Marquis of Brandenburg, 〈◊〉 County Palatine, 
Prince's Electors Decree by the Bishop of Rome.  Duke of Saxony, and King of Bohemia, should have full power to choose the Emperor, about the year of our Lord, 1002.  
Thus the Bishops of Rome 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 extirpateds, as an unprofitable Tree.   

CHAP. VIII. The dividing of Priests into sundry degrees; A manner of Swearing, and Excommunication.  
GRegory, surnamed the Great, where before time, Priests and chief Priests 〈◊〉 only used in the Congregation, first divided them into Patriarches and Archbishops. Patriarches at the first were of Rome, Antioch, Alexandria, Jerusalem, and Constantinople; Archbishops had their title to be called Metropolitans, because their See was in the Mother-City of the Province. 
The Pall is decreed to the Patriarches.  〈◊〉 the first ordained, that all Patriarches and Archbishops should wear a Pall, which which doth signify Meekness and Justice, wherewith they should especially be garnished. Then also the inferior Orders began to be divided, as that the Archdeacon should be above a Deacon, and Archpriest above the Priest, and over them the Deans; and then were ordained Canons▪ that sing in Cathedral Churches. 〈◊〉 permitted, 
Changing of Bishoprics.  that a Bishop might change his Bishopric 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 before a Temporal Judge: 
A Priest might not be convented.  but lest any man should be circumvented by fraud or guile, Eu●●chianus instituted, That the accusati●● should be put in writing before the Judge. Likewise Cornelius decreed, 〈◊〉 a man should not take or require 〈◊〉 oath of a Priest; but only in matter● concerning Religion and Faith.  
The manner of Swearing, was in ol● time of this sort: He that should swe●●▪ took a Stone in his hand, and said; If I deceive you that I know, 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 〈◊〉 write) it was not lawful for any man to bear an Office five days, unless he were sworn. In like manner our Bishops, Kings, Priests, or other Offices-swear, before they be admitted to the Office.  
Justinianne, Emperor, appointed first that men should swear by the Gospel▪ and now adays, 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 excommunicating men that be obstinate and disobedient to the Officers, 
Excommunication.  or common transgressor's, 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, which (as Caesar recordeth) if either a private man or officer, were ●ot conformably ordered after their Ceremonies, excluded him out of their company.   

CHAP. IX. Consecrating Nuns, taking off our Ca●kissing the Pope● feet, and washing of feet.  
THe custom to consecrate Virgins, making a vow of chastity, was 〈◊〉 by Pius the first, which instituted 〈◊〉 that none should be made, before 〈◊〉 were 25 years old; 
The age of Nuns at their profession.  and that they might be consecrated at no time, but in the Epiphany or Twelf-day, Easter, Eav●●, and on the Feasts of the Apostles, 〈◊〉 it were when any professed, were 〈◊〉 point to die. And Sotherus caused 〈◊〉 a Decree was made that no such Professed, should touch Cope, 
Nun's might touch no cope nor Incense.  or put Incense into the Censors the year of our Lord God 175. It seemeth to have begun 〈◊〉 the Apostles, which is proved by Paul's words, where he saith, let no Widow be chosen, before she be threescore years of age, with divers like sayings.  
Linus Bishop of Rome, commanded that no woman should enter into the Congregation or Temple, 
Women may not be bare head in the Church.  with her head bare, which appeareth to have been taken of the Hebrews: for the Bishop i● the old Law might not uncover his head, and in Arabia and Carthage, it 〈◊〉 taken for an unhonest and unreverent thing, if a Woman should uncover her head, 
Taking off of Caps.  and 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.  
The Rite diabolick, of Kissing the Bishop of Rome's feet, 
Kissing the Bishop of Rome's feet.  took its original of the manner of the Romans, which in their Paganism, used to kiss the feet of the people and other nobles, in token of obedience: as Seneca telleth how Caius Caesar stretched out his left foot, that Pompeius a Carthaginian might kiss it.  
Pompenius 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 Cuius Caligula, and Dioclesianus, made them to stoop to their feet. This Pagan example, our Christian Bishop and God's Vicar, full uncomely, and ungodly, doth counterfeit. All other Bishops used to deliver their right hand, to be kissed of such as came to salute them: For the Right hand, as Pliny saith in the 11th book, hath in itself a certain Religion, and therefore, we make all Covenants and Promises with it. The manner of saluting with kisses, is very ancient, 
Saluting With Kisses.  for it was the manner of the Hebrews to kiss strangers at their first meeting, as Jacob kissed Rachel, before he broke unto her, that he was of kindred; and Laban, after he knew him to be his sister's son, embraced him with his Arms, and kissed him. And the Romans custom was to kiss their kinsfolk, but afterwards it was extended to further familiarity, and is now frequented very lasciviously. Albeit, in Rome it was an Ordinance, that Women should kiss their kinsfolk, because that if Sshe had drunk any Wine, contrary to the Law made against the Women, for drinking of Wine, by such means she might be espied.  
Washing of feet, on Maundays-Thursday, that the Priests use among themselves, 
Washing of feet on Maundy Thursday.  and Nobles to inferior persons, is a counterfeit of the institute of Christ, who to show them a pattern of humility and meekness, washed the Apostles feet. The Kings and Queens of England that day, wash the feet of so many poor men and women, as they be years old, and give to every of them, so many pence, with a Gown, and an ordinary Alms of meat, and kiss their feet, and afterwards give their gowns on their backs to them that they see most need 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, and not regarded, but lie dead often in the streets, for lack of sustenance.   

CHAP. X. 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 Chivalry, to the regard of Justice, and keeping of Peace, ordained to the High God Jupiter, a Sacred person called Flamen Dialis, 
Flamen. Dialis.  that is, Jupiter's Priest.  
And to advance the order, he set him in a Chariot of Ivory, and a costly Robe: but so soon as his Wife was deceased, 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 forbidden him, because an Oath is a manner of punishment to any freeborn man, and namely to a Priest, which hath charge of all divine observances: For his word should have the weight of an Oath.  
I could wish that our Bishops would mark and follow both those properties of these Heathen Religions, for then the state of our Religion should be better case than it is, and others would not enforce so lightly, a Priest to the necessity of an oath, which should have no other terms, but yea and 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, another to Quirine; albeit Plutarch saith it was Romulus that instituted Priests to Jupiter and Mars.  
Virgin's Vestal, were of his bringing in also, and founded in honour of Vesta, daughter to Saturnus. The first that ever was chosen into that Religion, was called A●●ata, 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, where of the first ten they spent in learning the Rites, the other ten they ministered, and 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 born in the sight of all the people out of the City, and at the gate named Collina, was buried quick. They road in a Wagon, and other Magistrates road to them, and if they came by in time of execution, the condemned was quite delivered. This Religion began at Alba by the institution of Ascanius, 
Pontifex maximus.  and was renewed in Rome by King Numa. A high Bishop was instituted also 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 Gradivus Mars, twelve Priests named Salii▪ because they danced in a solemn manner, and went about the City with songs. They beware an embroidered coat, with a Brazen Breastplate, and a round Tergate. It seemeth that Numa took this Rite from the Hebrews; for David went before the Ark of the Lord dancing.  
Heralds of Arms which were called Feciales Sacardotes, were ordained by him, to provide that no battle were unjustly taken in hand: they also made leagues, established Peace, or if it were not duly made, they might break it, and offer oblation for the offence of the Captain, and the hole Army. Pater Patraetus was an Officer that made all leagues or Bonds, and was created by the Heralds, as Marcus Valerius first Herald, ordained Spurius Fusius first in the office of Pater Patratus. After the expulsing of Kings, an office called Rex Sacrificulus was appointed, which should do all such customable observances, as the Kings should do; Albeit, it was under the High Priest or Bishop, the first tha● did bear that office, was Marcus Papirius.  
Epulones had the Office of appointing feasts, and solemn Banquets to Jupiter and the other gods, these were also called Sodales Titii, which were ordained by Romulus after he joined fellowship with Titus Tatius.   
The End of the Fourth Book.   

Polidore Virgil.  
The Fifth BOOK.  

CHAP. I. Of the decking of Churches on Holidays▪ offering of Images of Wax, and Tables of Miracles; solemnising first Masses of Priests.  
THere be many superstitious Customs crept in among Christian Congregations, which cam● of an Ethnic opinions and because they could not altogether be abolished and extirpated, yet they were transposed to a better use, and removed from Idolatry, to the ●●●●shing of Churches and Temples of 〈◊〉 faithful people. As trimming of 〈◊〉 Temples with hangings, flowers, ●●●ghes and garlands, was taken of the Heathen people, which decked their Idols and houses with such array. 
Offering Images of Wax or Tapers.  In like manner it is to be thought, of the the of hanging up Images of Wax, and Tapers before Saints, or as often as any member is diseased, to offer the same in 〈◊〉, as legs, arms, feet, Paps, Oxen, Horse, or sheep, which were hanged up in the Church, before that Saint, by whom (as they believed) they had obtained health, of the said member or ●east: for this came of an old Heathenish fashion of sacrifices, that the Pagans offered to Saturnus and Pluto, in an Isle of Italy, named Cotillia, whereof I spoke before. I think the bearing of Candles, that we use on the Feast of the Purification of our Lady, called Candlemas-day, came of this Gentile rite also, that in burning them, we might worship the Saints, as they honoured their false god Saturn. It seemeth that Lamps and hanging lights began of the Candles, that Moses set up to burn in the Tabernacles. The fastening up of Tables, wherein the Miracles are written, for ● Monument and testimony to the posterity, came of a custom, as Strabo writeth, that is used in Greece, 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 especially there were many set up in Aesculaplu●● Temple at Epidaurus. The use of feasting on holy-days, and at the first Mass of Priests, was borrowed also of the Gentiles, which honoured the day of consecrating their Religious as solemnly, at the day of their Nativity, with devour and religious breakfasts and feasts, calling it, the Native day of their sacred personages: whereof Apul●ius 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 aught to procure, a good and godly life. Albeit 〈◊〉 Maundy-Thursday, 
Drinking on Maundy-Thursday.  hath been the manner from the beginning of the Church, to have a general drinking, as appear by S. Paul's writing to the Corinthians, and Tertullian to his Wife.   

CHAP. XI. The manner of casting money to the people, New-Years gifts, Dancing, Maying, Christmas Lords.  
IT smelleth also of Gentility that the Bishop of Rome, Emperors, and Kings at their Coronation, are wont to scatter money among the Commons, 
Casting of money abroad.  and make Royal feasting, which is a pretence or sign of the beneficence or liberality, that is to come afterwards. For the old Romans used the same order and institution, in their Triumphs, Games, and Funerals, as Suetonius recordeth.  
Presenting of New-year's gifts had its original thence 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 to gratify their kindness, he 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 and prosperous fortune of all the whole year following.  
The use of Dancing (as Livy saith) came from the Hetruscans to Rom●, which we exercise much on Holidays, as they did; not without slander of our Religion, and hurt and damage of chastity.  
As for Masks, they be so devilish, that no honesty can be pretended to colour them: Zacharias Bishop of Rome, made a decree against it, but that availeth nothing.  
At the Kalends of May, the Youth, as well men as women, are wont to go a Maying in the fields, and bring home boughs and flowers to garnish their houses and gates, 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.  
The Christmas Lords rhat be commonly made, at the Nativity of the Lord, to whom all the household and family, with the Master himself, must be obedient, began of the equality, 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 that we use on Fastingham Tuesday, what time some eat till they be enforced to forbear all again, sprung of Baccbus feasts, that were celebrated in Rome, with great joy and delicious fare.  
And our Midsummer bonfires, may seem to have come of the Sacrifices of Cer●s, Goddess of Corn, that men did solemnise with fires, trusting thereby to have more plenty and abundance of Corn.  
Disguising and Mumming that is used in Christmas time in the North parts, came out of the Feast of Pallas, that were done with Vizors, and painted Visages, named Quinquatria of the Romans.   

CHAP. III. The manner of anointing Priests, Kings, them that be Christened, confirmed, of sore sick.  
WHen Moses had builded the Tabernacle, he was commanded to make a confection of holy Ointment, wherewith both the Work; 
Kings and Priests were anointed.  the Vessels, Priests, and also Kings, which be called to that office or dignity, aught to be anointed: so that it came to pass, that the anointing was the very token and difference, whereby Kings were known among the Hebrews, 
Purple Robe is the difference of the Emperor.  as the Emperors in Rome were known by their Purple Robes. Aaron and his Sons, were the first anointed Priests, and Samuel anointed Saul first King over Israel, 
Aaron and Saul first anointed.  and so consequently it grew into a custom, that Priests and Kings were anointed. By which thing is signified, that they be specially favoured of God, and like as Oil lieth aloft on the water, or other Liquor, so the office of a Priest, and dignity of a Prince, surmounteth all other degrees of Ministers, both in the active and also contemplative life.  
Silvester Bishop of Rome ordained first, 
Anointing of children Christened.  that all that were Christened, Churches, and Chalices, should be anointed with Oil. Our oil that is now used, is made of Oil Olive, and natural Balm, Fabianus commanded that it should be renewed every Monday and 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, supposing that no man were a perfect Christian, 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 and John into Samaria, to lay their hands on them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost. 
The manner of confirming.  It is only ministered by a Bishop in this wise: first he asketh the name of the child, and then maketh the sign of the Cross in the forehead, with the Chrism, saying: I sign thee with the token of the Cross, and confirm thee with the Crisme 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 〈◊〉 And then he smiteth the cheek of 〈◊〉 Child softly: but if he be of a great age, he giveth a sharp stroke, that he may remember that mystery, saying, Peace 〈◊〉 with thee.  
Felix the fourth did institute, 
Extreme Unction.  That such as were in extremes should be anointed, following the example of the Apostles, which, as Mark witnesseth, cured many diseases by anointing them and S. James speaketh of a like thing in his Epistle.   

CHAP. IU. The beginning of Marriage of Priests, when it was forbidden; with other Laws touching Marriage.  
MOses the Minister of God among 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 inconvenience among them. 
When a Priest might not marry.  Albeit, because of the dignity of the ordet of Priesthood, he made restraint, that they should marry none that was taken prisoner, bondwoman, or divorced from their former husband; and the Bishops might not be married but to Maids. 
Bishop's married Maids.  As concerning our Priesthood, Sylvester the first, after the Text of S. Paul, commanded that a Priest should marry but one wife, 
A Priest might but once marry.  and after to live sole alone: as Paul had a wife, as may appear in his Epistles to the Philipians and Corinthians. And Clement Bishop of Alexandria, and Ignatius, which was in Paul's time, witness the same.  
Peter and Philip had wives and daughters, whom they bestowed honestly in marriage to husbands. And S. Peter seeing his Wife led to death, for the profession of Christ, with great joy of her constancy, said; Wife, remember the Lord. This order the Greeks, and all the East parts of Christendom do use, which would not consent to the Council of Niece, wherein it was propounded, That the Priests should forsake their Wives: 
Paphnutius withstood the Council of Nice.  and namely, Paphnutius, the holy and chaste Bishop, that came out of the borders of Egypt, withstood that Decree very earnestly. Stiricius the first forbade the Priests of the West parties, and Deacons to marry, the year of our Lord 337. 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 to forsake their wives. And Gregorius, because he thought it violent to divorce them, ordained, That from his time, none should be Sub-deacon, unless he vowed Chastity before. Notwithstanding, 
Gregory established the single life of Priests.  the Laws before made took no effect among the Priests of the West parts, until the time of Gregory the seventh, which was the year of our Lord, 1074.  
And here Polidore 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 profieth: If they were restored to the liberty and choice, it were no prejudice to the Christian Commonwealth, and honesty for the Order. 
Decrees of kindred inhibited.  In the beginning men married their sisters and kinswomen; 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, 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. Lanuch was the first that ever had two wives whose example many others ensued afterwards.  
The custom of purifying of women, 
Purification of women after Childbearing.  was taken of the Hebrews, but there is no day or time appointed for it. Nevertheless, for an honest order, they use commonly not to be purified before the month day, and then with a few honest Matrons, she cometh accompanied to the Church, and offereth a wax Taper, and the Chrisom.   

CHAP. V. 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 〈◊〉 of the people. And in that he made the Ark of Covenant, in the which he put the two Tables of stone, containing the Law of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod, and the pot of Manna. 
Solomon made the first Temple.  After him, Solomon, King of the Hebrews, made at Jerusalem ● Temple of costly array, and sumptuously wrought. I cannot (to say truth) perfectly tell, where the first Church of Christians was builded, but by all conjecture, it seemeth that it was made of the Apostles, either in Ethiopia, where Matthew preached; or in Lower India, where Bartholomew taught; or in Scythia, where Andrew showed the Word of God. Where they doubtless, either cause new Churches to be edified, or else transposed the Idol's Temples, to serve the Christians use, abolishing Superstition, and 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. 
First Church in Rome:  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, at the request and suit of Praredis her sister. And after Calistus made a Temple to the Virgin Mary, in a place beyond Tiberis, and instituted a Churchyard in Apius' street, and called it after his own name. But Abraham was the first that made any place of burial in Hebron, 
Abraham ordained the first place of Burial.  where he bought of Ephron an Hittite, the double Cave for 300 shekels of silver, with the the ground about it; and there, was Sarah his wife, and he himself buried.  
Noah builded the first Altar, and offered upon it a burned Sacrifice to the Lord. And Bonifacius the third, caused that they were covered with linen clothes. 
Constantine forbade putting to death on the Cross.  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, ordained, that from thenceforth, 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, marble, or in earth, lest men should tread on it. Helen, Constantine's Mother, 
Helen found the Cross of Christ.  a very virtuous woman, repaired to Jerusalem, to seek the Cross of our Lord, where with great labour and diligence, she fowd it, and with it the other two, whereon the Thiefs were hanged: but it was ease to perceive Christ's Cross by the Title, which then did remain, albeit sore wasted and corrupted with Antiquity.   

CHAP. VI Of the ancient rite or sacrificing; feast-days, dedicating Temples; the mystery of Fire, Holy Water.  
CAin and Abel, 
Cain and Abel sacrificed first.  the two sons of our first Father Adam offered in sacrifice to God the first fruits of their goods. Abel his oblation was a Lamb; Cain his gift was Corn. Afterward, when the Priesthood was ordained, Aaron and his sons offered divers things with sundry Ceremonies, which he 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. Punishments that they suffered for omitting the oblations.  as appeareth in the Histories of Gentile-Authors. And if it fortuned, that they omitted any such abominable idolatry, they had great punishment, destruction of their fruit, corruption of their water, infection of the Air, death of cattle, great droughts, women had evil deliverance, with many such plagues, as Dionysius Halicarnasseus witnesseth, which the spirits of the air procured to delude and seduce men, and confirm them in their error.  
The holy-days among the Jews were divers, as the Sabbath-day, the Feast of the new Moon, the Passeover, the Feast of unleavened bread, Pentecost, the Feast of Tabernacles, the Dedication day: which be all showed largely in the Old Testament.  
The use of dedicating Churches, 
Dedicating of Churches.  is of great antiquity: for Moses did sanctify the Tabernacle; and Solomon consecrated the Temple that he builded at Jerusalem. And Esdras after, when they returned from the Captivity 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 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 born before them, and the Vestals had ever perpetual Fire in the Temple where they served Vesta.  
The spirits of the air, that gave doubtful answers to them that enquired any question of them, 
Oracles ceased at Christ's coming.  were at the coming of Christ all destroyed. For when he was carried into Egypt, which is a Country full of superstition and Idolatry, all the Idols of that Region were overthrown, and fell to the ground at his coming thither. And in the time of Adrian the Emperor, both the wicked sacrifices were abolished, and also the Oracles of Apollo at Delphos, Jupiter-Hammon in Egypt, with like vanities were subverted by the power of God through his Son Jesus Christ.  
Holy Water was ordained by Alexander the first, to be consecrated to drive away Spirits, 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.   

CHAP. VII. Who ordained Praying. Why we look Eastward, Ministering the Sacrament of the Altar.  
FOrasmuch as we are created of God, after his own Image, for the intent to honour and serve him, and so finally to enjoy the eternal inheritance of Heaven, which we must attain to by Prayer, acknowledging our own infirmities, and referring us to the mercy of our most loving Father. It shall therefore be convenient to declare the institution of Prayer.  
Prayer therefore was from the beginning, 
Prayer was at the beginning.  as Abel prayed, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, with other Patriarches, prayed to God in all their doubtful affairs, and gave thanks for the good achieving of them. Moses and Aaron, with other, as Anna the wife of Helcanah showed us an example of Prayer. 
Christ prescribed a Prayer.  But Christ is the first that did show us any special form of Prayer, as appeareth in the Gospel of Matthew. Afterwards when men began to count 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 Amiens, Bedes, to say Lady Psalters on, the year of our Lord 1090. The same Petrus was occasion that Pope Urbane stirred the Christians to make a Voyage into Asia, at which time Jerusalem was recovered.  
The manner of turning our faces into the East, when we pray, is taken of the old Heathens, which as Apuleius remembreth, used to look Eastward, and salute the Sun: 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, and 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: and the Prophets had without doubt open collations: And afterward John Baptist in the Wilderness of Jury Preached, and so did Christ himself, and gave Authority to the Apostles and 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, and after he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave it to his Disciples, saying, Take and eat, This is my body that shall be given for you; So taking the Cup, he gave thanks likewise, and delivered it to them, Saying, Drink ye all of this Cup, for this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for the remission of sins. Thus under the form of bread and 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 the Bishop of Rome did ordain that this oblation should be made of sweet bread, 
Alexander decreed that the Sacrament should be consecrated of sweet bread.  where before it was Leavened bread. And he commanded that water should be mixed with Wine in the Cup.   

CHAP. VIII. Who Sacrificed first after Christ's Tradition, and increased the parts of the Mass.  
EVerything at the first in the Ministry of the Lords Supper, 
The old Rite of consecrating.  was plain, sincere, and without any mixture of Ceremonies, containing more virtue than Solemnity. For it is manifest that Peter, which either first of all, or else with the rest of the Apostles, did consecrate often times after the Rite that he had received of Christ, and 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 Friday. Coelestinus ordained the prayers that the Priest saith when he revesteth himself to Mass, or at putting on his clothes that beginneth Judica me Deus, etc. Albeit it seemeth by the words of chrysostom in the 11th Homily on Matthew that it was taken of the Churches of Greece and Asia, which used to sing Psalms while the people assembled together. Damasus instituted the confession at the beginning of Mass, and some refer it to Pontianus. Kyrie eleeson was frequented in Greece first, and Gregorius caused it to be said nine times in the Latin Church. Gloria in excelsis is ascribed of some to Telesphorus, of some to Hilarius, of some to Symmachus; and the Council of Toletane thinketh that the Doctors of the Church made it. Collect Gelasius and Gregory gathered. And the Grail was appointed by them also. 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. The Epistles and Gospel were (as Hierom writeth) used in the East Churches of very ancient time, 
S. Hierome did divide the Epistles and Gospels  wherefore I suppose we had the manner to read the Epistle and Gospel of those Churches; Yet some say Telesphorus ordained them, and some suppose that Jerome 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 token that men should be in a readiness to defend the doctrine of the Gospel. The first part of the Creed Marcus ordained to be read, after it was made by the Council of Nicene; and the second part, Et Spiritum sanctum, that the Counsel of Constantinople composed Damasus caused to be read in the Church. Eutichianus instituted the Offertory to be sung whilst the people offered such things as went to the relief and comfort of the poor: The Offertory remaineth, but the poor are forgotten; as though they had no part in Christ, and were vile abjects of the World.  
Gelasius made the Prefaces, howbeit in the beginning they used but one Preface. And Secius added the Sanctus out of the Prophet Esay. 
Washing of the hands.  Washing of hands began either of the old Testament, where they did nothing with unwashed hands, or else of the Gentiles, which before their Sacrifices used to wash their hands; as Hesiodus witnesseth.  
Burning of Incense, that was occupied in the old Testament by Aaron and of the Panims in their superstitious Rites, Leo the third ordained to be had in the Latin Church. The Privity of the Mass called the Canon was made by divers persons, as Gelasius made Te igitur. S●titius added Communicantes, and Alexander the first, that was long before them, made Qui pridie, and that was the beginning of the Canon before that time. For Alexander was 340 years and more before Gelasius. Hanc igitur, Leo joined; and Gregory annexed three petitions in the same, Dies que nostros, and so forth. Innocencius the first instituted, that Priests in the upper part of the Church, called the Chancel or Choir, should kiss one another, and that Pax should be born to the people. Blessing with hands and Chalices, 
Blessing with Chalices.  came out of the Hebrews Ceremonies: For Aaron after he had sacrificed, blessed the people. And Christ at his Ascension blessed his Disciples. Sergius ordained the Agnus dei, seven hundred years after Christ, to be sung of the Clergy at the time of the Communion. The often turning of the Priest to the Altar, when he saith Dominus Vobiscum or Orates fraires, came of the Hebrews rites; where, in sacrifice time, the Priest turneth him to cast the blood of the Sacrifice on the people, and the Heathens used the same fashion in their superstitions, and therefore doubtless we had those Ceremonies of them.   

CHAP. IX. 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; which words are borrowed of the rites of the Pagans; and 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 Minister of the Religion should give warning or a watchword, 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 R●●cline saith) and signifieth an oblation or sacrifice, with all circumstances concerning the same.  
The Romans called all such service, as appertained to their gods, in one general name, Ceremonies, 
Ceremonies.  because a certain people named Cerites, received the relics and other observances of the Romans Religions devoutly, and preserved them; for when the Frenchmen by the valiantness of their Captain, Brennus (that was a Britain of this Land) had won the City, for that benefit all the rites of their gods universally were named Ceremonies.  
Alexander inhibited Priests, that they should not sacrifice but once in a day; and Telesphorus permitted them to say three Masses on Christmas day: First, at midnight, what time Christ was born: the second, in the morning, when shepherds visited him: The third, at further of the day, where afore-time it was not lawful to celebrate before the third hour of the day.  
Felix the first decreed, 
Mass must be said in places consecrated.  That no Mass might be said but 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 understood.  
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, 
Corner-Masses be forbidden.  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 Primitive Church every day, 
Daily Communion.  as Luke witnesseth in the Acts of the Apostles; and Anacletus caused it to be renewed by a Decree, upon pain of Excommunication. And Victor denounced, 
Uncharitable persons were interdicted from service.  That those should be interdicted from all services, that (when they should receive the Sacrament) would no● be reconciled to their Neighbours of all grudges, hatreds, and displeasures.  
Zepherinus, an hundred years after Anacletus, commanded, That all that professed Christ, or bore the name of Christians, being of the age of 12 or 14 years, should at the lest once in the year, at E●ster, receive the blessed Sacrament. Fabianus decreed, that they should receive it three times in the year.  
Innocentius the third decreed, 
Keeping the Sacrament meant in Churches.  That the Sacrament should be kept in the Churches, to the intent to be in a readiness at all times, lest they that were sick, should want the spiritual comfort in that troublesome time of death; and Honorius the third confirmed the same.   
The End of the Fifth Book.   

Polidore Virgil.  
The Sixth BOOK.  

CHAP. I. Auricular Confession.  
ALbeit Man, 
We be reconciled by Christ.  redeemed with the precious blood of Jesus Christ is fully reconciled to GOD, 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 so great, that in this slippery way of worldly life, we must needs (our infirmity enforcing us thereto) fall into the snares of the Devil and sin. 
Repentance, a remedy of sin.  But God, as he is all mercy, 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, of 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 Ezekiel recordeth) What hour soever the sinner doth lament, and is repentant for his sins, God (for his Son Jesus sake) will no longer bear them in remembrance. Therefore whosoever with concupiscence vanquished, 
Desperation is forbidden.  or by lust inforc●d, by error deceived, or by force constrained, doth fall to any 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 should be the Penitent's 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, engender desperation, or embezzle his hope in the promises of God. 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 and young sores. It was the institution of Innocentius the third, 
Innocentius did ordain Confession to the Priest.  that so many 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, for as much as he must render a strait account of his cure. And therefore it is evil in mine opinion, to have these common Penitentiaries, which be the occasion, that Curates give not their counsel where need is, and men thereby be more bold to sin, seeing they shall not be rebuked by such common Confessors, but for their money have ready absolution, with small exhortation, to amend their sinfulness. This Confession is proved in the Text of S. James, where he saith, Confess your sins one to another, and one pray for another. And also in the 20 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.   

CHAP. II. Matins, singing of Psalms by course; Legends of Saints.  
Matins with Prime and Hours, were appointed first by Hierome, for one Eusebius of Cremona, and divers others, that lived with him, to sing in the Churches. And the Fathers and old Governors of Congregations, received them following the Verse of David in the 119 Psalm. Seven times in the day have I given and sung praise to thee. Cyprian 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, and Evening, on his knees used to pray. It was also the Rite of the Heathen, to have morning Prayers, 
Apuleius de a simo an reo libro. 11.  for Apuleius saith, that they sung salutations of the new light, and showed that it was prime of the day: where he meaneth by salutation, the morning songs that we call Matins, and there declareth how the hours of the day were sorted, and divided for Sacrifices and Prayers. Pelagius the second was the first that commanded Priests to say them daily, 
Pelagius charged Priests to say Matins daily.  that like as the just man falleth seven times o● the day, so by instant and continual prayer, he might as often rise and amend.  
Vrbanus the second, ordained the Lady Matins to be said daily, and confirmed them in the Council, which he had at Mount Clare in France.  
The division o● David's Psalter into seven parts called Nocturns, according to the seven 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 read al●o in the Churches, and added Gloria Patri to the end of every Psalm.  
Damasus also instituted that the Psalms should be sung and said by course, 
Singing of Psalms by course.  Though some say Ignatius did devise that before 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 〈◊〉 far from their manner. For our singers cry out so loud, that we hear nothing sa●e a noise, and those that be present, cannot be edified with the word. It were great furtherance to Religion, If those singers were either banished out of the Temples, or else their singing were more moderated, 
Our common singers rebuked.  that the words might be understood, 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, as Austin witnesseth. Damasus commanded that the common Creed should be said every hour. Vitalianus invented the decent tunes, wherein the Hymns be sung and joined the Organs to them. Legends of Saints, were made the year of our Lord 800 by Paulus Diaconus and Isuardus a Monk, at the desire of Charles the Great. And for as much as the Persecutions were so great, that in the time of Dioclesian the Emperor, there died 17000 Christians, within 30 day's space, they could not particularly write all their lives, but made certain general Legends of Martyrs, Confessors, Virgins, which we now call the Common; and the Fathers commanded those to be read in the Church on ●uch sSaints days. Afterward many thinking that they should be heard; rather for their much babbling sake, 
Uses in the service.  devised sundry manners of praying, and divers uses: as Bennets Monks had one use; Bernard's another, and Dominicks brethren had one order by themselves, and every Provincial Bishop, made a several Use in his Diocese; and all were confirmed by the Bishops of Rome.   

CHAP. III. The beginning of ●asting, Alms, Advent, Lent, Embring days.  
FAsting and Alms-deeds be (as St. Augustine 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 hath been used from the beginning of the World, when the Fruit of the Tree of knowing good and evil, was forbidden to our first Parents in Paradise, because by such abstinence they might obtain and enjoy everlasting felicity.  
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 calamiries, as be in our mortal life, they were constrained to desire aid and succour of other men, as of alms. Albeit Moses was the first that ever prescribed any law of giving alms, as appeareth in the book of Deuteronomy. Charitable alms must be so freely given, that we exempt none from the use and partaking of it; and, as the Scripture saith, without respect of persons.  
As for Fasting, 
Flesh was not eaten before Noah.  of that original proceeded further, for the use of Flesh and Wine, from Adam, till the time of Noah was unknown. And Moses forbore meat forty days; and Elias did likewise: Our Saviour Christ fasted the same space. 
Example of Fasting.  And God pardoned the Ninivites of their crimes, because they fasted with repentance.  
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 certainly he keepeth not the true fast, which forbeareth flesh, or foregoeth his Supper, but he that diminisheth his affections, abateth his anger, assuageth his Pride, moderateth his desires, mortifieth his lusts, suffereth patiently all adversities; that man is the true faster. Albeit the other is a coadjutor 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 Lent, as Hierome in an Epistle to Mercella doth plainly declare.  
Wherefore they that refer it to Telesphorus, 
Telesphorus did appoint it before Easter.  be deceived, for he did not institute it first, but appointed that it should be kept before Easter. And added another Week to it, which we call Quinquagesima.  
This week he commanded Priests to fast more than the Laity, 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 there should be a solemn Fast for three Weeks before the Nativity of our Lord, named Christmas: which constitution was a while kept universally, but afterwards it was resigned to the Monks and Religious persons.  
Calistus, or as some think, Vrbanus, did begin the Embring days quarterly, for the preservation and amplification of fruits, ordained for the sustenance of men and beasts. Albeit, I rather take it to be an imitation of the old Roman feasts, 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 mildewed. The third Floralia, for all their fruits.  
These vain superstitions the old Bishops of Rome turned to a Godly use, 
Superstition turned into Religion.  and transported their Feasting into Fasting, that they might the rather, at the contemplation of our Prayers and Fasting, God might prosper the increase of all fruits to the sustentation of his Creatures.   

CHAP. IV. ☞ Watch's were turned into Fasts; Fasting on Fridays and Wednesdays; naming the days of the Week in sundry wise.  
IT was the manner, from the beginning of our Christian Faith, that forasmuch as our Saviour was born in in the night, Priests did rise in the night season, and sung the hours Canonical, otherwise named the Matins: and the Lay people was accustomed on those Saints Eves, that were any solemn Feasts, to watch at the Tombs of Martyrs, Praying, and singing holy Psalms. Which thing the Testimony of Pliny doth approve, where he writeth in an Epistle to Trajane, how much number of people was slain, in whom he could never espy any fault, saving that before day, at certain times and Feasts; they arose and sung the commendation of Christ whom they called God. But as time is the corrupter of all worldly things, So devotion began to abate, and instead of Hymns, they sung dissolute ballads, and 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 fearing lest it should grow to a further inconvenience, turned the Vigils into Fasting days.  
Notwithstanding, the Priests used their ordinary times of Service, as they were wont to do, and such Feasts were called by the name of Vigils, and observed with no less reverence than the Fast of Lent. This remedy was provided after St. Hieromes time, which died the year of our Lord 422, when Bonifacius the second was Bishop of the See 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, 
Night Sacrifices are abolished.  they offered a Cow. all such night Sacrifices, and observances for like causes, were by a perpetual Law in Greece abrogated, 
Diagundas.  by Diagundas a Theban. The Fast of Wednesday and Friday, was commanded by the Fathers because on the one day Christ was Crucified, and on the Wednesday, Judas purposed in his mind to bewray him, as Apollonius the Eloquent Orator supposed. Silvester the first, Bishop of Rome, abhorring the memorial of the vain Gentile gods, decreed that the days of the Week, which had before the names and Titles of the Sun, 
Days were turned into Feries.  Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn, should be called the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and Seventh Ferie: as the Jews counted their days from the Sabbath day. He did also call the first Ferie, Dominicus Dies, 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 before that time, had consecrated the Sunday to the Lord, because that day he rose from death, and 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 7 Planets, as Diodorus recordeth. Saint Gregory was the Author, that neither flesh, nor any thing that hath affinity with it, 
White meats is forbidded on Fasting days.  as Cheese, Milk, Butter, Eggs, should be eaten on such days as were fasted. We have also a manner and usage of hallowing the Table and meat, before we be set, that began of the imitation of Christ, which used the same fashion over the five loaves in the Wilderness, and at Emaus also, he did likewise consecrate the Table, in the presence of his Disciples: so was the form of saying Grace after Supper, taken likewise of the custom that Christ commonly kept at his Suppers.  
The manner to read a part 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.   

CHAP. V. The original of holy-days, Paschal Candles, Birthday's.  
LIke as the Jews had in their Law, (which was but only a shadow of things to 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.  of the rest and vacation that they had from bodily labours: semblably our fathers have ordained Feastival days, 
Holidays.  in the N●w Testament, wherein Christian men (all profane businesses, and evil matters laid apart) might whol'y apply themselves to godly and spiritual meditations. As the perusing and reading of Scriptures, 
Works due for the holy days.  hearing of devout Sermons, rendering honour to God by sacrificing, praying, and well doing, be works fit and convenient for the holiday, 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 and 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, 
Easter is instituted by the Apostles  the Feast of Easter was instituted by the Apostles, and prescribed by Pius the First, to be solemnised on the Sunday. Afterward Victor that was Bishop of Rome, (about the 196th year of our Lord) decreed, That it should be kept, 
Eastet is to be kept in March:  and celebrated on the Sunday, from the fourteenth day of the first month, that was March; until the 22 of the same, lest our order and account, 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 amiss to keep that Feast after the precedent of Saint John the Apostle, 
S. John kept the Jews Easter.  who renewed the Rite of the Jews, in the Feast of Easter.  
The custom of hallowing Paschall Candles on Easter Eve, was commanded by Zozinus, to be frequented in every Church.  
The manner of keeping holy the birthday of every man, was much used in Rome; albeit the Persians had that usage before them. For there it is the fashion, that every man after his ability, should with observance of dainty feasts, worship the day of their birth; and of them the Romans received that superstition.   

CHAP. VI Of the Institution of Holidays, and Canonising.  
AS you have heard that Saint John the Apostle did celebrate the Feast of Easter, 
Easter.  even so the other Apostles (as it is said) were authors not only of the same Easter-Feast; but also ordained, That those days wherein our Saviour had done any mystery, concerning our 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 lives, very devoutly: as the Sundays, Advent, 
Feasts instituted by the Apostles.  the Nativity, Circumcision, and Epiphany of our Lord, the Purification of our Lady called Candlemas, Lent, Palm-Sunday, Maunday-Thursday, when Christ, after Supper, washed his Disciples Feet; Good-Friday, Easter, the Ascension, and Whitsunday, the Feast of Pentecost was before used of the Hebrews: For fifty 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 50 days after the death of Christ, who 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: for like as Moses his face was transposed into a perfect brightness, after he had communed 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 Council had at Lions in France; and furthermore commanded, that such days, as either the 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 Christians might have more opportunity to hear the Word of God, and more devoutly serve him in an uniform order.  
Then were instituted the Feasts of Saint Stephen, 
Feasts instituted at the Council of Lions.  Innocents', Sylvester, John, Baptist, the Apostles days. Conversion of Paul, our Ladydayes. Laurence, Michael, Martin, and generally of All Saints, which was the constitution of Bonifacius the fourth. For he caused that the Temple which Marcus Agrippae did edify in honour of all the Romans Idols, as the name Pantheon doth pretend, was by the licence of Phocas, than Emperor, turned into the Church of All-hallows, and consecrated the 12th day of May; and Gregory the fourth afterward willed it to be kept the first day of November.  
The Feasts of the Invention and Exaltation of the Cross, and Corpus Christi day, were dedicated by Urban the fourth, and pronounced for holy-days. Sylvester at the suit and instance of the Emperor 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 Religion. Felix the first, to magnify the glorious commendation of Martyrs, made a Statute, that a yearly oblation should be had in memorial of them: and Gregory would, that Mass should be said over their bodies; which thing, Vigilantius thought worthy to be rejected and 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, should be hallowed of that Village or Town; 
Reconciliation of Churches.  and made also a law, That such 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 dedicated day should be kept holy yearly afterward.  
The fashion to deify men that had done any benefits to the Commonwealth, 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 prowess, had won the hearts of their Commons. And specially the Romans did that with great pomp and many observances, as I did declare before in the third book out of Herodian. Of them our Bishop's learned, as by a pattern, their rite of canonising Saints: and the yearly sacrifices, that Gregory and Felix appointed, concerned nothing else but to declare, that those Martyrs were Saints, and of the household of God. 
The Pope must hollow Saints.  Last of all, Alexander the third ordained, That no such divine solemnity should be given to any man openly, without he were canonised, 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.   

CHAP. VII. Institution of years, days, or Obites, and the manner of mourning.  
FUneral 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. 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, and that the elder sort should be mourned no more Months than he had lived years. But commonly the longest time of a Widow's 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 ordained that such as had mourned up before the day limited, should offer a Cow that was great with Calf for an expiation. 
Expiation of hasty Marriages.  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 marry within the time prescribed. Plutarch writeth that the Women in their mourning laid a part all Purple, Gold, and sumptuous apparel, and 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, 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 Widowhood wear white clothing.  after the death of their Husbands the Kings to wear only white clothing, and if there be any such Widow, she is commonly called the white Queen. The Jews ended their mourning after thirty days, and Englishmen keep the same Rite. Their 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 towards Marriage. 
Mourning is superstition and Hypoorisy.  But the custom of mourning is no other thing then mere superstition, specially if women or men have a louring 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, 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.  
Soul-Masse day, that is the second day of November, was begun by Odilo that was Provost or Provincial of the Monks of Cluniacenses order, upon the occasion that he heard about Aetna the burning Mountain of Sicily oftentimes great weeping, lamentation, and 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 Christians, therefore he persuaded his covent in the time of John Bishop of Rome, to make a general obite of all Souls the day next after the Feast of all Saints. About the year of on● Lord 1002, our fathers received it as a godly institution full of pitiful charity: and thus by process of this Monk's supposition, sprung much vain superstition.   

CHAP. VIII. Of the seventh day, thirtieth day, old manner of burial, hallowing Chalices, Priests, Garments, with other things.  
Horatius' the Poet, and Servius, write, 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, Novem-diales: of this, we in our Religion have gathered the fashion of keeping the seventh day with Exsequys, and other ordinary oblations. And in England the custom is to keep the 30th day or moneth-end with like Obites, as were done on the burial days. Or else it might seem, that this keeping of the seventh day, 
Marriage vows renewed.  was brought up after the same sort among us; as in marriages they used in old time to renew their vo●s the 7th day. 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.  The Massilians in France passed and spent the days of their burials, with private oblations, and feasting of their kinsfolk, without any manner of lamentation or sorrow, which thing the Englishmen at this day use commonly to do. In burials the old rite was, that the dead corpse was born before, 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 to say, when it was buried, on this wise, Farewell, we come after thee: and of the following of the multitude, they were called Exsequys. Albeit they used at Kings, and Nobleman's Funerals, to go before with Tapers; which custom we keep still.  
Chalices, 
Chalices of Wood  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 avarice in Priests: but Zepherinus afterward commanded, that they should consecrate in a vessel of glass. 
Chalices of Glass.  Notwithstanding in process, that custom was broken. And Gratianus decreed, that they should say Mass, and consecrate with Chalices of silver or gold; or else if those might not be gotten, in Chalices of Tin; albeit some refer this to Vrban the First. Sextus the First commanded, that corporaces should be of Linen cloth only, and that of the finest, and purest: and he forbade, that any Layman should handle the hallowed vessels, and namely women were inhibited. The hallowing of Priests vestures, and altar clothes, with other ornaments of the Church, and the diversity of vestures of sundry orders was taken out of the Hebrews Priesthood, and used in our Church first by Stephen 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 ●ather a glorious show, 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: And John the 22 ordained, That bells should be tolled every day three times in the evening, 
Ringing to Service. Tolling the Ave-Bell.  and that then every man should say three times the Ave-Maria.  
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, Candlesticks, with other Vessels that we use in the Church, came also of their Ceremonies. The banners that be hanged abroad in Easter time, are used to declare the triumph of Christ over death, the devil, and hell, and were taken of the Heathen, which in their Victories did bear banners to declare and signify the conquest of their enemies.   

CHAP. IX. Of Vows, going barefoot, Litanies, praying for them that sneeses, 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, 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 Hebrews.  which used to make such vows to God, and divers other Countries of the Gentiles used that rite to their false gods. In like manner, going barefoot was taken up of the Jews fashion: which in their sickness and other misfortunes were wont to pray continually 30 days, forbear wine, shave their hair, and after go barefoot to the Temple, and make oblation. This manner of Vow was so earnestly used in the time of the Emperor Nero (when Florus was Precedent of Jewry) that Bernice, sister to King Agrippa, went herself barefoot to the Temple 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 and his S●ints, and perform them, going to the place barefoot in like manner as the Jews did. Supplications were ordained in a great Earthquake by Mamercus, Bishop of Vienna, in the time of Leo the First. These be called of the Greek word, Litanies; and are commonly named Processions, because the people proceed forth along in array, two and two together, and go from place to place praying loud. They be called the less Litanies. And Agapetus, as it is reported, first apoointed them to be sung every Sunday in or about the Church; although it seems by Tertullian's words, that they have been used from the beginning of the Church; and therefore it may be supposed, that Mamereus did only renew the custom. Afterward Gregory ordained the great Litanies, called septiformis Letania the same time that much people in Rome 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 marvellous high Tide.  
There was another Plague, whereby many as they sneezed died suddenly; whereof it grew a custom, that they that were present when any man sneezed, should say, God help you.  
A like deadly Plague was sometime in yawning; wherefore men used to fence themselves with the sign of the Cross: both which customs we retain still at this day. In all other extern 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.   

CHAP. X. 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. 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 brazen Serpent, and Abagarus Duke of Edissenians, 
Abagarus.  a Nation beyond the River Euphrates, sent a Painter to draw the Image of our Saviour Jesus: but for as much as he could not behold the brightness of his face, Christ 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; and Luke the Evangelist had the Image of Mary the Virgin in a Table painted. And in the Sixth Council held at Constantinople by the commandment of Constantine, and Justinian the second his son, 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 instead of Scripture, and that Incense might be burned, and Tapers lighted before them. This was about the year of our Lord 630; or as some take it, about the 703 year or our Lord, when Agatus was Bishop of Rome. Afterward Constantine, Bishop there, confirmed that Decree, and caused Images in the Church of Saint Peter, and pronounced Philip the Emperor an Heretic, 
Philip, Emperor, is proclaimed an Heretic.  because he had shaved and scraped away the Imagery that was in S. Sophie's Temple. Not long after, they were ratified and established in the Council of Nice, where were assembled by the procurement of Eirene, Mother of Constantine the 6th, 350 Bishops.  
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 Levi, because they were the Lord's portion, saving that he gave them habitations in every Tribe, and a little pasture for their Neat, 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 Origen on the book of Numbers affirmeth, that this commandment is to be observed of us after the letter, without any allegory or mystical interpretation. And it appeareth by Christ's words, that he alloweth the literal sense of the old Law, where he saith in the Gospel, 
Luke 11. Christ alloweth Tithes.  Woe be unto you Scribes and Pharisees, ye that tithe Mint and Rue, and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgement and the Law of God, these aught to have been done, and 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. Eutychianus (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 the Priest's virtue is so old, and men's devotion waxeth so cold, that instead of the first-fruits, now adays the people use to bring, on the Sundays, a few loaves of bread; in some places two or three, as they be disposed, and those the Priest consecrateth and parteth by pieces among the people; that whereas in time past, 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 hollow bread, before he either eat it, or gave it to his Disciples.  
Other Nations also used to offer their first-fruits and Tithes, 
First-fruits were offered of divers Countries.  as the Romans offered to Hercules, and Bacchus to Jupiter; Mars gave to Jupiter the tenth of his prey of Lydia. Urbanus, a man of godly living, and singular learning, about the year of our Lord 222 decreed. That it was lawful for Priests to receive such Rents or Lands, 
Possessions are permitted to the Clergy.  as were given them; albeit there was nothing private to any man, but common to all. And thus by little and little, the spiritual possessions were enlarged, and Bishops of Rome were greatly enriched. Lucina an holy Maid of Rome, made Marcellus Bishop there, her Heir and Executor; and afterward Constantine did largely endow the same Bishop.   
The End of the Sixth Book.   

Polidore Virgil.  
The Seventh BOOK.  

CHAP. I. The beginning of the solitary life of Religious Persons.  
THe matter hath been long in controversy, who first began to inhabit Wildernesses, for some (as Saint Jerome witnesseth) that have ransacked the uttermost, say that Helias and John Baptist, were Authors of the life solitary: but as the one was more than a Prophet, so the other was above the state and condition of Monks. Some assign the original of it to Anthony, 
Beginning of Religion.  others refer it to one Paul a Theban surnamed Eremite. But (for as much as every man may speak his fancy in a thing doubtful) I think the institution of this Monastical life to have proceeded of the Essees, a Religious brotherhood among the Hebrews, that lived after a greater perfection, than Monks did in their Superstitious and Fantastical Traditions, as appeareth by the Eighth book of Eusebius. De preparatione Evangelica.  
Of their proceedings Usum, and Paul the Theban, 
Paul the Hermit.  took example of ordering the Rules and Precepts of their Religious Scholars. Albeit, it is right to ascribe the original of it to Anthony, which although he were not the first, yet he did much encourage the endeavours of all other, to lead that life, and Authorised the Discipline of Monks in Egypt, and afterward Basilius in Greece, and Hilarion in Syria, did much augment and amplify that purpose. For this Hilarion a man of great virtue, by calling on the name of Jesus, healed at the City or Gaza, the sons of a Noble Woman: whereupon the brute of him was so noised, that many out of Syria and Egypt, repaired unto him, and he founded Abbeys in Palestine, and instructed them with rules of living. As for Anthony he lived in the Wilderness of Thebais in Egypt, and builded there an Abbey, where he himself, with Sarmatas, Amatas, and Macarius, his Disciples, lived in so earnest contemplation and Prayer, 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 hundred years old, the year of our Salvation 341, his Disciples Amatas and Macarius increased much the Religion after his death, and Sarmatus was slain by the Saracens. The institution of this state of living came, I grant, 
Religion hath grown to superstition.  of a good zeal to godliness, but the Devil, perverter of all good things, did so impoyson the hearts of men, that they had more trust in their works, than Faith in Christ's blood, and then every man began new rules of works to be their own Saviour's, which was abominable in the sight of God.   

CHAP. II. The division of Monastical life into s●●dry Sects and factions.  
IN the year 166, after the death of Anthony, Bennet an Italian, born at Nursi in Vmbria, when he had lived long in solitariness, resorted to a City of Italy, named Sabblaque, a City of the Latins, forty miles from Rome. And because he was greatly delighted with a solitary life, and also the people pressed to see and hear his preachings, he departed thence to Cassine. And in the time of John the first, 
Bennet builded an Abbey at Cassinum.  in the year of our Lord 524, he builded there an Abbey, and assembled the Monks, that were dispersed alone in divers places, into one covent, and ordered them with instructions of manners and rules of living, confirmed with three vows, that is, chastity, wilful poverty, and obedience, because they should all together mortify their own will and lusts.  
These three forenamed Vows, 
Three Vows Basilius ordained.  Basilius, Bishop of Caesaria did first institute and publish, in the year of our Lord, 383. And also assign the year of probation or Trial, that Religious persons had before they were professed.  
The Order of Cluniacenses, were ordained by one Odon an Abbot at Masticense, a Village of Burgundy. And William Duke of Aquitane gave them an House, the year of our Lord 916. in the time of Sergius the third. Not long after, the Religion of Camaldimenses was begun by Romoaldus of Ravenna, in the Mount Apenninus, the year of our Lord 850. They kept perpetual silence, every Wednesday, and Friday they Fast, they eat bread and water, they go barefoot, and lie on the ground. In a part of the same Mountain called Vallis Umbrosa, or the shadowed Valley, in the year of Christ's incarnation 1040. under Gregory the sixth, John Gualbert began a new sect of Monks, and named them of the place where the Abbey stood, the Shadowed-Valley Order.  
The Monks of Olivet sprung up as a fruit of disorder, the same year that the variance was among the three Bishops, and were instituted by Barnardus Ptolomous, the year of Christ 1407. under Gregory the 12th. The Faction of Grandimoniensers, began by Steven of Avernus, in Aquitane or Guienne, the year of our Lord 1076, under Alexander the second, and had their Title of the Mountain where their Abbey stood. A little after the same time, Robert Abbot of Molisme, in Cistersium a Forest in Burgundy, did institute the order of Cistercians; albeit, some ascribe this to one Ordingus a Monk, that persuaded Robert to the same, about the year of our Lord 1098. under Urbane the second; Of this Religion was that great Clerk St. Bernard.  
Almost an hundred years after this in the year of our Lord 1166. The order of Humiliates was devised by certain persons, exiled by Fredericus Barbarussa, which when they were restored to their Country, apparelled themselves in white, and lived by a kind of Vow, in Prayers, Penury, and working wool, and were admitted by Innocentius the third, and other his successors.  
Celestines were founded by Celestinus the fifth of that name, Bishop of Rome, in the year of our Lord, 1198. In England Saint Gilbert at Tirington, and Sempringham, began an order called after him Gilbertines, in the time of Engenius the fourth, the year of Christ's Incarnation 1148.  
The Justinians were invented by Lewis Barbus, a Religious man of Venice, in the Abbey of Saint Justine at Milan, the year of our Salvation 1412, in the days of John the 24th. There were also Orders of Nuns devised after the same Rules of Superstition, as the other be.   

CHAP. III. Of the Hieronymians, Canons, Charterhouse-Monks, White-Fryers, Crouch-Friers, with others.  
HIeronymians had their beginning of Saint Hierome; which leaving his Native Country, went into Jewry, and there not far from Bethlehem, builded him an house, where he lived very devoutely, the latter end of his life, in the time of Innocentius the seventh, the year of our Lord, 1405. After his example, other counterfeited a resemblance of perfection, naming themselves Hieronymians, wearing their clothes of white, and a cope plaited above over their Coat, girt with a leather girdle.  
There were also certain Hermit's called Hieronymians, of the Foundation of one Charles Granel of Florence, which made himself an Hermit of the same Religion, in the Mountains of Fessulus. Others there be, that say one Redo, Earl of Mount Granel, did institute them in Fessulus, in the time of Gregory the twelfth. Yet there be some that say, that the original of this brotherhood, was instituted of Hierome in a Desert, 
Eusebius of Cremonen●es  and that Eusebius of Cremona, with other devout and holy men, which kept conversation with him, did enlarge and augment the family of that professión.  
As concerning the Channons' Regular, there be two opinions: for some say that Augustine by and by, after he was created Bishop, brought his Channons in this rule and form of living, wherein they have been so long trained and nuzzled up: other some brag, and make their vaunt, that it was devised of the Apostles, and of this opinion was Thomas Aquinas. But Augustine was doubtless, either the inventour 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. Hermit's.  
The Channons' clothing was a white Coat, and a linen rochet under a black cope, with a Scapular to cover their head and shoulders: The Hermit's have a contrary vesture, a black coat with a scapular, and another coat of white, and a Leather Girdle. Of these there were divers other orders. As the order of St. Saviour of the Scopettines, 
The Order of Cannons or Hermit's.  which were ordained by Steven and James, two men of Scenes, in the time of Urbane the fifth, the year of Christ, 1370. And Gregory the 11th, by his consent, confirmed them in their Hypocrisy.  
The Frisonaries is another Order, which began among the Etrurians, in the County of Luce's, that be otherwise called Lateranenses, by the device of James Brixian, in the time of John the 24th, the year of Christ 1412, and they were amplified and increased by Eugenius the 4th.  
The third Order is titled the brethren of St Gregory de Alga. This was ordained at Venice by Laurence Justinian, in the time of Innocentius the seventh, in the year of our Lord, 1407. with divers other Orders; which forasmuch as they rose suddenly, I will omit.  
Bruno of Collen, that sometime read the Philosophy Lecture at Paris, did institute the Charterhouse Monks, in the Diocese of Gracionopolis, at a place named Carthusia, in the year of our Lord one thousand and eighty, under Gregory the seventh. Their life was outwardly full of painted holiness, in forbearing 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 as some say, begun in Mount Carmelus, after the example of Elias the Prophet, which lived there long solitary, that they were first assembled together by Almericus Bishop of Antioch, the year of our Lord, one thousand one hundred and seventy, in the time of Alexander the third, and they were also called our Lady Friars, of a Chapel of our Lady, that was in the Hill Carmelus. Nevertheless about four hundred years after, in the time of Innocentius the third, they were reform by Albertus' Bishop of Jerusalem, 
Carmelites clothing is changed.  according to the rule of Basilius and the colour of their coat was turned into white by Honorius the third, where before it was Russet.  
The other of Premonstratenses was instituted in the Diocese of Laudune, by Northbergus a Priest: and the Precepts of that covent, were gathered out of St Augustine's rules, and admitted for good by Calixtus the second, in the year of our Lord 1120.  
The Crouch, or Cross Friars began about the year of our Lord, 1215. by the device of Syracus Bishop of Jerusalem, which showed Helen mother of Constantine, where the Cross lay hid, and in memorial of the Cross, he caused this brotherhood and College of Friars to bear the Cross; and yet they never knew what the Cross weighed in their bodies or in their hearts, and forasmuch as they were sore wasted, Innocentius the third renewed the Religion.   

CHAP. IU. Black and Grey-Fryers, the Trinity-order● Brigidians, Jesuits, new Hermit's, and Bonhomes.  
ABout the time of Innocentius the third, arose two famous founders, of two superstitious Sects, I mean Dominick the Spaniard, and Francis the Italian, of the Country of Vmbria, Dominick, at the first was a Canon; but because he could not suffer to have a superior, and was also weary of the Cloister, he invented, a new fraternity, named Dominicans, Blackfriars, or Fryers-Preachers, because they had the charge to preach the Gospel, without mixture of any Pharisaical leven. The new guise of their Vesture, made innocent Innocentius to wonder.  
But Honorius the third by his Bull honourably admitted them, 
Dominick is Canonised.  the year of our Lord 1220; and Gregory the 9th put the matter all out of doubt, canonised Dominick, and by his Bull under Lead, allowed him for a Saint.  
Frances, that was first of the Friars Augustine's, thinking that sect not to be sufficiently furnished with Hypocrisy, began a new trade of living, in the Mount Appenninus, in a place named commonly Laverna: doubtless a ground worthy for such a foundation, as was beside the Word of God; it was set up in the time of Honorius aforesaid. They were named Minoribes, of the humility, and lowliness of heart, that they should have; but that was smally regarded, and farthest from their study. Two years after the year of our Lord God, 1229, Francis was sanctified by Gregory, 
Francis is made a Saint.  and made a Saint. Francisoans afterward fell at contention for the rules of their profession. They that failed somewhat of the unperfect perfection of them, retained the name of Minorites still; the other entitled themselves Observants, more worthy to be called Obstinate.  
The latter fellows were brought in●o England by King Edward the 4th, and were greatly enhanced by the famous Prince, King Henry the 7th.  
At the same time was Clara the Virgin, Countrywoman to Saint Francis, which was a great Foundress of Nuns, of the same Rule that Francis gave his Covent: of them sprung the bastard Penitencers in the days of John the 22, and the year of our Lord 1315.  
The Order of the Trinity under Innocentius, was begun by John Matta, and Felix Anachorita in France in the County of Meldine. Then also was founded, or else not long after, in the time of Martin the fourth, the Religion of Virgins or Servants, by one Philip of Florencia, a Physician; and Benedict the 11th, confirmed it, in the year of our Lord, 385.  
The Order of Brigidians, was instituted by Brigidia a Widow, that was Princess of Sueta under Vrban the 5th, in the year of our Lord 1370, it was as well of men as women, albeit they dwelled severally by themselves.  
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 1368; they were no Priests, nor consecrated persons, but were men of the lay sort, given and addicted to prayer, and had the name of Jesuits, because that name of Jesus, should be often in their mouth; they be much like to our Beadsmen in England.  
The Sect of new Hermit's began in Urbino, a City in Italy, in the Country of Umbria, where Polidore Virgil was born; and was the device of one Petrus an Hetrurian, and they had in the same City a goodly Hospital or Guild-Hall.  
The Bonhomes were instituted in England by Edmund son of Richard Earl of Cornwall, which was brother to Henry the third, and was elected King of the Romans, and heir apparent to the Empire, by the principal Electors about the year of our Lord 1257. The special head place of that Religion was Astrige, where the noble King Henry the eighth hath now a goodly Palace. This Edmund brought the blood of our Saviour, as it was said, into the Realm.   

CHAP. V. The original of sacred Knights, and white sect.  
Whilst the City of Jerusalem, 
Grave-keepers, or Sepulchre-Knights.  before our Christian men had conquered it, in the year of our Lord, 1099, was in subjection to the Saracens, the Latin Christians, that lived there tributaries, purchased a licence to build near unto the Holy Sepulchre dwelling houses, and among other they made an Hospital of our Lady to receive the strange Pilgrims, and appointed a Provost to entertain them.  
This was in Silvester the first his time, the year of our Lord three hundred twenty and four; and renewed, the year of Christ one thousand three hundred ninety and seven, in the time of Celestine the third, Bishop of Rome.  
After the pattern of this house, was devised a like house of Virgins in memorial of Mary Magdalen, to receive the Women that resorted thither. It began in the 2d Vrbanes days, the year of our Lord 1099. Notwithstanding because the multitude of Latin Pilgrims waxed very great, they builded three Hospitals of Saint John Baptist, as some say; Albeit, some think it was of John Eleemosinarius, that was the Patriarch of Alexandria, in the reign of the Emperor Phocas. This Sect one Gerardus adorned with a white Cross in a black vesture: grand Captain of these Knights was Ramundus, when Clement the fifth had the See of Rome, about the year of our Lord 1310, yet some affirm that the beginning of them was in the 3d Alexanders days, the year of Christ one thousand one hundred seventy and nine: 
Knights of the Rhodes.  and they be called of the order of Saint John, or Knights of the Rhodes, because they won the Rhodes from the Turks, which afterwards they lost again in January, in the year of our Salvation, one thousand five hundred twenty three, albeit, they did long defend it manfully.  
The Temple's order was begun in Gelasius the second his days, 
Templer-Knights.  in the year of Christ's Incarnation, one thousand one hundred twenty and eight, by Hugo Paganus, and Gaufridus de sancto Alexandro: they were named Templars, because they kept in a part of the buildings near to the Temple, they kept Bernardus rule in their living. But Clement the fifth deposed them, partly for that they renounced the Faith, and conspired with the Turks, and partly for other notable crimes.  
The order of teutonics, or Dutch Lords, 
Dutch-Lords.  began in Jerusalem by a Dutch man whose name is not known; 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 1190. Petrus Ferdinandus a Spaniard began the order of Saint James Knights, 
Knights of St James.  that lived after Saint Augustine's rule, under Alexander the third, and in the year of our Lord, one thousand one hundred and sixty, in the same Bishop's days.  
Sanctius a King, ordained the Faction of Calatranean Knights, which professed the rule of the Cistercienses.  
Of the same profession be they of the Order of Jesus Christ's Knights, which were instituted by John the 22th Bishop of that name, in Portugal to resist the Saracens.  
Alexandrians brotherhood of Knights in the Realm of Castille, that began in Gregory the ninths time, about the year of our Salvation 1240, but who was Author of them is uncertain. James King of Arragon did found two sects of Knights, 
Knights of St Mary de Mercede.  one named of S. Mary, de Mercede: the office of those was to ransom such as were taken Prisoners in wars by the Turks: the other Sect is called Montastan Knights, 
Mountesians.  and they wear a Red Cross. Both these Orders Gregory the 11th did allow, in the year of our Lord, 1000  
The Order of Minims or least-brethrens, were founded by one Franciscus Poula a Sicilian. after the example of Francis his Minorites.  
The Apostolic brethren began in the year of our Lord 1260. 
Apostolic brethren.  by the institution of Gerardus Sagarelus, in the Town named Perma in Lombardy in the time of Alexander the fourth.  
The white sect sprung up in the Alps, and descended into Italy, having a Priest for their Captain. But Bonifacius perceiving they should do no good to his honourable estate if they continued, caused their Captain to be beheaded at Viterbium, as attainted of some Heresy, the year of our Lord 1400. They were a great number, and did no other thing but lament the state of Mankind, and bewail the sins of the people. There was of this fashion both men and Women, and were called the white sect, because they beware white clothing.   

CHAP. VI The Ninivites, Assyrians, Antonians, and Ceremonies.  
NO less superstition is in the fraternity of the Ninivites, although they avaunt themselves to have received the●● manner of living from the Apostles: for the end of their doings is to work their own Salvation by deeds satisfactory to God, where in deed they derogate the effect and power of Christ's blood. 
Rites of Ninevites.  The Rites be specified with outward holiness: as often assembling to prayer hiring of Chantry priests, supporting poverty, and be clothed in sackcloth, and scourge one another with whips.  
Of this painted penance they call themselves Ninevites, as though they appeased God's wrath in the same wise, as they of Nineveh did, where in deed they had hearty contrition for their offences: these have but pretenced holiness and penitence. They began under Clement the third, the year of our Lord, one thousand, 285.  
The manner of their whipping came of the Roman sacrifices, and Lupercalia, whereof I spoke before; for they used the same custom of a superstitious opinion: or, if a man would be curious in bolting out of the original of their beating, it may appear to have proceeded of an observance of the Egyptians, 
An usage of the Egyptians.  For the usage was there, that whilst they offered a Cow with many Ceremonies to their great Idol, as Herodotus witnesseth, during the burning thereof, they should beat one another miserably with wands or rods.  
The title of their fraternity came of the Romans, which had divers fellowships, as Sodales Titii, and Fratres Arvales that sacrificed to Ceres, goddess of Corn. Another sort there is, not only idle, but also thievish, and they be called Assyrians, the same that we name commonly Egyptians. These, as all men have heard, and many have by experience proved, be so light fingered, that they will find two things, before they lose one.  
The men by such pilfery, 
Craft's of the Eygptians.  theft, and plain stealing, and Women by Palmistry, blessings, 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.  
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.  wherewith they used to gad from place to place to beg money, wine, milk, cheese, corn, and other stuff, 
Libro 8. deasmo aureo.  as Apuleius writeth.  
The same people now they be christened, play their parts in like manner with sundry subtleties: and what 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 counterf●i● of Anthony's perfection; but they differ as much from his holiness, as white f●om black; they have a T. on their breast, that meaneth Tolle, teaching them to take what they can get, be it Cow, Ox, Calf, or Pigg; for they offer Swine to him, as they did sacrifice sheep to Bell in Babylon; they were instituted in the year of Christ 324.  
The Ceretanes began in Ceretum, a City of Vmbria, 
Ceretanes play in Summer, and beg in Winter.  and they ever used to go a begging at the latter end of Harvest, when the Barns were stuffed with corn; and so like drones devour that which other have gotten with the sweat of their brows.  
Of these valiant beggars, there be in every place a great many: but I cannot tell what time they were instituted; and how soon they be put down, it skilleth not.   

CHAP. VII. The original of Mahomet's Sect.  
OF all these superstitious Sects before rehearsed, there is not one so diabolical, as the Sect of Mahometans, as well for the filthiness of all unlawful lusts, as other outrageous naughtiness, that they occupied daily, to the great endamaging of Christendom, and increase of their own infidelity.  
Of this unreverent religion, Mahomet a Nobleman, born in Arabia, or as some report, in Persia, was author: his father was an Heathen Idolater, and his Mother an Ismaelite: wherefore she had more perceivance of the Hebrews law. This wicked plant, brought up and fostered under his Parents, and instructed like a mongrel in either of their laws, became expert, and of a ready wit: And after the death of his father and mother, he was in household with one Abdemonaples, an Ismaelite, which put him in trust with his merchandise, and other affairs; and after his decease, he married his Mistress, a Widow. There he fell in acquaintance with the Monk Sergius, an heretic of Nestorius' sect, that fled from Byzance into Arabia: and by his counsel and advice, this Mahomet, about the year of our Lord five hundred and twenty; and the twelfth year of the reign of the Emperor Heraclius; began in Arabia to found a new sect, and by seditious Sermons seduced much and many Countries. He conquered by help of the Arabians divers Lands, and subdued them as Tributaries, and compelled them to live after the tradition of his laws, that he gathered out of the New and Old Testaments, and divers heresies of Nicolaites, Manichees, and Sabellians. He died the 40th year of his age, and his body was carried by the Saracens into a City of Persia, called Mecha, and laid in a Coffin of Iron.  
Caliphas succeeded Mahomet; but he was deposed for his superstition, and another of the same name was substituted in his room.  
Homar was the third that reigned; and he, after the conquest of the Persians, wan Jerusalem, and all Syria, the year of our Lord 680, in the time of Agathon Bishop of Rome, and Constantine the 4th, 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.   
The End of the Seventh Book.   

Polidore Virgil.  
The Eighth BOOK.  

CHAP. I. Of Relics, Stations, the year of Jubilee, Pardons.  
NOt long after the Martyrdom of Peter and Paul, both many, and that of divers sorts, as well men as women, by the example of their constancy, were encouraged to suffer sundry kinds of torments in several parts of the World, for the maintaining of Christian Religion. But namely in Rome, 
Many Bishops of Rome suffered Martyrdom.  much murder of innocent blood was committed of Tyrants by many manner of punishments, and a great number died in Christ's cause: among others, certain Bishops, to the number of thirty and two, were slain by extreme persecution, unless it were seven of them, which by death were prevented before they attained the Crown of Martyrs. Therefore considering that much Martyr's blood was spent, and 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 where Martyrs should severally have their Sepulchers apart from the lay people; and the other by decree, denounced him accursed as sacrilegious, that by word or deed hindered men's devotsion from visiting the Tombs of the Apostles.  
Upon this occasion, Calist●s the First, builded, beyond Tiber, a Church, in honour of our Lady: and Constantine, Emperor, edified to Peter, Paul, and Laurence, Temples. This matter was by Gregory the Saint set forward, to the increase of superstitious devotion: For he appointed the Litanies of Saints, with Orapro nobis, to be sung with Masses in certain solemn days in the chief Temples of the City, promising them 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. Bonifacius the eighth, in the year of our Lord 1300, appointed the year of Jubilee, or grace, to be kept every hundred year with clean remission à poena et culpa, to all them that visited the Temples of the Apostles Peter and Paul. And this was taken up of the example of the Hebrews, albeit they did keep it every 50. years; or else, as some think, he assigned the years according to the old Feasts of Apollo and Diana, which the Romans Heathen solemnised every hundred year; and of that they were called Ludi seculares. About fifty years after, Clement the sixth decreed, That it should be celebrated every fifty years, as the Hebrews rite was, because no man was able to attain the old Jubilee of an hundred years. Last of all, Sextus the fourth restrained the year of grace to the 25th year, and he himself kept it at that day, which was in the year of God's grace showed by his Son Jesus Christ to the World, a thousand four hundred threescore and fifteen. About the same time, Pardons were much used, but who was the first author of them, I have not read in any Writer, saving that Saint Gregory (as I said before) proclaimed Pardons as a reward for them, 
Pardons were profitable to the purse.  that came to his Stations. This seed sown by Gregory, grew to a ripe Harvest in the time of Bonifacius the 9th, who reaped much money for that chaff. After this, Alexander the sixth, that was in the year of our Lord 1500, 
Jubilee sent into all Countries.  assigned the Jubilee and Stations to be had in sundry Provinces and Countries, 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. But Moses was the first author of the Jubilee, as appeareth by Josephus in the Old Testament.   

CHAP. II. The Bishop of Rome's Titles, Colleges of Scribes, Sealing Bulls with Lead, Annates.  
FOrasmuch as nothing is so decent for a Priest as gentleness, 
Titles of the Bishop of Rome.  nothing so fit as lowliness, nothing more comely than humbleness, according to the saying of our Saviour, Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, nor nothing more against their order then pride and arrogancy, Gregory the S. Bishop of Rome, named himself Servus servorum Dei, which thing he did not only usurp in Title, but also express in deed. This name and preface was received and used of his Successors, but his hearty meekness was refused, as a thing that diminished their Pontifical estate. Cletus added to Salutem et Apostolicam benedictionem, as a Salutation condign and appertaining to virtue and godliness, and a resemblant to Christ's greeting, 
Christ's greeting. The Hebrews saluting.  which was Peace be with you; or of the Hebrews, that used to say in their meetings, Peace be with thee: And this all our Bishops have reserved to themselves as a peculiar saluting.  
As concerning the Scribes that used to write the letters Apostolical, where before time they were wont to write for nothing, or else asked very little; John the 22th, desirous to increase and enlarge his substance, founded a College of Scribes that should write and indite letters of their own device, and do other offices, but they must be chosen out of his own Clerks, and must pay and be dismissed of money, before they could be admitted to the room. He did also pay, (to those which had benefices of his gift and presentation) all such things, as belong to the Apostolical penitencers. Bennet the 12th devised first, 
Bulls sealed with Lead.  and determined the price of Writs, and Bulls. The custom of sealing the Bishop of Rome's Bulls with lead, was taken up by Steven the third, and Hadrian the first, to the intent they should endure longer, where before time the usage was, to Seal in wax with a Rirg. And this was the year of our Lord 772, at which time Hadrian was Bishop: before those days I find no mention of sealing with Lead as before Carolus Magnus, 
Carolus Magnus sealed first with Gold.  none of the Roman Emperors sealed letters with Gold; Pius the second did create Breviators, and set them in an Order, which Paul deposed; but Sextus afterward renewed them, and also instituted a new College of Solicitors, and Proctors, by whose Counsel and advice, all Bulls and grants were made and ratified. He also ordained 9 notaries of the Treasure Apostolical, and assigned to every of them certain fees and profits, that he might have speedy utterance of the rooms. Innocentius that succeeded next Sextus, devised the College of Secretaries, and Alexander the sixth increased the number of writers of his Briefs, to the number of eighty and above.  
The summoners and catchpoles, that were hangers unto those Breviatours, were by Nicolas the third put out of office, lest all the poor sheep should be ●lay'd to the quick. But all this filled not so much the Pope's Coffers in 7 years, as his Annates did in one. Annates he called the yearly revenues or half part of the fruits, of a Benefice or spiritual promotion, that he received of the new incumbents. These began first at his own Benefices, 
A general decree of Annates.  whereof he was patron. And Clement the fifth generally decreed it▪ in the year of our Lord, 1305, Bonifacius the ninth, and John the 22th renewed the Decree for fear of forgetting, because it helpeth much the purse.   

CHAP. III. Of the Sect of Simoniakes, Heretics, and Schisms.  
PHilip the Deacon, when he had by his preaching, converted them of Samaria to Christ's Religion, among many other, he turned one Simon a Magician and enchanter, and Baptised him. In short space after, Peter and Joh● 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 to have power to give the Holy Ghost.  proffered to give a large sum of money to have that power taught him, whereas he should rather have obtained it by Faith and godliness. Peter moved at those words, with anger said, Thy money shall turn to thy destruction, because thou supposest the gift of God to be bought with money; neither shalt thou have any portion or d●al of this charge, for thy heart is not upright before God. Thus rejected of his suit, he became a great enemy to Peter, and in Rome seduced by his Magic much people, 
Simon was made a god.  insomuch that he was taken and proclaimed by Nero's Charter a god, with this title, Simon deus sanctus.  
But Peter with the sword of God's word, after long conflict of words, and contention of miracles, between the Capitol or Councel-chamber, and the Mount Aventine caused that, as he was by his Magical exorcisms lifted up, 
Simon ●did fly in the Air.  and flying in the Air, he had such a fall that he broke his Leg, and it cost him his life in Aretia, 
Simon broke his Leg.  where he lay at Surgery for the healing of his leg.  
Of him, all that buy and 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: and some call them that buy or sell Benefices, and spiritual promotions, which thing (although it be often used) is plainly forbidden by the Scriptures. Next Simon succeeded his Disciple Menander, a Samaritan born, which called himself a Saviour sent from heaven, to preserve and save men; and promised them that received his Baptism, should live immortally: he did more harm, and perverced more than his Master Simon had done.  
In the same year the heresy of the Nicolaitans began, which taught that Wives should be used in common; as the Anabaptists do now at this time.  
Then also Corinthus enterprised, to mix the new Law with the old, affirming, Circumcision ought to be observed and kept; and that after the Resurrection, men should live a thousand years in carnal lusts and pleasures. In those days Ebion his heresy broke out, which said, That Christ was not before his Mother. 
John did write his Gospel: against Hebion.  Against this fellow, John wrote his Gospel, last of all the Evangelists. About that time were other divers heretics; as Basilides, that affirmed, there were two beginnings, principal causes of things contrary: and his Scholar Martion a Stoician, that denied Christ to be the Son of God: and Valentian, that said, Christ took no flesh of the Virgin's body, but passed thorough her, as it were, through a Pipe or Conduit. Then also Montanus named himself, the Comforter, or Holy Ghost. Apelles was then also, which said, Christ was but a fantasy in the sight of men: and Sabellius, that said, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, were but one Person: and 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, Novatianus a Priest of Rome was the first author, in the year of our Lord 255, in the time of Cornelius Bishop of Rome: He named his disciples Mundi, that is, pure and clean; and he affirmed, that offenders ought not to be admitted, but rejected, although they were penitent for their sins: Which opinion, the Anabaptists now maintain. He was condemned by Cornelius Bishop of Rome, as an heretic, with all his adherents. About 80 years after, in the reign of Constantine the Great, Arrius a Priest of Alexandria, was the beginner of a Sect and Schism, that denied the Son to be of the substance of God the Father; but this was convict in the Council of Nicene, albeit not extinct.  
The third Schism was, when Damasus was Bishop of Rome, wherein they contended, not only with voices and words, but also with violence and weapons, by reason of the ambition of the Bishops there assembled. 
Schisms of later times.  Other Schisms have sprung in our time, to the great disquietness and confusion of Christian Religion, and destruction of Commonwealths, which I pray God may be redressed and stayed, to the honour of Him, to the confirmation of the faithful, to the subversion of hypocrisy, to the advancement of God's Word, to the mitigating of the trouble of public weals, to the establishment of perpetual unity of heart, and continual peace, all dissension and war extinguished.   

CHAP. IU. When the first General Council was kept, and which were allowed by the Fathers.  
THe custom of assembling Councils, to take deliberation of things doubtful, or matters serious, is of great ancientry, as well among the Hebrews, as other Nations: And by such a manner of Council, 
Mathias elected by a Council.  was Mathias surrogated and substituted in the stead of Judas, into the number of the Apostles. And by a Cowcil holden at Jerusalem the Apostles discharged the Gentiles of Moses' law.  
Cornelius was the first, as plainly appeareth, that called together any Council; and that was in Rome, of 600 Bishops, and as many Priests, wi●h a great multitude of Deacons. In this Council, the heresy of the Novatians was convicted. And at the same time sat also a Council at Carthage, where Saint Cyprian was Bishop. Eusebius wri●eth also, That once in the days of Dionysius, and likewise in the time of Felix, the Fathers summoned another Council at Antioch, to condemn Paul Samosatene, which denied the two Natures of Christ, as is aforesaid.  
Five other Councils were celebrated in the reign of Constantine the Emperor, and all were in Greece; One at Nicaea, 
Council of Nicaea.  a City of Bithine, where were gathered 318 Bishops to confute Arrius and his Sect. This was the year of Christ 324, the same time that Sylvester the First was Bishop of Rome.  
The second was at Constantinople, 
Council at Constantinople.  when Damasus was Bishop of Rome, wherein Macedonius and Eudoxas were condemned, because they did deny the Holy Ghost to be God.  
The third was at Ephesus, 
Council at Ephesus.  Celestine the First then occupying the See of Rome. There, was Nestor's heresy abolished, that said, Marry the Virgin was Mother of Christ a man, but not as he was of God; and that the Person of the Godhead and his Manhood were two sundry Persons.  
The fourth was at Chalcedonie, 
Council at Chalcedon.  under Leo the First, where Eutyches an heretic was condemned: These four Saint Gregory thought worthy to be admitted and allowed to the establishing of our Religion.  
The fifth was solemnly kept at Bizance, 
Council at Bizance.  at the Commandment of Vigilius Bishop of Rome: and in this was Theodorus reasoned with, which affirmed, that Mary did bear only a man, and not God and man; for that cause the Council there then decreed, That Christ's Mother should be called Theotocos, or Deipara, that is, Bearer of God: and the Acts of this Council were received by Gregory.  
The sixth Council, Constantine the fourth, at the request and suit of Agathon, called also at Bizance, where 200 Bishops condemned Macarius of Antioch. This Council was accepted by Hadrian the First. That no Council might be legitimate, or lawfully assembled without the Bishop of Rome's consent and assenr, 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, and all Christian Princes should meet together, to consult of matters concerning our Religion and Christian Faith. It was decreed at the Council 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. 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.   

CHAP. V. Of the first persecutors of Christians; 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 Master, did openly declare the Word of truth, and namely Peter did sorely rebuke the wickedness of the Jews, in putting to death Christ the author of life, advertising them to repent and amend: the Jews were so furious, that first they murdered Stephen, as the Acts of the Apostles testify, because he was a vehement witness of the truth. 
Stephen disputed with all the Learned men of J●wry.  This Stephen did two years continually, after Christ's death, dispute with all the Learned men of Alexandria, Cyrene, Cilicia, and Asia, and by heavenly wisdom, confounded their worldly reasons, and humane learning. Wherefore they were so sore vexed with hate and malice against him, that they violently thrust him out of the City, and then cruelly stoned him to death. 
Stephen is stoned to death.  Thus Stephen was the first open maintainer and defender of our Christian Religion. Afterward, as Luke telleth, 
Stephen first open defender of our faith.  so bitter and sharp persecurion did burst out against the Christians that were in Jerusalem, that they were enforced to stray abroad, and were scattered throughout all Jewry and Samariae, saving that the Apostles remained and so journed still at Jerusalem. Notwithstanding, this persecution was the occasion of great furtherance of the Gospel, by reason they ceased not, but preached still the word every where, with great increase, and augmenting of the faithful number.  
Among the Heathen Nations, 
Nero first persecutor of of all the Heathen Princes.  Nero was the first Prince that persecuted our Religion universally; and put Peter and Paul to death, and consequently many other innocents' 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 resemblance of the burning of Troy, 
Half Rome was burned by Nero.  he set on fire the most part of the City of Rome, with so huge a flame, that it burned six days, and six nights continually, to the impoverishing of many thousands of rich Citizens. Then to mitigate the shameful and abominable deed, and to stint the bruit and slanderous report, that went on him for that flagitious fact, there were forged false witnesses, to say, the Christian men did this act; and so, many simple innocents' smarted for that Tyrant's pleasure: and to obdurate himself in mischief, he proclaimed an open Persecution against all that professed the Name of Christ. Not long after, Domitian renewed another affliction of the Christians: 
Persecution done by the Emperor.  and Trajanus raised the fourth. Marcus Antonius, and Lucius Aurelius Commodus stirred up the fifth Persecution. Aelius Pertinax moved the sixth. Maximinus procured the seventh. Decius, the eighth. Valerianus the ninth. Aurelianus caused the tenth. 
Dioclesian made the greatest Persecution.  And Dioclesianus began the eleventh, which was sorest, 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, and Maximianus behind with their parts, but were as busy as the best, to procure trouble to the Christian people.  
Constantinus born in England, 
Constantinus first defended the Christian Faith.  then called Britain, was the first Christian Emperor, that advanced and defended the causes of our Religion, and preserved Christian men in peace and quietness.  
In all these Persecutions, many did suffer Martyrdom, as divers Histories record; 
Stephen was the first Martyr.  but Stephen was the first Martyr of the New Testament. For John Baptist died before the consummation of the old Law. After this 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, and praise, world without end, So be it.   
The End of the Eighth Book.   

Polidore Virgil.  
The Ninth BOOK.  

CHAP. I. Of Buttons, and other Garments of the Ancients.  
THe Invention of a Button is a thing worthy of consideration, wherewith the Ancients did fasten their Coats together, or sometimes their Girdles. In its lowest part it had the biggest circumference, and so went smaller towards the top like a Pyramid; it was made and joined to the raiment with a Golden or Brazen thread, that it might without out difficulty be moved backwards and forward.  
The most noble and rich men had their Buttons made of Gold. 
The several materials of Buttons.  The men sort of people used Silver. The poorest Brass or Iron. Soldiers did wear Silver Buttons. But Aurolianus at first allowed them to be made of Gold for this Soldiers (as Vopiscus testifies). Emperors had the summity or top of their Buttons made of Jewels, and sometimes the whole Button itself. The Emperor Leo commanded that soldiers should use such Buttons as were only precious for Gold, and rare workmanship, but not such as were enriched with jewels, because those did belong to the use and ornament of the Emperor only. Commanders among other rewards, were wont to give a Golden Button to those Soldiers that had fought with a generous and stout courage, as Livy often mentioneth.  
The Ancients used to wear a short Coat under their Gowns, 
Short Coats.  such as Deacons, and Sub Deacons use, and all did gi●d them except the Senators, who did wear a purple Coat called Latus-Clavur? For they fastened the sides of it together, with Godlen Buttons, which were called in Latin, Latos Clavos, and therefore they did not gird their Coats. This kind of Garment was the token of Senators.  
When it was cold, 
Cloaks.  they did wear a Cloak under their Gowns which was fringed, and Knights most commonly used it, as Isidore declareth.  
In Rainy weather, (as Martial saith) they did put on a Cloak made of Leather or skins, which they did wear above their Coat. They went without Hose to cover their legs, and for that cause when the dust remained on them, they washed them every day (as Quintilian asserts). Pompey having a swelling upon his shin, covered it with a binding of linen, and a Bracelet, so that a certain man said in sport, that he beware that on his leg, which Kings did bear on their heads. Footmen did wear hose or leg-harness, which the Latins called Calige, whence the Soldiers were called Caligati. Likewise they had short-Cloaks or Cassocks, which fastened under their Chin, and when they were ready to fight, they cast it upon both their shoulders; and, that they might be nimbler to resist their enemies, they girded it about them, (as Plutarch doth recite)  
Noblemen and horsemen, did put on Boots made of Hides, that came up to their knees; and from thence upwards, they were armed with Iron.  
There is a great doubt risen, whether the Ancients used a covering for their heads or no: seeing that it is neither manifest in ancient coins nor statues. Certainly they used not a Hat, which represented the one half of an Egg shell, when it was cut in the midst, for that was given to such that were manumitted from their servitude. Moreover, Suetonius relates, that Julius Caesar having found that the deformity of baldness was obnoxious, because of the jeers of detractors, he accustomed to turn back the hair which grew behind his Crown to cover the baldness of his head: but when he could not hide it sufficiently by this means, he usurped the custom of wearing a Crown of Laurel continually; which care had been superfluous, if any covering for the head had been in use.  
But this may be said that the invention of Hats was used to defend the people against the Sun. And on the contrary Plutarch writes that Sylla did rise to no man, nor uncover his head, but when Pompey came. Varro affirms, that according to the institutions of the Ancients, every one was to uncover his head to any Magistrate passing by, and that more for health then honour: which Controversy I will not determine, but leave this field to others, wherein they may exercise themselves.  
It plainly appears, that in the year one thousand one hundred and seventy, there was a certain sort of Hats, that was black, and ascended smaller towards the top, like a Pyramid. And Nicetas, in the life of Alexius Comnenus, writeth, that when the Emperor Andronicus Comnenns was created, a certain Hat which he had, being taken off, in the place thereof there was a Purple or red Mitte put upon his head.   

CHAP. III. Of the Bezoar Stone.  
THe Bezoar Stone was unknown in former ages. 
Bezoar.  Some suppose it to be the tears of a Hart, which, having devoured a Serpent, and casting itself into the water to expel the poison, is wont to weep exceedingly: and then the tears being hardened, and fallen upon the Land, are said to be Bezoar. But that is false. Yet it is true, that those tears have that virtue, though it be not the right Bezoar, which is bred in Mauritanta, and hath wonderful effects against any poison.  
If you take twelve grains of it in wine, 
It's power.  it utterly expels all sorts of poison presently. It hath the same effects, if you lay it upon the bite of a Serpent: and it defends a man's person, so that no poison can hurt him. It is good against the Plague, and pestilen ial Fevers, and its use is wonderful in many diseases and infirmities. The Arabians had the knowledge of it first, as Rhasis saith, who writ of i●, and lived in the reign of Almansor, the great King of Mauritania. The Latins and Grecians never knew this precious stone.   

CHAP. III. Of Alchemy.  
Alchymia, 
Alchemy.  signifieth Infusion or Steeping; For Chymia, in Greek, denotes Infusio in Latin; and All, is an Arabian Article, signifying Hic.  
There is a great controversy when Alchemy was invented. For neither Pliny (though he was otherwise a most diligent author) nor any Greek or Latin Writer make any mention of it. But I believe that it is very ancient; for Suidas writeth, that the Art of Alchemy endured till the time of the Argonauts, when Jason went to take away the golden Fleece; which was nothing else then a certain book, that taught to turn other Metals into gold: For those that invented that story, concealing its name, called it, the Golden Fleece.  
The Egyptians professed that Art very much, in the reign of the Emperor Dioclesian: who, hating them, because they made an insurrection, burned their writings concerning their distilling of Gold and Silver, lest being made rich by this Art, and having gotten plenty of money, they should rebel again. The Emperor Dioclesian was created in the year 287; so that this Art was rather renewed, than new.  
Many things were ingeniously invented in this our Age, which were totally in former times unknown.  
Among which Latin, 
Latin. ●  which is called Lato, may be recorded; which is made bright with some certain powder which is mixed with it, and maketh the shining of the Metal, which is not real; Because if a Spoon of the same Latin be dipped in the same powder, the pure brass, as it was at first, will return to the sight; for the dust being consumed, it loseth the counterfeit brightness.  
The Artists of Alchemy have invented a means to make a Saphyr white, 
A Sapphire made white.  so that it may seem to be Adamant: And so it is wont to be fastened in Rings, that no man, though never so skilful, can discern it to be a Saphyr. I saw a trial of it amongst the Lapidaries of Venice; for a dispute being risen, and a wager laid, Whether the stone which was put in the Ring, were a Saphir or an Adamant; the answer was, it was an Adamant; and such as were skilful in this Art, said that that Saphir could not be distinguished from an Adamant.  
Alchemists also produce a certain kind of Tin, 
Tin like Silver.  which you would think were true Silver, which being struck with a Hammer, remains firm and constant the same, but not in a Vessel, which is called Lacopella, or Cupella: and they have many other notable inventions.  
Likewise they have found out strong waters, 
Aquafort is  wherewith they separate Brass from Silver and Gold, which could not be done in ancient times, (as Vlpianus the Lawyer affirms in lib. 5. §. 3. ff. De rei vindicat. Where he saith, that if Brass were mixed with Gold, it could not be deducted. Those strong waters do wonderfully trouble the sight, when they separate Gold from Silver. For the Silver may be seen to ascend through the middle, as if it were some certain Column; and it is changed into green, red, and other colours, and at last it is scattered in the water, so that the Silver can be seen no more, but all is full of water, the Gold remaining in the Bottom.  
The Cupella was lately found; that admirable vessel is made of a bone of an Ox. 
Cupella.  In this, Gold and Silver is put to be polished and purged of all spots and blemishes, wherein nothing but even the very pure refined Gold remains. The Gold or Silver being involved in a thin leaf of Lead, is cast into that little Vessel, which is put on the fire, and then the Cupella or little Vessel consumes all the other metal which is in it, but leaves the true Gold or Silver, which lieth in the bottom without any mixture, untouched.  
But there is a doubt whether Alchemy be lawful or no? 
Whether Alchemy be lawful or not?  And truly the interpreters, as well of the Civil, as spiritual or Canon Law, affirm with one consent; that though at the first sight it may seem to be concluded negatively, forasmuch as it belongs to God alone to change one substance into another, because no man though of never so great fame, can perform that; And therefore the Devil when he tempted Christ, as if he were in doubt, whether he were the Son of God, or no; said, If thou art the Son of God, cause that these stones may be made bread, that is, Do something which only belongs to God to do. Yet they concluded at last, that Alchemy was lawful. And upon this Arguments, viz. because all metals proceed out of Sulphur and Quicksilver, which the Alchemists call Mercury, which if they receive Air, Water, and Heat sufficient, are turned into Gold, but if they want a fit temper, that they cannot be brought to that perfection, than they make Silver, Tin, Led, or Brass, according to the influence and disposition of the Elements. Therefore humane Art doth not turn one substance into another, but heat and temperament; Sulphur and Quicksilver having the force and power to turn into Gold, and if it cannot be done by reason of some defect, than the Alchemists do supply that heat and temperament by their Art, which will bring the Sulphur into the substance of Gold, as well as if it had been natural. John Andrea, a noted interpreter of the Pontifical Law; writeth, that Arnoldus de villa nova, turned Brass into little Rods of Gold, in the Roman Court, many Cardinals being present; and presently departing, he left it to any sort of trial. The Art may be true, but I believe that there are very few, yea, scarce one that is expert in it. For those that profess it, are either Fools, or much inclined to poverty. Therefore it is an ancient Proverb, I never saw a rich Alchemist.   

CHAP. IU. Of Distillation.  
DIstillation was invented after that the Roman Empire was established. It is credible, that it was found at the same time, in the exercise of Alchemy. Some say, that a certain Physician, having a dish upon the Table full of herbs, being suddenly called to visit a sick person, covered that dish with another, and then went away: but being returned, he found the uppermost dish moistened: and hence considering that he might easily extract juices, he bent his wit so far, that thence he made the beginning of Distillation. Others having imitated him, by practising that Art, have made it perfect. That Art is profitable, because out of it came Aquavitae, Oil of Cinnamon, and innumerable other Liquors, which are of very great effect. By this means it happens that all those waters out of Succocory, Capers, and other herbs, which are wont to be administered to sick persons, are now distilled: whereas formerly they were only boiled, and the Decoction given to the Patients.    
FINIS.  

A Table, containing most of the special Matters or Sentences in this Book.  

A.  
AAron and Saul first anointed, 196  
Abel. 23  
Aborigines. 11  
Abraham. 49  
He taught the contents of Geometry to the Egyptians. 53  
He is circumcised, 161  
ordained the first place of burial. 203  
Adam the first man, 12. he named beasts, 127. He made the first Coat of Leather, 130  
Advent, 226  
Advoutry. 153  
Aeolus observed the winds. 50  
Aeromancy. 62  
Aethiopus despised ointments, 106  
Air. 8  
Alchemy, 305  
Alhallow-day. 336  
Alms. 224  
Amber. 113  
Amphion. 43  
Amphitheatres. 143  
Anacletus forbade Priests to have beards, 172  
Anaxagoras. 3  
Anaximander, 4, 11  
Anchors. 151  
Andronicus, 51  
Annates. 286  
Anointing is the token of Kings. 196  
Anointing of Children, 197  
Antioch. 159  
Antonius Enipho, a Schoolmaster. 28  
Apollo. 3  
Apollo, god of Medicines. 54  
Apostles, 168  
Apparel. 130  
Apparrelin mourning, 139  
April. 78  
Apuleius de asino aureo, 221  
Arabians. 15  
Arcadians, 41  
Archagathus the first Physician in Rome, 56  
Archbishops, 179  
Arch-Deacons, ibid.  
Archelaus, 34  
Archilocus found jambus, 31  
Archimedes devised the Sphere. 50  
Ariopagites judged in the night, 71  
Arras Cloth. 130  
Aristocracy. 170  
Aristotle had the first Library, 84  
Arithmetic. 54  
Ark, 202  
Art of Memory, 87  
Asclepiades abolished Physic. 58  
Assinius polo had the first Library in Rome, 85  
Astrology, 49  
Athanasius, 223  
Athens made many books. 84  
Atlas. 49  
Atoms or Motes. 8  
Authors of the names of Countries. 13  
Augustus' Seal. 118  
Auricular Confession, 112  
Axe. 148   

B.  
BAbylon, 13, 137  
Bacchus. 103  
Baking. 123  
Balm, an herb. 57  
Banners. 245  
Banquetes. 128  
Baptism. 163  
Barbers. 154  
Barchian league, 101  
Barges. 150  
Barks. ibid.  
Baskets, 149  
Baths, 146  
Battle on the Sea, 151  
Beads. 208  
Beasts that be badges, 129  
Beadel denounced noon, 81  
Beholding the bowels of beasts, 63  
Bells, 245  
bellows. 109  
Belus, 3, 21  
Bennets use. 224  
Bezoars stone. 304  
Bible, 231  
Buying of wives. 17  
Birds. 64  
Birthday's. 234  
Bissextus. 79  
Bishops, 160  
Bishops of Rome may change their names, 176  
Bishops of Rome be carried on men's shoulders, ibid.  
Bishop's married Maids, 195  
Blood-letting, 59  
Boats, 150  
Bolts. 90  
Bonfires, 153, 199  
Bondage. 71  
Books, 84  
Bow and shafts, 90  
Bracks and Slings, 90  
Brazen Trump. 44  
Brass, 107  
Brickwork, 132  
Bridle-bits. 91  
Brigantine. 150  
Broaches. 141  
Building. 132  
Bulls of Lead. 284  
Burial is the end of all things. 243  
Burying, 138  
Burying of an Empeperour, 140  
Burning dead bodies, 139  
Buttons. 299   

C.  
Cadmus', 22, 23, 24  
Cadmus wrote the first story of Cyrus. 36  
Cadmus found gold, 107  
Cain. 23, 122  
Cain and Abel sacrificed first. 204  
Calends. 79  
Camillus, 101  
Cancer, 59  
Candles. 109  
Candlemas-day. 191  
Canis. 95  
Canonising of Sainss, 238  
Caps. 183  
Cardinals. 174  
Carpenter's Art. 147  
Carthagenians were first Merchants. 151  
Casting Lots, 64  
Casting money abroad, 193  
Cecrops, 15, 22  
Centauri was found by Chiron, 58  
Ceres. 68  
Ceres' Image. 117  
Ceremonies, why they were so named, 214  
Chaldees. 46, 48  
Chalices of Wood, 243  
Chalices of silver and gold, 244  
Chamberlains. 175  
Chariots. 92  
Charms. 61  
Chances. 95  
Chanters. 166  
Chattering of birds, 64  
Cherry-Trees. 126  
Cheese making. ibid.  
Chess. 95  
Chip-Axe. 147  
Chiromancy. 62  
Chiron, author of Salves. 58  
Chius. 95  
Chrysippus. 4  
Chrism. 197  
Christ, author of our Priesthood. 167  
Crystal. 114  
Christmas Lords. 195  
Christening of Infants, 163  
Churches and Churchyards, 202  
Cicero. 39  
Circenses. 97  
Circumeision, 161  
Civil Crown. 104  
Civil Law. 67  
Cleanthes. 3  
Cleophantus invented colours. 119  
Clergy. 165  
Clocks. 82  
Cockboat, 150  
Coining. 111  
Comedies. 34  
Commendations to dead bodies, 141  
Commonwealth, 70  
Common-women. 153  
Communion. 216  
Compass. 148  
Confession. 219  
Confirmation. 197  
Conjurers. 166  
Constantine forbade putting to death on the Cross. 203  
Constantine born in England, first Christian Emperor, 297  
Consuls of Rome, 73  
Corax gave rules of Rhetoric. 39  
Corn-sowing, 123  
Corona triumphalis, 104  
Corporaces, 244  
Corpus-Christi day, 137  
Covering of Scaffolds, 143  
Councils, 292  
Counting by nails, 54  
Cranes or Vernes, 90  
Cratus taught the Grammar in Rome, 28  
Cries, 99  
Crossbows, 90  
Crosse-dayes. 236  
Cross forbidden to be made. 203  
Crowns of Brazen plate, 103  
Crowns of divers sorts, 104  
Cups were crowned, 104   

D.  
Days of every month, 79  
Days turned into Feries, 230  
Days named of the Planets. 231  
Daphnis found the Shepherd's carols, 32  
Dardanus Trezenius, 44  
Darts. 89  
David sung in Meter, 30, 42  
Decking of Churches, 191  
Declamator. 39  
Decrees, 74  
Dead bodies, 139, 241  
Daedalus slew his Nephew, 148  
Dedication-dayes, 237  
Dedicating of Churches, 205  
Degrees of kindred inhibited to marry, 200  
Deifying of the Emperor, 140  
Delaying of Wines, 125  
Demaratus taught the Etrurians Letters, 25  
Demaratus, 120  
democracy began in Rome, 74  
democracy, 69  
Democritus. 11  
Demosthenes. 39  
Denouncing the Dictator. 71  
Detany, 59  
Division of Nations, 13  
Divorcement; 18  
Diagoras, 4  
dials. 81  
Dialogues, 47  
Debutades. 120  
Dice. 94  
Dictator's first in Rome, 73  
Dictator's Ossice. ibid.  
Dying of Wool. 129  
Dying of hair, 152  
Dioceses, 174  
Dioclesian. 297  
Diodorus. 23  
Dionysius, 40, 122  
Diriges or Exequys, 239  
Disguising, 195  
Divers Divisions of the year. 77  
Divers divisions of the day. 82  
Divers kinds of metre, 31  
Divers manner of Paper. 86  
Diversity of speeches, 12  
Divisions of the night, 83  
Dreams. 65  
Drinking on Maundy-Thursday, 192  
Druids. 46  
Drumslades in War, 45  
Dulcimers. 44  
Dunging Land, 123   

E.  
EAster, 234  
Easter appointed to be kept on the Sunday. 230  
Easter instituted by the Apostles, 233  
Easter to be kept in March. ibid.  
Eating of flesh, 127  
Eclipse of the Sun and Moon. 50  
Eggs. 128  
Egyptians. 49  
Egyptians are superstitious. 157  
Egyptian Letters, 23  
Egyptians found Geometry, 52  
Egyptians found the year. 76  
Election of the Bishop of Rome. 177  
Electors of the Emperor, ibid.  
Eleazar driveth out Spirits, 61  
Embring-dayes, 226  
Embroidering. 130  
Ennius called the Poets holy. 29  
Empedocles. 38  
Endymion perceived the course of the Moon. 50  
Enos. 23  
Epicarmus. 24  
Epicurus. 4  
Epicurus taught the Grammar first. 28  
Epulones. 89  
Ethiopians. 21  
Ethiopians opinion of man. 10  
Evander brought Letters into Italy. 25  
Even and odd, 96  
Eumolphus. 24  
Excommunication. 181  
Exercises. 93  
Extreme Unction. 198   

F.  
FAmous Physicians. 57  
Fanes. 51  
Fasting. 224  
Faunus. 3  
Feasts instituted by the Apostles. 235  
Feasts instituted at the Council of Lions, 236  
February. 78  
Faeciales Sacerdotes, 188  
Feeding of Birds. 64  
Ferry-Boats. 151  
Fetters. 76  
F. was taken of the Aeolians. 25  
F. for V. consonant, ibid.  
Fiddlers and Pipers, 45  
Fight on horseback, 92  
Figures of Arithmetic, 54  
Fire. 7, 109  
Fire and Water given in token of chastity, 19  
First Mass of Priests, 192  
First Church of the Christians. 202  
First Church in Rome. ibid.  
Fishing, 128  
Flesh was not eaten before Noah. 225  
Flying of Birds, 64  
Five parts of Philosophy, 47  
Foreheads, 154  
Frederick Feltrius' Library. 85  
Fuller's craft, 129  
Funerals, 138  
Funeral Plays. 94   

G.  
Galley, 150  
Games. 92  
Garlands, 103  
Gates of Marble. 133  
Geomancy. 62  
Gymnosophists, 46  
Glasses to look in. 111  
Glass. 113  
Glue. 147  
God's Nature. 5  
God made man. 12  
God, what he is. 6  
God was the author of Laws. 68  
God is made man, 158  
God's mercy. ibid.  
Goddesses of favour. 43  
Godfather and Godmother. 163  
God-brother and God-sister, 201  
Gold. 107, 110  
Good Angels. 2  
Goshauke. 143  
Grace at meat. 231  
Grammar, two parts, 27  
Gravers in Marble, 134  
Grecians learned in Egypt. 49  
Gregory established the single life of Priests, 200  
Greek Letters. 25  
Greek stories. 37  
Grinding. 123  
Guns, and when they were first made, 90   

H.  
HAbergeon. 89  
Hallowing of the Priests Vestures. 244  
Hangings. 130  
Harness. 89  
Harp. 108  
Harp, who found it, 43  
Hebrew letters. 25  
Hebrews were authors of Poetry. 29  
Hebrews were authors of Philosophy. 47  
Hebrews after Josephus found Geometry. 52  
Hebrews ordained democracy, 70  
Hechwall. 57  
Helen found the Cross, 203  
Helmets. 89  
Herb called Balin. 57  
Herbs were created for man. ibid.  
Hercules. 96  
Heretics. 289  
Heroical Verse. 31  
Hiperbius. 127  
Hypocrates. 55  
Histories. 36  
Hoye. 150  
Holy bread. 251  
Holidays. 205  
Holywater. 206  
Honey. 126  
Horses. 91  
Hostanes wrote books of Magic. 60  
Hours. 81  
Houses. 132  
Hunting. 128  
Hunting-staves. 90  
Husbandry. 122   

I.  
JAcob made a league, 99  
January, 78  
Janus, 22  
Janus coins of brass, 111  
Javelins. 89  
Icarius. 124  
Idaei dactyli. 108  
Ides. 80  
Idolatry. 20  
Jehosuah. 99  
Iginius made first orders. 170  
John Baptist. 209  
John Guthenbergus found Printing. 85  
Images. 115, 249  
Images of Kings. 20  
Images of Wax. 191  
Institution of wedlock, 14  
Instruments of husbandry. 123  
Instruments of Physic, 57  
Job. 30, 156  
Joseph. ibid.  
Iron. 107  
Isaac digged pits. 136  
Isis. 21  
Jubilee. 281  
Julius Caesar made the year perfect. 78  
Jupiter. 3  
Justes in Rome. 146  
Justing-Spears. 89   

K.  
KEele. 150  
Keeping the Sacrament in Churches, 217  
Kingdoms began in Egypt. 69  
Kings, how they behaved themselves, 70  
Kings of Rome. 72  
Kings and Queens of England. 184  
Kings and Priests were anointed. 196  
Kindred inhibited to marry. 200  
Kissing the Bishop of Rome's feet. 183  
Knights wear Rings for difference. 112  
Knights of the Rhodes, 269  
Knights of St. James, 270  
Knights of Jesus Christ, ibid.  
Knitting nets. 129   

L.  
LAbyrinths. 136  
Labourers pass the time with Songs, 24  
Lacedæmonians manner of War. 45  
Lacedæmonians offerings. 102  
Laity. 164  
Lamech had 2 Wives, 201  
Lame men may not be Priests. 173  
Lammas-day. 237  
Lamps. 191  
Latin stories. 37  
Law. 66  
Law for drinking of wine. 184  
Lawmakers. 68  
Laws of mourning, 239  
Laws natural. 66  
Lead. 107  
Leagues. 99  
Leap-year. 79  
Legends. 223  
Leg-harness. 89  
Lent. 225  
Leontinus Gorgias' Image. 117  
Litanies. 247  
Letters. 23  
Letters to account withal. 54  
Letting of blood. 59  
Lever. 108  
Levites. 66  
Liberty of the old Satyrs. 34  
Libraries. 84  
Licinius Calvus. 75  
Lycurgus. 68  
Lydians. 110  
Lighter. 150  
Line. 147  
Linen. 129  
Linus. 30  
Livius Andronicus, ibid.  
Looking-glasses. 111  
Lots. 64  
Lucretia. 154  
Lupercalia. 96   

M.  
Magicians. 46  
Magi. 61  
Magic. 60  
Mahomet's Sect. 276  
Maids of Cypress, 152  
Maids of Rome and Greece, 19  
Maying. 193  
Marjoram. 59  
Malcolm, King of Scots. 17  
Manner of divers Nations in Marriages, 15  
Manner of reckoning years. 53  
Mantil. 130  
Manumission, 71  
Marble, 133  
March, 77  
Marcus Cato banished Physicians out of Rome. 56  
Marcus Valerius ordained a Dial in Rome. 82  
Mary the Virgin died, 160  
Marriage began in Paradise. 15  
Marriage of divers Nations. ibid.  
Marriage of Priests, 198  
Marius. 75  
Mars, author of Chivalry. 88  
Martyrs. 294  
Masques. 153, 194  
Messagetes. 15  
Mass, the parts thereof. 214  
Masts. 151  
Matches. 109  
Matins, Prime and Hours. 221  
Measures and Weights, 53  
Meats forbidden on Fasting-days. 231  
Melissus. 21  
Melting brass. 108  
Memory of Martyrs, 237  
Menander. 35  
Men deified. 2, 237  
Men lived by Acorns, 123  
Men of great memory, 87  
Men were first called Christians in Antioch. 159  
Men were sacrificed by the Gentiles. 204  
Men wrote in plates, 86  
Menon. 23  
Mercury. 38, 48, 68  
Mercury found the Concords, 41  
Mercury found the Harp. 43  
Mercurius Trismegistus appointed 12 hours in the day. 81  
Metals. 107  
Meter, divers kinds thereof. 31  
Mice engender of the mud. 10  
Milk. 128  
Minister. 166  
Minos. 68  
Minos had the first rule on the Sea. 149  
Myrrh. 114  
Moly. 58  
Monarchy. 69  
Months. 79  
Money. 110  
Monks, 257  
Morispikes. 89  
Moses. 24, 29, 103  
Moses did promulgate the first Laws. 68  
Moses did write the first story. 36  
Moses found the trump, 45  
Moses ordained divorcements. 18  
Motleys. 130  
Moulds. 121  
Mourning. 239  
Mourning is superstitious Hypocrisy, 241  
Mummius destroyed Corinth. 120  
Mural crown. 104  
Music. 40  
Music maketh a man effeminate. 42   

N.  
NAbles. 44  
Naked games. 94  
Nasamones. 17  
Nature gave Music to men. 40  
Nature of Oil. 196  
Naval Crown. 104  
Necromancy. 62  
Nemi. 94  
Neptunus. 2  
Neptunus had the Empire of the Sea. 149  
Nero first persecutor, 296  
Nets. 129  
New-Years gifts. 193  
Night sacrifices are abolished, 229  
Nilus doth overflow Egypt. 51  
Ni●us did enlarge his Empire. 70  
Noah made the first Altar. 165  
Noah planter of the Vine. 125  
Noon. 82  
Nonas. 80  
Notaries. 175  
Numa added to the year. 78  
Numbers. 53  
Nuns. 182  
259   

O.  
OBelisci. 141  
Observing of days. 48  
Observing of diet, was beginning of Physic. 54  
Obsidional Crown. 104  
Occasion of Idolatry, 20  
Ochus. 46  
Odd and even. 96  
Offering. 191  
Office sold in Rome, 176  
Oil. 196  
Ointments. 105  
Olympiades'. 93  
olive-oil, 126  
One God. 6  
Opinion of Philosophers, 3  
Opinion of the birth of of man. 9  
Oracle. 115  
Oracles doubtful. 2  
Oracles ceased at Christ's coming. 206  
Orator. 39  
Order of Cardinals, 175  
Order of Manumission, 71  
Oresteus. 124  
Organy. 59  
Orpheus. 22, 30, 40, 46.  
Original of Heathen Gods. 1  
Otho, a Germane, made Emperor, 178   

P.  
PAinting, 118  
Palamedes array, 89  
Pallas. 3  
Pamphilia. 130  
Panase. 58  
Pancias. 103  
Paper. 86  
Parchment, ibid.  
Pardons. 282  
Parishes. 173  
Parts of Rhetoric, 39  
Parts of the night, 83  
Parthians. 57  
Paschal Candles. 234  
Patriarches. 179  
Paul is converted, 160  
Peacock. 128  
Pelagius caused Subdeacons' to forsake their Wives. 200  
Penitencers. 266  
Pencil. 119  
Pentecost. 235  
Persecutors. 297  
Peter and Philip had Wives. 199  
Peter crucified. 160  
Peter converted three thousand. 159  
Phedon. 110  
Pherecides. 37  
Phidias. 118  
Philip, Emperor, proclaimed an heretic, 249  
Philosophy, 46  
Philosophy in three parts, 47  
Pyrrhus dance. 94  
Physicians famous, 57  
Physic. 54  
Phonoreus. 68  
Pillars. 133  
Pirodes struck fire out of flint, 109  
Pyromancy. 62  
Pisistratus made the first book. 84  
Pythagoras called himself a Philosopher, 47  
Pythagoras observed the Daystar. 50  
Pits, who digged them, 136  
Plays or Shows. 92  
Plato, 8  
Pliny. 23  
Plough. 123  
Plucking out of Teeth, 55  
Poets. 112  
Poets be called holy, of Aeneas. 29  
Poetry. ibid.  
Pole-axes. 89  
Polignotus. 118  
Punishment for Adultery. 16, 153  
Punishment for omitting Oblations. 204  
Pontifex Maximus, 187  
Possessions permitted to the Clergy. 252  
Posthumius. 102  
Potter's craft, 120  
Potter's frame. 121  
Prayer. 207  
Preaching. 208  
Price of Writs, 284  
Priest's age. 173  
Priests. 168  
Priests first Mass. 192  
Priests of Egypt. 128  
Priests of Egypt wrote stories. 37  
Priesthood. 165  
Primitive Church, 169  
Prime. 80  
Prince Electours. 178  
Printing. 85  
Prisons. 76  
Prognostications. 52  
Prometheus. 111  
Prophesying, 63  
Prose. 37  
Protagoras. 4  
Psalter of David. 30  
Psammeticus, 10  
Ptolemeus' Libraries, 84  
Pultries. 128  
Purification of women, 201  
Purple colour. 131  
Purple robe. 196   

Q.  
QThe Letter. 26  
Quarrels. 90   

R.  
RAmmers. 90  
Readers. 166  
Reading the Bible at meat. 231  
Riding of horses, 91  
Reckonings. 53  
Reconciliation of Churches. 237  
Regals. 44  
Religion. 13, 156  
Relics. 279  
Repentance, a remedy for sin, 218  
Rhetoric, 38  
Right hand, 183  
Ringing to Service. 245  
Rites of burying, 138  
Rites of Marriage. 18  
Royal Ornaments, 75  
Romans burned their dead bodies. 139  
Romans League, 99  
Rome made orders. 170  
Romulus. 72  
Romulus ordered the year. 77  
Rowing in Boats. 150, 151  
Rudders. ibid.  
Rue. 59  
Ruling the Commonwealth. 69   

S.  
sabbath-days of the Jews. 232  
Sacrament of the Altar, 217  
Sacrifices. 227  
Sails. 150  
Solomon. 136  
Solomon made the first Temple. 202  
Salt. 128  
Saluting with kisses, 184  
Sanctuaries, 142, 201  
Sand Dial. 82  
Satyrs, 34  
Saturnalia games. 97  
Saturnus, Father of the gods. 4  
Savery. 59  
Saw. 148  
Scaffolds. 143  
Scarlet robes. 175  
Schisms. 290  
Scythians League. 100  
Scribes. 284  
Selandine. 59  
Senio. 95  
Servius Tullius. 111  
Secretaries. 285  
Seth's posterity. 49  
Sextons, 166  
Shafts. 90  
Shawms. 44  
Shave Crowns. 171  
Ships. 150  
Shoemaker's craft, 130  
Silk. ibid.  
Sylla. 75  
Silver. 107  
Silver coined in Egina, 110  
Silvester commanded, That a Priest should have but one Wife, 199  
Simony. 287  
Simonides. 5  
Singing Psalms by course, 222  
Singing to the Lute, 44  
Single-livers. 17  
Scythes. 90  
Slings. ibid.  
Smith's Forge. 108  
Socrates, 42  
Solicitors, 285  
Sol. 81  
Soul-masse day, 241  
Summoner's. 285  
Sons of Noah, 13  
Sons of Seth found the Letters. 24  
Sodering of Iron, 108  
Spears. 89  
Speaking of the Nature of God is dangerous, 5  
Spindle's. 129  
Spinning, 130  
Spirits. 60  
Spurius Carilius. 18  
Squire. 147  
Stations. 281  
Stalling a Bishop, 17●  
Staves. 8●  
Steeples, 137, 13●  
Stephen is martyred 15●  
Stars, of what powe● they be. 48  
Stews. 152, 29●  
Stocks, 7●  
Story of a King's daughter. 1●  
Striking of the Clock, 82  
Subsidies and taxes. 76  
Succession of Priesthood, 166  
Superstition turned into Religion. 227  
Supplications. 247  
Susanna. 154  
Swearing. 181  
Swine commended in sacrifices. 127  
Swords. 89  
Sword-players. 98   

T.  
Table's. 94  
Talus. 95  
Tapers. 191  
Targets. 89  
Taxes or subsidy that they pay, which have benefices, 285  
Telesphorus did appoint Lent to be kept before Easter, 226  
Tennis. 94  
Tents, 135  
Texts proving Confession. 220  
Thales. 3, 77  
Theatres, 142  
Themistocles, 42  
Theodosius commanded, That no Cross should be graven on the ground, 203  
Theseus, first Tyrant. 71  
Thessaly used Magic, 60  
Thracians fashion of burying, 139  
Three strings in the Harp, 43  
Three Masses on Christmas-day. 215  
Tile and Slate. 132  
Tyrians were cunning Capentersr, 148  
Tisias gave rules of Rhetoric. 39  
Tithes, 25●  
Titles of Bishops of Rome, 283  
Tongues, 108  
Towers, 135  
Tragedies, 32  
Tragos. ibid.  
Transfigurations. 235  
Tribunes. 74  
Triumphs. 101  
Trix. 33  
True Fast. 225  
Truce for years. 99  
Tubal-Cain. 40, 88, 108  
Turning our faces Eastward, 208   

V.  
Venus'. 95  
Venus, a common woman, 152  
Vermilion, 114  
Vigils, 229  
Vizards were found by Echilles, 33  
Voices. 72  
Vows. 246  
Use of Scotland. 17  
Use in the Service. 224  
Vulcanus. 108  
Vultursii. 96  
Uxor ab ungendo, 19   

W.  
Wagons. 92  
Walls of houses, 135  
Washing of feet on Maundy-Thursday, 184  
Washing dead bodies, 241  
Watchwords. 89  
Watches, wards. ibid.  
Water is cause material, 7  
Waterdial. 82  
Weights and Measures, 53  
Weaving, 129  
Weathercocks. 51  
Whit-Sunday. 164  
Wimble. 147  
Winds, 50  
Wine, 124  
Wine-Taverns, 125  
Winter-garlands, 103  
Wool, 129  
Women had commendations in Rome, 141  
Women may not base their heads in the Church, 182  
Women of India. 139  
Works due on the Holidays. 232  
World made of nought, 8  
World was made by Meter, 31  
Wrestling. 94  
Writing in Egypt, 143  
Writing Tables. 192   

X.  
X The letter. 25  
Xamolxis. 46  
Xerxes. 95   

Y.  
YAwning, 248  
Year, who found it. 77  
Yoking Oxen. 123   

Z.  
ZEphus, 40  
Zeno, 11  
Zoroaster found Magic. 60   
FINIS.