Of God . GOD is called in the holy Scriptures by these names ; Elohim , Elohah , El , Eli , Elion , Iehouah , Iah , Adonai , Shaddai , Zebaoth , which signifie his name , essence , power , & omnipotencie .

GOD is called Iehouah , not only because he is , hath been , and shall bee , but for that in him we liue , moue , and haue our beeing . August .

Iesus in the Greeke tongue is called Sother , in Latine Sanator or Saluator , & euery name of these signifieth in our language a Sauiour , likewise Emanuell , which is to say , God with vs ; Alpha & Omega , the beginning and the ending .

Iesus is the proper name of Christ , and Christ his sirname , Iesus the name of his god-head and diuinitie , Christ the name of his office and dignitie , from which we are denominated Christians , how vainely then doe the Iesuites call themselues from his proper name ?

God hath created man 4. seuerall wayes ; the first , without man and woman , as Adam out of the earth ; the second , of man without woman , as Euah of Adams rib , the third , of man and woman , as we are now borne , the fourth and last , of a virgin without man , as Christ of the virgine Mary . Bernard .

GOD within the Arke , made quiet the Lyon with the Leopard , the Wolfe with the Lambe , the Beare with the Cowe , the Tygar with the Crocodile , the Horse with the Mare , the Dog with the Catte , the Foxe with Hennes , the Hounds with Hares , and so of all other beasts . Aurelius .

Socrates , the schoolemaister of Plato , confessed one onely God , and was condemned to drinke poyson , for teaching that the heathen Gods which they worshipped in hys time , were but vanity . Aul. Gel.

When Plato wrote of any serious matter , he began his Letters in the name of one only God , and when otherwise , in the name of many gods . Ep. ad Dyonis .

Orpheus who did write of the pluralitie of gods in his time to Musaeus , made recantation , saying , There is but one God . Athenag .

Cicero alledgeth one soueraigne god , Hermes Euripides , Sophocles , Epictetus , Hesiodus , & Ouid , attribute the creation of the world , and all things therein to one God .

Antisthenes was of opinion , that there were many popular gods , and but one true and naturall God , which is the Creator of al.

The Sabians worshipped God in 3. persons , naming the first Holy , the second Fidius , the third Semi-pater , and in their oathes they did commonly put Fidius in the midst , as vnder that name comprehending all the 3. persons , whereof came their great oath , Medius Fidius .

The auncient Romans called their Iupiter Optimus maximus , to shew that his diuinity is before his omnipotencie .

The Persians had two gods , the one good , Creator & author of al goodnes , whom they called by the name of Truth , the other wicked , author of all euill , resembling him to Darknes and Ignorance . Agathius .

The Tuscane wits are sharpe and waspish , God keepeth them vnder a Prince , the Switzers be a people of a contrary disposition , peaceable and quiet , he therefore giueth them liberty , the Venetians to be of a meane betwixt both , therefore hee permitteth to them a mixt or meane kind of gouernment . Lipsius .

Euclides beeing demaunded many things touching God , aunswered : Other thinges I know not , but of this I am assured , that hee hateth curious persons .

The Athenians banished Protagoras their cittie and Country , because in one of his bookes he called in question the dietie ; and caused his bookes to be burned . Cicero .

Vpon the image of Senacharib in Egipt was written , Learne by me to feare God .

Pherecides an Assyrian , for contemning God , and godlines , was so consumed with lyce , that he fled for shame from the societie of men , and died miserably .

Lucian , hauing professed Christianity vnder the Emperour Traian , fell away afterwardes , and became so prophane and impious , that hee mocked at Religion and diuinitie , where-vpon hee was sirnamed Atheist , in the end he was torne in peeces with dogs . Suidas .

The Emperour Iustinian , continuing obstinate in the heresie of Pelagius , the wrath of God fell vpon him , and suddenly without any grudge or token of sicknes , hee was depriued of his sences , and became a foole , hee was so strooken , that his life and folly ended in one day . P. Diaconus .

Iulian the Apostate , at his death cast vp his blood into the ayre , crying Vicisti Galilaee .

Augustus erected an Altar in the Capitoll , with this inscription , The altar of the first begotten sonne of God . Niceph.

The Emperour Tiberius , vpon a Letter written to him from Pontius Pilate , reporting the miracles of Iesus and his innocent death , with his glorious resurrection , preferred a bill to the Senate with his assent vnto it , to haue them proclaime Iesus to bee God , which they refused , but Tiberius abode still in his opinion . Egesippus .

Alexander the sonne of Mammea , dyd in his chappell worship Iesus , sirnamed Christ , of whom he tooke his Poesie , ( Doe not to another , that which thou wouldest not haue doone vnto thy selfe . ) And therefore the Antiochians called him the Arch priest of Syria . Dion .

Certaine Pagans vsed outrage and offered great iniurie to a religious man , and in disdaine asked him what profit hee had by his Christ ? Is not this , aunswered hee , a singuler profit , not to be moued with your bitter words , and to pardon the heauie wrongs you haue doone me ? Cassianus .

The Apostles forsooke all , and followed Christ , that the mother Church might receiue them naked , whom their mother flesh had brought naked into the world . Cyprian .

The Christian souldiers vnder Iulian the Apostate burning incense , had almost forsaken Christ , but after , beeing better aduised , they restored theyr gifts to him which hee gaue them to commit idolatry , and earnestly desired , that for their right hand which had made that fault , their whole body might suffer for Christ . Ph. Lonicerus .

Marcellius Bishop of Rome , for ●eare of Dioclesian offered sacrifice to idols , & Heathen gods , but afterward lamented it . Idem .

Origen constrained and drawne to the Altar by the cruell instruments of sathan , sacrificed to the gods of Alexandria , but after being desired to teach at Ierusalem , reading the 16. verse of the 50. psalme , Vnto the wicked sayd God , what hast thou to doe , to declare mine ordinaunces , that thou shouldest take my commaundement in thy mouth ? he sate downe and mourned .

The Valentinians did hold , that there were thirtie couple of Gods , the Heathen worshipped thirty thousand . August .

Euphemera Tegeian , wrote the true Historie and genealogie of the Heathen Gods , shewing that they were Kings , Princes , and great personages , and therfore he was called Atheist . Lactan.

Varro , the best learned of all the Romans , made a bedrole of all the gods , for feare ( as he sayth ) least they should stray away , wherin he concludeth , that those doe worship the true God , which adorne the onely one , and acknowledge him to bee the Gouernour of all the world .

The Pyrrhonists , a kinde of Philosophers called Sceptikes ( that is to say , doubters ) dyd rather suspend theyr iudgment touching the God-head , then call it in question .

Of Heauen . Heauen is called of Aristotle , the most excelent booke of nature , whose longitude is between both the Poles , latitude from East to the West , and altitude from the South to the North.

THere are in Heauen three Hierarchies , Epiphania , Epiphonomia , Euphumia . Epiphania , containeth three orders , Seraphins , Cherubins , Thrones , the first of these excelleth in zealous loue , the second in knowledge , the third in iustice .

Epiphonomia , containeth likewise three orders , Principalities , Powers , Dominations , the first teacheth men of lower estate to reuerence their farre betters ; the next , chase away euill spirits , comforting them that fight in ghostly battel , the last informe men how to behaue themselues in spiritual conflicts . Isidor .

Euphumia , hath also vnder it three lower orders , Vertues , Archangels , Angels , Angels working miracles , shewing miracles , & comforters .

Saint Denis writeth of three Hierarchies , the first aboue heauen , of three persons , the second in heauen , of Angels , the third vnder heauen , of Prelates .

The Spheare , taken generally , containeth all perfect rounde bodies , whether they be sollid or not ; whether contained vnder one only Superficies or more , and so may euery Orbe be called a Spheare : perticulerly taken , and in his proper signification , nothing is a Spheare but a perfect round body being solid , contained vnder one Superficies or face , in whose middle is a poynt , from which all lines that are drawne to the Superficies , are equall the one to the other .

This is deuided into two parts , Elementall , which containeth the foure Elements , Fire , Ayre , Water , Earth , which are subiect to alterations ; Aethereall , that compasseth the ●●ementall substance in his hollownes ▪ being by nature lightsome , vnchangeable , & cont●ineth tenne Spheares .

The first and highest , is called the first Mooueable , containing all the other , and by his naturall motion mooueth from the East to the West , & so to the East againe in 24. howres space , & carrieth by violence all the other Spheares .

The next is the heauen Christaline , which naturally but very slowlie , moueth from the East towards the west , in many yeeres passing but one degree . This motion hath caused the starres to alter their longitudes .

The third is the Firmament of fixed starrs , whose motion by nature is vppon two little Circles , the one about the head of Aries , the other of Libra , which is called the motion of Trepidation .

The other seauen Spheares are of the seauen Planets , of which Saturne is the highest , yet slowest in proper motion , cold , dry , and pale , who endeth his course in thirty yeeres , he mooueth from west toward East .

Iupiter is temperate , faire and bright , moouing from West to East , whose course 〈◊〉 preformed in twelue yeeres .

Mars is hote and dry , of fierie colour making his reuolution from West toward East in two yeeres .

Sol is a King among the Plants in the mid● of his throne , the golden eye of heauen , lightning the vniuersall frame with his beames making one perfect reuolution in three hundred sixtie fiue dayes and sixe houres .

Venus is cold , moist , and cleere , her cours● is like vnto Sol , neuer aboue eight & fortie degrees from him , when she sheweth in ou● Horizon shee is called Lucifer , the day starre and when shee followeth him , shee is called Hesperus , the euening starre .

Mercurie is neuer aboue 29. degrees from the Sun ▪ his course is like vnto the same .

The Moone lowest of the seauen , running ouer the whole Zodiacke in 27. dayes and eyght houres , and somewhat more . Al these seauen make theyr reuolution naturally from West to East , & yet by violence of the first moueable , are carried from East to West .

The Spheare of heauen goeth vpon two Poles , the North and the South , which are neuer seene of vs .

The Center of the Spheare is the middle poynt of the same , and the Axe of it is a right line , passing from one side of the same ( by his Center ) to the contrary side , about which the roundnes of heauen moueth , as a wheele about an Axletree , but the lyne it selfe stand●th still .

The ends of this line Axis , are called Cardines caeli , because they mooue about the hollownes of the Poles .

The Hemispheare is halfe the Spheare , that is the part that is seene of vs , & for default of our sight , it seemeth to vs to touch the earth .

In the body of the highest Spheare & first Moueable , it is imagined that there are ten Circles , the sixe greater are the Aequinoctial , Zodiacke , Horizon , Meridian , and two Colures , the lesser foure , are the Tropicke of Cancer , the Tropicke of Capricorne , the Articke , and Antarticke .

The Equinoctiall , called the Aequator , or girdle of heauen , deuideth Heauen into two parts alike , the which be called Hemispheares , so called , eyther for that it is equally in the midst of heauen , or for that the Sun comming to his circle , makes both day & night equall .

The Zodiacke is a great circle , & taketh his name of the Greek word signifying a lyuing creature , and of the Latines Signifer , for th●● it beareth the twelue signes .

Horizon deuideth the halfe of the Heaue● which we see , from the halfe which wee 〈◊〉 not , in Latine it is called Finitor , & maketh principal points , East , West , North , Sout●

The Meridian passeth from the Poles of 〈◊〉 world by our Verticall poynt , cutting the H●●rizon in the North and South poynts .

Colures doe declare the times called Aequ●●noctiall and Solstitiall , that is , when the da● and night be equall in length , also when th● day and the night are at the longest , passin● by the signe Libra into Aries , & turne 〈◊〉 to their owne point .

The Tropicke of Cancer is a circle , equall●● distant from the Equinoctiall , lying between● it and the North Pole , and touching the E●clipticke in the beginning of Cancer , it is calle● Tropicke , signifying a returning , because th● Sunne beeing brought to this point , fallet● in his noone height , and returneth againe .

The Tropicke of Capricorne is betwixt the Aequator and the South Pole , & is described by the Sun in the shortest day of winter , 〈◊〉 which time the sun entereth into Capricorne ▪

The Articke Circle is a lesse circle of the Spheare , described by the Northerne Pole , of the Ecliptick ▪ Proclus sayth it is described by the formost foote of Vrsa maior , & thereof taketh his name .

The Antarticke is a like circle described by the South Pole of the Eclipticke , and is called Antarticke of a Greek word , which signifieth Opposition , because it is opposite to the other .

The foure greater circles are still the same through the whole world , and are sayd to bee moueable circles , for so much as in the motion of heauen , they be also mooued , of the which the Aequinoctiall and the Zodiacke are moueable perfectly : but the two Colures are vnperfectly mooueable , and neuer shew the whole circle in any crooked Spheare .

The other 2. greater circles be called fixed , for that they neuer mooue by the motion of heauen , but they be changeable in euery region , forsomuch as the Verticall of euery Region is diuers , by the which the Meridian of necessitie must passe , and is the Pole also of the Horizon .

By the twelue signes the Planets that bee called Sidera errantia moue not , for they err , for they haue most certaine moouing , but they bee called errantia , because they holde theyr course against the course of the Firmament . Marcianus .

Caput Draconis , and Cauda Draconis , the hea● of the Dragon , and the tayle , are two starre that are of the natures of Planets ; this Dra●gon kept the garden of the Hesperides , an● for his continuall watching was placed i● Heauen . Ouid.

Cepheus was sometimes King of Egipt , th● husband of Cassiopeia , and Father of Andr●●meda the loue of Perseus , at whose byrth th● Gods swore that none of his kinde should tast of immortalitie , and therefore hee 〈◊〉 stellified .

Bootes or the Northerne Wagoner , kee●peth the two Beares , the same circle is calle● Ar●ophilax , and is beautified with man● starres .

Corona , or Ariadnes crowne , made of ni●● siluer starres , which was the garland that Venus gaue vnto her when she became Bacchu● loue after that Theseus forsooke her . Ouid.

Hercules , after his many great labours , 〈…〉 the consent of all the Gods , was taken v● into Heauen .

Lyra , or the Harpe of Orpheus , by who●● melodious touch hee drewe stones , byrds and beasts after him ; after his death wa● fained to be a signe in Heauen .

Cignus the Swanne , vnder whose shape Iupiter rauished Laeda , was by him made a star .

Cassiopeia , sometimes the pride of Egypt , for brauing the Sea Nymphs Nereides with her beauty , was changed into a starre , who in the motion of the heauens is drawn backwards .

Perseus is next her , the sonne of Danae , whom Iupiter begot of her in the shape of a golden shower , he ouercame Medusa by the help of Minerua , and rescued Andromeda , but at hys returne , his grandsire Acriseius meeting him , was by Medusas heade turned to a stone , which Perseus much lamenting , was by the Gods taken vp into heauen .

Auriga or the Wagoner , the Poets fayne to be Hippolitus , who stying his mother Phaedras lust , was for his chastitie by the Gods made a starre .

By him stands the great Iupiters Nurse , by w●om hee was fostered , when hee was conueied by his mother Ops , from Saturne , who would haue deuoured him .

Serpentarius the Serpent holder , hauing the picture of a man , is composed of twenti● foure starres , holding a Serpent in his hand● and as it were striuing there-with , hee is fayned to bee Esculapius the sonne of Apollo , who when Hippolitus was dead , restored him againe to life , and after was called Vi●●bius . Ouid.

The Serpent Phoebus placed by his sonne for that by his meanes hee restored ●lau●● king Minos sonne from death to life .

Sagitta the dart , is that strong steeled arro● with the which Hercules killed the Griffi●● that tyred vpon Prometheus hart , when he● was chained to the top of Caucasus , for ste●●ling fire from heauen .

Aquila the Eagle , or the bird of Ioue , wh●● stole the fayre Phrygian Ganimede , an● brought him to Iupiter , who serued him wit● N●●●ar and Ambrosia .

The Dolphin is that Fish which when ●●rion was cast into the sea , first receiue him kindly vppon his backe , and afterwar● sette him sa●e on shoare in Italie , in recom●pence whereof , the Gods placed him in th● firmament .

Equiculus , the little horse of Bacchus , 〈◊〉 whom he vsed to ryde when his idle brain● was ouerburdened with too much win● a●ter whose death , his maister desired the Gods that he might in requitall of his seruic● be made a starre .

Pegasus , the flying horse , ingendred by the sun , of Medusas blood , could be managed by 〈◊〉 , vntill Bellerophon vndertooke him , who ●●ding vp into the skies , fell downe from him 〈◊〉 to the Seas , but the horse kept his way still 〈◊〉 heauen , where he resteth .

Andromeda the wife of Perseus , ( at whose ●●rth the Gods promised her immortality , ) ●●ter her death had her place amongst the ●●arres .

The Triangle signifieth the three squared forme of the thrice happy land of Cicilia , the Countrey of Ceres , which shee desired the Gods to be placed in heauen , for the loue she ●●re to the Land .

All these stars aboue mentioned , haue their residence in the Arcticke clymes , keeping their continuall motion with the Spheares .

Aries is the golden Ramme , that carryed Phryxus and his sister ouer Hellespont from their cruell mother .

Taurus the Bull that Iupiter transformed him into , when he stole Europa the daughter of Agenor .

Within his forme are the seauen starres : once Atlas daughters called Atlantides , of ●●e which Electra the fayrest , the same night that Troy was burned , puld in her head , and would not see the flames , since which ●●me , there be but sixe of them seene , who are also named , Hyades , and Plyades .

Gemini , Castor , and Pollux , were begot 〈◊〉 Iupiter one Leda , when he transformed him●selfe into a Swan .

Cancer the Crab , when Hercules was figh●ting with Hydra , bit him by the heele , who● he espying killed , but Iuno for that she se●● her , made her a signe in heauen .

Leo was the Nemean Lyon , whom Hercul●● slew , and Ioue placed in heauen to grace hi● Sonne .

Virgo the Poets faine to be Iustice , wh●● forsaking earth flew to heauen , enforced b● the wickednes of men .

Libra are the ballance of Iustice , wheret● she wayed the vnequall actions of mens dis●ordered lyfes .

Scorpio was made a signe for killing Ori●● with his sting , who proudly boasted , that th● earth bred no monster , but he could subdue

Sagitarius is Crocus , the sonne of Euth●●mia , that nursed the Muses , who sucked tha● milke the Muses left , whom at their reque●● Iupiter made a signe .

Capricornus was the disguised shape of Pa● the God of sheepheards , halfe fish and half Goate , when the Gyant Typhon warred a●gainst the Gods , which when the wars wer● ended , Iupiter placed among the starres .

Aquarius is Ganymedes of Troy , whom Iupiter caused his Eagle to fetch to bee his ●●ge .

Pisces are those fishes , that when Venus and Cupid sporting themselues by Euphra●es , were compassed by the great Gyant Tiphon , for feare of him tooke the Riuer , and were sustained by them whom she changed to starres .

These stars following , are of the Southerne climate .

The Whale is placed next to the signes , which should haue deuoured Andromeda .

Orion was the sonne of Hyreus , who entertained Iupiter , Neptune , and Mercury , as they trauailed , who desired of them a Sonne , who after his death was thus metamorphized .

Eridanus or Padus , the Riuer wherein Phaethon was drowned , which for quenching of that flame , is among the starres .

The Hare is at his feete with two fierce dogges pursuing it , this fearefull beast Phaethon delighted in , when he liued .

Iasons shippe in the which hee brought to Colchos , the golden fleece was placed next to Orion .

The Crow was so changed by Apollo , and the Cup likewise , with Hydra the Serpen● told him , kept him from the well , whethe● he was sent with the Cup for water .

Centaurus called Chiron the Schoolemaiste● of Esculapius , Achilles , and Hercules , was b● the Gods stellified .

The Woolfe was placed next to him , an● an Altar , holding the Sacrifice in his hand● ready to offer , signifying his deuotion .

The wheele whereon Ixion was tortured for offering dalliance to Iuno .

The Southerne fish is called Venus daugh●ter , so transformed in the Sea .

Of Religion . From the beginning of the creation of th● world , Abell and Cain did religiously sacrifice● God , but Enoch was the first that set downes what manner he should be called vpon .

THE auntient Romaines through the in●stinct of nature onely , did so reuerenth think of Religion , that they sent theyr chi●●dren , and the most noble men of Rome the● Sonnes into Hetruria , to learne the mann●● of seruing God . Liuius .

They had neuer any greater meanes to extend the borders of theyr Empire , and the glory of their famous Acts ouer all the earth , then Religion . Polybius .

Among the Athenians no King was created , before he had taken orders , and was a Priest , they killed all those that enuied theyr religion .

Theyr chiefest oath was this , In defending religion , both alone and with others will I fight against my foes . Demosth.

The Aegiptians of Philosophers chose their Priests , and of Priests their Kings .

The Lacedemonians when they laid hands vpon those that fled to the temple of Neptune for succour , Sparta was so shaken with earth-quakes , that few of theyr houses escaped . Nat. Comes .

The Phocians were condemned in a great summe of money , by the Amphyctiones , because they had tilled grounde , which was consecrated to the Gods , which sum , when they refused to pay , they pronounced theyr Countrey , as confiscate to the Gods , wherevpon arose a warre , called the holy warre , made by the rest of the Grecians against them , which in the end was their ruine . Diodorus .

Epicurus first began to rise , against the religion of God . Lucretius .

The Germaines in the time of Tacitus , 〈◊〉 neyther lawe nor religion , nor knowledge nor forme of common wealth , whereas no● they giue place to no nation for good in●struction in all things .

The Chananites were the first that we●● ignorant of the true worshipping of God because theyr first Authour and original Cham was cursed of his Father Noah . La●●tantius .

The Hebrewes worshipped the true Go● at the first , but when they increased in number , as the sands of the Sea , they went into diuers Countries , and left there true religion , fayning newe Gods and ceremonies ▪ after their owne inuentions . Idem .

The Romaines allowed the seruice of 〈◊〉 Gods , and to that end builded a temple to them all , called Pantheon , yet would they neuer receaue the true God , to wit , Iehouah the Lord GOD of the Hebrewes . Eusebius .

Ecebolius in Constantines time a Christian , in Iulianus a Gentile , lay along in the Church Porch , crying , tread me vnder foote , for that I am vnsauory salt . Idem .

Vitalis a Souldiour , when Vrsicinus a Phisition endured martirdome for religion , seeing his courage to faile , boldly spake to him , ●oe not Vrsicinus now cast away thy selfe , that hast cured so many , nor after so much blood of thine spilled , loose the merrit which is prepared for thee . Antonius .

The vnchristianlike behauiour of Christians , haue caused the Turks euen to detest the true religion .

The cruelty , blasphemy , and couetousnes of the Spanyards , haue altogether alienated the poore Indians from the religion , which they gaue out to be true . Beuzo .

The Princes of Italy support the Iewes , rank enemies to religion .

Constantine was the first of the Romaine Emperours , that forsaking errors and heresies , confessed and adored the maiesty of the true God . Lactantius .

Iouianus refused to gouern those that were not sound in faith ; I ( saith he ) that am a Christian , cannot become your Emperour , that are the Disciples of Iulian a runnagate from Christ . Eusebius .

The liberality of Princes , and especially of Matilda a Dutches of Italy , who at her death made the Pope her heire , begot ambition in the Bishops of Rome , and ambition destroyed religion . Aeneas Syluius .

Gratianus at his first entering , finding a places full of Arrians , & the lawes of Valen●● his Vncle making for them , fearing some generall tumult , if he should presently distress● so manie , gaue leaue that euerie religion might haue churches & Oratories with free●dome , but being once ioyned with Theodotius , hee commanded that all theyr heresie● should be depressed ; He sent the confession of his faith to Saint Ambrose . Eutropius .

Lycurgus reformed the estate of the Lacedemonians , Numa Pompilius of the Romaines , Solon of the Athenians , and Deucalion of all the Grecians , generally by making them deuoute and affectionate toward the Gods in prayers , oaths , oracles , and prophecies , through the meanes of feare , and hope of the diuine nature , which they imprinted in them .

Alexander after hee had sacked Tyrus , marched towards Ierusalem , to destroy it , because the Iewes refused to ayde him with victuals and munition , but when hee saw the high Priest comming towards him attired in his holy garments , he so reuerenced him , that he not onely spared the Citty , but also gaue gifts to the temple . Iosephus .

Cains a Romaine Emperor sent Petronius 〈◊〉 Syria with commandement , to bid bat●●●e to the Iewes ; If they would not receiue 〈◊〉 Image into their temple , which they 〈◊〉 to doe sa●ing : They had rather dye then 〈◊〉 from the lawes of God . Idem .

The King of Calecut is chiefe of his religion and for this cause goeth before the other Ki●gs of India in dignity , and is called Samory , that is to say , God on earth .

Canutus not full 32 , yeres before the con●●●st , apparently proueth , that Princes kept their authority to command , for matters of re●igion , more then 1000. yeares after Christ .

Charles the great , to Christian religion at ●ononie , Padua in Italy , and Paris in France erected Academies .

Xerxes through counsaile of his Magi , commaunded all the temples and churches ●hroughout Greece to bee burned , saying , ●ha● it was wicked & impious , that Gods should 〈◊〉 but vp in Churches . Cor. Agrippa .

In old time the Persians had no temples at 〈◊〉 . Pausanias .

Theodectes a Poet , mingled his Tragedies 〈◊〉 holy Scriptures , & therefore was struc●en with blindnes , vntill he had recanted his ●●piety . Iosephus .

A Iew often baptized for money sake , came to Paulus the Nouatian Bishop to that end , but the water twice vanishing out of the Fount , he said , O man , eyther thou dissemblest egregiously , or else thou art baptized vnwillingly . Eusebius .

Of Prayers & Thanksgiuing . The Maker and Redeemer of the world , di● vse great measure in all things , except in praying , wherein hee was alwayes long , which he shewed most cleerely in Gethsemany , where ho● much the more the agonie did oppresse him , 〈◊〉 much the more did he enlarge his prayers .

THE Hebrewes called the 100. and 1● Psalme , and the next sixe following the great Alleluya , which the Apostles sayd fo● grace at Easter and Pentecost .

The first earthly man of the Hebrewes , 〈◊〉 called Adam , as homo tanquam ex humo , th● other heauenly of the Chaldeans , Enoch which signifieth true man , or that man whic● hath vndertaken , and hopeth to call vpo● God . Ambrosius .

Iacobus minor , the sonne of Ioseph brothe● of Christ , was so like him , that in the betray●ng , for feare they should mistake , Iudas ●aue him a kisse ; his knees with continuall ●rayer , became as hard as a Cammels hoofe .

Bartholomew the Apostle , by his prayers , ●estored the destracted daughter of Polemi●s King of India , to her former sences . Ma●ullus .

Arcadius was called of Chrisostome , the ●ost Christian and godly Prince , who a litle ●efore his death wone estimation of holines , ●ot without the admiration of a great multi●ude , saued from destruction by his prayers . Theodorus . P. Diaconus .

God gaue Narsetes victory , more through ●he zealous prayers that he vsed , then his ●orce and valour ; he neuer went to Sea , nor ●egan any battaile , nor determined of warre , ●or mounted on horseback , but first he went ●o the temple and serued God . Blondus .

The Emperour Heraclius , after his warres ●ere ended , entered Constantinople , sitting ●n a Chariot without ornaments , and openly ●aue thanks to the Sonne of God for his ●reat victories . Orosius .

Tiberius that vertuous Emperour , being ●riuen to a blessed necessity , as he walked in ●he midst of his Pallace , he saw at his feete a ●arble stone , which was in forme of the crosse ; and because he thought it religious to spurne it with his feete , he caused it to be taken vp , and vnder that found another , and so a third of the same forme , which when that was taken vp , there was found two millions of Duckets , for the which he thanked God .

Marcus Aurelius hauing felt the helpe of Christian prayers , ceased his persecution . Eusebius .

Prayers are of the Poets fayned , to be the daughters of Iupiter , because Kings & great men haue a number of followers and sutors . Orpheus .

Apollo being praied vnto to sing an Him●● to the great GOD , began with this verse , Which made the first man and called him Adam . Iustinus Martyr .

The lessons of Pythagoras , Plato , and thei● Disciples , began and ended with prayers .

The Brachmans among the Indians , & th● Magi among the Persians , neuer began any thing without praying vnto God .

Cleanthes in his Iambicke verses , praye● God to vouchsafe to guide him by his cause , which guideth all things in order , the which cause he calleth destiny , and the cause of causes . Simplicius .

Pray said Nestor to his children , for vnlesse God helpe vs , we shall all perish . Homer .

The Romaines after many great victories , ●etermined to make a very rich crowne of ●old , and offer it to Apollo , but the common ●reasure being poore , the women defaced ●heir Owches and Iewels to make it with all , ●or which , they had graunted three things to ●eare on their heads , garlands of flowers , to goe in chariots , and openly to the feasts of ●he Gods .

Theseus asked of the Gods three things , good fortune , want of inward sorrow , & such glory as was neither false , counterfaite , nor ●ained : of three other boones which he prayed of Neptune , the third was , in his fury cur●ing his sonne Hyppolitus , and wishing his violent death , which after it was granted , he repented him . Cicero .

Demonides hauing crooked feet , lost both of his shooes , where-vpon he desired God ●hat his shoone might serue his feet that had ●ound them .

When Alcibiades was condemned by the Athenians , they commaunded the religious people of either sexe to curse him , which one of them refused to doe , saying , that they had entered religion not to make vniust , but iust prayers . Thucydides .

Sylla , Tiberius , Caligula , and Nero , neue● could but commaund and kill , on the other side , Augustus , Titus , and Traianus , could not but pray and pardon , in such manner that they ouercame praying , as the other fighting .

The Lacedemonians custome was , not to craue any thing of their Gods , but what was of importance and consequence , saying tha● all smal matters were to be obtained by man● industry .

Plinie in an oration he made in the prayse of Traiane , commended the custome of the Auntients , to make inuocation before the beginning of their work , and sayd , that there could be no assured nor wise beginning of any enterprise , without the especiall ayde and counsaile of God .

In Athence was a temple dedicated to Mercy , which the Athenians kept so well watched and locked , that without leaue & licence of the Senate , none might enter therein ; in this temple were only the Images of pittiful men , and none entered there to pray and doe sacrifice , but those that were pittifull Macrobius .

Isocrates prayed God to saue and keepe him from his friends , rather then his enemies , saying , of his enemies he could be wary , ●ecause I trust them not , so can I not of my ●●iends , because I haue assured confidence 〈◊〉 them .

Octauius prayed GOD that it might be ●yde , that by him the common wealth of ●ome was preserued from all danger , and at ●is death to carry with him that hope , that 〈◊〉 might remaine many ages in that estate ●e left it . Suetonius .

A poore man craued an almes of the Em●erour Maximilian , and told him , that they ●ame both of one Father , to wit , Adam , and ●o consequently were brethren , desiring bro●herly to deale with him : to whom the Em●erour gaue a small peece of siluer , whereat ●hen he saw the poore man discontented , he told him , that he ought to take it in good worth , saying that if euery one of his bre●hren would giue him as much , he should ●uickly be richer then himselfe .

Anthony distressed by the King of Par●●ia , held vp his hands to heauen , saying , if a●y disdaine of GOD remayned of his former fortunes , hee desired it might fall vpon ●im , so the Romaine army might be freed , ●nd haue the victory . Appian .

Virginia the daughter of Virginius , for that her Father was a Plebeian , was forbidden to doe sacrifice with other Romaine matrone in the temple of Chastity , wherfore she mad● a temple of her own house to the Goddesse ▪ for which , the Senate made her a Patritia● Liuius .

Claudius defiled the faire matrone Obe●●na , as he found her praying in the temple 〈◊〉 Minerua , who condemned for sacriledge , escaped punishment by bribes .

Brutus not satisfied in killing Caesar , mad● his prayers vnto Iupiter , and the hoast 〈◊〉 heauen , to plague Caesar and his posterity .

When the Cretans were vngently intreated of the Romaines , they did not pray 〈◊〉 their Gods to send them pestilence , warre and famine , or sedition , but that they woul● suffer new customes , manners , and fashion to be brought amongst them .

The praier of old Cato , was that the cou●● of pleas might bee set with linnes and 〈◊〉 , to take the professors of the braw●●● study of law . Plutarch .

Alexander caused his Horse Bucephalus be buried ; Augustus his Parrot ; and Heliogabalus his Sparrow ▪ at whose obsequie● hee prayed and caused the body to be embalmed .