The second tome of homilies of such matters as were promised, and entitled in…The second tome of homilees of such matters as were promised, and intituled in…

But now give you ear a little to the process of the history, wherein I do much follow the histories of Paulus Diaconus, & others, joined with Eutropius an old writer. For though some of the ¹authors were favourers of images: yet do they most plainly and at large prosecute the histories of those times, whom Baptist Platina also ²in his history of Popes, as in the lives of Constantine, and Gregory the second, bishops of Rome, and other places (where he entreateth of this matter) doth chiefly follow. After Gregory's time, Constantine bishop of Rome assembled a council of bishops in the west Church, and ⟨p. 66⟩did condemn Philippicus then emperor, and John bishop of Constantinople, of the heresy of the Monothelites, not without a cause in deed, but very justly. When he had so done, by the consent of the learned about him, the said Constantine Bishop of Rome, caused the images of the ancient fathers which had ben at those six councils which were allowed and received of all men, to be painted in the entry of saint Peters Church at Rome. When the Greeks had knowledge hereof, they began to dispute and reason the matter of images with the Latins, and held this opinion, that images could have no place in Christs Church, and the Latins held the contrary, & toke part with the images. So the east & west Churches which agreed evil before, upon this contention about images fell to utter enmity, which was never well reconciled yet. But in the mean season Philippicus and Arthemius, or Anastasius Emperors, commanded images and pictures to be pulled down, & razed out in every place of their dominion. After them came Theodosius the third: he commanded the defaced images to be painted again in their places: but this Theodosius reigned but one year. Leo the third of that name succeeded him, who was a Syrian borne, a very wise, godly, merciful, & valiant prince. This Leo by proclamation commanded, that all images set up in churches to be worshipped, should be plucked down and defaced:

But nowe geue you eare a little to the processe of the historie, wherin I do much follow the histories of Paulus Diaconus, & others, ioyned with Eutropius an olde writer. For though some of the ¹