and departs not for a whole year being altogether employed in the service of the Church The Priest who is married after saying Mass must not return home to eat or drink or lye with his wife for 5 days M. Tavernier l. 4. c. 10. The Muscovy Priest that hath known his wife the night before or kiss'd a dead body or been at the interment of any may not communicate next day If a Muscovy Priest marries a wife that hath been defil'd he must lose her or his Priesthood and for this end search is made the first night of marriage The Muscovite Priest that lies with his wife in Lent is suspended for a year D. of Holstein's Emb. Travels He must be the husband of one wife and one of good life Upon his being a widower he administers the Sacrament no longer Idem The Clergy among the Indian Christians now marry but once the Laity twice Sr. Th. Herb. The Greek Priests neither shave nor cut their hair but wear it as long as it will grow and many of them have thick heads of hair but those that have least receive most refreshment here Dr. Brown's Trav. Mahometan Among the Mahometan-Priests the Dervices are accounted the strictest whose Holiness consists especially in 1. Their Washing 2. Their Garments 3. Beards 4. Prayers c. 5. Singing 6. Dancing 7. Voluntary Mortifications and Hardships Concerning which see more up and down in this Book As for the other Orders most of the highest Pretenders to Devotion are guilty of much Hypocrisie as will be spoken of in its due place Ancient Heathen 1. The Priest's Garments were to be pure and clean from Spots Purâque in Veste Sacerdos Virg. l. 12. The Old Babylonian-Priests shaved their Heads and Beards 2. They were to be clean themselves 1. Free from Murder c. 2. Sober and Temperate The Egyptian-Priests were sparing in Diet to a wonder They abstained from Flesh and Wine eat little Bread refused Eggs and Milk used only Oil and Herbs Fasted three days Text. They wash thrice in the Day and twice in the Night The Persian Magi used no Food but Flour and Herbs The Indian Gymnosophists used only Apples or Flour 3. Chaste The Priests of Cybele were to make themselves Eunuchs Some used a Stone to castrate themselves with Others as the Hierophante of the Athenians drank Hemlock for the same purpose Women that were to initiate strew'd their Bed with Vine-Leaves They were to abstain nine Days and Nights at least from all Uncleanness before Sacrificing Perque novem noctes Venerem tactusque virorum In vetitis memorant I am of Opinion That he who comes to do Sacrifice or meddle with the Laver or have the charge of Divine Service must be Holy not for a set Time or number of Days but all his Life Demosth in Orat. contr Timocr In case of Pollution they were to wash their Hands Bapte the Priestesses of Cotytto at Athens were washed in hot Water before admission to her filthy Sacrifices called Orgia Modern Heathen In Siam the Ecclesiasticks are very exemplary in their Lives 1. They are to be Learned 2. Vow Chastity but in case of Inability to keep their Vows may quit the Priest-hood 3. They are prohibited the Company of Women on pain of being burnt alive 4. Are to say Service regularly Morning and Evening Mandelslo 5. They go still bare-footed and in poor Clothes Rosse 6. Outwardly they are very modest and never seen to be angry Tavernier In Paria Guiana and Debaiba the Priests are Stoned or Burnt if they marry against their Vow of Chastity Rosse Diabolical Here is little Holiness to be expected unless in Disguise and Hypocrisie and in such a way when it serves for his Interest the Devil can insist upon Holiness too For he shifts his Qualifications according to his Scene He commonly requires in Magicians Curiosity in Witches Malice in Enthusiasts Superstition In all so much Impiety as may null their Christian Profession and make void their Baptismal Vows And if it may be an express Retractation of Them and a New Covenant made and sign'd between Him and Them 10. Maintenance Respect and Privileges of the Clergy Jewish 1. THE Priests had for Maintenance 1. Cities and Suburbs 2. First-Fruits 1. Of Trees i. e. the Fruit of the Fourth Year the three first Years not being gathered 2. Of every Year's Increase viz. First-Fruits 1. In the Sheaf in the beginning of Harvest 2. In two Wave-Loaves in the end at Pentecost 3. Of the Dough a twenty fourth part 4. Of the Threshing-Floor a sixtieth part Some gave a fortieth part The Phariseer between the thirtieth and fiftieth 5. Of Men to be redeemed with 5 Shekels of Silver 6. Of Beasts which were to be Sacrificed and their Flesh to be the Priests 3. Sacrifices Deut. 18.1 2. 4. Tithes 1. From the Levites viz. a tenth part out of the Tithe paid to them after the First-Fruits of the Threshing-Floor were paid called the Tiâ—â—â— of Tithes 2. A Second Tithe paid in kind or in Money a fifth part being added So that what was 10 in 100 in kind changed into Money was 12 in 100. 5. Privileges The Whole amounts to a Sixth Part. Scaliger 2. The Levites had 1. Tithes 2. A Share in the Sacrifices and Love-Feasts For The Second Tithe was brought to Jerusalem and there a feast made for Priests and Levites Every third year 't was spent at home on Levites Fatherless Widows Christian 1. In the first ages nothing probably but 1. The common contributions at their usual assemblies Every one giving according to their ability or devotion 2. The offerings made out of the improvement of their lands The first fruits being partly offered at the Church partly sent home to the Bishops and Presbyters Apost Can. 3.4 The care of all which was committed to the Bishop or President Ibid. Can. 41. and by him disposed of for the use of 1. The Clergy 2. The Poor 3. The Church necessities 2. Afterwards times growing better there were fixed Revenues houses and lands settled Euseb l. 10. c. 5. Where mention is made of possessions belonging to the whole body or community of Christians e. g. Houses and Gardens c. 3. In Constantine's time a portion was assign'd to the Church 1. Out of the Tributes of every City which were yearly paid into the Exchequer 2. The Estates and inheritances of Martyrs dying without children or banished 3. Salaries out of the publick Corn. 4. The Emperor gave liberty to the bounty of people which former Emperors had restain'd 5. He exempted the Priests from all Civil Offices At this time the Laicks among the Indian-Christians pay their Decimae their Tenths Sir Tho. Herbert Mahometan The Mahometans give their Priests 1. Honour and Respect My Author saith that himself found much respect among the Hindoes and Mahometans because they looked upon him as a Padre and also with the Mogul himself who when he came first before him bid him by one of his Grandees
upon the back They wear long Hair M. de Thevenot Christians of S. John wear long Hair and a little Cross of Needle-work The Abyssine-Priests always carry a Cross abroad with them which is almost all the distinction which they have Job Ludolph The Hungarian-Priests wear Purple D. Browns When the Muscovite-Clergy walk in the Streets they have a Staff Posok forked at the end in the form of a right Angle which serves for a Crosier They wear no Rings lye on no Beds wear no Drawers or Shirts of Linnen but of Flannen Their ordinary Habit a black Cassock c. D. of Holst Emb. The Armenian Patriarch at Ispahan at Service-time had a Cope of Cloth of Silver with Flowers of Gold beset with great Pearls and a Miter of the same covered with round Pearls Idem Mahometan The Mullies or Moolaas are distinguished only with their beards which they wear long this in the Mogul's Country The Dervishes use a very mean Apparel on their Heads a Cap of white Felt much like our Night Caps The Cadilescher is cloathed in Chamlet Sattem Silk Damask or Velvet of seemly colour as Russet or Tawney and of purple-coloured Cloth with long sleeves Their Tulipan on their head is very great sharp in the midst of Purple or Russet Colour thicker and deeper than others their beards great they ride on Geldings with Purple Foot-clothes fringed and when they go on Foot they go slowly to represent a Gravity Purchas Ancient Heathen 1. The H. Priest of Jupiter wore a White 〈◊〉 Albogalerws figured with wingech Thunder of 〈◊〉 Round Form without which he might not go out of his House Also he wore a Purple Gown called Trabea mixt with Scarlet 2. The Priests of the Supernal Gods wore Purple as did also the Augurs in performing of their Office The Persian Priest used no Vestments but a Tiara for his Head clothed with Mirtle 3. The Priests of Pluto were clothed in Black Hence the Priests of Baal are in Scripture called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pullatâ veste induti Pagnin 4. The Priests of Ceres wore White Garments and Shoes Alba decent Cererem vestes Cerealibus albas Sumite Ovid. At Hierapolis were 300 Priests who ministred all in White with their Hands covered and sacrificed twice a day with singing and musical Instruments if to Juno but to Jupiter with none Rosse Their H. Priest wore purple and a Golden Mitre Idem The Arabians were clothed with Linen Mitres and Sandals Modern Heathen In Ceilon the Tirinaxa's and Gonni have both the same Habit viz. a Yellow Coat gathered together about their Waste which comes over the left shoulder girt about with a Belt of fine Pack-thread their heads are shaved and bare And they carry in their hands a round Fan with a wooden handle to keep off the Sun Capt. Knox. The Herboods of the Persees is usualy with a yellow Scarfe and thin Turbant on his Head Sr. Th. Herbert In Calicut at Sacrificing a Cock to the New Moon the Priest was Attired in Lawn with a sharp Silver Knife in his hand his Arms and Legs after the Morisco Mode with Bells or round Siler Plates Jingling Idem In Siam the Ecclesiastics have their Crowns shaved and wear Yellow Linnen Cloaths Mandelslo In China all the Religious Men are Cloathed in Serge but distinguished by colours black white and a dark grey the General is clothed in Silk Idem Among the Samodyes the Priest hath a white Garland on his Head and Ribs and Teeth of Fishes of wild Beasts hanging about him Rosse In Mexico a Crown of Rich Feathers Golden Pendants c. Diabolical It is not to be expected that Satan should distinguish his chief Ministers or Agents in this Mock-Religion by any visible or external Badg That were the way to discover and expose them to shame and punishment and to destroy his own cause Nor can I tell whether they have any Note of Distinction among themselves in their own Society But I remember Mr. Glanvil relates out of the confession of one or more Witches that sometimes the Devil had assembled them by Night in a Church and himself in the habit of a Minister apparelled in black with a little band preach'd to them out of the Pulpit Delrius also speaks of a Man in Sacerdotal habit and ornaments at a Midnight Assembly of Witches See before in the Chapt. of Dedication of Temples c. In Amboyna there is not a Master of a Family that hath not a Vesture extraordinary and a Ring carefully kept in the House for a perpetual Testimony of his Alliance to the Devil Mandelslo Holiness of Priests c. Jewish 1. The High-Priest might not 1. Mourn i. e. express his Mourning 1. By uncovering his head 2. Renting the Garment to wit from the bosom downward for any of his dead Kindred 2. Nor marry a Widow or Divorced or a Harlot 3. Nor go in to any Dead body 4. When he entered into the Holy of Holies he must make attonement by sacrifice for himself his house and the people 5. His daughter playing the whore must be burnt 2. The Priests Inferior might not 1. Mourn for other than Father Mother Son Daughter Brother Sister that had no husband Nor 2. Drink wine or strong drink when they were to go into the Tabernacle 3. Both High and Low were in their uncleaness to abstain from ministration under penalty of cutting off If defiled 1. By Leprosy 2. A Running Issue 3. Touching any thing unclean creeping thing c. In such a case they were to cleanese themselves by washing their flesh with water And were accounted unclean until the Evening Christian The Reader is desired to excuse me for inserting these Remarks somewhat improperly here which I did because I wanted room elsewhere The Armenian Arch-Bishops live only upon pulse M. Tavernier l. 4. c. 10. The Armenian Priest if he hath swallowed a drop of water in the morning must not say Mass The Bishops never eat flesh or fish above 4 times in a year As well Monks as Priests amongst the Armenians when they are to say Mass must remain 5 days in the Church without either going to bed or touching any thing with their hands unless the spoon wherewith they eat their meat Nor must they spit or blow their noses The next 5 days after saying Mass they must eat nothing but Eggs without butter or Rice with water and Salt M. Tavernier l. 4. c. 10. The Armenian who designs his Son for Priesthood carries him to the Priest who puts the Cope upon him this ceremony is repeated several times in several years till he come to be of age to say Mass After the fourth time of putting on the Chasuble or open Cope they marry him for all marry once but if they marry again they must give over saying Mass At 18 years of age they are capable of saying Mass Afterwards the Arch-Bishop or Bishops invest him with all the habits of a Priest After which he goes into the Church
three 3. The Company between ten and twenty meeting together and roasting it 4. Blessing the Cup and Bread 5. Dividing among the Guests 6. Eating it with 1. bitter Herbs and those Herbs 2. dipt in Sauce and all 3. without Leaven using also 4. in the posture of Travellers standing first afterwards lying or leaning 7. To a Child asking what means this Service Answering at large by way of Declaration or Annunciation Vid. Exod. 12.26 Also Godw. Antiq. 8. Washing the Feet of the Guests 9. Sprinkling the Door-posts wich the Blood 10. Eating all the Lamb breaking no Bones 11. On the Second Day Offering a sheaf of the First-Fruits of Harvest Lev. 23.10 for 'till then they might not reap 1. The Lamb was killed in the Court of the Temple 2. Was eaten in their own Houses in Jerusalem 3. The First and Last Days were Holy Convocations 4. Only the Circumcised might eat Ancient Christion and Muscovite 1. Principal 1. Easter wherein Observe 1. The Antiquity From the first Ages The Muscovites keep it now and call it Wellikoiden 2. The Time of keeping it 1. The Asiatic Churches on the first day of the first Month which always began with the Appearance of the Moon mostly answering to our March the Day of the Jewish Passover Thus did the Churches of Asia the less called Quartodecimans because they kept Easter on the 14th day after the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Moon Pleading the Example of the Apostles particularly S. John Polycarp c. Polycrates pleaded the Example of S. Philip. 2. The Western Churches on the Lord's Day following the Jewish Passeover Pleading likewise Apostolical Tradition The Procedure of the Controversie this 1. The Bishop of Rome would impose their Custom on the East 2. Polycarp comes to Rome to confer with Anicetus about it who agreed not yet part fairly 3. Pope Victor renewed the Quarrel threatening to Excommunicate the Eastern Churches 4. Irenaeus and others of his Party reproved the Pope for it 5. The Asian Churches went on 'till Constantine Summoning the Council of Nice which Ordained That it should be kept universally on the Lord's Day 3. The Preparation The Eve or Vigils of Easter was kept with Pomp Watchings multitudes of lighted Torches in Churches and private Houses so as to turn Night into Day as a Fore-runner of that Great Light The Sun of Righteousness Nazianz. 4. The Celebration of the Day it self It was spent in Works of Mercy and Charity to the Poor Constantine used to arise early this Day to bestow rich Gifts all over his Empire His Successors released Prisoners c. It was called The Holy and Famous Passeover Queen of Days Festival of Festivals Naz. Mar. 25. Blagauescenia Priziste bogorodice or the Annunciation of our Lady a Feast of the Muscovites D. of Holst Emb. Trav. Mahometan Persian-Azar Thirty One Days N. The Turkish Year consists of 354 Days divided into 12 Months Their several Months begin at the several Moons The Turks have their Easter too which they call Biram Vid. postea The Feast of Neurous i.e. New-years-day is kept in March when the Sun enters Aries so at Azmer in the East-Indies with Ornaments in the Palace much Pomp a Fair in the Seraglio by Ladies of the Court Feasting Dancing of Quinchenies Women and Maids of a Caste of that Name having no other Profession but Dancing Presents from and to the King M. de Thev Turk's Chaabanai Twenty Nine Days My Author accounts this also as a Feast of the Heathens in the E. Indies And so also in Persia say others who call it Nauras Ancient Heathen Mar. 27. Quinquatria Minervas Birth-Day Now the Salary Minerval was paid to the Masters It lasted 5 Days On the last Day Mar. 23. was the Tubilustrum a Lustration of the Sacred Trumpets 25. Hilaria Matris Deûm festa 28. Megalesia Modern Heathen The Chinese keep their New-Years-Day in March every Man striving to exceed others in the Fancy of their Pageants and adorning their Doors with Paper-Arches and Images all Night with Lanthorns and Lights Sin Th. Herb. Neurous New-Years-Day a Feast in the East-Indies M. de Thev In Tunquin every beginning of the Year they celebrate the Memory of those who in their life-time have done any noble Action reckoning in that number those that have been so hardy as to Rebel against their Princes and this with a very great Solemnity Tavernier When the Moon is at the full in March the Indian Idolaters keep a Solemn Festival for their Idol which is in form of a Serpent for nine days every Morning worshipping the Idol and the Maids dancing about it for an hour to the noise of Flutes and Drums after which they eat and drink and are merry till the Evening when they worship and dance about their Idol again M. Tavernier 2. In Ijar April and May. Jewish 10. A Fast Eli the High-Priest dies with both his Sons the Ark is taken Scaliger 23d Day of Ijar was ordained a Festival for the expiation of the Tower of Jerusalem by Simon Mac. 1 Mac. 13. Simon takes Gaza Scal. 28. A Fast Samuel the Prophet dieth and is lamented by all the People Scal. Ancient Christian Apr. 10. Palm-Sunday which the Muscovites celebrate with a Procession to represent out Saviour's entrance into Jerusalem Thus it was A. C. 1636. 1. The great Duke and Patriarch set out first 2. Many Priests followed in Copes and Surplices with Crosses Banners and Images upon long Poles some singing others casting Incense among the People 3. Goses the Duke's Merchants Clerks Secretaries Nobility and Gentry with Palms in their Hands c. 4. The great Duke with his Crown on his Head Supported by the Two Principal Counsellors of State led the Patriarch's Horse covered with Cloth and made to represent an Ass 5. The Patriarch rode upon him being himself attired with a round white Cap on his head of Sattin beset with rich Pearls and about it a very rich Crown a Cross of Diamonds in his right hand wherewith he bless'd the People who received his Benediction with bowing of their heads and making Crosses 6. About fifty little Boys most clad in red put off their Cassocks and scattered them along the way Others had pieces of Colth about an Ell square of all Colours which they laid on the ground for the Great Duke and Patriarch to pass over This is the same all over Muscovy D. of Holst Ambassador's Travels Apr. 17. was their Easter-Day 1636. Celebrated 1. With selling and sending Eggs of all colours to one another 2. Killing each other at Meeting with these words Christos wos Chrest i.e. Christ is risen the Answer is Wosten wos Chrest i.e. He is Risen indeed 3. Devotions at Church 4. Feasting Drunkenness c. Id. See afterwards under the Title of the Feasts of the Greck Church Wasnescenia Christova Ascension-Day a Feast of the Muscovites also Mahometan Persian Onzon Thirty Days This Month is called Ramadan as being the Month of Lent which they
Him who hath fed us with His own and of whose Goodness we live All the Guests answer'd Blessed be He of whose Meat we have eaten and of whose goodness we live Then the Master proceeded Blessed be He and blessed be His Name c. annexing a long Prayer in which he gave thanks 1. For present Food 2. Deliverance out of Aegypt 3. Circumcision 4. The Law And Prayed 1. For the People Israel 2. The City Jerusalem 3. Sion the Tabernacle of His Glory 4. The Kingdom of David's House 5. The coming of Elias 6. That God would make them worthy of those Days and the Life of the World to come Then the Guests answer Fear the Lord all ye his Saints for there is no lack c. Afterward he blessed the Cup as before and then drunk round And lastly they sung a Hymn Their gesture was lying on Beds They sent Portions to the needy Ancient Christian The Christian-Feasts used in Primitive Times were called Agapae or Love-Feasts The manner thus 1. They prayed to God before they ventured upon His Creatures 2. Ate but what sufficed Hunger drank no more than consisted with sober and modest Men and fed so as remembring they were to rise at night to worship God 3. When they had done they sung Psalms either of their own Composure or out of the Holy Volumes 4. And as they began so they ended the Feast with Prayer 5. And then departed with the same care to preserve their Modesty and Chastity so that they appeared not so much to have Feasted at Supper as to have fed upon Discipline and Order So Tertullian Mahometan The Mahometans have a kind of Easter-Feast which they call Bayran which lasteth three days in which they enjoy all sorts of Pleasures They have also great Feasting at the Circumcision of their Males They observe divers Festivals Rosse Ancient Heathen The Romans after Sacrificing went to Feast upon the remaining part of the Beast singing the praises of their God After the Banquet they did return to the Altar and cast into the Flames the Morsels of Meat that were left with the Tongue and some Wine and then did return thanks to the God for the honour and advantage of sharing with him in the Victim This ended they concluded with Prayers D Assigny upon Galir p. 26. At their ordinary Feasts they had Libationes To retrench the Expences of their Feasts and oblige them to Frugality and Moderation there were several Laws enacted amongst the Romans called Leges Sumptuariae concerning which more may be seen in A. Gellius Macrobius c. The order and manner of their Feasts was thus 1. As to the time it was commonly at Supper 2. Water was brought to wash with Modern Heathen In Tanquin they keep I casts commonly all Day and Night their most esteem'd Meats are Colt's Flesh and Dog's Flesh most of their Dishes are relished with a kind of Birds-nest which gives them a tast of almost all sorts of Spices They conclude commonly with Comedies and Fire-works Tavernier Diabolical At the Entertainments which the Devil makes for Witches by night Glanvil mentions Wine Cake Roast-Meat Drink Dances Musick And the Devil at Meeting bids them welcome 9. Church-Discipline Excommunication Jewish Observe here 1. THE Causes of Excommunication 1. Among the old Jews were only 1. Leprosie 2. Touching the Dead 3. An Issue 2. Among the Modern Jews are added 1. Scandalizing a Master though dead 2. Reviling a publick Minister of Justice 3. Calling a Free-man a Slave 4. Not appearing at the Consistory c. 5. Undervaluing a single Precept 6. Not doing what is appointed 7. Keeping what may hurt another as a Hiring Dog broken Scales 8. Selling Land to a Gentile 9. Witnessing in a Heathen Court against a Hebrew 10. A Priest Sacrificing and not giving the rest of the Priests their due 11. Working on the Fore-noon before the Passeover 12. Pronouncing the Name of God carelesly or with an Oath or in lofty Hyperbolical Terms 13. Causing the Vulgar to profane it 14. Computing times out of otherwise than their Fore-fathers in the Holy Land 15. Causing the Vulgar to eat holy things out of holy places 16. Causing the Blind to stumble 17. Hindering the Vulgar in any Command 18. A Priest Sacrificing a torn Beast 19. Killing a Beast with a Knife not yet tried by a Rabbi c. 20. Moroseness and backwardness to learn 21. Associating with a Wife after himself hath Divorced her 22. A wise Man or Rabbi of ill Fame 23. Undeservedly Excommunicating another 24. Profaning the Festivals 2. The Kings or Degrees 1. Niddui the lowest 2. Schammatha 3. Cherem Concerning which see in the Second Book Ancient Christian Observe 1. What Crimes All publick in themselves or made known to the Church after private admonition The greatest Temptation was to Idolatry committed 1. By Exposing the Scriptures called Traditores 2. Actual Sacrificing called Thurificati 3. Purchasing a Warrant from the Magistrate to execute them called Libellatici 2. What Penalties viz. Spiritual Excommunication for 2 3 5 7 10 20 30 years sometimes for their whole Life according to the Offence Clergy-men forfeited their Ministry And tho upon repentance admitted to Communion yet but as Lay-men Abstineri 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Anathematizari 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Anathematizari Are all Synonymous terms signifying Excommunication 3. What manner 1. Reproofs and Exhortations were used in the Assembly 2. The Censure was passed not always in a formal manner the Fact being notorious and the offender ipso facto excommunicate The Excommunicate appeared in a sordid habit with a sad Countenance a head hung down tears in their Eyes standing without at the Church-doors never suffered to enter in falling down to the Ministers as they went in and begging the Prayers of all good Christians making open Confession of their Faults This was to satisfy 1. The Church of their Repentance and for the Scandal 2. God by acknowledging the fault and beging pardon 4. The time of Penance ended they addressed themselves to the Governors of the Church for Absolution their repentance examined and found sincere they were openly readmitted by imposition of hands The party kneeling down between the Bishop's knees or the Presbyters in his Absence the Bishop laying his hands on him and blessing him The Penitent was now received with acclamations of joy sometimes weeping for his Recovery to the Lord's Supper c. The set time of Penance was remitted in case of Death Persecution many Offenders Dignity Age c. 4. The Persons Excommunicating 1. The publick Congregation the people Cyprian 2. The Elders President Tertull. 3. The Majores Natu presiding in the Church Firmilian in a letter to Cyprian 4. Only the Bishop Conc. Illiber can 32. or 5. The Presbyter or Deacon in necessity Ibid. Cypr. 6. In the Decian Persecution a publick Penitentiary Martyrs gave sometimes Libellos to mitigate the Penance Mahometan The Mahometans have none but punish by Civil Magistrates
of Homilies for Explication of the Gospel and that is instead of Preaching F. Simon out of Vansleb Most of these Ceremonies are common to other Orientals Maronites 1. They go to Church at midnight to sing their Matins 2. At break of day they say their Lauds 3. Before Mass they say their Teiree after their Sixth 4. Their Nones they sing after Dinner 5. Vespers at Sun-set 6. Their Compline after Supper before bed Every Office is composed of a Preface of two three or more Prayers with a like number of Hymns betwixt them They have proper Offices for Holidays Lent Moveable Feasts c. F. Simon Melchites They have Translated their Greek Euchology or Ritual into Arabic They Paraphrase in their Translations Hence their supposititious Canons of the Council of Nice Muscovites On Sundays and their Festivals they go 3 times to Church Morning Noon and Night and are standing and uncovered at the time of Divine Service They hold no Adultery but Marrying another man's Wife Armenians Their Office is performed in the Armenian Tongue a rough Language and but little known The People have much ado to understand their Liturgy They have the whole Bible Translated into Armenian from the Septuagint since the time of S. John Chrysost F. Simon They have a Service-Book and besides that the chief books amongst them are of Gregorio of Stat used instead of Homilies P. Ric. Esq Christians of S. John Hold Women to be unclean that it is not available for them to go to Church Tavernier Cophties An Appendix When they sing the Passion and come to the mention of Judas all the People cry Arsat i. e. Horned Beast Cuckold When they read of Peter cutting off Malchus's Ear they say Asia boutros i. e. well fare Peter as applauding him for the Act M. de Thev Greeks 2. Fasting THo Greeks have Four Fasts stated and solemn 1. Forty days before Christmas 2. The great Lent before Easter 3. The week after Pentecost grounded on Acts. 13.3 4. The fourth begins Aug. 1. and is a preparatory to the Grand Festival the Assumption of our Lady Besides which Lesser Fasts in keeping of which with distinction of Diets they are very strict and are much offended at the English and others because they neither use Fasting nor reverence the sign of the Cross If a person be sick to Death who with Broth or an Egg might recover they say 't is better to Die than eat and Sin P. Ricaut Esq They abstain from Flesh Butter Cheese Fish eating only Fruits Pulse with a little Wine and Oyl The Monks never taste Wine or Oyl unless on Saturdays or Sundays Wednesdays and Fridays they abstain from Flesh Butter Cheese but eat Flesh I say nothing of their Private Fasts or Lent F. Simon Muscovites They differ little from the Greeks herein having four Lents Yearly during which they eat no Butter Eggs or Milk only the first week serves as Carnaval afterward they eat no Fish but on Sundays Armenians They have many Fasts published on Sundays kept most strictly Account it a sin to eat Hare's Flesh as being an unwholsom unlucky and melancholick creature and the Female Monthly unclean and menstruous P. Ric. Esq They abstain from Blood and the Strangled So scrupulously addicted to Fasts that to hear them speak one would think their whole Religion consisted in Fasting F. Simon They end their Lent on Holy Saturday by eating Butter Cheese Eggs but eat on Flesh till Easter-day M. de Thev Abissins Fasting Days are by none more exactly observ'd Not that they abstain from some meats and gluttonize upon others for that they look upon that as a mockery of Fasting They keep themselves whole days together without either Food or Drink even till Sun-set of the third Evening Others abstain the two Holy-days of the Passion-week The Monks use greater extremities by which means they not only mortify but destroy Besides they Fast twice a Week on the fourth and sixth day Ludolph l. 3. They make their Lent fifty days long Maronites Their Fasts differ much from ours 1. In Lent they eat not till two or three hours before Sun-set 2. Fast not in Ember-week nor Vigils of Saints 3. Eat no Flesh Eggs or Milk on Wednesdays Fridays till Noon Afterward they eat freely 4. Fast 20 days before Christmass Monks longer 5. At the Feast of S. Peter and Paul and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin they Fast a Fortnight F. Simon Cophties They have four great Fasts 24 Days at Christmass 60 at Lent 31 at Pentecost 15 in August F. Simon Christians of S. Thomas They eat Flesh on Saturdays and if they failed one Day in Lent and Advent they Fasted no more F. Simon Christians of S. John They neither Fast nor do any Penance Taver Greeks 3. Feasting and Rejoycing c. THey begin their Year in September with great Jollity Take a chearful Spirit for a good Omen 1. Easter which is their grand Feast at which time if they meet with their Acquaintance within three days of the Feast they Salute them with these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Christ is risen The Answer is made 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He is risen indeed And so they kiss three times once on each Cheek and on the Mouth and so depart P. Ricaut Upon Easter-Eve the Abyssins Jacobites Georgians Maronites and Greeks at Jerusalem all except the Latines conjoyn in the Celebration of that Imposture of fetching Fire from the Sepulchre the Turks deride yet throng to behold it All the Lamps in Church are extinguish'd when they often compassing the Sepulchre in a joint Procession are fore-run and followed with Savage clamours of the People the Women whistling and frantick behaviours fitter for the Feasts of Bacchus extending their bare Arms with unlighted Tapers At length the chief Bishops approach the Door of the Sepulchre but the Ethiopian Priest first enters without whom they say the Miracle will not fadge who after a long stay returns with the Sacred Fire supposed at his Prayers to burst out of the Sepulchre At this confusedly they fire their Lights and snatching them one from another strive who should convey it into their particular Chapels thrusting the Flame into their Cloaths and Bosoms kindling therewith all their Lamps unlighted with other Fire 'till that Day Twelve-month G. Sandys's Trav. l. 3. The Holy Fire of the Greeks Armenians c. is performed with so much confusion that you would think certainly you were in Hell with a Legion of Devils M. de Thev 2. Of S. John the Abstemious kept only by the Kaloirs and Religious 3. Of S. John the Evangelist's Translation into Heaven grounded upon that Text If I will that he stay c. They tell very fond Stories of their Saints especially Cosma Damianus and S. George For Canonizing of Saints they have testification by 1000 Witnesses and Examination in a full Synod They are very excessive in their Feasts P. Ricaut Armenians The Eve of Holy Cross they go to the
business without demanding a Reason 6. Oratorians founded by Ph. Nerio all priests who were to preach diligently the lives of the Saints and other heads of practical and moral Duties 7. Anchorets the severest of the Recluse kept in a close place are to dig their Graves with their Nails ill clad and worse dieted 22. Orders of Nuns Nonnae Moniales 1. Of S. Clare called also Minorites or Minores who vow Poverty and Virginity go barefoot feed meanly c. 2. Gf S. Briget who was Qu. of Swedeland These cohabit under the same Roof with Friers yet are prohibited coming to one another but upon spiritual occasions The Confessor shrieves them thro' an Iron Grate by which his Lodging is parted from the Lady Abbess's Dr. Heylin See more of these Religious Orders in Alex. Rosse as also of all the Christian Orders of Knight-hood for I love not Actum agere Dominicans Franciscans Dr. Burnet speaking of Beru saith Those two famous Orders that had possessed themselves of the esteem of those Dark Ages about 20 years before the Reformation were engaged in a mighty Rivalry The Dominicans were the more Learned they were the eminentest Preachers of those times and had the Conduct of the Courts of Inquisition and the other chief Offices in the Church in their hands But on the other hand the Franciscans had an outward appearance of more severity a ruder habit stricter Rules and greater Poverty all which gave them such advantages in the eyes of the simple multitude as were able to ballance the other honours of the Dominican Order In short the two Orders were engaged in an high Rivalry but the Devotion towards the Virgin being the prevailing Passion of those times the Franciscans upon this had great advantages The Dominicans that are all engaged in the deence of Thomas Aquinas's Opinions were thereby obliged to assert that she was born in Original Sin this was proposed to the People by the Franciscans as no less than Blasphemy and by this the Dominicans began to lose ground extreamly in the minds of the People who were strongly prepossessed in favour of the immaculate Conception Dr. Burnet's Letters p. 31. edit 1680. Dr. Stillingfleet distributes his Discourse upon the Divisions of the Roman Church into Considerations 1. Of the Pope's Vsurpations under pretence of Universal Pastor whereby he may depose Kings c. 2. Of the Effects doubting not to prove that the Pope's Usurpation hath caused more Wars Bloodshed Confusion c. in Christendom than all other causes put together have done since the time it was first changed e. g. Constantine the first opposed Philippics Emperor Gregory the 2d taking away the small remainder of the Roman Empire from the Emperor Leo the 2d in Italy c. 3. Of the Schisms c. Sometimes 2 sometimes 3 several Heads at one time Bellermine in his Chronol confessing 26 several Schisms Onaphrius 30 whereof some lasted 10 some 20 one 50 years I need not insist saith he on the more antient between Cornelius and Novatianus Tiberius and Falix Damasus and Vrsinius Bonifacius and Eulalis Symachus and Laurentius Bonifacius and Dioscorus Sylverius and Vigilius c. Those of most continuance were A. D. 821. between Formosus and Sergius Benedict 9 and Sylvester 3. Regulars Seculars 4. Of the Differences in matters of Government e. g. between the Regulars and Seculars as to matters of Episcopal Jurisdiction even here in England the Mendicant Friers or Monks being exempted by the Pope the Jesuits difference with the Secular Priests in Q. Elizabeth's Reign proceeded to a Separation each from other about the Authority of Arch-Priests and they continually charged each other with the guilt of Horrible Schism The Jesuits opposition to Bishops Authority e.g. between Palafox Bishop of Angelopolis in America and the Jesuits Differences of Papists Lastly Of Matters of Doctrine between the Dominicans and Jesuits the Thomists and Scotists the Jansenists and Molinists Their Differences adds the aforecited Author are not confined to their Schools no not about the immaculate Conception the Thomists being against it the Scotists Occam and Franciscans for it John de Montesovo was convened first before the Faculty of Sorbon and his Doctrine against the immaculate Conception condemned and he forced to appeal to Rome and then to fly into Spain c. Dr. Stillingfleet 's Idolatry of the Church of Rome Jesuits and Molinists There being a great Indifferency in Italy as to Learning and Religion both and the Country being much improverished by the Ascendency of the Clergy and the People being Sick with the Observation of these things the Proposal of a new Remedy was easily received Michael de Molinos a Spaniard of an opulent Family who had entered into Priests Orders but not beneficed of an exact course of Life addicted to Mystical Divinity a Mysterious way of Devotion first set out by Cassian afterwards by St. Bernard Denys the Areop Thauler Rasbrachius Harphius Suso Tho. Ã Kempis S. Teresa Walter Hilton F. Cressy out of F. Baker's Papers considering a Man in a three-fold State 1. Animal or Imaginative where the Devotion is weak and variable 2. Rational where the Reason forces the Will and the Acts of Religion are dry 3. Contemplative in which the Will is so united to God and overcome by that Union that in one single Act it loves adores and is resigned up to God without any weariness or multiplicity of Acts upon which follows a secret Joy and Acquiescence in the Will of God Contemplation being nothing else but the silent and humble Adoration of God that ariseth out of a pure and quiet Mind All the common methods of Devotion being but steps to this State of Perfection To this end the Rosary Breviary c. are generally laid aside Molinos wrote a Book called Il Guida Spiritualâ— because Men may be deceived herein without a Guide This Book writ in Italy gave offence to the Regulars but especially the Jesuits This Book was published first A. 1675. with Approbation of the Arch-bishop of Rheggio General of the Franciscans F. Martin de Sparsa the Jesuit c. Molinos was hereupon received into Acquaintance and Favour with Cardinal Coloredi Ceceri Petrucci Cassanata Azolivi Carpegna and Cardinal d'Estrees the last was the most Zealous to advance his Design The Pope himself lodged him in an Apartment of his Palace many Priests came to consult him and all the Nuns except those which had Jesuits for their Confessors began to lay aside their Rosaries c. and gave themselves to Mental Prayer Upon this the Jesuits and Dominicans began to be alarmed at the Progress of Quietism Molinos and his Followers are given out to be Hereticks and Quietists Books writ against them Molinos and two hundred of his Friends clapt up by the Inquisition among whom were Count Vespiniani and his Lady Don Paulo Rocchi Confessor to Prince Borghese Cardinal Petrucci c. and the Pope himself in the single Quality of Benedict Odeschalci was secretly examined
there are above 2000 for no Lord but hath his private Chappel nor any Street but hath many of them though most of Wood and very small ones but fifteen foot square D. of Holstein 's Embass Indian Christians The Indian Christians though heir Churches are low and ill furnished yet they are neat and sweetly kept matted and without painted which the Greek Churches abound with They assemble chearfully and at their entring shut their Eyes the better to contemplate the Exercise they come about with their own Unworthiness Kneeling they look towards the Altar near which the Priest is seated him they salute with humble Reverence who returns his Blessing with the uplifting of his Hands and Eyes Sir Thomas Herbert Mexicans In Mexico were thirteen Temples Purchas Mahometans In Fez are 700 Mosquits some garnished with many Pillars and Fountains of Marble each Temple hath a Priest to say Service and look to the Churches Revenue Rosse Tunquinese In Tunquin the great Cities have several Pagods and hardly a Town or Village but hath one and for every Pagod at least two Bonzes and two Says but some Pagods maintain forty Bonzes and as many Says Tavernier's Collect. Pegu. In Pegu they are magnificent in their Pagods having some of beaten Gold in the Varella or Temple of their King there are three of Silver and one of Massy Gold in the shape and proportion of a Man c. Pacquet broke open Vol. 2. Circassia They have one thing remarkable that they never enter their Churches till they resolve to have off Vice that is till after forty years of Age after which time they rob no more Ibid. German Protestants Those of the Palsgrave's Country had each Sunday two Sermons the absent first admonished by the Clergy the next time the Civil Magistrate was called to help Those of Geneva in the Churches of their Cities every Sunday four Sermons Those of Breme three of which one was Catechetical Mr. Hale 's Letter from the Synod of Dort to Sir D. Carleton L. Embass Papists What meant sundry Ancient Councils as the Eleventh of Tolet in Spain yea even of Trent it self to enjoyn frequent Preaching calling for more than any Man almost is able to perform Anonym Catechising Jews COncerning the care which the Jews now take in Catechising their Children see afterwards under the Title of Good Children Christians 8. Clemens praiseth the Corinthians that they took care to admonish their young Men to follow things modest and comely and exhorts them to instruct the Younger to make their Children Partakers of the Discipline of Christ Dr. Cave Constantine's first and greatest care towards his Sons was to secure the Happiness of their Souls by sowing the Seeds of Piety in their Minds which he did partly himself by appointing Religious Tutors for them and when he had taken them into a Partnership of the Government by private Admonitions or by Letters giving them Counsel c. This was always the first and chief Point That they should prefer the Knowledge and Worship of GOD the Great King of the World before all other advantages yea the Empire it self Idem Nazianzen commends his Mother that not only she her self was brought up under a Pious Education but conveyed it down as a necessary Inheritance to her Children Gorgonia being well seasoned with her Instructions and Example for she reclaimed her Husband educated her Children and Nephews in the ways of Religion while she lived and left this as her last Charge and Request when she died Idem The Order of Catechising in the Primitive Times is thus delivered by Mr. Gabriel Towerson c. 1. When any desired to become a Proselyte inquiry was made not only into the Life of the Catechumen but of those who brought him 2. Upon Admonition and a promise of Reformation he was admitted into the Rank of Catechumens by Prayer and Imposition of Hands and so passed over to his Instructor in a private School or Auditory 3. The Catechist entertain'd him with a long Narration of the Story of the Bible from the Creation to the Birth Life Death and Resurrection of our Saviour c. closing with the last Jugment and an Admonition to beware of False Teachers and of being scandalized at the ill Lives of some Christians The Catechist all this while standing though S. Austin would have had it changed into a sitting Posture to prevent weariness 4. After this they were taught particular Points as of Faith c. Then admitted to the Lessons and the Expositions of them in publick and lastly to the Prayers of the Catechumens 5. After two or more Years they gave up their Names and Petitions to be Baptized usually before Easter and then plied with earnest Exhortations to Repentance Fasting and Prayer 6. The Apostles and next the Bishops were Catechists afterwards the Office was devolved on others as Cyprian appointed one Optatus one not of the Clergy Augustine one Deo-gratias a Deacon Demetrius Bishop of Alexandria made Origen at eighteen Years a Catechist of that Famous School In a Synod held at Clovershow or Clyff under Cuthbert Arch-Bishop of Canterbury A. C. 〈◊〉 it was ordained That those Priests who did not as yet understand the Creed and the Lords Prayer should both learn themselves and teach them to others in the English-Tongue Speâ—m Concil p. 242. Can. 10. By Canons given under King Edgar A. C. 967. care was taken That Children should be taught their Pater-noster and Credo by their Parents else when dead not to be buried in Consecrated Ground or thought worthy to receive the Eucharist Ibid. p. 447. Can. 17.22 Much the same thing and in the same words is enjoyned amongst the Ecclesiastick Laws of K. Knute a. 1032. A. C. 1548. Arch-Bishop Cranmer compiled a Catechism dedicates it to the King and in his Epistle complains of the great neglect that had been in former times of Catechising Dr. Burnet's Hist of the Reformation It was the Observation of the Learned'st King that ever sate on the English Throne That the Cause of the Miscarriage of our People into Popery and other Errors was their ungroundedness in the Points of Catechism Therefore his said Late Majesty gave publick Order for bestowing the latter part of the LORD's Day in Familiar Catechism For my part I have spent the greater half of my Life in this station of Holy Service I thank GOD not unpainfully not unprofitably But there is no one thing whereof I repent so much as not to have bestowed more Hours in this Publick Exercise of Catechism in regard whereof I could quarrel with my very Sermons c. Bp. Jos Hall Ep. Ded. to the Old Relig. Geldria One of the Deputies of Geldria to shew the Force of Catechising told That amongst them a Minister who at his first coming to his Living found all his Parishioners Papists so that he must Preach to the Walls c. But by going to their Houses and expounding the Grounds of Religion within a Year he gained them all
Colleges Schools c. Jews THE Jews have had many Colleges not go speak of those mentioned in Scripture Naioth and Gibeah Bethel and Jericho since the destruction of Jerusalem their most famous have been Jabne or Jafne three Miles from Joppa Tiberias or Tzephorias Soran and Pumbedith Hottinger Persians There are many Mandresaes Colleges all over Persia D. of Holstein's Embass Trav. into Musc Tartary c. p. 159. The Persians in their Colleges observe this way the Student Reads two or three lines and the Doctor Expounds them then another Reads two or three more and rises up till the Doctor hath expounded them and bids him sit down again Their Books are mostly the Works of Kadgia Nesir some of Aristotle the Almagestes of Ptolomy which they call Magesti some of Euclide some of Archimedes the Opticks of Ebne Heister Galen Galenous they call him Averroes Abonalt or great Father Hermes Trismegistus Ormous Their chief Historian is Ronze el Zapha who wrote a Chronology from the Creation very Fabulously saying the World was Inhabited by Devils before the Creation c. Taver l. 5. c. 11. The Persians call their Colleges Medrese where there are a great number of Schollars bred up at little Charge out of the Legacies left to the Foundations They allow them a Chamber without Furniture themselves providing a Coverlet and Mattress for themselves They have no certain Masters but sometimes learn of one sometime of another seldom of the Monderes Principal who is generally the greatest Block-head of them all But there are several others in every good Town that Teach the Sciences to purchase Honour to themselves who are therefore liberal to get many Schollars to publish the Wisdom of their Akroom or Doctor Tavern l. 5. Mahometans There are two stately Colleges in Fez for Professors in Diverse Sciences Rosse Also 200 Grammar Schools About the Walls of their Mosquits are diverse Pulpits for their Readers who begin their Lectures shortly after break of day in the Summer They read after Sun-set Mahomet's Law and Moral Philosophy are read To the winter Lectures large Revenues are allowed Books and Candles Rosse Heathens In New Spain they had Schools and Seminaries Idem and Purchas c. Mahometans Near Belgrade the Grand Visier hath Built a Metreseck or College for Students I saw a Student Habited in Green and wearing a Turbant with four Corners which is a peculiar distinction Dr. Brown's Travels Idolatrous Indians The Bramins have a kind of University in a City which is called Benarez where they make all their Exercises in Astrology and where they have Doctors that Expound their Law which they very strictly observe But in regard they are so great a Number and cannot all come to Study at that University they are all very ignorant and consequently very Superstitious Those that go for the most refined Wits being the greatest Sorcerers Tavernier l. 3. c. 3. Tunquin The Tunquinese have a very great inclination for Learning and apply themselves to their Studies with diligence and success for that they cannot be advanced without it to the Offices and Dignities in the Kingdom by Learning I mean the Knowledg of the Laws of their Countrey Mathematicks Astronomy to which all the Orientials have a great Inclination Musick and Poetry Comedy and Tragedy To obtain Nobility in your Youth by Learning you must pass through three degrees of the Syude by close studying eight years and a rigorous Examination and this qualifies for the Office of a Notary Proctor c. The Doucan by studying Musick Astrology and Poesy five years The Tansi by spending four years more in Learning the Chinese Character to such a number of Words The last Examination is made in the great place within the enclosure of the Palace of Tunquin which is a stately Marble structure There the King is present Princes and great Lords of the Court the Manderim for Learning and all the Tansies and many also from distant Provinces come to the Solemnity Some have asserted extravagantly that sometimes there are 30 or 40000 Students present at this Examination but I cannot learn that the number ever exceeds 3000. Eight days are spent in Examination which is performed upon nine Scaffolds built like an Amphitheatre The eight days being passed they all appear again upon the same Scaffolds where in the View of all the World they who faultered in their Examinations are dismissed as unworthy of any Employment the rest are honoured with a Vest of Violet Satin which they presently put on and then take upon them the name of Tansies Then they have given them a list of the Towns and Villages where they are to receive the Rents which the King allows them some more some less To which places when they come the Inhabitants meet them with all sorts of Musick and a guilded Branquar carried by eight men where they divert themselves for three Months and then return to Court to Instruct themselves in the Affairs of the Kingdom and King's House and fit themselves for the Dâ—â—â—nity of a Mandarin Tavernier 's Collect of several Relat. Saracens About the year 1000 the Saracens had a famous Academy at Babylon wherein the Sorences especially Astrology and Physick were I aught Hotting Christians Under Valentinian the Emperor Students were not permitted to stay after 20 years of age lest the Splendor and Vanities of the City should tempt them to forsake the Service of their Countrey Five or six years time was allowed them there and no more Antiq. of the Brittish Churches Cardinal Pool Arch bishop Granmer and since them Dr. Marshal of Lincoln College in Oxon. were of Opinion that they who are designed for the Clergy should be Educated from their Infancy in the Cathedrals or with some Pious and Learned Divines and so inured to a good Life I wish our Universities were not detective in that point of Education which Ladies call Breeding and Accomplishment a Fault incident to all Schools of I earning yea Athens it self Plutarcho Taste the longer they stayed there the greater Clowns they proved Auth. of the Educ of Young Gentlemen Halor and Schalholt Bishops Sees with Petty Schools in Iseland Dr. Heylin Premonitions of Death Jews THE most remarkable Instances of this kind among the Jews we find in sacred Scripture first in the case of Aaron's Death which is foretold to Moses Numb 20.24 Next in the case of Moses which was revealed by God to himself Num. 27.12 13. and thirdly of Elijah's discovered before-hand to the Prophets both of Bethel and Jericho 2 Kin. 3.3 5. c. I say nothing of the Communication of God made of his recret Purposes concerning the Judgments he had decreed against Offenders as the drowning of the old World the Destruction of Sodom c. the drownning of the Egyptians the punishment of the Israelites by War Plague Famine the Earth swallowing up Corah Dathan and Abiram c. nor lastly the Death of our blessed Saviour presignified by Types Prophecy and Christ's own
Book of the Law put his Statue in the Temple Cessat 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Scaliger This Fast of Moses's breaking the two Tables the loss of their daily Sacrifice Setting up Idolatry in the Temple The second Siege of the City on the 17th of Thamuz our June lasts till the 10th of Ab and is kept with a strict Idleness Dr. Addison See more on the fifth day of Ab. They avoid all great Business on these days and School-masters will not beat their Scholars Rosse Ancient Christian Because the Ancient Christians observed so few Holy-days rather than leave this Section quite vacant I shall set down some Remarks and Censures of Eminent Persons made upon the Abuses of Festivals in these latter Ages The Sixth General Council of Constantinople ordained That the whole Week after the Day of our Saviour's Resurrection should be thus Celebrated Christians must go constantly to Church rejoycing in CHRIST with Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs and give their minds to the reading of Divine Scriptures and chearfully enjoy the Holy Mysteries For so saith the Canon we shall rejoyce and rise together with CHRIST But by no means let there be any Horse-Races or Publick Shews on the aforesaid days Conc. Con. 6. Gen. Can. 66. Card. Bellarmine in one of his Sermons delivers himself to this purpose I cannot verily good Hearers explain by Words with how great grief of mind I behold in how perverse and diabolical manner Holy-days are celebrated in this our Age how far perverse Men have obscured and defiled their Picus Institution with their corrupt manners may be understood by this That to Strangers and those who are ignorant what manner of Festivals these are from those things which they may see every where done they may seem to be not the Feasts of God but of the Devil and even the Bacchenalian Revels themselves Yea verily when I Pray are more Sins committed than on Holy-days When are there more Sumptuous Feasts kept When more Lascivious Songs heard When Bowling-Allies and Taverns more frequented When are there more execrable kinds of Plays Scurrilities and Fooleries When are there more Dances in most places to the Sound of the Harp and Lute than on these Days Mahometan Persian-Harizon 30 Days On the Feast of St. John Baptist in Fez they make Bone-fires Rosse July 16. A. C. 622. was the time of Mahomet's Flight and the Hagyra or Epoche of the Mahometans Ancient Heathen Jun. 20. Summani Sact. ad Circ max. 25. Crowned Ships carried Banquets over Tyber Jul. 1. Migrationes ex adibus in alienns aedes Jul. 9. Ancillarum festum Jul. 11. Ludi Apollinares 5. In Ali July and August Jewish 1. A Fast Aaron the High-Priest died Scaliger 5. On the fifth of Ab the Jews sit on the ground read Jeremiah's Lamentations bewail the loss of Jerusalem and for ten days live severely abstaining from all Delights Dr. Addison Ninth day of the fifth Month was a Fast held in respect of the City and Temple burnt first by Nebuchadnezzar secondly by Titus on the same day which the Jews do yet observe with a strict Penance going bare-foot sitting naked on the ground reading some sad History of the Bible and the Lamentations of Jeremiah three times over Sam. Purchas Also it was decreed That the Fathers should not enter into the Land of Judea The same Author out of Scaliger From the first to the tenth Day they abstain from Flesh Wine Shaving Bathing Marrying Pleading and all Delights Ross 18. A Fast The Evening Light was put out in the Days of Ahaz Scal. Ancient Christian The same Cardinal in the procedure of his Discourse goes on Who knows not that Holy-days are after the same manner as Churches Chalices and Priest's Garments Consecrated and Dedicated to GOD and to be spent in no other than Holy Works Which of you if you should see any one enter into the Church with incredible boldness and use the Consecrated Garments instead of Prophane the Temple for a Tavern the Altar for a Table the Corporals or Altar-Clothes for a Table-Cloth or Napkins eating in the Sacred Patines and drinking in the Chailces which of us would not tremble Who would not cry out And now we behold the most Solemn the most Famous the most Sacred Holy-days which should be spent in Prayers Meditations reading holy Things in Hymns and Psalms c. to be prophaned with Sacrilegious Dances Morises Caperings Feastings Drinking Matches Uncleanness Scurrilities and yet no Body trembles no Man is moved no Man wonders O Immortal GOD What part hath Righteousness with Unrighteousness What Fellowship hath Light with Darkness GOD with Belial What hath the merriment of the Flesh to do with the gladness of the Spirit What the Solemnities of GOD with the Feasts of Bacchus and his Crew What! Those Days wherein we ought to please GOD most shall we on them more provoke Him to anger with our wickedness On those days in which the Spirit is to be fed and recreated shall we in them more overwhelm him with Wine and Uncleanness c. What a madness is this What infernal Furies affright us out of our wits Bellarm. Conc. 6.3.19 Mahometan Persian Temouze Thirty one Days Zoulidge 10. Bairam Adgi or little Easter for the Pilgrims of Mecha Ancient Heathen Jul. 25. In this Month red Dogs were Sacrificed to the Canicula Jul. 28. Neptunalia Aug. 1. Boedromia Aug. 13. Dianae Sacr. The Servants Men and Maids Holiday In Elul August September Jewish 17. A Fast The Spies that brought an ill Report upon the Land died 22. Xylophoria On this Day it was the custom for every one to carry Wood to the Temple to maintain the Fire at the Altar Purchas out of Josephus de Bell. Jud. l. 2. c. 17. Ancient Christian Sept. 1. The Muscovites celebrate the first Day of their New-Year deriving their Epoche from the Creation of the World which they believe to be in Autumn accounting it to the Year 1692. of CHRIST 7200. Years from the Creation according to the Opinion of the Greek and Eastern Church Voyages and Trav. of the D. of Holst Amb. p. 14. Their Procession on this Day consisted of above 20000 Persons viz. the Patriarch 400 Priests all in pontifical Habit carrying many Banners Images and old Books open coming out of one Church and the Great Duke his Chancellors Knez and Bojares out of another place The Patriarch with a Mitre on his head and a golden Cross in his hand beset with Diamonds gives it the Great Duke to kiss which done the Patriarch Blesses him and all the People wishing them all Prosperity in the New Year Idem Sep. 8. The Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Mother of GOD kept by the Muscovites Sept. 6. The Manifestation of CHRIST on the Mount Sept. 13. The Assumption of the Mother of GOD. Both Feasts of the Muscovites Mahometan Persian Ab. Thirty One Days Maharrim the first day which my Author makes to answer to July 15th is Aaschoor or the Feast
Faithful or the Revenues of the Church one part was to be allowed to the Bishop two parts for Church Repairs and the Poor and one for the Clerks or Clergy according to their Merits Idem Sum. Decr. Simpl. Pa. 6. That the offerings of such as did not receive the Lord's Supper as did oppress the Poor as laid violent hands upon themselves were not to be accepted Idem c. So also of such as had delivered up their Children to be Baptized by Hereticks Idem 7. That Oblations were not to be made in Lent Idem Mahometan The Mahometan Pilgrims in commemoration of Abraham's Sacrifice offer upon the Plain near Medina 400000 Sheep on the Day of the little Bairam M. de Thev Ancient Heathen 1. Obs the kinds of Sacrifices 1. Humane Sacrifices were offered to Saturn in Carthage c. To Jupiter Apollo Mars Neptune Bacchus Juno Diana Pallas Mercury Moloch c. Amongst the Romans Scythians Cauls Aegyptians c. And some Indians now 2. Beasts and Birds c. 1. White to the Supernal Gods 2. Black to the Infernal 2. A Bull to Jupiter Mars Apollo Neptune Luna the Heroes A Ram to Mars and Jupiter A Horse to Sol and Mars A Doe to Minerva and Pan. A Lamb to Juno and Faunus A Dove to Venus A Sow to Ceres and Cybele A Hog to Sylvanus A Cock to the Lares A He-Goat to Bacchus The Women prostituted their own Bodies to Venus at her Temple for the use of Strangers They must all be 1. Of Fair Colour 2. Free from blemish 3. Not used to Labour 4. Such as they had received no profit from They chose proper Garlands to adorn the Men Sacrifices Altars Vessels e. g. In the Service of Bacchus Myrtle Ceres the Oak Hercules Poplar Apollo Lawrel They chose proper Fewel for the Altars Myrtle for Venus Ash for Mars Oak for Jove c. Natalis Comes tells of Vengeance inflicted for improper Fewel out of Pausanias c. They used proper Seasons of Service In the Morning to the Spernal In the Evening to the Infernal Proper Places On the Plain to the Terrestrial On Hills to the Supernal In Grots and Caves to the Infernal Modern Heathen The East-Indians offer Sacrifice some of them to the Sea and generally to the Idol in their Pagods M. de Thev In Guinea c. if the Fishermen have not a good draught they present a Piece of Gold to the Priest to reconcile them to the frowning Saint who with his Wives makes a kind of Procession through the Streets smiting his Breast clapping his hands with a mighty noise 'till he come to the shoar where they cut down Boughs from certain Trees and hang them on their Necks playing on Timbrels then the Priest turns to the Wives and expostulates with them and throws Wheat and other things into the Sea as an Offering to the Fetisso View of the Engl. Acqu in Guinea c. In Pegu and Bengala the Idols are honoured with Lights continually burning before them Rosse In Goa they wash in a Cistern near the Idol and offer Rice Eggs c. Idem The Gaurs Kids Hens Pigeons In Malabar they Sacrifice Flowers and Cocks to their Idol In Narsinga the Pilgrims offer Gold Silver and Jewels to their Idol Idem In Virginia they offered Tobacco c. In Mexico c. Men. Idem Diabolical Witches give their Soul and Body to the Devil And permit the Devil to suck their Blood once in 24 hours And destroy the lives of as many as they can in Devotion to the Devil Glanvil In Amboyna they offer him Meat and Drink and light a Wax-Candle in a certain place of their Houses and if he comes not they eat most of the Consecrated Meat themselves Mandelslo The like they do in Ceylon Capt. Knox. 4. Purifications Washings c. Jewish PUrification by Water was long in use with the Jews though not Sacramental therefore they expected it at the coming of the Messiah John 1.25 They question'd not his Baptism but his Authority Godw. Antiq. To make a Woman-Profelyte of the Covenant was required Purification by Water and Oblation viz. two Turtles or Pigeons to a Male-Profelyte Circumcision together with Purification and Oblation Idem Purification was used 1. To Males before Circumcision 2. To Women-Proselytes of the Covenant 3. To Women after Child-birth as the Law requires Lev. 12. but with this difference among the Modern Jews That after the birth of a Daughter the Wife retires for 66 or 70 Days her Husband not being permitted to touch her Finger or Clothes or cut in the same Dish or drink in the same Cup with her 'till she hath been washt c. Dr. Addison 4. To Churches Vessels c. Ancient Christian Hither may be referred the Baptism of Christiaus which is a kind of Purification though we have spoken of it before in the Chapter of Sacraments as may also the Lord's Supper in which the Souls of true Believing Communicants are purified in the Blood of Christ that Lamb of GOD which takes away the sins of the World This is that Fountain which was open'd on purpose for sin and for uncleanness which purifies more than the Refiners fire or the Fuller's Soap But ordinarily Repentance is the Christian's purification and that which disposeth and makes us meetly qualified for the Ordinances before-mentioned both which are but declarative of this and supposed in the Judgment of Christian Charity both in Baptism and the Lord's Supper Other Purifications have been added in succeeding Ages by the Papists especially as 1. Purification or Dedication of Churches by Praying Sprinkling the Walls with holy Water and a bundle of Hysop the Clergy and People going about and singing the Bishop knocking the Door with his Crosier saying Lift up your heads O ye gates c. Then entering in with three Servants wishing Peace three times to the House then on his knees to the Altar and praying whilest the Clergy without sing the Litany who afterwards carry in the Relicks of the Saint to which the Church is Dedicated The Walls are painted Salt Water Ashes and Wine are exercised and mixt into which the Bishop having dipt his Thumb makes the sign of the Cross on the Altar Walls Pavement offers Incense blesseth the Church Preacheth c. all enter the Church singing c. 2. Of Altars by going about them 7 times and sprinkling them with Water and Hysop 7 times having first made 4 Crosses on the 4 Horns of the Altars 3. The Putinae the Corporal Chalice Linnen Pix Fonts Crosses Images First-Fruits Holy-Water Salt Church-Yard Bells Easter-Tapers Chests wherein the Relicks of the Saints are kept c. And these Purified or Consecrated with Prayers Washing Crossing Ancinting Incense c. Mahometan The Turks have two kinds of Ablutions 1. Gousl viz. a general washing of the whole body after lying with their Wives Nocturnal Pollution Urine or any Unclean Thing touching them 2. Abdest viz. only of the Hands always before Prayers 3. After easing of
the People wanted Water in the Desart Some on the 10th of April for the death of Eli and his two Sons and the loss of the Ark. Some also on the 18th for the death of Samuel But the Only Fast that God commanded them was that upon the Day of Expiation The manner of keeping their Fasts is 1. By abstaining from all Meats and Drinks till the Stars appear 2. Reading no passages in the Bible but such as are mournful as the Destruction of Jerusalem Jeremiah's Lamentations c. Rosse Ancient Christian Lent Quadragesima so called either because at first it lasted forty hours viz. from 12 of the Clock on Friday till Easter-Sunday morning or because afterwards it was extended to forty days at last to 3 6 7 weeks It was observed in the First Century It was kept especially the last week of it with great stictness mortifications all Process and Inquiry into criminal Actions and Corporal Punishments suspended Acts of Prayer Abstinence c. In other parts of Lent they fasted till the Evening in the last week till Midnight or Cock-crowing vid. Zonar in Synod Tom. 2. part 1. p. 1. The last week called Hebdomada Magna on which they Fasted Watched did Alms suspended Suits at Law shut the Tribunal Doors set Prisoners free Dr. Cave The Sinner when he began to mislike himself i. e. to be penitent for his wicked life for that he had offended God and his Church came first unto the Bishop and Priests as unto the Mouths of the Church and opened to them the whole burden of his Heart afterward he was by them brought into the Congregation and there made the same confession before his Brethren and further was appointed to make satisfaction by open Penance which Penance being duly and humbly done he was restored again openly unto the Church by laying on of Hands of the Priests and Elders Bish Jewel out of Beatus Rhenanus Fasts on Wednesdays and Fridays Jejunia Quartae sextae Feriae stationes because they kept close to them as to their Guard celebrated with reading and expounding Sripture Divine Service Sacraments and fasting till three a Clock in remembrance of Christ Betrayed and Crucified Mahometan Ramazan is the name of the Mahometans Lent which continues thirty days during which they eat nothing in the day-time but when night comes all Meats are indifferent but Swines-flesh yet they abstain from Wine and Women The last day of Lent they consecrate as a day of Mourning to the memory of their deceased Friends when many of the meaner sort seem to make a most bitter lamentation and then at night they fire an innumerable company of Lamps and other Lights and when burnt out the Lent is ended The day after their Ramjam the most devout assemble at their Mosquits and hear some parts of the Alcoran Ancient Heathen 1. The Galli were such Priests as gelded themselves 2. At Hierapolis the Pilgrims were to sacrifice a Sheep to kneel and pray upon the Fleece to lay the Head and Feet of the Sheep upon their Heads to crown themselves to drink cold water only and sleep on the ground till their return Rosse 3. The Hierophantae among the Athenians were such Priests as castrated themselves with the drinking of Hemlock that they might live more chast in their Office Text. Offic. 4. The Priests of the Egyptians were sparing in their Victuals to a wonder abstaining from Flesh and Wine and seldom eating Bread lest they should overcharge their Stomachs only Oyl and Sallad-herbs were their common food not so much as tasting Eggs or Milk enduring sometimes a three days fast Idem 5. The Persian Magi used no other food than Meal and Herbs Id. 6. The Indian Gymnosophists fed upon Apples or Flour Id. Apollonius Tyaneus abstained from Bread and Flesh Archimolus and Moschus Sophisters of Aeli drank Water and ate nothing but Figs all their life Id. On the Festivals called Nephalia the Ancient Greeks abstained from Wine whence they gave them their name Diamastigosis See the Second Part. Modern Heathen An Indian Faquir intending to invent a new Spell of Devotion resolved to measure with his Body the whole extent of the Mogul's Empire from Bengala as far as Caboul i. e. from S. E. to N. W. The Pretext for so doing was that being present at the Feast of Houly he had a kind of Novices to wait upon him and serve him At the beginning of his journey he laid himself out at full length on the ground upon his Belly and marking it and so rising up again to walk it and so down and up again continually This was performed punctually and he made a Cosse and half a day i. e. three quarters of a League so that at the years end he was got no farther than the utmost bounds of the Province of Halibas but was loaded with Charity all the way M. de Theven In the Pagod Chitanagar on each side of the Wall is a square hole and in the middle of the thickness of it a long Iron Screw entring perpendicularly into the Wall like a Bar The Irons served to fasten Ropes to for supporting those who performed voluntary Penance for seven days Idem The Bramins shun Pleasure drink Water Sir Tho. Herbert The Gentiles in the East-Indies are great Fasters and none of them let a Fortnight pass without it and then they fast 24 hours A great many of them will fast six or seven days and they say there are some that will fast a whole Month without eating any more than a handful of Rice a day and others that will eat nothing at all only drink Water in which the Root Criata◠hath been boyled When a Woman is at the end of one of these long Fasts the Bramen goes with his Companions to the House of the Penitent and beats a Drum and permits her to eat and return home M. de Thev l. 3. p. 82. Diabolical While I was thus requesting God Edward Kelly made a Vow of Penance during his Life never to eat his Supper or Evening-Meal on Satdr days Dr. Dee's Act. with Sp. p. 334. The Witches in New-England kept Fasting-Days 8. Feasting c. Jewish FEASTS Two-fold 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 upon the Remainder of a Sacrifice 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Compotatio c. Concerning which observe 1. The Preparation They Saluted Kissed washed the Guests Feet by a Servant anointed the Head and Feet 2. Carriage at Table 1. The Master consecrates a Cup of Wine thus Blessed be Thou O Lord our God the King of the World which createst the Fruit of the Vine 2. He tasts the Cup and passeth it about the Table 3. Breaks the Bread and holding it in both hands blesseth it thus Blessed be Thou O Lord our God the King of the World which bringest forth Bread out of the Earth Thus on Festivals at other times they blessed the Bread alone 4. After eating and good Discourse the Master or some Guest began thus Let us bless
High Creator of all things That the Bishop reads Prayers over the Child in Church before the Baptism and in the River at Baptism while the Godfather plunges the Child three times all over and then to Feasting Papists 1. Doctrines according to the Council of Trent I N. do with a stedfast Faith believe and profess all and every Point contained in the Symbol of the Faith that the Holy Roman Church doth use viz. To believe in God the Father Almighty Maker of Heaven and Earth of all things visible and invisible And in one Lord Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God and born of the Father before all Worlds God of God Light of Light True God of True God begotten not made of the same Substance with the Father by whom all things were made who for us Men and for our Salvation came down from Heaven was Incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary and was made Man was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate suffered and was buried and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures and ascended up into Heaven sitteth at the right Hand of the Father and he shall come again with Glory to judge both the Quick and the Dead of whose Kingdom there shall be no end and in the Holy Ghost the Lord and Giver of Life who proceedeth from the Father and the Son who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified who spake by the Prophets and one Holy Catholick and Apostolick Church I confess one Baptism for the Remission of Sins and I expect the Resurrection of the Dead and the Life of the World to come Amen I do most stedfastly admit and embrace the Traditions of the Apostles and of the Church and all other Observances and Constitutions of the same Church I do likewise admit the Holy Scripture according to that Sense which our Holy Mother the Catholick Church hath holden and doth hold unto whom it doth appertain to judge of the True Sense and Interpretation of the Holy Scriptures neither will I ever understand nor interpret the same otherwise than according to the uniform consent of the Fathers I do also profess that there be truly and properly Seven Sacraments of the New Law and necessary for the Salvation of Mankind although they be not necessary for all Men viz. Baptism Confirmation Eucharist Pennance Extream Unction Orders and Matrimony and that these Sacraments do give Grace and that of them Baptism Confirmation and Orders cannot be reiterated without Sacrilege I do also receive and admit all the received and approved Ceremonies of the Catholick Church in the Solemn Administration of all the aforesaid Sacraments I do embrace and receive all and every of those things which in the Holy Council of Trent have been defined and declared touching Original Sin and Justification I do profess also that in the Mass is offered unto God a true proper and propitiatory Sacrifice for the Quick and Dead and that in the most Holy Sacrifice of the Altar there is truly really and substantially the Body and Blood together with the Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ and that there is made a Conversion of the whole Substance of Wine into the Blood which Conversion the Catholick Church doth call Transubstantiation I do also confess that under either kind only is received Christ whole intire and the True Sacrament I do constantly hold that there it Purgatory and that the Souls which be there detained are holpen by the Prayers of the Faithful Also that the Saints who reign together with Christ are to be worshipped and called upon and that they offer up Prayers to God for us and that their Relicks are to be worshipped I do most stedfastly affirm that the Images of Christ of the Mother of God always Virgin and of other Saints are to be had and received and that due Honour and Reverence is to be given to them I do affirm that the Authority of Indulgencies was left by Christ in the Church and that the use of them is very behooveful to Christian People I do acknowledge the Holy Catholick and Apostolick Roman Church to be the Mother and Mistress of all Churches and do promise and swear true Obedience to the Bishop of Rome who is the Successor of St. Peter Prince of the Apostles and the Vicar of Jesus Christ All other things defined and declared by the Holy Canons and Oecumenical Councils and chiefly by the Holy Council of Trent I do undoubtedly receive and profess And also all contrary things and whatsoever Heresies condemned rejected and accursed by the Church I likewise do condemn reject and accurse This True Catholick Faith without which no Man can be Saved which now I do willingly profess and hold I the same I. N. do Promise Vow and Swear to hold and confess most constantly by God's help intire and uncorrupted even to the last end of my Life and to procure as much as shall lye in me that my Subjects or those of whom I shall have care in my Office shall accordingly teach and preach the same So God help me and these Holy Gospels of God Dr. James Library-keeper of Oxford out of Lewis de Grenado 's Sp. Doctrine 2. Vsages and Ceremonies and Traditions 1. In publick Prayers they use the Latine-Tongue 2. In the Commandments they make the First and Second One and divide the Tenth into Two 3. They distinguish Sins into 1. Mortal by which only they say the Commandments are broken which are 1. Pride 2. Covetousness 3. Leachery 4. Anger 5. Gluttony 6. Envy 7. Sloth 2. Venial Not contrary to the end of the Commandments i. e. to Charity e. g. an idle Word an officious or jesting Lie stealing of a Pin or Apple c. not killing but disposing to mortal Sin 4. They say 't is possible necessary and easie by the assistance of God's Grace to keep all the Commandments 5. That mortal sin is remitted by 1. Hearty Penance 2. Contrition 6. That venial sin is remitted by 1. All the Sacraments 2. Holy-water 3. Devout Prayer c. 7. The punishment Of mortal sin is Hell for ever 7. The punishment Of venial sin is Purgatory 8. That there are six Sins against the Holy Ghost 1. Despair of Salvation 2. Presumption of God's Mercy 3. Impugning the known Truth 4. Envy at others known good 5. Obstinacy in Sin 6. Final Impenitence 9. That there are four crying Sins 1. Wilful Murder 2. The Sin of Sodom 3. Oppression of the Poor 4. Defrauding VVork-men of their VVages 10. There be three principal Counsels of Christ to his Church 1. Voluntary Poverty 2. Perpetual Chastity 3. Obedience to another's will in all that is not Sin 11. There be six Commandments of the Church principally 1. To hear Mass on all Sundays and Holy-Days if opportunity serve 2. To Fast 1. Lent 2. Vigils commanded 3. Ember-Days and Fridays by custom of England 4. To abstain from Flesh on Saturdays 3. To confess
three Hours which Christ hung on the Cross 17. Uncovering the Chalice and signing it five times with the Host to signifie the rending the Veil of the Temple c. 18. Pater Noster said with a loud Voice to signifie the seven Mystical Words spoke by our Saviour with a loud Voice on the Cross 1. Father forgive them c. 2. To day shalt thou be with c. 3. Behold thy Mother Woman behold c. 4. My God c. 5. I Thirst. 6. Into thy hands c. 7. It is finished 19. Laying down the Host upon the Corporal and then covering the Chalice again to signifie taking Christ down from the Cross 20. The Priest is silent for a time to signifie our Saviour's Rest in the Grave 21. The Host divided into three parts his Body broken and divided into Hands Side and Feet 22. Signing the Chalice three times again with a particle of the Host and raising his voice saying Pax Domini c. 23. Putting a particle of the Host into the Chalice to signifie the reuniting of our Saviour's Body and Soul 24. Saying aloud Agnus Dei qui c. 25. Pax or Kiss of Peace given before Communion 26. Ite missa est The Host is offered Mass ended c. 27. The Priest lifteth up his hands and blesseth the People N. The Missal is the Book wherein the Mass is contained 19. The Office of our Lady concerning which observe 1. The Book in which it is contained the Primer 2. The Parts 1. Hymns 2. Psalms 3. Canticles 4. Antiphones 5. Versicles 6. Responsories 7. Prayers 3. The Time viz. seven Hours several The time of our Saviour's Passion 4. The Contents 1. Matins and Lauds a Commemoration of his Bloody Sweat and binding in the Garden c. 2. The first Hour his being led through the Streets at Jerusalem with the Indignities c. 3. The third Hour whipping crowning with Thorns c. 4. The ninth Hour drinking Gall and Vinegar dying c. 5. The Evening-Song his taking from the Cross c. 6. The Compline his Burial 20. Festival-Days 1. Of Christ 1. His Nativity Christmass 2. Circumcision New-years-day 3. Epiphany Twelfth-day 4. Purification the Presentation of Christ c. Before Mass of that Day the Church blesseth the Lights for the whole Year and makes a Procession with hallowed Lights in the hands of all the Faithful 5. Transfiguration 6. Resurrection or Easter-Day from Oriens the East 7. Ascension 8. Corpus Christi-day in honour of the real Presence The Eucharist on this Feast during the Octave is exposed to be adored in all the principal Churches of the World and great Processions are made in honour of it 9. Four Sundays of Advent 10. Septuagesima Sexagesima Quinquag Quad. 11. Passion-Sunday to prepare us for the approaching Passion 12. Palm-Sunday on which Day the Church blesseth Palms and make a Solemn Procession the People bearing Palm-branches in their hands 13. Dominica in Albis Low-Sunday the Octave of Easter-Day because on that Day the Catechumens were solemnly divested in the Church of their white Garments 2. Of our Blessed Lady viz. 6. The Conception Nativity Presentation Annunciation Visitation and Assumption of our Blessed Lady 3. Pentecost or Whitsunday 4. Trinity-Sunday 5. Other peculiar days 1. The Feast of St. Peter's Chair at Antioch viz. his installing there 2. Of his Chair at Rome viz. his Translation from Antioch c. 3. Of S. Peter and S. Paul together 4. S. Peter ad vincula Acts 12. 5. Michaelmass a Church on that Day in Rome was Dedicated to S. Michael by Pope Boniface 6. The Apparition of S. Michael he appearing on Mount Garganus where by his own appointment a Temple was Dedicated to him 7. All-Saints to beg the Patronage of all together 8. All-Souls to pray Souls out of Purgatory 9. Ashwednesday the Priest blesseth Ashes on this day wherewith he signs the People with a Cross on their Foreheads saying memento homo remember Man that thou art dust and to dust c. 10. Mandy Thursday in memory of our Lord's last Supper when he washed his Disciples Feet So called from Mandatum Novum do vobis the beginning of the Antiphon The Bishops on this day begin the Ceremony of washing the Peoples Feet 21. Good Friday Add two Holy Rood-days viz. Invention and Exaltation 12. Three days of Tenebrae before Easter 13. Rogation-week a week of publick Prayer and Processions for the temperateness of the weather c. from Rogo c. 14. Quatuor Tempora Ember-weeks 21. Orders of Monks or Friers whose Officers are Prior Provincial and General c. 1. Monks of St. Basil who abstain from Flesh of which not many in the Church of Rome but many in the Greek Church 2. Austine Friers or Eremites or Friers Mendicants viz. The First Order Other Branches of them are 1. Monks of S. Hierom in Spain especially Their Robe a white Cassok under a Tawny Cloak 2. Carmelites or Jacobines or white Friers from the Colour of their Habit. 3. Friers of S. Cross Crouched Friers their Robe is watchet and in their hands they carry the Figure of the Cross 4. Dominicans or Friers Praedicant who are to Preach the Gospelin all parts of the World called also Black Friers from the Colour of their Habit and are the third Order of Friers-Mendicants 3. Benedictines whose Habit is a loose black Gown reaching to the Ground with a hood of the same an under Garment of white Woollen and Boots on their Legs Other Branches 1. Monks of Clugnia from Clugny in Normandy 2. Carthusians from Carthusia a Town in Dauphine They Eat no Flesh live by couples labour with their hands watch pray and never meet together but upon Sundays 3. Monks of Cisteaûx so called from a place in Burgundy called by us white Monks as the common Benedictines black Monks from their Habit which was a white Cassock girt with a woollen Girdle the rest black 4. Celestines from Celestine the 5th c. 4. Franciscans from S. Francis of Assis in Spoleto who profess absolute Beggary are to carry no money about them nor more Victuals than will for the present serve for themselves and brethren The chief branches of them are 1. Minors from their humility Cordeliers by the French from the knotty Cord which they use for a Girdle Grey Friers by the English from the colour of their upper Garment These are the fourth and last of the Friers Mendicants 2. Minims who keep always a true Lenten Fast unless in sickness their Robe is a Dark Tawny with a Hood of the same hanging to the Girdle 3. Capuchins from their Cowl or Capuch who are to spend all their time in prayer generally thought to be the most devout of all 5. Jesuits neither simply Lay nor Priests nor merely Secular nor Regular but all together who are to vow not only Poverty Obedience and Chastity as the rest but Mission i. e. to go upon command of the Pope or General on any hazardous
Embassies and Arts Threats and Promises of the Church of Rome their Pastors were prevailed with to make Retractations and submit themselves for a while to the Papal Yoke But they soon started back again and the whole body of the people were never entirely reduced to this day Yet bitterly reproached and spitefully represented to the World and confounded with the Manichees Cathari and the worst of Hereticks on purpose to derive the greater Odium and stroke of Persecution upon them 2. Their Names At first they were called Patarines from a place called Patria or Pataria where upon a difference with their Neighbours they were feign to say Mass by themselves afterwards Subalpini from the Countrey Waldenses from Valles Waldenses from Waldo being an Eminent Man and one that had translated the Scriptures into a Known Tongue and probably many of his disciples joyning themselves to this Church Lions the place of their abode gave them the Name of Poor People of Lions c. Albigenses 3. Their Countrey First Italy and the Countrey of Piedmont Lombardy France and Bohemia whither they fled for shelter in the times of persecution about A. C. 1200. England c. 4. Their Doctrines 1. The Church of Rome is an Assembly of ungodly men not the Church of Christ but the Whore in the Revelation 2. All sins reign in that Church 3. That themselves are the true poor in Spirit who suffer for the Faith c. The True Church of Christ 4. That the Eastern Church doth not value the Church of Rome 5. They despise all Ordinances and Statutes of the Church as being too many and burdensom 6. The Prelates are the Scribes and Pharisees 7. None in the Church ought to be greater than other 8. None ought to kneel to a Priest See thou do it not Rev. 9. Tythes are not to be given to Priests nor the Clergy ought not to enjoy any Temporal Possessions Prebends Regalia c. 10. Neither Land nor People ought to be divided into Parishes 11. They condemn Monasteries all the Sacraments of the Church of Rome 12. They were against Swearing c. But these are accounted to us by Authors of the Roman Church with so much malice and confusion that 't is not easie to believe any of their Reports They had indeed a mixture of Error with their substantial Truths which is capable of Apology 5. Their Conduct of Life They were orderly and modest in their manners and behaviour avoiding all Pride in their Habits wearing neither very rich Cloaths nor over mean and ragged ones they kept up no Trade to avoid Lies Swearing and Deceit but only lived by the Labour of their hands as Handy-crafts men and Day-labourers and their Teachers were Weavers and Tailors they did not heap up Riches but were content with Necessaries they were also very Chast sparing and very temperate in Eating and Drinking not frequenting Taverns or Ale-houses nor going to Balls or other Vanities abstaining from Anger when they workt they either Learned or Taught and therefore Prayed but little They Hypocritically went to Church Offered Confessed Communicated and heard Sermons to catch the Preacher in his Words Observe this Character is given them by an Adversary an Inquisitor who wrote in the 14th Century In like manner their Women were very modest avoiding Back-biting Foolish Jesting and levity of Words and abstaining especially from lies and swearing not so much as making use of the common Asseverations In truth for certain c. 6. Their Worship and Behaviour from the afore-said Anthor They kneel down upon the ground before a bench or the like and continue thus in all their Prayers in silence as long as one might repeat a Pater-Noster 30 or 40 times and conclude their Prayers by repeating the word Amen several times and this they do every day very Reverently amongst those of their own Perswasion without the company of any Strangers before noon after noon and at night when they go to bed besides some other times as well in the day morning and at night they say teach nor have any other Prayer besides Our Father They do not look on the Salutation of the Angel to be a Prayer nor the Apostle's Creed and say that these were introduced by the Church of Rome not by Christ However they have drawn up a short draught of the seven Articles concerning the Godhead and as many concerning the Human Nature the Ten Commandmants and the seven Works of Mercy which they say and teach and boast much of them and readily offer themselves to Answer to any one that demands of them a reason of their Faith Before they set themselves down to Table they bless it saying Bless the Lord. Lord have mercy upon us Christ have mercy upon us Lord have mercy upon us Our Father c. After which the Eldest of the Company saith in the Vulgar Tongue God who blessed the 5 barley Loaves and 2 Fishes in the Desart before his Disciples bless this Table and that which is upon it and then make the sign of the Cross in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost Amen And when they rise from Table after Dinner or Supper they give Thanks thus the Eldest in the Vulgar Tongue repeating the Doxology set down in the Revelation Blessing and Glory and Wisdom and Thanksgiving Honour Power and Might be ascribed to God alone for ever and ever Amen And then adds God render a good reward and a plentiful return to all those who are our Benefactors and the God who hath given us Corporal food vouchsafe us also the Life of his Spirit and God be with us and we with him always Amen Also when they bless the Table and when they return Thanks they fold their Hands together and lift them up towards Heaven And after Dinner and they have returned Thanks and Prayed as before they Preach Teach and Exhort according to their way and Doctrine They who would know more may read Archbishop Vsher Morland Dr. Allix out of whom I have in great hast Extracted this short Account rather to give an edg than satisfy the Appetite of my Readers Place these Two Leaves before the 2d Part. THE HISTORY OF ALL RELIGIONS In the World c. PART II. 1. Knowledge of God Jewish MAimonides acknowledges God to be incorporeal and incomprehensible Dr. Tenison Esdras appointed the People to meet three times a week to be taught the Law because in the desart of Sur they wandered three days without water i. e. the Law Ross Christians S. Augustine was inflamed with a desire of Wisdom by reading Ciccro's Hortensius That Book saith he changed my Affections and turned my Prayers to thy self O Lord and made an alteration in my wishes and desires All vain hope grew low in my esteem on a suddain and I long'd for the Immortality of Wisdom with an incredible heat of mind How did I burn my God how did I burn with a desire to fly from Earthly things to thee and I knew
sometimes a whole day sometimes longer as the Crime is In that Posture he desires the Cazi to Purifie him The Priest answers the Dog must Purifie him not he After which he pours the Water seven times on his Head then gives him a Draught to drink and so he is absolved Afterwards he Feasts all his Friends at the Cazi's House But the Women and Maids are shrifted by the Cazi's Wife M. Tavernier l. 4. c. 8. Zeal Jews BRethren saith St. Paul my hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be Saved for I bear them record that they have a Zeal of God but not according to Knowledge Rom. 10.2 And the Apostle himself was a Zealot of the same kind before his Conversion Concerning Zeal persecuting the Church of God And the Sect he belonged to was notoriously guilty that way none warmer in the blind Pursuit of Religion than the Pharisees And yet we may trace the same fiery Humour conveyed down to following Ages and Generations witness their perpetual Hatred and Persecution of the Christian Church their obstinate Adherence to their Devotions in the Siege of Jerusalem their Zealous Attempts to return to the Holy Land and re-build the Holy City c. and this all in spight of Miracles and Judgments enough to convince them of their Folly if they were not absolutely blind and hardened Scaliger tells us of an Order of Men among them called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mourners that once a year on the ninth day of Ab were allowed entrance into Jerusalem by Adrian's Edict which as Benjamin an Hebrew Author relates give Tithes of all which they possess to the Wise Men always sitting in the School and to the humbled Israelites which lament Sion and bewail Jerusalem These dwell in Caves or ruined Houses Fasting all the days of their Life except on the Sabbaths and Festivals beseeching Mercy continually at the Hands of God Christians The Martyrs at Thebais multitudes having been executed every day with all imaginable Cruelties Sentence was no sooner passed against one Party but others came presented themselves before the Tribunal confessing themselves Christians and received the Sentence with Joy Dr. Cave When Servetus condemned Zuinglius for his Rashness his answer was In aliis mansuetus ero in Blasphemiis in Christum non ita Samodies Here the Priest who is the eldest of the Family or Tribe in Divine Service instead of Singing Howls till he fall down as one dead rising again orders a Sacrifice of five Deer then thrusts a Sword half way into his Belly with several other Illusions and Tricks of Sorcery Pacquet broke open Vol. 2. Mexicans The Town of Mexico was great and had thirteen Temples in each of which were many Idols of Stone of diverse Fashions before whom they Sacrificed Men Doves Quails and other things with great Perfumes and Veneration Some years they Sacrificed as was thought fifty thousand Men. S. Purchas Mahometans The Turks are very Zealous for their Religion which they endeavour to propagate all over the World M. de Thevenot The Asian Turks are greater Zealots I knew at Smyrna a Reverend Preacher amongst them who had many Pupils who was so great a lover of his own Sect that he hated all Mankind beside and stuffed his Sermons with Invectives against Christians till at last chidden by the Officers of the City Yet his Pride hardly abated for when on his Mule's back with his Followers on foot he made all Western Christians whom he met with accidentally to alight and attend whilst so Holy a Man passed by P. Ricaut Esq in his Present State of the Greek Church Heathens In Mexico they burnt Incense before their Idols every Morning Noon-tide Evening and at Midnight and this with much Reverence and then they beat themselves and drew Blood with sharp Bodkins Rosse In Jucatan in their Idolatrous Processions they wound themselves and offer themselves cheerfully for Sacrifices Idem Tunquinese It is a thing almost incredible what a vast number of Sacrifices the King sends to the Temples of his false Gods at his Inauguration to be there offered to the Idols The number of Beasts is said to exceed an 100000 besides the value of a Million in Panes of Gold Tissues and Silks to adorn the Idols and Orange-coloured Calicuts for the Bonzes and those that attend the Service of the Pagods and a vast number of pieces of blue Calicuts for the Poor that are kept in the Pagods Tavernier 's Collection of several Relations c. Moderation Jews A Moderation in reference to the Ceremonial Law especially when the Moral came into Competition with it and sometimes even in reference to the Judicial seems frequently in Scripture permitted and practised Circumcision sometimes neglected and the Passover and Sacrifices c. the Shew-bread eaten by others than Priests and an immoderate Zeal for Oblations New Moons and Sabbaths sharply reproved when the weightier things of the Law were neglected Vid. Psal 50. Isa 1. Hos 6.6 I desired Mercy and not Sacrifice c. Mie 6.6 7 8. As if the Almighty were about to retract those very Ceremonies which himself had instituted when he saw the People dote so fondly upon them as to forget or not duly mind the more solid and substantial parts of Religion Christians When I come to Rome I Fast on the Sabbath when I am here I do not Fast So St. Ambrose at Milan tells St. Augustine which Judgment of Ambrose Austine saith he look'd on as a Heavenly Oracle viz. To whatever Church you come observe the Custom of that Church if you would avoid giving Offence to others and taking it from others Dr. Stillingfleet The Non-observance of indifferent things commanded when there is no apparent Contempt or Scandal does not involve a Man into the Guilt of Sin for the ground of the Magistrates Command is only in point of Contempt and Scandal and for preserving Order in the Church for to command or obey in reference to these things from any Opinion of the necessity of them and therefore the only ground of observing them is to shew that we are not guilty of the Power commanding or of Scandal to others Idem Tota igitur religio ect in fugiendo scandalo vitando contemptu Whitaker Contr. 4. qu. 7 c. 2. They do not bind if Contempt and Scandal be removed P. Martyr de leg Eccl. Hooper who had raised a Difference about Garments writ twice to Ridley about the time of his Persecution and Imprisonment who writ him an answer as soon as he could convey it in which he declared how intirely he was knit to him though in some Circumstances of Religion they had formerly jarr'd a little It was Hooper's Wisdom and his own Simplicity that had divided them every one following the abundance of his own Sense But now he assured him that in the Bowels of Christ he loved him in the Truth and for the Truth Dr. Burnet 's History of the Reform c. The Popish
Sabbath must fast the next day after to do Penance After Dinner the Rabbies have thought fit to study or read sacred Writ because say they the Sabbath once complained to God for lack of a Meet Companion and God answered Israel shall be thy Companion for on the Sabbath they shall learn the Law c. Dr. Addison Esseans The Esseans are more severe than any other in observing the Sabbath for they do not only abstain from dressing of meat which they dress the Evening before that day but also they may not remove any Vessel out of its place nor satisfie the necessities of nature Josephus de Bell. Jud. l. 2. c. 7. The Talmud expresly speaks for no other Reason was the Temple at Jerusalem destroyed but because the Jews observed not the Sabbath aright Though a Man have an hundred Maids or the command of a Thousand Servants yet he himself ought with his own hands to do something in honour of the Sabbath and so we read in the Talmud that Rabbi Casdam cut the Pot-herbs R. Joseph clave the Wood R. Sira kindled the fire R. Nachman swept the House and covered the Table Dr. Addison Present State of the Jews in Barb. Christians The first Observation of the Christian Sabbath was more by the Providence and Design of God than the Apostles own Inclination Joh. 20.19 The second was performed volutarily Joh. 20.26 So afterwards upon the Day of Pentecost being the first day Act. 2.1 Act. 20.7 Rev. 1.10 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Just. Mart. Apol. 2. Countrey work about Husbandry Vintage Sowing Mowing Threshing c. is prohibited by the Council of Arles Conc. 3. Can. 21. Fasting is forbid Conc. Caesar August Vid. Carrauz Sum. p. 119. S. Augustine declares himself frequently against Dancing on the Lord's Day Hearing or pleading of Causes on the Lord's Day is prohibited apud Gratian. Adrian p. c. 15. q. 4. item Conc. Eph. Conc. Tarracon c. Judges Riding to Assizes is reproved very gravely by Gattaker in his Sermon called God's Parley with Princes p. 13. Concerning God's Judgments upon Sabbath-Breakers see Mr. Mayer on the Church-Catechism also the Practice of Piety and my Book called The Christian's Companion The whole Week is Sanctified by this Day and according to my care of this is my Blessing on the Rest Dr. Hall To the same purpose Judge Hale remark'd upon himself That according to his Devotion on the Lord's Day he prospered in his Affairs the Week following Modern Heathens I came to the place where my Company Encamped they waited only for a Billet from the Customer to be gone but it could not be had that Day because it was Friday and the Customer who was a Mahometan observed that Day with great exactness M. de Thev Travels into the Indies l. 3. p. 77. In Guinea The Heathens forbear on their Sabbath which is Thursday Fishing and Husbandry and the Palm-Wine that is got that day must not be sold but offered to the King who bestows it on the Courtiers to drink at Night View of the Engl. Acqu in Guin and the E. Ind. On this Day in the Market-place on a Table three yards high whose flat cover is made of straw and reeds interwoven they place many Rings which they call Festiloes or Gods and within them set Wheat Water and Oil for their Gods whom they imagine devour it Ibid. Discipline Jews THe Jews still enjoyn Circumcision under its old Penalty Gen. 17. viz. Cutting off Yet they are not peremptory about the precise time viz. Eight days after the birth I knew one Jacob Israel Belgara born in Spain coming afterwards to Barbary 1667 Circumcised in the 40th year of his Age. Dr. Addison Christians I called to mind a passage of a Letter of Cornelius that was Bishop of Rome after the middle of the Third Century preserved by Eusebius in his 6th Book ch 43. There were 46 Presbyters 7 Deacons 7 Subdeacons 94 of the inferiour Orders of the Clergy among them also 1500 Widows and other Poor maintained out of the publick Charities Dr. Burnet's Letters When Philip the Emperor would have gone into Church on Easter-Eve to Prayers the Bishop of the place would by no means suffer it till he had made Confession of his Sins and passed thro' the Order of Penitents being guilty of great sins and the Emperor very willingly submitted to it Euseb l. 6. Some think this was rather Philip Governor in Egypt Theodosius the Great for his barbarous Slaughter of the Thessalonians was by S. Ambrose suspended brought to publick Confession forced a severe Penance for eight Months together Prostrations in the Church tearing off his Hair beating his Forehead watering his Cheeks with Tears c. crying out as David My Soul cleaveth unto the dust quicken thou me according to thy word After which he was Absolved and restored to Communion Theodor. H. Eccl. l. 5. c. 15. A Publick Penitentiary an Holy grave Presbyter was appointed to take Confessions of those sins which persons had committed after Baptism and by Prayers Fastings Mortifications to prepare them for Absolution This continued some hundreds of years till Abrogated by Nectarius S. Chrysostom's Predecessor in Constantinople upon occasion of a Woman complaining that during her time of Penitent Exercises in the Church she was tempted to Folly by a Deacon This was done by the Advice of Eudemon most Bishops following his Example Dr. Cave The Clergy of Venice have a very extraordinary sort of Exemption and are a sort of a Body like a Presbytery independent of the Bishop The Curates are chosen by the Inhabitants of every Parish and no Noble Venetian is suffered to pretend to any Curacy thinking it below their Dignity There is a sort of Association among the Curates for Judging of their common concerns and some of the Laity of the several Parishes assist in those Courts so that here is a real Presbytery Dr. Burnet's Letters I wondred at two Discourses that I heard at one Church in Milan at the same time in the Afternoon for there were two Bodies of Men set down in different places of the Church all covered and two Lay-Men in ordinary Habits were entertaining them with Discourses of Religion in a Catechistical Stile These were Confrairies and those were some of the more Devout that instructed the rest This as I never saw any where else so I do not know whether it is peculiar to Milan or not Idem Cathay The Tartars here punish the breach of their Traditions with Death or a Penal Sum of Mony tho in Trifling matters as touching the Fire with a Knife medling with young Birds c. which are forbid Packet broke open vol. 2. Presbyterians Amongst the Presbyterians the Minister or Presbytery may not Excommunicate without the consent of the Church nor for any faults but sins of Perversness and after admonition nor for private sins but those which are publick and scandalous nor for the Sins of others as Bishop Auxilius Excommunicated a whole family