had full possession of the city and presently fourteene Ministers of the Gospell in one day were by force and violence thence eiected But the condition of the Protestants residing amongst the Cantons of Heluetia and their confederates the city of Geneua the towne of S. Gall the Grisons Valesians or seuen communities vnder the Bishop of Sedune is a great deale more happie and setled in so much that they are two third parts hauing the publique and free practise of Religion for howsoeuer of the 13. Cantons onely these fiue b Thesaur Pol. Apot. 49. Zuricke Schafâ—use Glarona Basile Abatistella are entirely Protestant yet these in strength and amplenesse of territory much exceede the other seuen and hence Zuricke the chiefe of the fiue in all publicke meetings and Embassages hath the first place Already then we find the state of Orthodox professors of the Gospell to be such that we neede not complaine of their paucitie and if wee further proceede to view the many regions of the Empire we shall haue cause to magnifie the goodnesse of God for their multitudes The whole Empire excluding Bohemia and Austria because the King of the one is rather an Arbiter in the election of the Emperour then an Elector in this sole case giuing his voice when the other six Electors are equally diuided and the Archduke of the other hath onely a kind of extraordinary place in the Dyet amongst the Ecclesiasticall Princes as sometimes the Duke of Loraine had consisteth of three Orders or States the Princes Ecclesiasticall the Princes Temporall and the free Cities The last of these before some of them come to be possessed by the French Polonian Heluetians and others were in number about a Liberae ciuitates quae non alium principeÌ„ praeter ImperatoreÌ„ agnoscunt suis vtuntur quaeque legibus olim erant 88. lam vero paucâ—o res sunt alijs a GalliaruÌ„ Poloniae Regibus alijs occupatis Thes. polit apot 6. 88. and although in regard of this multitude at this present they are much diminished yet the remainders of them are so potent that a few of them termed the Hanse-Citties seated in the Notherne part of Germany inclusiuely betweene Dantisck eastward Hamburg westward and ioyned in an offensiue and defensiue league haue been able to make good their opposition against some mightie neighbour Princes infringing immunities These with the rest of the b ProtestantiuÌ„ partes sequuntur liberae Ciuitates seculares Principes fereÌ„ omnes Catholicoâ—um à secularibus Principes pauci v◠〈◊〉 Clâ—â—â—nsis Thesaur Pol. Apot 6. Free Citties which are of some number and strength doe all in a manner either in whole or part for in some of them as in Ratisbone Argentine Augusta Spire Wormes Francfort vpon Moen both Papists and Protestants make publique profession embrace the sincere doctrine of the Gospell And if wee passe ouer the Ecclesiasticall Princes who excepting the three Electour Arâ—hbishops of Colen Mentz and Triuers the Archbishops of Werâ—zburg and Saltsburg and some elect Bishops or Administrators of bishopricks being laymen and of the reformed Religion are of small power all the Princes Temporall of the Empire none of note excepted besides the Duke of Bauaria are firmely Protestantes Now what the multitudes of subiects are professing the same faith with these Princes we may guesse by the amplenes of the dominions vnder the gouernmeÌ„t of such only as for their coÌ„mands are chiefe and most eminent amongst them As of the Prince Elector Palatine the Duke of Saxonie the Marquesse of Brandeburge the Duke of Wirtenburg Landgraue of Hesse Marquesse of Baden Prince of Anhalt Dukes of Brunswicke Holst Luenburg Meckleburge Pomerane Sweyburge Nauburge amongst whom the Marquesse of Brandeburge hath for his Dominion not only the Marchasate it selfe contayning in circuit about 520. miles furnished with fiftie cities and about threescore other walled Townes but likewise part of Prussia for which he is feudatarie vnto the king of Poland the Region of Prignitz the Dukedome of Crossen the Signories of Sternberg and Cotbus the Countie of Rapin and lately the three Dukedomes of Cleue Gulick and Berg of which the two former haue either of them in circuit 130. miles Neare adioyning vnto these three last Dukedomes are those Prouinces of the low Countries gouerned by the States namely Zutphen Vtrech Oberyssel Groningham Holland Zeland West-frizland in which onely Protestants haue the publicke for otherwise Arrians Anabaptists Socinians are here priuately tolerated and free exercise of their Religion as also in the neighbour dominion of the Earle of East Freezland But to passe from these vnited Prouinces vnder the States vnto France in this mighty kingdome those as they usually stile them of the Religion besides the Castels and fortes that doe belong in propertie vnto the Duke of Bullen the Duke of Rohan Count of Laual the Duke of Trimouile Mounsieur Chastillion the Mareshall of Digners the Duke of Sully and others are seased of above 70. Townes hauing Garrisons of souldiers gouerned by Nobles and Gentlemen of the Religion they haue 800. Ministers receiuing pensions out of the publicke Finance and are so dispersed through the chiefe prouinces of the kingdome that in the Principalitie of Orange Poincton almost all the Inhabitants in Gasconynie halfe in Languedoc Normandie and other westerne Prouinces a strong partie professe the Euangelicall trueth Which multitudes although they are but small and as it were an handfull in comparison of all bearing the names of Papists throughout the spacious continent of France yet in regard of such as are entirely Popish they haue some proportion For to omitte a great part of French Papists who in heart beleeue the sincerity of the Gospell but dare not make profession thereof for worldly respects as to obtaine great Offices to auoide penalties and iniustice in their litigious suites almost all the lawyers a Vide instruct Missin's des Roys Tres châ—sâ—â—ns â—eleurs Ambassadeuâ—s concernant le Councile de Trent Borâ—ellum l. 4 de decret Ecclesiae Gallicae â— ti 21.22 Dua reuam li. 2 de benefi cap. 10 11. â— 5 cap. 11. and learned sort who no doubt haue many adherents of lesse knowledge hold That the Bishop of Rome was aunciently the first and chiefest Bishop according to the dignity of precedencie and order not by any diuine Institution but because Rome was the chiefe Citty of the Empire That he obtained his primacy ouer the Westerne Church by the guift and clemency of Pipine Charles the great and other Kings of France and hath no power to dispose of Temporall things That it belongeth to Christian Kings and Princes to call Ecclesiasticall Synods and to establish their decrees to make Ecclesiasticall lawes for the good of the Church reforme the abuses therein and to haue the same power and authority ouer sacred persons in causes Ecclesiasticall as was exercised by Iosias and Constantine the Great who said he was a Bishop ouer the outward things of the Church
That the lawes whereby their Church is to bee gouerned are onely the Canons of the more ancient Councels and their owne Nationall Decrees and not the Decretals of the Bishops of Rome That the Councell of Constance assembled by Sigismund the Emperour with a concurrent consent of other Christian Princes decreeing a Generall Synode to be superiours vnto the Pope and correcting many enormious abuses in the Roman Church which yet remaine in practise was a true oecumenicall Councell and so likewise the Councell of Basill That the Assembly of Trent was no lawfull Councell and the Canons thereof are rather to be esteemed the Decrees of the Popes who called and continued it then the Decrees of the Councell it selfe because in this Assembly Bishops onely contrary to the practise of the Councell of Basill had decisiue voyces and the greatest parts of Bishops were Italian the Popes vassals and besides nothing was then determined that was not at Rome fore-determined by the Pope That the Sacrament of the Lords Supper ought to be administred vnder both kinds and at the least a great part of diuine seruice is to be performed in their vulgar tongues Thus are the greater number of Lawyers and learned men in France affected and those who are throughly popish are for the most part men of the basest sort wholy leauened with the bitter slanders and calumniations of malicious Friers Now if to all the forenamed kingdomes Principalities Dukedomes States Citties abounding with professors of the trueth we adde the Monarchies of Greate Britannie Denmarke Sweden wholy in a manner Protestant wee shall finde them not much inferiour in number and amplitude to the Romish partie especially if we consider that the very bulke and body hereof Italy and Spaine are by a kinde of violence and necessity rather then out of any free choice and iudgement deteined in their superstition namely by the iealousie crueltie and tyrannous vigilancy of the inquisition and their owne ignorance being a Vide indiceÌ„ libro prohi edâ—t iussu Clem. 8. Et Azou lin 8. Morel Insâ—t cap. 26. by Clement the 8. vtterly debarred from all reading of the Sacred Scriptures whereby they might come to the knowledge of the Truth And if any shall except that the Protestants in diuerse Countries before mentioned cannot bee reputed as one body and of one Church by reason of many differences and hot contentions amongest them let such remember that howsoeuer some priuate men in this holy society rather then of it preferring their nouell and passionate fancies before the peace of the Church purchased with Christs precious bloud and the publicke weale of Christian Monarchies vnnaturall toward their owne deere Mother rending that wombe wherein they were new borne by the lauer of Regeneration forgetfull of their heauenly embassage which is not onely to reconcile men vnto God but men with men so farre neglecting their owne eternall saluation as to be vnmindfull of that most vndoubted truth He that is not in charity is in death trampling vnder foote that glorious legacie of their Lord and Maister My peace I giue vnto you my peace I leaue with you haue in heat of contention and bitternesse of their soules strained and racked their weake vnderstandings to make differences betweene themselues euen in the maine Articles of Faith and branded one another with blasphemy and heresie yet these vnchristian and vncharitable dissensions are not to be imputed to the whole sacred community of Orthodox Churches whose harmony and agreement in necessary points of Faith are onely to be esteemed by their confessions which by publicke authority they haue diuulged vnto the world How many are the differences both in doctrine and discipline betweene the Proctors for the Papall faction touching Discipline some teach their cheefetaine the Pope may erre others that he cannot some that he is subiect vnto a Generall Councell others that hee is aboue it some that all Ecclesiasticall authority is immediately in the Prelates of the Church others that it is onely in the Pope and from him deriued vnto inferiour Bishops some that he hath temporall authorities ouer Princes others not concerning doctrine some at firme that predestination both by grace and glory is meerely from Gods free pleasure others from foreseene desert and merit some that all the bookes or part of them belonging vnto the old Testament which were not in the Canon of the Iewish Church are Apocriphall others canonicall euen in the matters of Faith some that there is no originall sinne inherent in vs but only imputed others that it is both inherent and imputed some that wee are most freely iustified by the meanes of Faith Hope c. others by the value and merit of these vertues some that faith is onely a generall assent vnto diuine truths others that it is a speciall perswasion touching the remission of our sinnes through Christ some that wee appeare righteous in Gods sight partly through imputed partly through inherent righteousnesse others onely by inherent some that eternall life is due vnto our works onely by vertue of Gods free and gratious promise others through the merit of the worke done some that all the morall good works of Infidels and Ethnicks are sinnes others that they are without sinne some that the B. Virgin was conceiued without originall sinne others the contrary and that with such eagernesse that the one condemne the other of heresie yet because these contentions are betweene priuate men and they all in Spaine and Italie but not in France as hath beene hewed accord in the cheefe points of doctrine publiquely established in the Councell of Trent they boast much of their vnity Although then some priuate men vnworthy to take the word of peace and reconciliation into their virulent and contentious mouthes led more by passion and their owne selfe-pleasing conceipt then by the sacred rules of truth and piety haue laboured to sow the tares of dissention in the vineyard of the Lord and heereby haue made crooked some few branches cleauing vnto them yet the generall societies of Orthodox Churches in the publicke confessions of their faith doe so agree that there is a most sacred harmony betweene them in the more substantiall points of Christian Religion necessary to saluation This is manifest out of the confessions themselues which are these the Anglicane the Scotiane French Heluctian former and later the Belgie Polonie Argentine Augustane Saxonicke Wirtenbergicke Palatine Bohemicke or Weldensian confession for there is none of the Churches formerly pointed out in diuers places of Europe which doth not embrace one of these confessions and all of them harmoniously conspire in the principall Articles of Faith and which neerest concerne our eternall saluation as in the infallible verity and full sufficiency of the Scriptures diuine essence and vnitie of the euerlasting Godhead the sacred Trinitie of the three glorious persons the blessed incarnation of Christ the omnipotent prouidence of God the absolute supreame head of the Church Christ iustification by
Anatolia could vnderstand and speake the Greeke tongue but most of the inland people also both by reason of the great traffique which those rich Countries had for the most part with Grecians and for that on all sides the East onely excepted they were inuironed with them Yet neuerthelesse it is worthy obseruing that albeit the Greeke tongue preuailed so farre in the Regions of Anatolia as to be in a manner generall yet for all that it neuer became vulgar nor extinguished the vulgar languages of those CouÌ„tries For it is not onely particularly obserued of the Galatians by Hierome HieroÌ„ in Pâ—oem l. â— com Epist. ad Galat. Strab. l. 14. that beside the Greeke tongue they had also their peculiar language like that of Trier and of the Carians by Strabo that in their language were found many Greeke words which doth manifestly import it to haue beene a seuerall tongue but it is directly recorded by * Lib. citato loÌ„g post med et Plin. l. 6. c. 1. Strabo out of Ephorus that of sixteene seuerall nations inhabiting that tract onely three were Grecians and all the rest whose names are there registred barbarous and yet are omitted the Cappadocians Galatians Lydians Maeonians Cataonians no smal prouinces of that Region Euen as it is also obserued by Plinie and others that the 22. languages wherof Mithridates king of Pontus Plin. l. 7. c. 24. Val. Max. l. â— c 7 Gell. l. 17. c. 17. is remembred to haue bene so skilfull as to speake them without an interpreter were the languages of so many nations subiect to himselfe whose dominion yet we know to haue bene contained for the greatest part within Anatolia And although all these bee euident testimonies that the Greeke tongue was not the vulgar or natiue language of those parts yet among all none is more effectuall then that remembrance in the second Chapter of the Acts Act. 2.9 1â— where diuers of those Regions as Cappadocia Pontus Asia Phrygia and Pamphylia are brought in for instances of differing languages Fiftly Of the greatest part of the maritime coast of Thrace not onely from Hellespont to Byzantium which was * Dousa Iâ—in Constantinopolit pag. 24. that part of Constantinople in the East corner of the Citie where the Serraile of the Great Turke now standeth but aboue it all along to the out-lets of Danubius And yet beyond them also I finde many Greeke Citties to haue beene planted along that coast Scylax Carimand in Periple Iornand de Reb. Getic c. 5 Scylax of Carianda is my Author with some others as far as the Strait of Caffa and specially in Taurica Yea and beyond that strait also Eastward along all the sea coast of Circassia and Mengrelia to the riuer of Phasis thence compassing to Trebizond I finde mention of many scattered Greeke Cities that is to speake briefly in all the circumference of the Euxine Sea Sixtly from the East and North to turne toward the West it was the language of al the West and South Ilands that lie along the coast of Greece from Candie to Corfu which also was one of them and withall of that fertile Sicilie in which one Iland I haue obserued in good histories aboue 30. Greeke Colonies to haue beene planted and some of them goodly cities Scrab L. 6. in mediâ— specially Agrigentum and Syracusa which later Strabo hath recorded to haue beene 180. furlongs that is of our miles 22. and ½ in circuit Seuenthly Not onely of all the maritime coast of Italy that lyeth on the Tyrrhene Sea from the riuer Garigliano Liris it was formerly called to Leucopetra the most Southerly point of Italie for all that shoare being neere about 240. miles was inhabited with Greeke colonies And thence forward of all that end of Italie that lieth towards the Ionian sea about the great baies of Squilacci and Taranto which was so thicke set with great and goodly Citties of Grecians that it gained the name of Magna Graecia but beyond that also of a great part of Apulia lying towards the Adriatique sea Neither did these maritime parts onely but as it seemeth the Inland people also towards that end of Italie speake the Greeke tongue For I haue seene a few olde coines of the Brutians and more may be seene in Goltzius hauing Greeke inscriptions wherein I obserue they are named 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Goltz in Numâ—smat Magnae Greciae Tab. 24. with an ae and two tt and not as the Romane writers terme them Brutij And I haue seene one peece also of Pandosia an inlaÌ„d Citie of those parts with the like Neither was the vulgare vse of the Greeke tongue vtterly extinct in some of those parts of Italie Galat in descriptione Callipolis till of late for Galateus a learned man of that Country hath left written that when he was a boy and he liued about 120. yeares agoe they spake Greeke in Callipollis a Cittie on the East shore of the Bay of Taranto But yet it continued in Ecclesiasticall vse in some other parts of that region of Italie much later Bar. lib. 5. de Antiquit. Calabriae for Gabriel Barrius that liued but about 40. yeares since hath left recorded that the Church of Rossano an Archiepiscopall Cittie in the vpper Calabria retained the Greeke tongue and ceremony till his time and then became Latine Rocca Tract de Dialectis in Italica liâ—gua Nay to descend yet a little neerer the present time Angelus Rocca that writ but about 20. yeares agoe hath obserued that he found in some parts of Calabria and Apulia some remainders of the Greeke speech to be still retained Eightly and Lastly that shoare of Fraunce that lieth towards the mediterraine sea from Rodanus to Italie was possessed with Grecians for * Strab. l. 4. non long a princip Thuscid l 1. Massilia was a Colonie of the Phoceans and from it many other Colonies were deriued and * Strab. loco citato Plin. L. 3. C. 5. placed along that shore as farre as Nicaea in the beginning of Italie which also was one of them And yet beside all these forenamed I could recken vp verie manie other dispersed Colonies of the Greekes both in Europe and Asia and some in Afrique for although I remember not that I haue read in any history any Colonies of the Grecians to haue beene planted in Afrique any where from the greater Syrtis Westward except one in Cirta a Cittie of Numidia placed there by Micipsa the son of Masinissa as is mentioned in Strabo yet thence Eastward it is certaine some were Strab. L. 17. for the great Citties of Cyrene and Alexandria were both Greeke And it is euident not onely in * Loco iam citato PtoloÌ„ Tab. 3. Africae Mela. l. 1. C. 8. Strabo and Ptolemie but in Mela and other Latine writers that most of the Citties of that part carried Greeke names And Lastly Hierome hath directly recorded that Libia which is properly that
Canaanite Math. 15.22 is in Marke called a Syrophoenician Marc. 7.26 2. Where meÌ„tion is made in Iosua Ios. 5.1 of the Kings of Canaan they are in the Septuagints translation named 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3. To put it out of questioÌ„ All that coast from Sidon to Azzah that was Gaza neere to Gerar is registred by * Gen. 10.19 Moses to haue beene possessed by the posterity of Chanaan Of which coast the more northren part aboue the promontory of Carmell or rather from the riuer Chorseus Kison the Iewes called it that nere the promontory of Carmel Strab. l. 16. noÌ„ long ante med Plin. l. 5. c. 12. Ptâ—lem Tab. 4. Aâ—ae Dionys Alex. in Periegesi entreth the sea to the city of Orthosia aboue Sidon northward is by Strabo Plinie Ptolomy and others referred to Phoenicia although Strabo extend that name along all the maritime coast of Palestina also to the confines of Aegypt as Dionysius Periegetes also doth placing Ioppa and Gaza and Elath in Phoenicia which very tract to haue bin the seuerall possessions of Zidon and Cheth Girgashi and Harki and Aruadi and Chamathi sixe of the eleuen sonnes of Canaan the other fiue inhabiting more to the south in Palestina they that are skilful in the ancient Chorography of the Holy land cannot be ignorant Seeing therefore out of this part of the land of Canaan for in this part Tyrus was the Carthaginians and other colonies of the Phaenicians in Afrique came it is out of all doubt that they were of the Chananites progenie August expos â—â—â—hoat epist. ad Roman in med and for such in very deede and no other they reputed and professed themselues to be for as Austine hath left recorded who was borne liued among them the country people of the Puniques when they were asked touching themselues what they were they would make answere that they were Channai meaning as Austine himselfe doth interprete them Canaanites Certaine therefore it is that the natiue Punique langauge was not the Chanaanitish tongue but that I added for explication this clause or the olde Hebrew meaning by the olde Hebrew that which was vulgarly spoken among the Iewes before the captiuity you will perhaps suspect my credite and bee offended for I am not ignorant how superstitiously Diuines for the most part are affected toward the Hebrew tongue yet when I had set downe the Africans language to haue beene the Canaanitish tongue I thought good to adde for plainesse sake or the old Hebrew because J take them indeede to be the very same language and that Abraham and his posterity brought it not out of Chaldaea but learned it in the land of Chanaan Neither is this opinion of mine a meere paradox and fantasie but I haue * Postel lib. de Phoenic lit c. 2. §. 5. Arias Monta. L. Chanaan ca. 9. Gâ—â—ebrard l. 1. Chron. an Dâ—lunij 131 Scalâ—â— â—d seâ— in diâ—t â—â—rte in ep â—d V. â—ertâ—e ad Tomson three or foure of the best skilled in the language and antiquities of that nation that the later times could afford of the same minde And certainly by * Isa. 19.18 Isaiah it is called in direct termes the language of Chanaan And it is moreouer manifest that the names of the places and cities of Chanaan the olde names I meane by which they were called before the Israelites dwelt in them as is to be seene in the whole course of the books of Moses and of Ioshuah were Hebrew names touching which point although I could produce other forceable reasons such as might except my fantasie delude me vex the best wit in the world to giue them iust solution yet I will adde no more both to auoide prolixity and because I shall haue in another place fitter occasion But to speake particularly of the Punique tongue which hath brought vs into this discourse and which I proued before to be the Canaanitish language it is not only * Augu. in ser. 35. de verb. Dom. in EuaÌ„gel sec. LucaÌ„ in one place pronounced by Augustine who knew it well no man better to haue neer affinitie with the Hebrew tong which also the * As in the Punique tongue Salus three Augustin in expos inchoat epist. ad Roman Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Edom bloud Enar. Psalm 136. Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mamon lucre De Sermon Dom. in Mont. l. 2. c. 14. Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bal. the Lord. Quaest. in Iudie cap. 16. Hebr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Samen Heauen Ibid. Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Messe to annoint Tract 15. in Ioan. Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Alma a Virgine Hieron in c. 7. Isai. Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gadir a fence or wall Plinie l. 4. c. 22. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and some other that diligence might obserue Punick words dispearsed in the writings of Augustine and of others as many as come to my remembrance proue to be true But more effectually in * Aug l. 2 coÌ„t litter Petiliani â—ap 104. an other place to agree with it in very many yea almost in euerie worde Which speech seeing they could in no sort haue from the Israelites being not of Abrahams posterity both because no such transmigration of them is remembred in the holy histories and for that the Punique colonies are specially mentioned to haue beene deduced from Tyre which neuer came into the possession of the Israelites but from the Canaanites whose of-spring they were It followeth therupon that the language of the Canaanites was either the very same or exceeding neere the Hebrew And certainely touching the difference that was betweene the Hebrew and the Punique I make no doubt but the great distance from their primitiue habitation and their conuersation with strangers among whom they were planted and together with both the length of time which is wont to bring alteration to all the languages in the world were the causes of it And although that Punique speech in Plautus which is the onely continued speech of that language Plauâ— iâ— Pâ—e nulo Act. 6. that to my knowledge remaineth extant in any Author haue no such great conuenience with the Hebrew tongue yet I assure my selfe the faults corruptions that haue crept into it by many transcriptions to haue beene the cause of so great difference by reason whereof it is much changed from what at the first it was when Plautus writ it about 1800. yeares agoe And specially because in transcribing thereof there would be so much the lesse care taken as the language was lesse vnderstood by the writers and by the readers and so the escapes lesse subiect to obseruation and controlement Of the largenesse of the Slauonish Turkish and Arabique languages CHAP. VIII MAny are the nations that haue for their vulgar language the Slauonish tongue in Europe some in Asia Among which the principall in Europe are the Slauonians themselues inhabiting Dalmatia Liburnia the West
be not to bee found at this time an hundred housholds of Iewes Boter Relat pa. â— l. 2. c. de Gindei Onely of all the townes of Palestina Tiberias which Amurath the great Turke gaue to Aluarez Mendez a Iew and Staffâ—letto are somewhat peopled with them Neither haue they at this present for any thing that is certainly knowen any other region in the world seuerall to themselues Yet because there be some prouinces wherein they are obserued specially to abound as others also whence they are excluded and banished I will consider a little of their present condition The first Country of Christendome whence the Iewes were expelled with out hope of returne was our Country of England whence they were banished Anno 1290 by King Edward the first Not long after they were likewise banished France An. 1307. by Philippus Pulcher Onely of all the Countryes of France in the Iurisdiction of Auignon the Popes state some are remaining Out of Spaine An. 1492 by Ferdinand and shortly after out of Portugall An 1497 by Emanuel Out of the Kingdome of Naples and Sicilie An. 1539. by Charles the 5. In other regions of Europe they are found and in some of them in great numbers as in Germanie Bohem Polonia Lituania Russia and part of Italie specially Venice and Rome In Greece also a great multitude wherein two Citties beside all them of other places Constantinople and Thessalonica are esteemed to be about 160000 Iewes As also they are to be found by plentifull numbers in many parts of the Turks dominion both in Asia and Afrique And for Asia specially in Aleppo in Tripoli in Damascus in Rhodes and almost in euery City of great trade and traffique in the Turkâ—sh Empire As likewise in diuers parts of the Persian gouernment in Arabia also lastly in India namely about Cranganor and in some other more remote regions And to come to Afrique they are not only foundin the Cities of Alexandria and Cair in Aegypt but as in many other regions places of Afrique so principally in the Cities of Fess and Tremisen and specially in the Hilles of Sensaua and Demen in the Kingdome of Maroccho many of which last are by Leo Africanus specially noted to be of that Sect Leo African l. 2. c. 36. c. which the Iewes name * For of the Iewes as touching their religion there bee in these times three fects The first which is the greatest of them is named 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who beside the holy scriptures imbrace the Talmud also for Authenticall and for that cause they are also termed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The second are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which receiue onely the scriptures And the Third 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is the Samaritans at this day but very few which of all the holy Scriptures admit onely the Pentateuch or bookes of Moses Karraim and by the other Iewes of Afrique are reputed no better then heretiques But yet beside these and such like dispersions of the Iewish Nation that may be elsewhere in the world there is a phantasie of many learned men not vnwoorthy some diligent consideration that the Tartars of Scythia who about the yeare 1200 or a little before became first knowen abroad in the world by that name and hold at this day a great part of Asia in subiection That those Tartars I say are of the * Postell Descript Syriae cap. 1. Genebrad Chron. l. 1. Boteâ— Relat. pa. 1. l. 2. c. vlâ—ima parte della Tartaria pa. 3. l. 2. c. de Gindei Israelites progeny Namely of the ten Tribes which by Salmanazar and some of his predecessours were carried captiue into Assyria Which although it be as I said no other then a vain and cappriccious phantasie yet hath it not onely found acceptance and entertainement with sundrie learned and vnderstanding men but reason and authority are produced or pretended to establish it for a truth For first It is alleaged that the word Tatari or Totari for so indeed they are rightly called as * Leunclau in Pandect Hist. Turcic 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heb. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Syr. learned men obserue and not Tartari signifieth in the Syriaque and Hebrew tongues a Residue or Remainder such as these Tartars are supposed to bee of the Ten Tribes Secondly because as the Patrons of this phantasie say they haue alwaies embraced the ancient character of Iudaisme Circumcision And thirdly 2 Esdras 13. v. 41.42.43.44.45 the authority of supposed Esdras the very spring I take it whence hath flowed this streame of opinion is alleaged Namely that the Tenne Tribes tooke this course to themselues that they would leaue the multitude of the heathen and goe foorth into a farther Country where neuer mankinde dwelt That they might there keepe their statutes which they neuer kept in their owne land And that they entred in at the narrow passages of the Riuer Euphrates The most high shewing them signes and staying the Springs of the floud till they were passed ouer And that their Iourney was great euen of a yeare and a halfe and the region is called Arsareth But to the first of these arguments I may answere that the Tartars obtained that name neither from Hebrew nor Syriaque originall and appellation but from the riuer Tartar saith Leunclauius Leunclau in Pand. histor Turcic §. 3. and * Boem de Morib gent. l. 2. c. 10. Haitti lib. de Tartaris cap. 16. others Or else from the Region as sayth Haitho where the principall of them anciently dwelled Secondly that the name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Hebrew or Syriaque signification importing a residue or remainder can but full ill as it seemes be applied to the Tartars in relation of the Israelites whom they exceedingly surpasse in multitude as ouerspreading halfe the vast continent of Asia or thereabout For all the Nations of Asia from the great riuers of Wolgha and Oby Eastward and from the Caspian sea the riuer Oxus the Countryes of India and China northward are contained vnder the Appellation of Tartars and yet without these bounds many Tartars there are both toward the West and South And what if the innumerable people of so many Nations as are knowen to inhabite and ouerspread the huge continent of America be also of the same of-spring Certainely if I bee not greatly deceiued they are no other For first that their originall must bee deriued from Asia is apparent because as he that readeth the relations and histories of those Countryes of America may easily obserue they haue no rellish nor resemblance at all of the Arts or learning or ciuility of Europe And their colour restifieth they are not of the Africans progenie there being not found in all that large Continent any blacke men except a few about the Riuer of S. Martha in a small Countrey called Quarequa which by force and violence of some tempest are
the voluntary submission of the Grecians vpon their separation from the latin Church greatly increased it for thereby not onely Greece Macedon â—spirus Candie and the Isles about Greece in all seuen Prouinces came vnder his obedience but also Sicilâ—e and the East point of Italie named Calabria reuolted from the Bishop of Rome and for a long time pertained to the Patriarch of Constantinople Nouell Leon. De ordine Metropolitan in Lib. 2. Toâ—ri Lâ—uris as appeareth in the Nouell of Leo Sophus touching the order and precedence of Metropolitans belonging to that Patriarchie And by the like ordination set downe by Andronicus Paloeologus in Curopalates Orientalis Curopalat de Official Palat. ConstaÌ„tinop prope sinem where wee find the Metropolitans of Syracusa and Catana in Sicilie of Rhegium Seueriana Rosia and Hydruntum in Calabria registred among the Metropolitans of that Iurisdiction Thirdly it was inlarged by the conuersion of the north regions to Christian Religion performed by his Suffragans and ministers euen from Thrace to * Cromer de script Polon L. 1. Herdenst de Bell. Mosc l. 1. Guâ—guin Descriptâ—on Moscou c. 2. Russia and the Scythian Sea the like whereof was the principall cause that so farre inlarged the Bishop of Rome his Iurisdiction in the west parts of Europe And fourthly by the Turks conquests made vpon the Westerne countries subiect before to the Bishop of Rome all which while partly the former Bishops and Pastors fled to auoid the Turks oppression like the hireling that forsaketh the flocke when he seeth the wolfe comming and partly while the Patriarch of Constantinople to supply that default was faine to prouide them of new ministers they haue beene by little and little brought trained to the Greeke religion Now as touching the proper characters of their religion I must for the better designing and remembring of them set before me some instance or patterne to compare it and other sects of Religion withall And that is most fit to be the Romane Church both because their differences with that Church specially are in writers most obserued So that by that meanes my discourse may be the shorter and yet no lesse perspicuous to you that know the opinions of the Romane Church so well The principall characters then of the Grecians religion for none but the principall you require and to mention euery slender difference of ceremonies would be but tedious and fruitlesse and is beside without my compasse are these that follow 1. 1 Concil Florent Sess. 18. sequentib Ierem. Patriarch CoÌ„stant in Resp. 1. ad Germanos cap. 1. That the holy Ghost proceedeth from the father onely not from the sonne 2. 2 CoÌ„cil Florentin prope Initium Respons Graecer ad cardinal Guisan Quest. 9. That there is no purgatory fire 3. 3 Resp. cad Graecor Q. 5. Ierem. Patr. Resp. 1. cap. 1. That they celebrate the Sacrament of the Eucharist in both kinds 4. 4 Ierem. Resp. cad c. 10. 21 And in leauened bread and thinke it cannot be effectually consecrated in bread vnleauened 5. 5 Posseuin de Rebus Mosco uiae pag. 43. That they reiect extreame vnction 6. 6 Id. lib. citat pag. 40. And confirmation 7. 7 Ierem. Respons cap. 21. That they deny the soules of holy men to enioy the blissefull vision of God or the soules of wicked men to be tormented in hel before the day of iudgement Th. a Ies. de Conu gent. l. 6. c. 1. 8. 8 Tom. vnionis inter nouel Constantin Porphyrogen in Tomo 1 Tur. Orientalis lib. 2. Zonar Annal. Tom. 3. in Im pe Leon's philosophi That they admit Priests marriages namely so that they may keepe their wiues married before their ordination but must not marry after ordination 9. 9 Resp. Graecor ad Guisan Quest 8. Posseâ—iâ— de reb Moscou That they prohibite vtterly the fourth marriage as a thing intolerable Insomuch that as we find recorded their Patriarchs haue for that cause excommunicated some of their Emperours although they had no issue left of their three former marriages 10 Posseu lâ—b 〈◊〉 pag. 41 et 2. â—â—llamont on â—oyag l 2. c 21 10. That they reiect the religious vse of massie images or statues admitting yet pictures or plaine images in their Churches 11 Vilâ—am on Voâ—ag l. 2. c. 21 â—t Alij 11. That they solemnize Saturday the old sabbath festiually and eat therin flesh forbidding as vnlawfull to fast any Saturday in the yeare except Easter Eue. 12 Posseuin l. 〈◊〉 p. 42. 12. That they obserue foure lents in the yeare 13 Nâ—lus Episcop Thesâ—al de Primatu Papae Barlaam de primatu Papae et Alij Leo. 9. epist. 1. 〈◊〉 Episcop ConstaÌ„tinop 13. That they eate not of any thing strangled nor of bloud 14 Acrican et in pluribus 〈◊〉 Sâ—â—â—bert in Châ—onico ad An. â—â—5â— Possen de Reb Mosco p 38. 〈…〉 14. And lastly that they deny the Bishop of Romes primacy and reputing him his Church for schismaticks exclude them from their communion And so haue done as I finde in Leo the ninth his Epistles and in Sigebert aboue these 500. years And if you desire to see more differences of the Greeke and Romane Church you may see them but they are of lesse importance then those I haue related in Posseuines booke of the matters of Moscouia Of the Syrians or Melchites CHAP. XVI SYrians are the same that in some Histories are termed Melchites beeing esteemed for their number the * Botar Relat. pa. 3. l. 2. ca. de Melchiti greatest sect of Christians in the Orient The first * Postel in Descript. Syriae pag. 30. being properly the name of their nation And the second noting the property of their religion Surians they were named to let vaine fancies go of the Citty of Tyre which in the ancient language of the Phoenicians Gellius l. 14. c. 6. Festus in Dâ—â—ctione sarra was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and certainelie that Tyre was ancieÌ„tly called Sarra is recorded by the * For Posâ—els phantasie deriuing Suria from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is meerelie vaine beeing neuer so named in the Hebrew tongue but alwaies 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by which name also it seemeth ancieÌ„tly to haue bene knowne euen among the Grecians for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mentioned in Homer are no other as Possidonius in * Strad l. 26. in fine Strabo expounds him then the Syrians Strabo himselfe also recording in other places that the Syrians * Vitria histor Oriental c. 43 Niger in commentaâ— 4. Asiae Postell in descrip Syriae pag. 50. were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in his time And that the * Strad l. 13. non long ante fine naturall inhabitants of Syria so called themselues Yet neuerthelesse they were vulgarly knowne by the name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 among the Grecians because the Citie of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 beeing the maine mart
towne of all those parts was the place where they had their trade commerce with those Aramites But when the Phoenician tongue began to degenerate into Chaldee then the name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was conuerted into Tur the letter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 beeing turned into 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in sound made 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 As * Vid. Scaliger as Fest. in dictione Sarra et Guidon Fabric in Grammatic Chaldaea c. they that obserue the differences of the Hebrew and the Chaldee and the transitions of the first into the latter know to be ordinary Roman writers and it is also acknowledged by * Strab. l. 1 post med Burchard descr terrae Sanctae Vitriacus Niger Postell and others that the place of Tyre for the city was vtterlie ruined three hundred yeares ago is still called the port of Sur Hieron in lib. de Nominib Hebraicis Plin. l. 5. c. 19. which name it seemeth to haue obtained either because it was built on a Rocke for so Burchardus that viewed the place hath obserued which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Phoenician toung signifies or else as Hierome deriues it of the straitnesse and scarcenes of roome as being seated in a smal Iland but 19. miles in circuit as Plinie noteth a small Territory for such a City or perhaps because it was the strongest fortres for that also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 importeth of all those Regions as being founded on a rocke enuironed with the sea for it was before * Q Curt. l. 4. Alexanders time * Plin. loc citabo 700. paces distant from the firme land mightily strengthened by fortifications of Art populous as beeing the Metropolis of Phoenicia and exceeding rich as sometime the Cittie of greatest traffique in the World Of this city then both the region and inhabitants of Suria obtained their names but Melchitae as I saide they were termed meerely in respect of their religion wherein namely they altogether followed the examples and decrees of the Emperours For whereas after the Councell of Chalcedon infinite perplexity and trouble began to arise in the East parts principally about the opinion of Eutyches and Dioscorus of one only nature in Christ which that councel had condemned but notwithstanding found many that maintained it and reiected the Councell in those Easterne countries And thereupon the Emperour Leo began to exact as diuers other of his Successours afterward did the suffrages and subscriptions of the Easterne Bishops for the better establishment of the Councel Niceph. Callist Histor. Ecclesiast l. 18. c. 52. Then began they that embraced and approued the authority of that Councell because they followed the Emperours decrees made in behalfe of it to be termed by their aduersaries Melchitae of Melchi saith Nicephorus rather 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which in the speech of Syria signifieth a King as one would say of the Kings Religion whereas they that opposed themselues to the Councell were distracted into no lesse then twelue seueral sects and not long after into many more as the same * Lib. 18. c. 45. Nicephorus hath recorded Now although the Syrians or Melchites are for their religion meerely of the Grecians opinions As 1. That the Holy Ghost proceedeth only from the father 1.2.3.4.5 Iacob a Vitriaco Hist. Orient ca. 75. 2. That they celebrate diuine seruice as solemnly on the Sabbath as on the Lords day 3. That they keepe that day festiuall eating therein flesh and fast no Saturday in the yeare but Easter Eue. 4 Villamont â—n voyag l. 2. c. 22. 4. That their Priests and Deacons contract not marriage being already in Orders but yet retaine their wiues before married 5. That the fourth Matrimony is vtterlie vnlawfull 6.7.8. Villamont loco citato 6. That they communicate the Eucharist in both kinds 7. That they acknowledge not Purgatory 8. That they obserue foure Lents in the yeare c. And in a word although they be meerely * Vitriac loco iam citato Saligniciâ— Itiner Tom. 8. c. 1 Bamugart Peregrin l. 2. c. 9. 〈◊〉 Alij of the same Religion communion with the Grecians yet are they not of the iurisdiction of the Patriarch of Constantinople but of the Archbishop of Damascus by the title of the Patriarch of Antiochia For Antiochia it selfe where yet the name of Christians was first heard in the world was long knowne by the name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lying at this present in a manner wast or broken and dispersed into small villages of which onely one of about 60 houses with a smal Temple belongeth to Christians * Bellon obâ—eru l. c. Chitrae de stat Ecclesiar pag. 5. the Patriarchall seat was translated thence to Damascus where as is reported are Boteâ— Relat. pa. 3. l. 2. c. de Maroâ—â—ti Cruâ— Turâ—o grar l. 4 p. 296. ex relatione Gerlachij aboue 1000 houses of Christians and there remaineth For although * Boter loco 〈◊〉 citato the Patriachs of the Maronites and of the Iacobites whereof the former keepeth residence in Libanus and the later in Mesopotamia intitle themselues Patriarchs of Antiochia and by the Christians of their owne sects bee so acknowledged yet do the Melchites who retaine the auncient religion of Syria acknowledge none for patriarche but the Archbishop of Damascus reputing both the other for schismaticks as hauing departed from the obedience and communion of the true Patriarch And yet beside all these a fourth there is of the Popes designation that vsurpeth the title of the Patriarche of Antiochia For * Boter Relat. p. 3. l. 1. ca. del Patriarcha latino dâ— Constantinopoli euer since the Latines surprised Constantinople which was about the yeare 1200 held the possession of the east Empire about 70. yeares al which time the Patriarchs of Constantinople were consecrated by the Pope As also since the holy Land and the Prouinces about it were in the hands of the Christian Princes of the West which began to bee about An. 1100. And so continued about 80. yeares during which season the Patriarchs of Antiochia also and of Ierusalem were of the Popes consecration Euer since then I say the Church of Rome hath and doth still create successiuely imaginary or titular Patriarchs without iurisdiction of Constantinople Antiochia Ierusalem and Alexandria so loth is the Pope to loose the remembrance of any superiority or title that hee hath once compassed Of the Georgians Circassians and Mengrellians CHAP. XVII THe Georgians inhabite the Country that was anciently named Iberia betwixt the Euxine and the Caspian Seas inclosed with Sheruan Media East with Mengrelia Colchis West with Turcomania Armenia the greater South * Volaterran l. 11. c. de Sect. Syriae Prateo l. de Sectis Haeâ—et in Verbo Georgiani Alij And with Albania Zuiria North. The vulgar opinion of Historians is that they haue obtained the name of Georgians
Bishop of Rome as Baron Tom. 7. Annal. in fine Posseuin in Apparsacr in Rutheni haue recorded yet was it not without special reseruation of the Greeke religion and rites as is manifest by the articles of condition extant ap Th. a Ies. de Conu gent. l. 6. pa. 3. ca. 1. pag. 328 seq tendered by them to the Church of Rome and accepted before they would accept of the vnion So that it was not any reuolting from the Greeke religion but onely in effect from the iurisdiction of the Greeke Patriarch to the Pope and that also with sundrie limitations And in * Sigism de Reb. Moscou pag. 27 Guaguâ—in in loco iam citato Wilna the Metropolis of Lituania Although the Archbishop professe obedience to the Pope yet are there also in that Citie as Sigismund hath obserued more Temples of the Greeke religion * Sigism de Reb. Moscou pag. 27 Guaguâ—in in loco iam citato there be 30 of them then of the Roman * Sigism de Reb. Moscou pag. 27 Guaguâ—in in loco iam citato Epist. ad Chitrae de Relig. Russor So that if we should collect and put together all the Christian regions hetherto intreated of which are all of the Greeke communion And compare them with the parts pofessing the Roman Religion wee should finde the Greeke farre to exceede if wee except the Romane new and foraine purchases made in the West and East Indias Of the Nestorians CHAP. XIX THe Nestorians who haue purchased that name by their ancient imitation and maintaining of Nestorius his heresie inhabite though euery where mingled with Mahumetans or with Pagans a great part of the Orient for besides the cuntries of Babilon and Assyria and Mesopotamia and Parthia and Media wherein verie manie of them are found that sect is spred and scattered farre and wide in the East both Northerly to Cataya and Southerly to India So that in Marcus Paulus his historie of the East regions and in * Guil. de Rubr. Itâ— Tart. c. Paul Venet. 1 l. 1. c. 38.2 l. eod c. 39.3 c. 40.4 c. 47.5 c. 45. 49.6 c. 48.7 c. 62.8 c 64. l. 2. c. 39. l. eod c. 61 64. c. others we finde mention of them and of no sect of Christians but them in very many parts and prouinces of Tartarie As namely in 1 Cassar 2 Samarchan 3 Carcham 4 Chinchintalas 5 Tanguth 6 Suchuir 7 Ergimul 8 Tenduch 9 Caraiam 10 Mangi c. Insomuch that beyond the riuer Tigris Eastward there is not anie other sect of Christians to be found for ought I can reade except onely the Portugales and the conuerts made by them in India and the late migration of the Armenians into Persia. The reason of which large spreading and preuailing of that sect so farre in the orient if you enquire I finde to that purpose recorded by Paulus Diaconus of Cosrhoes the King of Persia Paul Diacon Histor. Miscel. l. 18 that he for the mortall hatred hee bare the Emperour Heraclâ—us by whom he had beene sore afflicted with a grieuous warre inforced all the Christians of the Persian Empire to Nestorianisme permitting no catholiques to remaine in all his dominions By whose preaching the Christian religion being farre there inlarged and propagated into the East as it seemes both because those of the Persian dominion were more Eastwardly then other Christians and because it is certaine that all of them till this day acknowledge obedience to the Nestorian Patriarch in Mesopotamia which Country was then part of the Persian dominion It is no wonder if sowing their owne tares and Christes wheate together they propagated with the gospell also there owne heresie Shortly after which time the Sarracens of Arabia Mahumetans conquering Persia and bringing their religion together with their victories into all that large dominion there remained but little outward meanes and slender hope of their repaire and reformation from any sound part of the Church from which they were more now then afore diuided except what affliction and time and the grace of God might worke and repaire in them Now touching their ecclesiasticall gouernment The patriarch of the Nestorians to whom all those of the East parts acknowledge obedience a number of whose suffragan Bishops and Metropolitans Sand de Visibil Monarch l. 7. An. 1556. Paul Venet. l. 1. ca. 15. you haue reckoned vp in Sanders booke de Visibili Monarchia and whom they call Iacelich saith Paulus Venetus Brochardus and others but mistake it or else they of the East pronounce it amisse for Catholich Brocard Descript Tert. sanct Leunclau Pand. Histor Turc §. 3. as is obserued by Leunclauius hath his seat in the Cittie of Muzal on the riuer Tygris in Mesopotamia or in the Patriarchall Monasterie of S. Ermes fast by Muzal Th. a Ies. l. 7. pag. 3. c. 4. In which Citie though subiect to Mahumetans it is * Aubret Mâ—rae Notitiae Episcopor Orb. pag. 35. Mas. in Ortel in Thesaur in Seleucia Plin. l. 5. c. 25. Strab. l. 26. longaâ—ite Med. recorded that the Nestorians retaine yet 15. temples being esteemed about 40000 soules Th. a Ies. l. 7. par 1. c. 4. the Iacobits 3. which Citie of Musal I either take with Masius and Ortelius to be the same that anciently was called Selutia and in Plinie Seleutia Parthorum both because Seleutia was as Strabo saith the Metropolis of Assyria euen as * Guiliâ—l Tyrius de Bel. sacâ—o l 21 c. 8. Musal is recorded to be And also because I finde the ecclesiasticall iurisdiction of those parts committed by the fathers of * Concil Nicen Arab. l. 3. c 33 34. the Nicene councell to the bishop of Seleucia assigning him with all the name of Catholique and the next place of Session in councels after the Bishop of Ierusalem which name and authoritie in those parts the Bishop of Mozal now hath Or if Seleucia were some other citie Muzal the patriarchall seate of the Nestorians is either a remainder of the ancient Niniue as Vitriacus and Tyrius who therefore in his historie calleth the Inhabitants of that Citie Niniuites haue recorded Or at least built neere the Ruines of it Namely ouer against it on the other side of the riuer Tigris as by Beniamin who diligently viewed the place is obserued for Niniue which hee noteth to bee dissolued into scattered villages and castles stoode on the East bancke of Tigris on Assyria side whereas Muzal is seated on the West banke on Mesopotamia side being yet both ioyned together by a Bridge made ouer Tigris now distroyed Vitriac histor Oriental c. 3â— Tir. de Bel. sacro l. 21. c. 8. as for certaine reasons I am induced rather to thinke yet at least the Patriarcall seate was froÌ„ Seleucia translated to Muzal for the opinion of Scaliger Scalig. ad Châ—on Eusebij An. M.D. CCXIII. namly that Seleucia was the same that is now called Bagded Beniamin in Itinerar in
Medio or new Babilon my obseruations in Geographie and historie will not suffer mee to approoue First because Seleucia is remembred by Strabo to be 300 furlongs 37 miles and one or two Plinie saith Strabo l. 16. Plin. l. 6. c. 26. a great deale more distant from Babilon whereas Bagdet is built close by the ruines of it SecoÌ„dly because I finde the positioÌ„ of Seleucia in Ptolomie to bee two third parts of a degree Ptolom Geog. l 6. c. 18 20. Dion Histor. l. 10. Plin. l. 6. c. 26. more North then that of Babilon whereas Bagdet is more South Thirdly because in Dion and others Seleucia is named for a Citie of Mesopotamia which Bagded is not but in the prouince of Babilon as being beneath the confluence of Tigris and Euphrates The Bishop of Muzal then is Patriarch of the Nestorians But yet at this present if the * Boter Relat. par 3. l. 2. c. de Nestoriani Thom. a Ies. de conâ—ers genâ— l. 7 〈…〉 c â— relations of these times be true there is a distraction of that sect which began about 60 yeares agoe in the time of Pope Iulius the third the Nestorians in the North part of Mesopotamia about the Citie of Caramit submitting themselues to another Patriarch of the Popes erecting that reuolting from the Bishop of Muzal taking also on him the title of the Patriarch of Muzal which the Pope bestowed on him hauing first rendred and professed obedience to the Sea of Rome in which obedience it is said that those Nestorians about Caramit doe still continue Now touching the specialties of these Nestorians religion in relation to the Roman they beleeue First 1 Vtriac Hist Orient c. 78. that there are two persons in our Sauiour as well as two natures but yet confesse that Christ from the first instant of his conception was perfect God and perfect man Th. a. Ies. Ibid. Secondly 2 Id. loco citatâ— that the blessed Virgin ought not to be termed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which yet now in some sort they * Boâ—er Relat pa. 3. l. 2. c. de Nestoriani Thom. a Ies de conu gent. l. 7. c. 2. qualifie confessing hir to be the Mother of God the Sonne but yet refusing to terme her the Mother of God Thirdly 3 Boter loco proxim citat that Nestorians condemned in the third and fourth generall councels and Diodorus Tar sensis and Theodorus Mopsuestensis condemned for Nestorianisme in the fifth were holy men Reiecting for their sake the third generall councell held at Ephesus and all other councels after it and specially detesting the mall of Nestorianisme Cyrill of Alexandria Th. a. Ies. Ibid. 4 Vitriac Histor Orient 78. Villamont en voyages l. 2. c. 23. 4. They celebrate the Sacrament of the Eucharist with leauened bread 5. They communicate in both kinds 6. They vse not auricular confession Villam loc citat 7. Nor confirmation 6 Et. 7. Sulak NestoriaÌ„ profess Tom. 4. Biblioth Vet Patrum pag. 1054. 8. They contract marriage in the second degree of consanguinity Th. a Ies. Ibid. 9. Their Priests after the death of their first wiues haue the liberty of the second or third or oftner marriage Th. a. Ies. Ibib. 8 Gulielm de Rubric Itiner Tartar C. 17. 10. They haue not the Image of the Crucifix on their crosses Of the Indians or Christians of S t. Thomas CHAP. XX. THe Christians of India vulgarly named the Christians of S. Thomas because by his preaching they are supposed to haue beene conuerted to Christian Religion and his bodie as is thought remaineth among theÌ„ buried in the citie of Maliapar on the coast of Choromandel inhabite in the neerer part of India namely in that great Promontory whose base lying betweene the outlets of the riuers Indus Ganges stretcheth out the sides far toward the South well nigh 1000. miles till meeting in the point of Comori they make together with the base line forementioned betwixt Cambaia and Bengala the figure almost of an equilateral Triangle In the more southerly part of this great promontory I say neerer to Cape Comori about the cities of Coulan and Cranganor on the west side and about Maliapur and Negapatan on the East side doe these Christians of Saint Thomas dwell being esteemed afore the Portugals frequeÌ„ted those parts about * Sommar â— popoli OrieÌ„â—ap Ramus Vol l. de Vâ—aggâ— p. 332. 15000. or * Barbosa eod vol. pag. 312. 16000. families or after anothers account * Boter Rei p. 3. l. 2. c. della noua Christianita d'India 70000. persons but on the west coast the farre greater number of them is found and especially their habitation is thickest about Angamale 15. miles from the citie Cochin northward where their Archbishop keepeth residence Now as touching their gouernement Their Archbishop till 20. yeares since or little more acknowledged obedieÌ„ce to the Patriarch of Mozal * Boter Relat. p. 3. l. 2. c. dellâ— vecchia Christiâ—n 〈◊〉 d'India Th. a Ies de conu Gâ—nt l. 7 pa. l. c. 4. by the name of the Patriarch of Babilon as by those Christians of India he is still tearmed and certainly * Pausan. in Atticiâ—ante med that the Patriarch of Mozal * For Mozal as I said afore is either Seleucia or succeeded into the dignity of it And Seleucia is recorded to haue beene inhabited by the cittizens of Babilon whereof it was a Colony And such a Colony as in short time it * Th. a Ies. de conu gent. l. 7. part 1. c. 4. exhausted Babilon it selfe of all the Inhabitans passing by reason of the more coÌ„modious situation to dwell at Seleucia So that Seleucia beeing inhabited by the Babilonians and so becomming in stead of Babilon the principall citty of the Prouinces of Babilonia and Assyria the citty * Plin. loco proxim citato obtained the name of Babilon of her inhabitants as well as Seleucia of her founder as Plinie hath recorded And the Patriarch of it the title of the Patriarch of Babilon And although * Apud Ramus vol. 1. de viaggi p. 313. Barbosa note that subordination of the christians of India to be to the Patriarch of Armenia which no doubt he receiued from the Indians relation among whom he was yet certaine it is that hee meaneth no other then this patriarch of Mozal because those Armenians which he meaneth are by himselfe obserued to haue for their vulgar language the Arabique tongue to celebrate their diuine seruice in the Chaldee both which agree with the Christians of Mozal but neither of both with those of Armenia whose language both in the vulgar and sacred vse is knowne to bee no other then the Armenian tongue As also because the Indians are known to haue bin Nestorians to which heresie the Armenians were most opposite as beeing in a manner Iacobites But as it seemeth that Patriarch is saide to
vsuall in the Apostles time either in consonants or vowels or both which could not bee the alteration of any short course of time Of the Iacobites CHAP. XXI THe Iacobites obtained that appellation as Damascene and Nicephorus haue recorded Damas. l. de hâ—eresib post med Niceph. Hist. Eccles 〈◊〉 l. 18. c. 52. of one Iacobus surnamed Zanzalus of Syria who liuing about Anno. 530. was in his time a mighty inlarger of Eutiches sect and maintainer of his opinion touching the vnity of nature in our Sauiour And his followers are at this day in great numbers knowne by the name of Iacobites in Syria in Cyprus in Mesopotamia in Babilon and in Palestine For the Patriarch of Ierusalem who keepeth his residence still in Ierusalem in which city there yet remaine * Chitrae de stat Ecclesiaâ— pag. 25. tenne or more Churches of Christians is also a Iacobite But although in al these forementioned regions these Iacobites are found where they bee esteemed to make about * Namely 15. Crus in Turcoâ—raeâ— l. 4. p. 297. 160000. families or rather 50000. as Leonard the Bishop of Sidon * Boteâ— Relat. pa 3 l. 2. c. de Gâ—â—kobiti the Popes visiter in those parts hath recorded ap Th. a Ies. l. 7. p. 1. ca. 14. yet chiefly they inhabit in Aleppo of Syria and in Caramit and the mountaine Tur of Mesopotamia But yet their religion vnder other titles is extended much farther in so much that it is recorded to be spread abroad in some * Breitenbach Peregrin c. de Iacobitâ—â— Vitria hist. Orient c. 76. 40. kingdomes All which Iacobites of the places before specified haue and long haue had a Patriarch of their owne religion for I finde the * Paul DiacoÌ„ Hist. Miscell l. 18. Patriarch of the Iacobites spoken of Zonar Annal. Tom. 3. in Heraclio in the Emperour Heraclius his time to whom they render obedience The Patriarchall Church of which sect is in the * Mirae in Notitia episcopor Orb. pag. 35. Boter Relat. pa. 3. l. 2. c de Giacobiti Monasterie of Saphran neere to the citie of Merdin in the North part of Mesopotamia But the Patriarch himselfe keepeth ordinarie residence in the citie of Caramit the ancient Metropolis of Mesopotamia and which at this day consisteth for the greatest part of Christians for that Caramit is the same citie which the auncient writers called Amida Caramit is Kara Amida that is in the Turkish toung black Amida because it was walled with blacke stone Sabellicus Sabellâ—c Supplem Histor. l. 18. and others haue left obserued and Amida to haue beene anciently the Metropolis of Mesopotamia I finde in the subscriptions of the auncient councels plainely recorded * Concil Chalced. Action 1 c. But till Eutichianisme so mightely preuailed in those parts as to worke in them a detestation of the councell of Chalcedon and a departure withall from their auncient obedience They belonged till then I say to the Iurisdiction of the Patriarch of Antiochia as being * Notitia prouinciar prouinces of the dioces of the Orient which wee finde in the * Concil Constantinop 1. prim Con. 2. second Generall councell to be the circuit and limitation of that Patriarchs authoritie which is the reason that the Patriarch of the Iacobites keeping euer the name of Ignatius intitleth himselfe Patriarch of Antiochia And that the * Mirae Notit epâ—scop Orbis pâ—â— 36. Patriarch of Ierusalem who is also as I said a Iacobite acknowledgeth him as some record for superior Hauing therein if it be so but in some sort returned to the auncient obedience wherein the Bishops of Ierusalem stood to the Patriarchs of Antiochâ—a euen till the time of the councell of Chalcedon for then began Ierusalem to be erected into a Patriachship And as we reade in the * Co 〈…〉 Aâ—â—â—â—on 7. actions of that Councell with the consent and allowance of the Patriarch of Antiochia the three prouinces of Palestina which till then An. 451. belonged to Antiochia were withdrawne from it and assigned to the Bishop of Ierusalem for his Patriarchall Iurisdiction Now as touching the Characters of their Religion 1. They acknowledge but one nature 1.2.3 4. Iacob a Vitriaco Histor. Oriental c. 76. Villamont l. 2. c. 22. and but one will and one operation ex catechism Iacobitar ap Th. a Ies. l. 7. pa. 1. ca. 15. in Christ as there is but one person and in token of that they make the signe of the Crosse with one finger onely which the other ChristiaÌ„s of the East do with two 2. They signe their Children before baptisme many in the face 2. Bucebing Hist. Eccles. part 2. pa. 33â— Sali 〈◊〉 Iâ—ner Toâ— 8. c. 1. some in the arme with the signe of the Crosse imprinted with a burning Iron 3. They vse Circumcision Saligniac Itin. Tom. 8. c. 1. euen of both sexes Vitriac vt ibi 4. They confesse their sinnes to God onely nor to the priest Thâ—a Ieâ—â— pa. 1. c 14.4 Bucebing loco citato Alâ— honsâ— Castro l. 4. conuâ— Heâ—es T it Confeslie Baungar Itiner 2. c. 9. as others record but verie seldom so that many communicate without auricular confession Leonam Sidon ap Th. a Ies. l. 7. pa. 1. c. 14. 5. They admit not of purgatorie nor of praiers for the dead Th. a Ies. l. 7. pa. 1. c. 23. 6. They consecrate the Eucharist in vnleauened bread Salign Itin. Hieros Tom. 8. c. 1. They minister the Sacrament of the Eucharist in both kindes 7. The priests are married 8. They beleeue all the soules of iust men to remaine in the earth till the day of Iudgement expecting Christs second comming ex Catechism Iaâ—obit 9. They affirme the Angels to consist of two substances fire and light ex Catechism Iacobit 10. They honour Dioscorus and Iacobus Syrus as Saintes but yet condemne Eutyches as an Heretique Patriarch Iacobit ap Th. a Ies. l. 7 pa. 1. c. 14. These are the Properties that I finde registred of the Iacobites religion namely of them that are properly so called and still retaine the auncient opinions of Iacobus Syrus But it seemeth that their principall errour and which occasioned their first schisme and separation from the Church Namely the heresie of Eutiches touching one nature in Christ is for the most part long since abolished for as Vitriacus hath long agoe recorded Vitriac Histor Orient c. 76. they denied to him then the Popes legate in those parts and demaunding the question that they beleeued one onely nature in Christ And being further asked why then making the crosse they signed themselues onely with one finger their answer was that they did it in acknowledgement of one diuine Nature as also they did it in three seuerall places in acknowledgement of three persons in that one nature And beside of late time Leonard another legate of Pope Gregories the 13 in those parts hath recorded of the Patriarchs profession made
or Ponds Concerning which first and last points namely of their circumcision and annuall baptismes I haue somwhat to obserue Namely first touching their circuÌ„cision that they obserue it not so much perhaps of religion as of an auncient custome of their nation For although their circumcising on the eight day seemeth to imply that they receiued it from the Iewes yet their circumcising of both sexes as certainely argueth that they did not so And if the Habassines bee of the race of the ancient Aethiopians the doubt may bee the lesse because Herodotus and others haue recorded it Herodot l 2. par a Mâ—dâ—o for an ancient ceremony of that nation Or if they be not of the Aethiopian race Stephanus Pyâ—ant 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in dictione 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but of the progenie of the Arabians as by Vranius in Stephanus Byzantius it should appeare recording them for a nation of the Arabians neere to the * Which seemeth to bee true both because in the * Liturg. Aethiop in â—om 6 8 blâ—â—thecae Veâ— pat p. 59. Aethiopian Liturgie they terme their owne kingdome the kingdome of Sheba and also because the KK of Habassia * Zag Zabo de Morib Aethâ—op apud Damiâ—â— deduce lineally their discent from the Q. of Sheba that came to see Salomon which Sheba is to the skilfull certainly known to be in Arabia and either the same that wee call Arabia foelix or some part of it And certainely it is obserued by learned men that Arabia foelix in the easterne tongue is named 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Arabia deserta 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Arabia Petraea 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sabaeans euen in this case also the occasion and originall of circumcising among the Abassines will bee discerned well enough namelie because it is specially storied to haue bene a very ancieÌ„t ceremony among the Arabians among whom it might haue beginning by reason of the descent of manie of the Arabians from Ismael and from the other sonnes of Abraham by Keturah planted in Arabia of which Sheba is by name recorded for one Genes 25.3 But yet if the Abassines obserue circumcision not as an ancient nationall custome Shindler iâ— Dâ—ctionar Penâ— â—â—lot in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but in any sort for religion sake then it may bee excused in such manner as * one of their owne Bishops hath professed namely that it is done onely in remembrance and loue and imitation of our Sauiour because he was circumcised and not for any other opinion of holinesse at all And secondly touching their annual baptisings in the feast of the Epiphanie which they with many auncients of the Church suppose to be the day of our Sauiours baptisme it is declared by the * De Religion Aethiop â—ong an t med Aethiopian bishop aboue mentioned to bee practised among them not as any sacrament or any conceate of sanctification to be obtained by it but onely as a memoriall of Christs baptisme because as on that day hee was baptised in Iordan Euen as the * Posseuin de Reb. Moscou pag. 6. Moscouites also doe the like on the same day in riuers and for the same reason which appeareth the more euidently to bee so because this yearely baptising is no auncient ceremonie of the Habassins but a fashion of late taken vp among them as Aluarez that liued long in those parts hath related as being namely the institution of * Aluarez histor Aethiop cap. 95. his grandfather that then reigned in Habassia being about 100 yeares agoe Of the Armenians CHAP. XXIIII THe Armenians for traffique to which they are exceedingly addicted are to bee found in multitudes in most cities of great trade specially in those of the Turkish Empire obtaining more fauour and priuiledge among the Turkes and other Mahumetans * Vid. Postel lib. de re Linguis Tit. de Lingua Armenica by a patent graunted that nation vnder Mahumets owne hand then any other sect of Christians Insomuch that no nation seemeth more giuen to Marchandize nor is for that cause more dispersed abroade then the Armenians except the Iewes But yet the natiue regions of the Armenians and where they are stil fouÌ„d in the greatest multitude their religion is most supported are Armenia the greater named since the Turkes first possession of it Turcomania beyond Euphrates and Armenia the lesse on this side Euphrates and Cilicia now termed Carmania Now the Armenians touching their Ecclesiasticall gouernement were aunciently of the Iurisdiction of the Patriarch of Constantinople as being * Notitia proâ—â—nciar Orient prouinces of the dioces called Pontica which together with the prouinces of the dioces Asiana and of Thrace three of the thirteene dioceses into which the whole Empire was diuided were by the councell of Chalcedon Concil ChalcedoÌ„ Can. 28. assigned or else confirmed to the Patriarch of Constantinople for his iurisdiction But at this day and verie long since euen before Photius his time as is euident by his circular Epistle the Armenians are departed Photij episte encyâ—lica apâ—d Baron Tom. 10. Annal. Anno 863. both from the gouernement of that Patriarch and from the commuon of the Grecians whom at this present they haue in more detestation then any other sect of Christians and that principally for the very same occasion for which the Iacobites of Syria withdrew their obedience from the Patriarch of Antiochia namely the heresie of one onely nature in Christ. And euer since that departure they acknowledge obedience without any further or higher dependence to two Patriarchs of their owne whom they terme Catholiques Namely one of the greater Armenia the families vnder whose iurisdiction exceede the number of 150000 beside verie manie Monasteries Leonard Sidon episc ap Th. a Ies. l. 7. pa. 1 c. 19 who at this present * Mirae Notiâ— Episcop Orb. pag. 36. Boter Relation pa. 3. l. 2 c. de Dioscoriani keepeth residence in the monasterie of Ecmeazin by the citie c. Leonard Si don episc ap Tho. a Ies. loc citato by the citie of Eruan in Persia being translated thether by occasion of the late warres betwixt the Persians and the Turkes but his auncient seate was Sebastia the Metropolis of Armenia the greater And the other Patriarch of Armenia the lesse the families of whose iurisdiction are esteemed about 20000. Leonard Sidon vbi supra who aunciently kept at ** Concil Chalced Action 1 in subscrâ—ption b. Melitene the Metropolis of that prouince but now is resident in the citie of Sis not farre from Tarsus in Cilicia the middle limit on Interstitium of those two Patriarchs Iurisdictions being the riuer Euphrates Such at this present is the state of the Armenian Church and the iurisdiction of their Patriarchs But it should seeme by that I finde recorded by Otho Phrisingensis Otho Phrising l. â— c. 32. vpoÌ„ the report of the Legates of Armenia