Common-Prayer and all former English translations approved by our Church How this came to pass I shall relate from credible information When this new Translation of the Bible was fully finished by the Translatours and presented to King Iames he appointed Bishop Andrews to have the last perusal of it who thereupon dealt with it as Mr. Cozens since did with the Common-prayer-book and turned the Translatours In into At without their privity or approbation as making best for the Ceremony of Bowing at the name of Iesus which he had a little before and since too pâ—eached for in a Court Sermon by which means our last Translation now renders this Text At the name whereas the Translatours according to the former English Editions had truely rendred it In the name Now that this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ought to be translated In not Ad nomen at or to the name is infallible First because it is so Englished in all other texts of Scripture whatsoever this phrase AT the name being used in no place else but this throughout the Bible nor yet in any English Author extant that I have seen or found but In the name onely Now why it should here alone be translated At not In the name and in no other place no reason can be given unlesse it be purposely to support this Ceremony of bowing at the Name Iesus which else would fall to ground which makes this Translation here the more suspitious Secondly At the name is neither good English nor good Sense For though we use In or At promiscuouâ—ly when they relate either to a time or place aâ— In a time or At a time In such an hour or day Aâ— such a day or hour In such a place street town house At such a place street town or house yet we never use them so when In relates to God's Christ's King's or any man's Name or Authority there being no such English expression as At the name extant in any Author Wâ—â—t Warrant or used in any Scripture-text but this onely Tâ—at this Expression is neither good English nor Sense these instances will manifest where the same Greek phrase and words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are used Acts 3.6 Peter spake thus to the Creeple In the name of Iesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk should this Text be rendered At the name of Iesus rise up and walk it would marr both the English and Sense too Acts 9 27 29. Iâ— is recorded of St. Paul that he spake boldly Iâ— the name of the Lord Iesus should we read it He spake boldly â—t the name of the Lord Iesus it would be plain non-sense Acts 16.12 Paul spake thus to the Spirit in the Damsel possessed with the Spirit of Divination I command thee In the name of Iesus Christ to come out of hâ—r turn this Text into At the Namâ— of Iesus I command thee to come out oâ— her you deprave it quite So 1 Cor 5.4 5. In the name of our Lord Iesus Christ when ye are gathered together and my Spirit with the power of our Lord Iâ—sus Christ to deliver such an one unto Sathan â—ender this At the name of our Lord Iesus Christ c. and you vitiate both the English and meaning Ephes. 5.20 Giving thanks alwayes for all things unto God and the Father In the name of the Lord Iesus Christ translate this Giving thanks c. At the name of the Lord Iesus Christ and you maâ— the Sense and Text 2 Thes. 3.6 We command you Brethren saith the Apostle In the name of our Lord Iesus Christ that ye withdraw your selves from every brothâ—r that walketh disorderly turn this In into At the Name and all the sense is spoyled So Math. 21.9 The multitude that went before our Saviour into Ierusalem cryed Blâ—ssed is he that comâ—th in the name of the Lord transform this into Blessed is he that cometh At the name of the Lord and you deform it quite Iohn 14.13 14. Whatsoever ye shall ask In my name I will do it read this Whatsoever ye shall ask At my name you spoyle all the Text. Acts 10.48 And he commanded them to be baptized In the name of the Lord render this He commanded them to be baptized At the name of the Lord and it is pure Non-sense In all these Texts the Greek is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the samâ— verbatim with that of Phil. 2. Mat. 28.19 Christ saith to his Disciples Go ye therefore and teach all Nations baptizing them in the â—ame of the Father of the Son and of the Holy Ghost translate this Baptizing them At the name of the Father of the Son and of the Holy Ghost you spoyle both the English sense and Baptism too There is nothing more common in Scripture than these phrases used in hundreds of places In the name of the Lord In my name and the like Translate any of all these into At the name and you pervert them quite Turn but I believe in God to I believe at God Our Father which art in heaven to Our Father which art at heaven Or the ordinary phrase of our Warrants and of his Majesties Officers These are to require or I charge and require you in the Kings or in his Majesties Name into I charge and require you at the Kings or at his Majesties name Or our most common speech Go to such a man in my name to Go to him at my name and you quite corrupt both the â—nglish and sence in each oâ— them So that the Translators of this text of Philip. 2.10.11 That In the name of Iesus that is In the vertuâ— of the supreme Soveraign Power Lordship Godhead Authority of Jesus Christ at the general day of Judgement when all things that is All men all Angels Spirits good and bad in heaven earth hell shall stand before hiâ— Person and tribunal as their supreme Lord and Judge as Isay 45.23 Rom. 14.9 10 11. Rev. 5.12 13 14 expound it by changing it into Iesusâ— that is at the hearing or mentioning oâ— the name Iesus in time of Divine service as the Patriots of this Ceremony glosâ—e it have marred both the English and quite perverted the meaning of this sacred Text only to maintain this Ceremony It is evident then by all these concurrent parallel authorities that the true translation of this Text is this That In not At the name of Iesus every knee should bow or be bowed in the passive tense which will almost quite subvert the bowing at the name â—esus â—orâ— the words being thus truly rendered can never be propeâ—ly expounded or strained to this sense That in the name Iesus to wit at or in every naming of the word Jesus or when ever the name Jesus is mentioned in the Church in time of Divine service of Sermons every knee or Head then present should bow there being no One paâ—allel text in Scripture wherein the name of God or Iesus is or can properly be interpreted at
the name above every name in this text is the name of GOD interpreting he gave him a name above every name in this manner He made and manifested him by his Resurrecâ—ion to be God as well as man But thiâ— though a real truth in it self yet in the strict literal sence as I take it cannot be the name because Christ was God from all Eternity and both God and man from his womb not resurrection and his Human nature cannot be properly callâ—d God nor honouâ—ed with that name but as conjoyned with his Divine in one person Now the name which this text speaks of was a name principally given to him in respect of his Humane nature which alone was humbled and highly exalted not his Divine it being uncapable of Humiliation or Exaltation and that not from Eternity but from the time of his Resurrection as the words wherefore God hath highly â—xalted him given him a name above every name c import God therefore cannot properly be this name but rather Lord which suits with both hiâ— natureâ— he being supreme Lord and Judge of all both as he is God and man and made so especially from the time of his Resurrection and Ascention into Heaven and his Session at his Fathers â—wn right hand untill his Enemies be made his Foot-stool as the fore-cited and subsequent Scriptures evidence Other Fathers and Expositors interpret this name to be his name of the natural begotten Son of God a name above all names given to Men or Angels Heb. 1.4 5. Now Christ being mightily declared to be the Son of God by hiâ— Resurrection from the dead Rom. 1.4 and this name being more excellent then any of Men or Angels Some probably from thence inferre the Son of God to be this name he being so in regard of both natures But this though a truth cannot so properly as some conceive be the name here intended it being given to Christ from all Eternity Iohn 1.12 compared with Heb 1.4 5 10. And likewise declaratively given to him at his Baptism when there came a voice from Heaven saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased Mat. 3 17. not after his Resurrection as the name this text doth speak of was This name then is rather Lord oâ— that Soveraign Lordship Dominion Kingdom which the Son of God in râ—spect of his Humanâ— nature obtained by his Resurrection and the advancing of it to sit down on the right hand of the Majestie on high as supreme Lord and heir of all things Heb. 1.2 3 8 13. Col. 1.15 16 17 18. Som 5 or 6 Antients only there are of many hundreds who directly not secondarily or by way of allusion only as others do make the name Iesus the name above every name in this text their reason is because the words are that In the name of Iesus every knee shall bow But this is a sencelesse reason for the words are not that In the individual name Jesus every knee should bow which in truth had been a particular designation of it to have been the name but that In the name OF Iesus as all translate it every knee should bow which words OF Iesus are a designation only of his Person not of this his name Now Jesus hath many names in Scripture as Emanuell Son of God Christ Messias Lord Lamb of God King of Kings Lord of Lords Mediator Head of the Church Saviour God and the like every one of which is the name of Iesus representing the person of Jesus to us though they are not the word nor name Iesuâ— so that these words resolve not Jesus to be the name above every name in which every knee should bow but rather sends us to inquire what name of Jesus it is in which all knees must bow Now that the name Jesus cannot be the name intended in this text is undeniable for these thâ—ee reasons First Because this name was given to our Saviour by the Angel before he was conceived in the womb and was imposed on him at his Circumcision by those who Circumcised him whereas the name above every name in this text of the Philippians was given to Christ after his Passion Resurrection and Ascension Phil. 2.9.10 Secondly Because Every knee of things in Heaven Earth and under the Earth must bow in this name intended in this text but this they cannot do in the name Iesus for Iesus is signifieth nothing else but a Saviour and Christ being no Saâ—iour at all to Angels Devils or Damned persons it is not possible that they should bow unto him as to their Iesus or Saviour Now though he be no Jesus nor Saviour to any such as these yet he is their Soveraign Lord and Iudge he being the Lord the Iudge of all Angels Devils and Damned Reprobates as well as of the Elect to whom alone he is a Saviour â— Jesus and they all shall both call him their Lord and submit unto him and his final judgement as their Lord at the last day Seeing therfore every knee of things in Heaven Earth and under the Earth cannot bow to Christ as their Jesus because he is not a Jesus or Saviour to them all but only as to their Lord to whom they must shall and will all individually and joyntly submit he being equally a Lord to all and since every tongue shall confess not that Christ is their Iesus but that Iesus Christ is their Lord to the glory of God the Father the name Iesus cannot the name Lord only must be the name above every name here meant in which every knee shall bow Thirdly Because the name in which every knee must bow must be and is a name above every name as the text witnesseth But this name Jesus is not a name above every name it being the name of his humiliation imâ—osed on his humane Person only at his Circumcision not at his Exaltation after his Passion a name which gives him Dominion over his redeemed people only not over Angels Devils or damned persons to whom he is not a Saviour a name rather of love grace mercy then of Soveraign Dominion and Power Therefore it cannot be the name above every name to which all knees must and shall bow mentioned in this text but his name Lord alone coupled with his Soveraign Divine power and Dominion over All Angels Devils Men and Creatures whatsoever From all which I argue thus If the name above every name in which every knee must bow be not the name Jesus but Lord and the supreme Lordship power and Dominion of Christ over all then there is no ground nor colour in this text for any bowing cringing or cappiâ—g at the naming of Jesus when ever recited in the Church or elsewhere But the name above every name in which every knee must bow mentioned in this text is not the name Jesus but Lord and the supreme Lordship Power and Dominion of Christ over all as I have undenyably
since the Creation till this present neither knew the Person Gospel nor ever heard of the name of Iesus they never had nor shall have here on earth any Divine service reading or preaching of the Gospel Collects Homilies wherein the name Iesus was or shall be mentioneâ— how then can they observe or perform this duty of bowing at the recital of the name of Iesus in time of Divine Service Sacraments or elsewhere yet notwithstanding every of their Knees shall and must bow in the name of Iesus they being all now actually put in subjection under his feet as their LORD his Kingdom ruleth over them all his Scepter now swayeth them though they know it not and will not voluntarily submit thereto and he shall judge them all at last This bowing therefore must be a bowing of Subjection which every knee of things in earth doth may shall and must yield to Christs Divine Soveraign Power Dominion Lordship not any bowing or capping at the recital of his name Iesus in which at which to which they neither do nor yet actually can shall or will bow their Kneeâ— I am certain not in time of Divine Service or Sermons which they want Finally this bowing of the Knee in the name of Iesus is attributed to things in Heaven which have no real coâ—poral knees to bow nor the name of Iesus to bow at but Iesus himself their Soveraign Lord and King immediatly to contemplate and adore to whom they with all châ—arfulness subject themselves both as to their Redeemer and Soveraign Lord too Witnesse Rev. 5.11 12 13 14. forecited Yet who can prove or dare affirm that these actually bow their Knees at every naming of his name Iesus This bowing therefore being applyed to every knee of things in Heaven Earth and under the Earth both severally and joyntly and yet neither of them actually performing this Ceremonious bowing of the Knee at the name of Iesus either joyntly or separately in the Church in time of Divine Service Sermons or Sacraments though all of them joyntly or severally do will shall must subject themselves to Christ as their Supreme Lord either with or against their wills This bowing in the Text must necessarily be acknowledged to be only a bowing of Subjection which all Creatures both for the present do and chiâ—fly at the day of judgement shall yield to Christ as their Lord Iudge both of quick and dead Noâ— a bare bowing at every recital of his name Iesus which none in heaven none in hell yea very few on earth and most of those either out of ignorance mistake superstition or blind devotion yield unto him From hence therefore I thus dispute That bowing of the knee in the name of Jesus which every knee of things in Heaven Earth and under the Earth doth not cannot shall not either joyntly severally or actually use cannot be the bowing mentioned or intended in this text But the bowing of the knee at the sound of the name of Jesus especially in time of Divine service to which the Patriots thereof principally restrain it is such a bowing which every knee of things in Heaven Earth and under the Earth doth not cannot shall not actually use either joyntly or severally Theâ—eâ—ore it cannot be the bowing intended nor yet a duty ceremony prescribed or warranted by thiâ— text bâ—t the bowing of subjection only I now proceed to the last thing to be inquired of to wit When whâ—re this bowing shall be Certainly it shall be not now or here in the Church but hereafter before the Tribunal of Christ when he shall come to judge both quick and dead To make this apparent we must consider that this text as all generally expound it and Mr. Page himself acknowledgeth in direct terms is not a precept enjoyning any actual bowiâ—g of the knee to us for the present but only a prophesie or prediction of a universal bowing of every knee of things in Heaven Earth and under the Earth especially at the great day of Iudgment when they shall all appear before Christs judgment seat This is clear by Isaiah 45.23 of which this text is but a rehearsall I have sworn by my self the word iâ— gone out of my mouth in righteousnesse and shall not return Tâ—at unto me not at or to my name Jesus every knee shall bow every tongue shall swear This text of Isaiah is a direct prophesie of a bowing of every knee and a confession of every tongue that should be hereafter made to the very person of Christ to which this of Philippians relates as our own Bibles with all Expositors who referre these texts one to another as parallels accord But then when or where shall this prophesie de futuro be fulfilled St. Paul and the spirit of God by him resolve this doubt expresly That it shall be in the general day of Iudgement when we shall all stand before Christs Triâ—unal Rom. 14 9 10 11 12. For to this end Christ both diedâ— and rose and revived that he might be LORD both of the dead and living But why dost thou judgâ— thy Brother or why dost thou set at nought thy Brother we shall all stand before the Iudgement seat of Christ. But some might demand by what Scripture prove you this why by this very prophesie of Isaiah saith he For it is written As I live saith the LORD not Jesus every knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall confesse to God So then every one of us must give an account of himself to God The Apostle therfore referring this text this bowing to the very day of Judgement for the time to Christs own Person before his Tribunal for the place and reciting this prophesie as an infallible Argument and Prediction to prove that we shall all hereafter appear before the Iudgement seat of Christ it is an undeniable evidence that this bowing of every knee and confession of every tongue of things in Heaven Earth and under the â—arth in the Philippians referring to this prophesie of Isaiah by Pauls own resolution is principally if not only meant of a bowing of Subjection to â—hrist himselâ— as their Lord Iudge bâ—fore his Tribunal at the general judgment not of any bowing or capping at the recital of his name Iesus now or here in the Church To make this yet more perâ—picuouâ— consider I pray you that boâ—h in Isaiah 45.23 Rom. 14.11 and Phil. 2.10 11. The bowing of every knâ—e and confâ—ssion of every tongue â—re coupled together as joynt conâ—emporary concurrent Acts So that every knee of things in Heaven Earth and under the Earth shall bow in the name of Iesus at that time when and in that place where every â—ongue shall confesse â—hat Iesus Châ—ist is LORD But when and wheâ—e shall every tongue confesse that Iâ—suâ— Christ is LORD Christ himself â—xpresly resolves it Mat. 7.22 23. that it shall be in the greaâ— day of Iudgement before his Tribunal â—nd Person and
most fully Mat. 25.31 32 33 34 35 36 c. that it shall bâ— when the Son of man shall come in his glory and all his holy Angels with him when he shall sit on the throne of his glory â—nd all Nations shall be gathered before him when he shall sevâ—re the righteâ—uâ— from â—he wicked the sheep from the goats seâ—ting one of them on his right hand the other on his left when heâ— shall pronounce Come ye blessed c. to the one Go ye cursed to the other For theâ— all the sheep on his right hand shall joyntly call him LORD vers 37. LORD when saw we thee an hungred and all the goats on his left hand shall joyntly do the like vers 44. LORD when saw we thee an hungred yea all his holy Angels who shall then aâ—tend him v. 31. Mat. 16 27. 2 Thess. 1.7 and actually call him their Lord too by their attendance on him shall then no doubt acknowledge and confesse him to be the Lord aâ— they did at his Naâ—viâ—y Vnto you this day is born in the City of David a Saviour which is Christ the LORD as is intimated to us Psal. 103.19.20 21. and directly affirmed Act. 1â— 17 Heb 1.6 7 8. Yea no doubt the Devils whose LORD he is Mat. 4.7.10 c. 8.29 31. c. 10.1 Mark 1.34 Luke 8.2 c. 10.17.20 c. 4.36 being reserved in chains of darknesse to the judgement of the great day Iude 6. 2 Pet. 2.4 shall then in deedâ— if not in wordâ— confessâ— that Iesus Christ is LORD as well as the greatest and most dâ—mned Reprobates This thereâ—ore being the time when the place where every tâ—ngue shall confesse that Iesus Christ is LORD must certainly be the time the place when and where every knee shall bow in the name of Jesus Thiâ— will â—urther appear by the 2 Cor. 5.8 9 10 11. We are willing rather to be absent in the body and to be present wiâ—h the LORD wherefore we labour that whether presenâ— or absenâ— we may be accepâ—ed of him For we must all appear before the Iudgement seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done whether it be good or evil Knowing therefore the tâ—rrour of the LORD we perswade men For the Son of man shall come in the Glory of the Father which every tongue shall then conâ—esse Phil. 2.11 and then shall be rewarded every man according to his works Mat. 24.30 Then shall all the Tribes of the Earth mourn and they shall see the Son of man coming in the Clouds of Heaven with Majesty and great Glory And he shall send his Angels with the great sound of a Trumpet c. Watch therefore for ye know not what hour your Lord both come c. Blessed is that Servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing c. The Lord of that Servant shall come in a â—ay when he looketh not for him and in an hour that he is not â—ware of and shall cut him in sunder c. there shall be weepâ—ng and gnashing of teeth And Rev. 4.10 11. chap. 5.11 12 13 14. chap. 7.9 10 11 12. The 24. Elders â—all down before him that sate on the Throne and worship him â—hat liveth for ever and ever and cast their Crowns before â—he Throne here is the bowing of their knees saying Thou art worthy O LORD not O Jesus to receive glory honour and power for thou hast created all things and for thy pleasure they are and were created here is the confession of their tongues in direct terms that Jesus Christ is LORD And I beheld and I heard the voice of many Angels round about the Throne and the Beasts and the Elders and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand and thousand of thousands saying with a loud voice worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdome and strength and honour and glory and blessing here we have all the Angels joyntly bowing their knees round about Christs Throne of Judgement and confessing with their tongues that he was worthy to receive power and honour and streâ—gth the same in effect with that in Phil. 2.11 that Iesus Christ is LORD now mark what follows And every Creature which is in Heaven here are things in Heaven and on the Earâ—â— here are things on Earth and under the Earth and here are things under the Earth agreeing verbatim with this of Phil. 2. and all that are in them heard I saying Blessing honour glory and power be unto him that sâ—tteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb for ever and ever here is the confession of every tongue that Iesus Christ is LORD and the 4. Beasts said Amen And the 24. Elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever here is the bowing of the knee both of them before the Tribunal of Christ at the last day Afâ—er this I beheld and lâ—e a great multitude which no man could number of all Nations Kindreds and people and tongues stood before the Throne and before the Lamb cloathed with white Robes and Palmes in thâ—ir hands and cryed with a loud voice saying Salvation â—o our God which sitteth upon the Throne and unto the Lamb here we have all tongueâ— confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord to in the glory of God the Father And All â—he Angels stood round about the Throne and about the Elders and about the 4. Beasts and fell before the Throne on their faces and worshipped God saying Amen blessing â—nd glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honour and power and might be unto our God for ever and ever Amen Adde herâ—unto Rev. 20.12 13. And I saw the dead small and great stand before God and the Books weâ—e opened and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the Books according to their works And the Sea gave up the dead which were in it and death and Hell or the Grave dâ—livered up the dead which were in them and they were judged every man according to their workâ— And death and Hell were cast into the lake of fire Here are both the bowing of every knee and confession of every tongue of things in Heaven things in Earth and things under the Earth of all Men and Angels joyntly together before Christâ— Throne as to their God Lord and Soveraign Judge This bowing therefore of every knee this confession of every tonguâ—â—t the last dâ—y before Christs Tribunal must needs be the bowing of every knee in the name of Iesus the confesâ—ion of every tongue that Iesus Christ is Lord in the glory of GOD the father prophesied of intended in the Philippians Isa. 45.23 And in truth when or where should this bowing of every knee and conâ—ession of every tongue be else bâ—t in that great day of Judgement when all things in Heaven Earth and undâ—r the Earth all Men and Angels good and bad shall
be joyntly summoned bâ—fore the Soveraign Tribunal of Christ their Lord and Judge to be judged and sentenced by him For it being both a joynt and universal bowing of every knee of things in Heaven Earth and under the Earth and an unanimouâ— general confâ—ssion of all tongueâ— it cannot possibly be actually verified or performed but when all of them shall be gathered together into one place and shall personally stâ—nd before Christâ— Tribunal where they shall all both hear see know and acknowledge him to be their Lord and thereupon actually bow unto him as to their Soveraign Judge and Lord which the greatest part of men in all ages being Infidelâ— Paganâ— who never knew nor heard of Christ on Earth cannot posâ—ibly perform till that day shall come Wherfore this text or prophesie cannot be actually verified of them before the day of Judgement and Christs coming to it The time then of this bowing of every knee of things in Heaven Earth and under the Earth in the name of Jesus and the confession of all tongues being only the day of Judgement not the time of this present life or of Divine Service or Sermons and the place before Christs Tribunâ—l Throne not the Church and this bowing then not to his name Jesus but his Person every knee shall bow to Mee as he is supreme Lord God Judge both of quick and dead I shall thence deduce this unanswerable Argument to prove this Ceremony no duty of the text If the bowing of every knee in the name of Jesus mentioned and intended in this text be only a joynt bowing or prostratioÌ„ of all things in Heaven Earth and under the Earth in the great day of Judgement not in time of Divine Service or Sermon or in this present life and that before Christs Tribunal only not in the Church Then this text can be no precept warrant or colour at all for any bowing at every naming of Jesus in the Church neither can it be deduced from or justified by it But the bowing of every knee in the name of Jesus mentioned and intended in this text is only a bowing or prostration at the great and generâ—l day of Judgement not in time of Divine Service or Sermon or in this present life and that before Christs Tribunal only not in the Church as all the premised Scripture-evidences and Orthodox Expositors acknowledge Therefore this text can be no precept warrant or colour at all for any bowing at the naming of Jesus in the Church neither can it be deduced from or justified by this text Having thus run over these 4 particulars we may from them collect the true sense and meaning of this text of the Philippians which being but a prophesie not a precept can infer no present duty The true genuine sense of it in few words is this That God hath highly exalted his Son Christ Iesus since his Passion Humiliation that is he hath set him at his own right hand in Heaven even in his Humane nature and given him a name above every name that is hath made him King of Kings and Lord of Lords and exalted him above all powers creatures whatsoever made him the Soveraign Lord and Judge both of quick and dead given him power over all flesh yea all power both in Heaven and Earth and put all things in subjection under his feet that in the name of Iesus every knee should bow c. that is to this very end and purpose that all creatures both in Heaven Earth and under the Earth all Angels and Men whether good or bad whether in Earth Heaven or Hell should by reason vertue means and in consideration of this his supreme power and advancement submit and subject themselves to him especially at the day of Judgement when they shall all appear before his Tribunal as to their Soveraign Lord and supreme Judge and confâ—sse him with their tongues to be their Lord to or in as many of the Fathers read it the glory of God the Father This then being the tâ—ue genuine bowinâ— of subjection in the text as is evident by the premises and that â—ignant text of 1 Pet. 3.31 32. By the resurrection of Iesus Christ from the dead who is gone into Heaven and is at the right hand of God Angels Authorities and Powers being made subject unto him compared with Col. 1.15 to 21. Heb. 13.4 5. c. 2.5 7 8 9. Ps. 110.1 1 Cor. 15.20 to 29. and this which I have insisted on the undoubted meaning of this text the sole argument that can be thence deduced to justifie the bowing at every naming of Jesus is but this All creatures in Heaven Earth and under the Earth â—â—all joyntly in the general day of Judgement submit themselves to Jesus Christ as to their Soveraign Lord and Judge and bow their knees unto his person before his Tribunal Therefore all Christian men and women must now bow their knees heads or vaile their hats whenever they hear his name Jesus mentioned during Service or Sermons in the Church on Earth A grosse ridiculous non sequitur needing no other answer but derision Seeing Mr. Calvin Mâ—rloret Bishop Alley Olevian and Piscator affirm That the Sorbon Sophisters are more than ridiculous who coâ—lect from this place that as often as we hear the name Iesus mentioned we are to bow the knee as if it were a magick word which had all its efficacy included in the sound Hence Bishop Babington Dr. Fulk Mr. Cartwright and Dr. Willet resolve that this bowing at the name of Iesus is not commanded in nor warranted by this text the name therein â—xpressed being not the name Iesus the bowing not literal the time of it the day of Iudgement and the place whâ—re it shall be before Christs Tribunal as most Expositors joyntly accord Hence our Learned Dr. Whitaker in his Preface to his Answer to Saunders his Demonstration concerning Antichrist mustring up divers absurd consequences of the Papists and Jesuits from sundry texts of Scâ—ipture as Christ entred into Peters Ship therefore the whole Church is Peters to wit the Popes Ship Barnabas laid down the price of the Field he sold at the Apostles feet therefore the Popes feet arâ— to be kissed with many such like consequences concludes with this as the grossest of all the rest A name above every name is given to Christ that in the name of Iesus every knee should bow Therefore as oft as we bear the name of Iesus mentioned we must uncover our heads and bow our knees After which he thus proceeds When I say men shall hear these and infinite such like Expositions and Argumentations of these new Masters if there be any sense left in them not only of the Holy Ghost but likewise of Common judgement they cannot think that a Religion grounded upon â—â—se foundations can be firm and certain and to be preferred before all others If then this Grave and Learned Doctor being Regius Professor of Divinity in the
the mentioning or at or in the naming of God or Iesus But they must necessarily be expounded in this sence In the name of God or Iesus that is In the supreme Power Majesty Soveraignty Authority of God or the Lord Iesus In the name being oftentimes used for In the Soveraign Power and Authority of God of Iesus or Christ onely not for the bare names God Iesus or Christ as Mat. 28 19. Acts 3.6 16 18. 1 Cor. 5.4 5. 2 Thess. 3.16 Mat. 7.22 Mar. 9.38 â—uc 10.17 Mar. 16.17 18. See also 1 Sam. 17 45. Psal. 8.1 Psal. 10.1 5. Psal. 33.21 Psal. 44.5 Psal. 48 10. Psal. 54.1 Psal. 89.24 Psal. 118.10 11 12. Psal. 124.8 Prov. 18.10 Esay 50.10 64. â— all to the same purpose Thus all Justices Judges Officers in their Warrants use the word Name when they wâ—ite These are to will and require you in the Kingâ— Name that is In or by virtue of his royal authority not of any Christen name or Surname of his to do thus and thuâ— The true translation of this text being thus cleared which I hope to see accordingly amended in all our New printed Bibles and Common-Prayer Books by rechanging At into In the Name by publike authority and command from the King or Parliament in case the Bishops neglect it and the meaning thereof in part discovered I shall next examin the true genuine sence oâ— the words For the full understanding whereof so far forth only as respects this Ceremony of bowing at the name Jesus these 4 things are to be inquired 1. What is meant by the name above every name which God gave to Christ after his exaltation into heaven in which every knee must bow and what that name is 2ly What is here mâ—ant by boâ—ing of every knee 3ly What by things in Heaven Earth and under the Earth 4ly When and where this bowing of every knee shall be For the first Most Expositors generally accord that this Name above every name which God gave to Christ is nothing else but his supreme Power and jurisdiction or his inherent real Soveraign Lordship as he is both God and Man over all things and creatures whatsoever or which is all one his real title Lord given him above 50 times in the New Testament in direct terms or Lord of all things coupled with his actual frâ—ition of his supremâ— Lordship That this and nought else is in truth the name intended in this text is most perspicuous not only by the forequoted Scriptures where name is used for Soveraignty Power Authority but also by direct texts as Ephes. 1.19 20 21 22. According to the working of his mighty power which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in heavenly places farr above all principâ—lity power and might and dominion and every Name that is named not only in this world but also in that which is to come and hath put all things under his â—eet and gave him to be head over All things to his Church Here the Apostle useth Name for principality power dominion or Lordship and makes the name above all name given to Christ at his Exaltation nothing else but his supreme Lordship over all things which Christ himself acknowledgeth Mat. 28.18 where he tells his Disciples after his Resurrection All power is given unto me in heaven and earth St. Peter in his Sermon Acts 2.32 to 36. after he had spoken of the Passion of Christ concludes thus of his Resurrection and Dominion This Iesus hath God raised up c. for David is not ascended into the heavens but saith himself The Lord said unto my Lord Sit thou on my right hand untill I make thine enemies thy footstool Therefore let all the house of Israel know that God hath made the same Iesus whom ye have crucified both LORD and Christ. The making of Christ then after his Resurrection as God and Man Lord over all was the name above every name which God then gave to Christ who is Lord of all as the same Apostle Peter affirmes in his Sermon to Cornelius Act. 10.36 Yea Lord over all Rom. 10.9.12 and King of Kings and Lord of Lords 1 Tim. 6.15 Rev. 17.14 chap. 19.16 That observable text Rom. 14 6 to 13. will make this most clear He that regardeth the day regardeth it unto the Lord and he that regardeth not the day to the Lord he doth not regard it He that eateth eateth to the Lord for he giveth God thanks and he that eateth not to the Lord he eateth not and giveth God thanks for none of us liveth to himself or dieth to himself for whether we live we live unto the Lord or whâ—ther we die we die unto the Lord Whether therefore we live or die we are the Lords For to this end Christ both died and rose and revived mark this well that he might be Lord both of Quick and Dead But why dost thou judge thy Brother or why dost thou set at nought thy Broâ—her we must all stand before the judgement sâ—at of Christ for it is written as I live saith the Lord every knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall confesse to God So then every one of us shall give an account of himself to God Here the Apostle expressely resolves that the Name given to Christ by God his Father after his Resurrection was nothing else but Lord yea Lord both of quick and dead And that this bowing of every knee prophesied by Isay c. 45 23. and alluded unto in Phil. 2.10 11. is nothing else but the Appearance Submission and Subjection of all men Angels to him as their supreme Lord when they shall stand before his Tribunal in the day of Iudgement not any bowing of the Knee or stirring of the Cap unto him when his Name Iesus is mentioned in the Church where the greatest part of men never yet appeared nor resorted unto in any age If all these direct parallel Scriptures be not sufficient or satisfactory enough to prove evidence this hiâ— Name Lord or his Soveraign Dominion over all Creatures as God equal with his Father to be the Name above every Name in which all Knees must bow the text it self unanswerably resolves it For that Name above every Name in which all Knees must bow is that Name only which every tongue must confesse the text it self assuring us so much and coupling the bowing of the knee and confession of the tongue both together But the Name which every tongue shall confesse is this That Iesus Christ is LORD Phil. 2.11 Therefore Lord must be that Name above every Name in which every knee must bow This is the Name by which all persons Good and Bad Pagans and Christians Iews and Gentiles all Angels and Devils shall call Christ at the last day of Judgement the only time when this Scripture shall be actually fulfilled Which day as it is often called The day
of the Lord and Christ comming to Judgement the comming of the Lord and He with referrence to this day the Lord So himself expresly saith that Good and Bad shall then joyntly confesse him to be call him Lord witnesse Mat. 7.21 22. 15.11 Not every one that saith unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven c. Many will say to me in that day to wit the day of Judgement Lord have we not prophesied in thy Name c. But most full and expresse is that of Mat. 25.35 to 45. When the Son of man shall come in his glory and all his Holy Angels with him then shall he sit upon the Throne of his glory and before him shall be gathered all Nations and he shall seperate them one from another as a Shepherd divideth his Sheep from the Goats And he shall set the Sheep on his right hand and the Goats on his lest Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand Come ye blessed of my Father c. Then shall the righteous answer him saying LORD when saw we thee an hungred and fed thee c. Here we have all the Sheep that is all righteous men at the day of Judgement joyntlâ— calling Christ LORD whiles they stand before his Tribunal receiving a sentence of absolution and a Heavenly Kingdom Then shall he say to them also on the left hand Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire c. Then shall they also say unto him LORD when saw wee thee an hungred c. Here wee have all the Goats that iâ— all wicked men whosoever at the day of Judgement joyntly calling Christ LORD to the glory of God the Father Therefore this name LORD being unquestionably the name above every name which every tongue shall then joyntly confess must be the name above every name in which every knee must bow as these scriptures pâ—ove pasâ— all contradiction To clear this up yet more fully by other Texts consider that memorable place of Iude 14 15. And Enoch also the seventh from Adam prophecyeth of these saying Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his Saints to execute Iudgement upon all in the general day of Judgement and to convince all that are ungodly among them of their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him Then compare it with Psal. 96. 98. which thus prophecy of Christs Kingdome and comming to judge the world under this very Title of LORD repeated no lesse thâ—n 16. times O sing unto the LORD a new Song sing unto the LORD all the earth Sing unto the LORD c. For the LORD is great and greatly to be feared he is to be feared above all Gods Fâ—r all the Gods of the Nations are idols but the LORD madâ— the heavens Honour and Majesty are before him strength and beauty are in his Sanctuary Give unto the LORD O ye kinreds of the people give unto the LORD glory and strength Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name c. O worship the LORD in the beauty of holinesse fear before him all the earth Say among the Heathen that the LORD reigneth he shall judge the people righteously c. Make a joyfull noise before the LORD the King Let the heavens rejoyce c. before the LORD for â—e cometh to Iudge the Earth he shall judge the world with righteousnesse and the people with his truth So Psal. 7 8. The LORD shall judge the people judge me O LORD according to my righteousnesâ— Psal 110.1.6 The LORD said unto my LORD sit thou at my right hand untill I make thine enemies thy footstool c. The LORD at thy right hand shall strike through Kings in the day of his wrath he shall judge among the Heathen Psal. 135.13 14. Thy name O LORD endureth for ever thy memorial O LORD to all Generations for the LORD will judge his people Isay 3.13.14 The LORD will stand up to Iudge the people the LORD will enter into judgement with the antients of his people Peruse Ioel 3.13 to 18. Mich. 4.2 to 8. where Châ—ist in relation to judging all Nations and People is frequently stiled LORD by way of prophecy before his incarnation or resurrection and compare thâ—se Scriptures with others in the New Testament after his resurrection as 2 Tim. 4.1 I charge thee before God and the LORD Iesus Christ who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdome 2 Thess. 1.7 8 9 10. When the LORD Iesus shall be râ—vealed from heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and â—bey not the Gospel of our LORD Iesus Christ who shall be punished with everlasting destrucâ—ion from the presence oâ— the LORD and from the glory of his power when he shall come to be glorified in his Saints c. Rev. 4.8.11 Holy holy holy LORD God almighty which was and is and is to come to wit to Judgement Thou art worthy O LORD to receive glory honour and power for thou hast created all things and for thy pleasure they were and are created Rev. 19.1 2. Salvation and honour and power be unto the LORD our God for true and righteous are his judgmeâ—ts 1 Tâ—ess 4.15 c. We who are alive remain unto the coming of the LORD shall not prevent them which are aslâ—ep For the LORD himself shall descend from heaven with a shout with the voyce of the Archangel and with the trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first Then we which are alive and remain shall bee caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the LORD in the air and so shall we ever be with the LORD 2 Thess. 2.1 Now we beseech you brethren by the coming of the LORD Iesusâ— Câ—rist and by our gaâ—hering together unto him Jam. 5.7 8 9. Be patient therefore Brethren unto the coming of the LORD c. For the coming of the LORD draweth nigh Behold the Iudge standeth before the door Heb. 10.30 Vengeance belongeth unto me I will recompence it saith the LORD the LORD shall judge his people Act. 17.31 He hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousnesse by that man the LORD fore-mentioned whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance in that he hath râ—ised him from the dead All these united to the preceding texts and 1 Cor. 8 6. But to us there is but ONE LORD Iesus Christ by whom are all things and we by him will abundantly evidence that name of Christ above every name in which every knee shall bow and which every tongue shall confesse in the day of Judgement at Christs second coming to be this Name LORD or his Divine Soveraign Power and Dominion not his name Iesus True it is that some Interpreters especially those Fathers who writ against the Arrians assert that
a bowing of subjection of all Creatures to his Soveraignty especially in the day of Judgement as I have already evidenced at large Which I shall further demonstrate by these ensuing Scriptures Rev. 1.5 6 8 18. Jesus Christ the first begoten of the dead the Prince of the Kings of the earth c. to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever Amen I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and ending saith the Lord which is and which was and which is to come the Almightie I am he that liveth and was dead and behold I am alive for evermore Amen and have the keyes of Hell and Death Rev. 3.21 To him that overcommeth will I grant to sit with me in my Throne even as I also overcame and am set down in my Fathers Throne Rev. 6.10 And they cryed with a loud voyce how long O Lord holy and true dost thou not judge and avenge our Blood c. And the Kings of the earth and the Great men and the rich men and the chief Captâ—ins and the mighty men and every bond-man and free-man hid themselves in the denns c. and said to the Mountains fall on us and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the Throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. Râ—v 11.15 16 17. And there were great voyces iâ— heaven saying The Kingdoms of the World are become the Kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ and he shall reign for ever and ever And the 24. Elders which sate before God oâ— their seats fell down on their faces and worshiped God saying We give the thanks Lord God Almightie which art and wast and art to come because thou hast taken unto thee thy great Power aâ—d hast reigned And the Nations were angry and thy wrath is come and the time of the dead that they should be judged and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy Servants and Prophets and to the Saints and them that fear thy name small and great and shouldest destroy them that destroy the earth Rev. 15.3 4. And they sung the song of Moses and of the Lamb saying Great and marvellous are thy works Lord God Almighy juâ—t and true are thy wayes thou King of Saints c. Who shall not fear thee O â—ord and glorifie thy name for thou onely art holy for all Nations shall come and worship before thee for thy Judgments are made manifest Rev. 16.7 8 9. And I heard the Angel say Thou art righteous O Lord which art and wast and art to come c. And I heard another under the Altar say Even so Lord God Almighty true and righteous are thy judgements Rev. 18.8 c. Shee shall be burnt with fire for strong is the Lord God that judgeth her Rev. 19.1 2 4 c. After those things I heard a great voyce of more people in heaven saying Allelujah salvation â—nd glory and honour and power â—nto the Lord our God for true and righteous are thy judgements for he hath judged the great Whore And the 24. Elders and the 4. Beastâ— fell down and worshipped God that satâ— on the Throne saying Allelujah c. And I heard as it were the voyce of a great multitude and as the Voice of many waters and mighty thundrings saying Allelujah For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth Let us be glad and rejoyce and give honour to him c. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword that with it he should smite the Nations and he shall rule them with a rod of Iron â—nd he treadeth the winepresse of the wrath of God and he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written King of Kings and Lord of Lords c. And I saw the dead small and great stand before GOD and the Books weâ—e opened c. and they were judged every man according to their works And then it will be moâ—t clear That the Names of God Lord Lord of Lords c. not the name Jesus not once mentioned in all these Texts is the name above every name and the bowing subjection of all Angels Men Spirits great and small good and bad before the Throne or Judgement seat of Jesus Christ and his judging of them the bowing of every knee and their confessions of him to be LORD and GOD in the glory of God the Father the very same intended in Phil. 2.9 10 11. Isay 45.23 and Rom. 14 4ly Take notice of these his Hyperbolical expressions which may prove very dangerous if not warily undeâ—stood and qualiâ—ied with some grains of charity and candor Here is super upâ—n super Another super to his Name no lâ—sse then his Peâ—son That above all persons not exceptiâ—g the Persons of God the Father and God the holy Ghost And this aâ—ove all names whatsoever not excepting the Names of God God the Father 〈◊〉 HOLY SPIRIT no more then the other great and gloâ—ious names of Christ Son of God Lord c. whose Persons and Names too are Co-aequal with the Person and Name of Iâ—sus Therefore to be equally adored bowed to and honoured by all Oâ—thodox Christians whereas these his expressions seconded with constant bowingâ— only at and to the Name Person of Jesus not of God the Fâ—ther or God the Holy Ghost imply yea make an inaequality in the very Trinity it self and advance the Peâ—son Name of Jesus the Sonne above the Person Nâ—me of God the Father and Person Name of God the holy Spirit whose Deity the Eunomians Macedonians Samosetanus Photinus and their followers dâ—nyed of old and Biddolph with others amongst us of late as well as the Arrians denyed the Deity of Jesus Christ. 5ly His words That God requires this service of the knee and that to his Sonnes name Jesus Ye shall not displease him by it feâ—r not c. They that will do no honour he meâ—â—s by this bowing at or to it every time it is recited when time of need comes shall have no comfort by it Have mind on him that is named and do his Name the Honoâ—r and spare not are such dangerous bold assertionâ— as never fell from any Protestant Divines mouth or pen before his and that in a Royal Court-Auditory and cannot be justified by any of his Admiâ—ers nor excused as learned Bishop Morton confessed to me when he had well considered them and Archbishop Abbot too from the censure of Name-worship Will-worship nor distinguished from the Papists worshipping of his Name Cross Body in the Eucharist if compared with his former passages 6ly Observe this other collateral passage of his Not to do it at his Name Nay at the holy Mysteries themsâ—lves not to do It. Which may have a harsh construction agreeable to the Doctrin and practise of the Chuâ—ch of Rome Even to bow at kneel to adore the very Body of Christ in the consecrated Host and Elements themselves as the Papists do which he hath left behind him in his Chuâ—ch as the Bishop writes he
Psalter which they intituled Iesus Psalter printed at Antwerp 1505. in Latine since translated into English by Laurence Kellam and printed at the end of his Manuel of Prayers Duaci 1603. which Psalter begins thus Phil. 2. In nomine JESU omne genu flectatur Coelestium Terrestrium Infernorum omnis lingua confitâ—atur quia Dominus Iesus Christus est in gloria Dei Patris which is likewise repeated after the first and tenth Petition It consists of 15 Petitions The 1 Petition is Iesu Iesu Iesu mercy 10. times repeated one after another without intermission The 2. Petition Iesu Iesu Iesu help me The 3. Petition Iesu Iesu Iesu strengthen me The 4. Petition Iesu Iesu Iesu comfort me The 5 Petition Iesu Iesu Iesu make me constant and stable The 6. Petition Iesu Iesu Iesu light me The 7. â—etition Iesu Iesu Iesu grant me grace to dread thee The 8. Petition Iesu Iesu Iesu grant me to love thee The 9. Petition Iesu Iesu Iesu grant me grace to remember thy death The 10. Petition Iesu Iesu Iesu send me here my Purgatory The 11. Petition Iesu Iesu Iesu grant me grace to flee evil company The 12. Petition Iesu Iesu Iesu grant me grace to call for help to thee The 13. Petition Iesu Iesu Iesu make me to persever in vertue acceptable unto thee The 14. Petition Iesu Iesu Iesu grant me grace to fix my mind on thee The 15. Petition Iesu Iesu Iesu give me grace to order my life to thee Each of these 15. Petitions are thus trebled ten times over one after another the name Jesus being 30 times repeated together in each Petition and 54. times more in other larger Petitions between each of these in all 504. times but his name Christ not once mentioned nor any other of his names but Lord alone and that rarely which name Jesus is as oft to be bowed to adored as thus recited by their Injunctions Canons to wit 504 times in one half hour Moreover to propagate this Ceremony and bowing to and at this name they not long after compiled 5. Speciall Psalms in honorem nominis Iesu with the Letters I. H. S. and a Crucifix in the midst of the H. prefixed to them together with Letaniae de Nomine Iesu wherein the name JESU is repeated no lesse then 74. times together with several titles added to it as Iâ—su potentissime Iesu perfectissime c. miserere nobis Libera nos Iâ—su Parce nos Iesu exaudi nos Iesu c. At the end whereof follows this Prayer for those who devoutly adore and bow to the name Iesus upon Earth God who hast made the most glorious name of Iesus Christ â—hy only Son amiable with the chief affection of sweetnesse to thy faithfull ones and dreadfull and terrible to evil Spirits mercifully grant that all those who devoutly worship this name of Iesus on Earth may receive the sweetnesse of its holy consolation in this present world and in the world to come may obtain the joy of endlesse exultation and blisse in Heaven by the same our Lord Iesus Christ thy Son The benefit of which Masse-Prayer our modern Advocates for bowing at and to the name of Jesus with all their over-zealous Proselytes may do well to claim About the year 1510 Richardus Hampole an English Popish Priest writ a Treatise De Veneratione Nominis Iesu mentioned by Bishop Bale and if I mistake not extant in his Opuscula Varia Ms. in the famous University of Oxford to promote the adoration of and bowing at and to the Name of Iesus Not long after as I conjecture there were special Liturgies compiled and published for the self-same end by the Popes and Popish Priests direction intituled Litaniae Passionis Domini nostri Iesu Christi beginning with this Text of Phil. 2 8 9 10 11. recited at large wherein the name Iesus is repeated no lesse than 164. times one after another with Miserere nobis Iesu Liberanos IESV â—xaudi nos Jesu subjoyned to each petition as in the precedent Liturgies of the Name Jesus They likewise then compiled printed published used Horae de Nomine Iesu Dulcissimi nominis Iesu. And Vesperae in veneratione nominis Iesu editae à devoto Ricardo de Hampole printed in Horae beatitissimae Virginis Mariae ad legitimum Ecclesiae Sarisburiensis ritum Parisiis 1519 f. 169 170 c. In which I find on the 7th of August in the Kalendar printed with it and in other Popish Kalendars a special Feast dedicated likewise to the Name of Jesus intituled Festum dulcissimi Nominis Iesu Minus duplex which Feast Pope Clement the 7th about the year 1524. as Stengelius and Molanus inform us appointed to be generally observed as Minus duplex a lesse double Festival famous among many Churches and amongst the common people Thus one Superstition Idolatry to this Name begot another These Popish Letanies Howers Vespers Psalters Festival of the name Jesus purposely invented to promote its adoration to which the people were formerly very backward brought bowing to it into general practise request in most Churches then leavened with Popery the Priests and People usually bowing their Heads Knees and putting off their Hats to it when rehearsed in Epistles Gosples Masses Sermons and Divine Offices And hereupon the Provincial Popish Council of Sienna or Sennes in the year 1524. following the pattern of the Council of Basil Decreta Morum c. 18. established the use of this Ceremony in all Collegiate Cathedral not other Churches in these following words vizt Et ut in majoribus Ecclesiis cultus Dei vivi sanctior juxta majorum traditiones in melius reformetur statuimus ut in Cathedralibus collegiatis conventualibus Ecclesiis horis debitis c. Horas autem canonicas dicturi c. Cum nominatur illud nomen gloriosunt Iesus in quo omne genu flectitur coelestium terrestrium infernorum omnes caput not genu inclinent And Decreta Fidei c. 14. this Council also draws this Argument from this very Ceremony to prove the lawfulnesse of worshiping the Image of Christ Saints Et nos quidem non quasi ante Divinitatem ante imagem prosternimur sed illum adoramus quem per Imaginem aut passum vel in throno sedentem recordamur Et dum per ipsam picturam quasi per scripturam ad memoriam Filium Dei reducimus animum nostrum de resurrectione laetificat aut de passione mulcet non majore quidem idolatriae periculo quam cum nomine Iesu omne genu flectitur coelestium terrestrium infernorum Quem enim vocabula cursim auribus insinuat hunc eundem fidelibus oculis imago sedulò repraesentat c. In the year of our Lord 1526. the Synod of Carnotum or Chartres in France decreed thus for the use of this Ceremony Nullus in Ecclesia maximè dum sacra aguntur
or ceremonieâ— on the other hand Hence all particular Churches Christians and Professors of the Gospel dispersed throughout the world agreeing all together in the Unity of the Faith are by God himself called reputed but One Catholick Church One Body United together under One Head Jesus Christ quickned inlivened by one and the self-same Spirit although they differ in their particular Rites Ceremonies Gestures Liturgies Languages as the various different Members in the Body naturall being all united together under one Head make up but one intire Body And men of various Callings Professions Qualities Degrees living under the same King Laws Government agreeing in aliquo tertio make up but one Kingdom Corporation or Body Politique though they diffâ—r frâ—m each other in their particular Callings Habits Ages Degrees Estates Opinionâ— Languages Gestures and other personal circumstances If we look into all our great Cathedral or Parish Churches we shall see thousands or hundreds of people joyntly resorting to Gods publike Ordinances Worship Sacraments celebrated in thâ—m yet varying â—rom each other in their Dignities Sexes Ages Callings Conditions Estates Vestments Attirâ—s Fashions Features yea private Opinions Voyceâ— Corporal gâ—stures some of them sitting in seats others in galleries others on forms others standing in allies here men and women there old men young men children sitting or standing promisâ—uously together otherwhere men and women fitting or standing apart from each other some praying standing whiles others kneel others praying reading singing with an audible voice though differing in tones or tunes from each other like Pipes in an Organ or strings in a Lute yet all making sweet melody and harmony in Gods ears and but one Congregation as vaâ—ieâ—y of Trees herbs flowers of different kinds colours shapes virtues in one garden bed make up but one pleasant fruitâ—ull Garden to which the Church is compared Why then should any conscientious godly Ministers or Christians who approve frequent Gods publik Ordinances Sacraments in our Church be sequestred from them or any wayes molested as Non-conformists or Schismaticks only not for bowing kneeling or standing up when others do or for sitting at the Sacrament as Christ and his Apostles did whiles others receive it kneeling only against tâ—e bare advice or direction not peremptory Injunction of the Rubricks or other Ecclesiastical Canonâ— 6 ly That the principal Occasion of all antient modern Schisms in and Separations from our own and other Churches yea of most unchristian divisions contentions in them and of intestine Wars commotions between Christians hath been the over-rigid enforcing of meer human Rites Ceremonies gestures Inventions in Gods Worship by ambitious usurping Popes Prelates and Clergy-men against the rules of Christian Liberty Charity and our Saviours Commission to his Apostles To teach all Nations to observe all things whatsoever he hath commanded them not their own Doctrines Traditions or Humane Inventions And this if truly examined was the original of all our late intestine Schisms Wars Tumults which Christian Moderation Liberty and Indulgence in these particulars would easily have prevented and will be the best antidote against the like future Maladies as Your Majesty intimates in Your Royal Declarations and Speeches 7 ly That God himself having laid a necessity and peremptory Precept upon all conscientiouâ— Ministers to preach the Gospel and Administer the Sacraments to their Flocks and also commanded the people to hear his Word receive his Sacraments and frequent his publick Ordinances under pain of Everlasting woe and damnation in the performance of these Religious duties they ought in Conscience to obey God who enjoynes them rather than men who prohibit them Therefore no Christian Magistrates or Church Governors can in Conscience or Prudence unlesse they will â—ight even against God in Gamalâ—els resolution prohibit or debarre them from performing thâ—ir duties or resorting to Gods Ordinances or Sacraments only for Non-conformity to such Gestures or Ceâ—emonies which God hath left free and indifferens to them and are no essential parts of or necâ—ssary appurtenances to his Worship 8 ly That it is the Doctrine of Optatus Melivitanus St. Augustine and other Fathers of old against the Donatists and of the Church of England and her Bishops Divines at this day against Anabaptist and Separatists who separate from our Churches because there are many Goates Tares and wicked men as well as Sheep Wheat Saints admitted into and unto the Sacraments Ordinances administred in them That it is the Will of God and Christ that Sheep and Goats Tares Chaff and Wheat Good and Bad should live grow and continue together in the visible Church till Christ himself shall separate them at the day of Judgement and that no visible Church on Earth ever did or shall consist only or mostly of real Saints and Christians truly regenerate If then Goats Tares and unregenerate men externally profâ—ssing the Gospel of Christ are there freely permitted to live grow within the Church by our Bishops Magistrates yea freely admitted to all Gods Ordinances notwithstanding their unregeneracy and impenitence without molestation or seclusion though no constituting Members of the true Church of Christ consisting only of the Elect Then much more ought those Conscientious Godly Ministers and Christians truly fearing God and studying to keep a good Conscience in all things void of offence both towards God and men living in all good Conscience and walking as becomes the Gospel of Iesus Christ who are real constituting Members of Christs Church not to be deprived of their Ministry Gods Publick Ordinances Sacraments or cast out of the Church 〈◊〉 no Members of it for Non-conformity to such Gestures or Ceremonies 〈◊〉 God himself hath not prescribed and are not essential or necessary in his publick worship but to live quietlâ— without disturâ—ancâ— left the Sâ—tyrists censure against sucâ— proceedings Dat veniam Corvis vexat censura Columbas and our Saâ—iours sentence be justly charged upon unmercifull Church-Governours Wo unto you Scribes and Pâ—arisees Hypocrites for ye tythe mint and anis and cummin but have omitted the weightier matters of the Law Iudgement Mercy and Faith Ye blinde Guides which straine at a Gnat and swallow a Camell These 8. Considerations together with that Divine Oâ—acle of the wisest of Kings Prov. 20.28 Mercy and Truth preserve the King and his Throne is upholden by Mercy engraven no doubt in Your Majesties Royal Heart with indelible Characters super added to the Three Serious Sober Inquiâ—ies here humbly prostrated at Your Majesties feet and submitted to Your most Gracious perusal and Judicious Royal censure will in my weak apprehension abundantly satisfie all the Reverend Bishops Clergy of our Church with all Your sober-minded Subjects studious of Your Majesties Honour or our Churches tranquility that there are as just Ground for Your Majesty to continue and perpetuate Your premised Indulgences to tender Consciences as at first to grant them That so
Sacrificium unum plenum tunc offert in Ecclesia Deo Patâ—i â—i â—ic incipiat offerre secundum quod ipsum Christum videat obtulisse Caeterum omnis Reâ—igionis et veritatis Disciplina subâ—ertifur nisi id quod spiritualiâ—er praeceptum fideliter reservetur Religioni igitur nostâ—ae congruit timori ipsi loco atque officio Sacerdotii nostri in Dominico calice miscendo offerendo custodire traditionis Dominicae veritatem et quod prius apud quosdam videtur erâ—atum Domino monente corrigere ut cum in claritate â—ua majestate coeleâ—ti venire caeperit inveniat nos tenere quod monnit observare quod docuit facere quod fecit The non-observance whereof hath transformed the Lords Supper it self instituted by Christ as â— badge and prime instrument of Christian Peace Vnity Communion Amity amongst all Professors of Christianity as St. Augustine Gulielmuâ— Stuckius otherâ— prove at large from whence it was called PEACE it sâ—lf in the Primitive Church and sent by Members of one distinct Church to anâ—ther as a token of Peace and Christian communion is now become the greatest Subject of Seism Contention Discord and Persecution too so as we may well take up that lamentation of v Stuckius as well in relation to our own as most Churches of Châ—istendom Quam verâ— dolendum eâ—â— perditis hisce nostris temporibus atque moribuâ— sacrosaâ—ctum salutare illud convivium mutuae illiuâ— nostrâ— cum Christo pariter nobiscum invicem Communionis Sacramentum tot tantarum rixarum contentionum inimicitiarumque acerbussimarum inter Christianos seminarium extitisse by reason of human Inventions Traditions Ceremonies Innovations superadded thereunto by the pretended power and custome of the Church which in matters of Divine Worship and this Sacrament ought with St. Paul to deliver and prescribe nothing to the People but what they received from the Lord and to say with him Be ye followers of me as I also am of Christ and walk in love as Christ also hath loved us The best and only means to silence all Controversies prevent all Scismes and establish Unity and Unanimity in our Church which God granâ— we may all henceforth cordially pursue Amen Tertulliani Apologâ—ticus adversuâ— Gâ—â—tes c. 24. Videte ne hoc ad Irreligiositatis Elogium concurrâ—t â—â—imere Libertatem Religionis interdicere optionem Divinitatis ut non liceâ—t mihi colere quem velim Nâ—mâ— se ab invito coli vellet ne homo quidem The first serious and sober Inquiry concerning Bowing at the name of IESUS SECTION 1. Whether bowing at every Pronunciation of the name Jesus be a Duty commanded or Ceremony warranted by Philip. 2. v. 9 10 11 THe bowing of the Knee head and capping at every recital of the name of Iesus is grounded by all its patriots on the text aforesaid Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name that at the name of Iesus every knee should bow of things in heaven and things in earth and things under the earth And that every tongue should confess that Iesus Christ is Lord to or in the glory of God the Father But this Text if rightly read and understood gives no colour at all to this pâ—etended Duty or Ceremony To make this apparent I shall fiâ—st clear the Text from a gross mistranslation of it purposely made to countenance this Ceremony First therefore take notice that the word At is â—oisted into the Text instead of In the true translation and reading thereof being â—hat In not At the name of Iâ—sus every Knee should bow c. the Greek Original Text in all Copies and Greek Fathers is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and all Latine or Greek Fathers translated into Latine with all Latine Translations whatsoever except Beza and Castalio all Latine Commentators Expositors whether Papists or Protestants those only who follow Beza and Castalio their Translations excepted being but three or four render it In nomine Iesu where ever they recite this Text not Ad or Apud Nomen True it is that Beza and Castalio and they onely render it Ad nomen that To not At the name of Iesus every Knee should bow But then they also interpret this Name to be nothing else but Christs Soveraign Power and Dominion not his Name Iesus All others read it In Nomine Iesu Neither is there any one Author Expositor or Translator extant besides these and their few followers that â—ead it Ad Nomeâ— as all Schollers must acknowledge The antient Manuscript English translations of which I have seen divers Copies sorts the several old printed English translations of Mr. William Tindall Mr. Miles Coverdale Thomas Matthew The Bishops Bible set forth at first by Matthew Parker Archbishop of Canterbury since revised and published by the Bishops Anno 1595. The Epistles and Gospels in Latine and English printed at Paris 1558 Erasmus his antient English Paraphrase commanded to be had in all Churches by Queen Elizabeths Injunctions and the Canons of 1571. Dr. Fulk and Mr. Cartwright in their answers to the Rhemish Testament All of these render this Text In not At the Name Iesus c. So do all our antient English Writers who recite it as Bishop Latimer Bishop Hooper Bishop Ridley Bishop Alleâ— Bishop Tonstall Tho Beacon Tho Palfryman Iohn Veron Mr. Fox Mr. Nowell Lancelot Ridley with a world of others who read it In the Name c. and the Common-prayer-books both of King Edw. 6. Queen Elizabeth King Iames and King Charles ratified by several Acts of Parliament in the Epistle on the Sunday next before Easter untill the year 1629. all read it In the Name of Iesus which Mr. Iohn Cozens a great Patriot of this Ceremonious bowing well considering and knowing it gave a fatal blow to this bowing at the Name of Iesus I know not by what Authority caused the Common-prayer-books to be corrected in truth corrupted perverted in this particular changeing In into At the name by means whereof most if not all our Common-prayer-books printed â—ince the year 1629. render it At the Name whereas all before that year read it most truly In the Name according to the Originall I must confess that the English Geneva Bible Anno 1570. which King Iames affirmed to be the worst Translation of all others and was never read publickly in our Churches renders it At the Name which grew from the mis-englishing of Mr. Beza his Ad Nomen which in truth signifies To not At the Name if duly Englished Neither can our Bowers at the Name Iesus take much advantage hence if Mr. Beza be rightly translated because they all confess that they do not bow to the Name but Person of Jesus only at the recital of this Name True it is the last English translation made by King Iames special appointment reads it At the Name contrary to the Book of
manifeâ—â—ed it being that name which every tongue shall confesse and call Christ by in the great Judgement day Therfore there is no ground nor colour in this text for any bowing cringing or capping at the naming of Jesus when ever recited in the Church or elsewhere Having thus found out the Name in the text I come now to examine What is meant by the bowing of every knee in this Scripture Thiâ— phrase of bowing the knee hath 4. significations in sacred Writ First it is used for adoration when it is referred either to God Images or Idols Secondly for Veneration or civil reverence when it is attributed to men as to Kings Magistrates Masters Parents and others whom we usually reverence with bowing the knee Thirdly For Prayer it self usually made to God with bended knees as Ephes. 3.14 15. Fourthly for Subjection only which is commonly expressed among men by the outward gesture of bowing the knee Thus it is used Esay 45.23 Rom 14 11. and in this text of the Philippians as all Expositors old and new accoâ—d who thus interpret these words That In the name of Iesus every knee should bow that is That all creatures in heaven earth and hell should submit and subject themselves to Christ Iesus as to their Soveraign Lord King Iudge good men and Angels willingly Devils and wicked men even against their wills And that this is the true meaning of the words will appear 1. By these texts Psal. 8.6 7 8. Psal. 103.19 Psal. 110.1 2. 1 Cor. 15.24 25. Eph. 1.20 21 22. a most full text Rom. 14.8 9 10 11 12. Acts 2.33 34 35 36. Heb. 1.8 9 13. Revel 5.8.12 13 14. Secondly â—ecause this bowing of the knee is attributed to Angels in heaven and Deuils in hell which have no knees to bow as men haue therefore it cannot be construed of any literal bowing of the knee which Angels and Spirits cannot yield but of a bowing of subjection which good and bad Angels can do render to Christ as their Lord as well as men 3ly Because if this should be taken literally most of the Patriots of this Ceremony of bowing would be in very ill case For the text requiring the bowing of every knee their putting oft their hats caps inclining their heads or bodies or bowing only of one of their knees could be no fulfilling of this literal bowing of every knee in the text in their meaning unlesse they can prove their heads hats caps or upper parts of their bodies to be their knees or one leg knee to be Both or every of their knees Their practice therefore of capping at the name Jesus of inclining their heads and upper parts without bowing their knees to testifie as they say their subjection to Christ is a plain confession that this bowing in the text is nothing else but the subjection of all creatures to him as their LORD Hence therefore I argue thus If the bowing of every knee in the name of Jesus be nothing else but the joynt subjection of all Angels Men and Devils to Christ as to their Supreme Lord not any actual bowing of the knee when his name Jesus onely is mentioned in the Church then this text neither commands nor warrants any bowing of the knee head or body much lesse any stirring of the hat or vailing of the bonnet at the naming of Jesus in the Church But the bowing of every knee in the name of Jesus mentioned in this text is nothing else but the joynt Subjection of all Angels Men and Devils to Christ as to their Supreme Lord as all acknowledge not any actual bending of the knee when his name Jesus is mentioned in the Church Therefore this text neither commands nor warrants any bowing of the knee head or body much lesse any stirring of the hat or vailing the bonnet at the name of Jesus in the Church Procâ—ed we next to enquire What is meant by things in heaven things in earth and things under the earth All Expoâ—itors accord that by things in heaven is meant all the blessed Angels and Saints raigning with Chriâ—t in heaven By things on earâ—h all creatureâ— upon earth especially mâ—n and women whether good or bad By tâ—ings under the earth Devilâ— and damned soulâ— in hell and if we believe some Popish Authors the souls likewisâ— in Purgatory which Purgatory I doubt will prove either no place at all or hell it self because it is under the earth as hell they say is and in the very confines of hell by their own confession and in many of their antientest Hours Missals Histories expresly stiled Heâ—â— ab inferno libera nos Domine c. Well then this being the meaning and these the bowers in the name of Jesuâ— I would gladly learn from any Patrons of thiâ— Ceremonie with what shadow of reason they can affirm that by bowing of every knee in the name of Iesus in thiâ— text is meant the bowing of the knee head or body at every mentioning of the name Jesus in time of Divine service Is there I pray any Divine service Chapter Gospel Liturgy Collect Homily Sermon read chanted preached or any religious mention of thâ— name of Jesus in hell among Devilâ— and damned Spirits yet their kneeâ— are enjoyned and oughâ— to bow in the name of Jesus at well as Saints and Angels in heaven or men in earth Certain I dare say it is there is no Divine Service Prayer Reading of Gospels Collects Homilies Preaching or sacred mention of the name of Iesus in hell but only by way of cursing or execration Yea as certain it is that Christs salvation redemption extend not at all to Angells much lesse to Devils as Hebr. 2.14 16 17. 2 Peâ— 2.4 Iud. 6. Mat. 25 41. resolve nor yeâ— to the damned in hell yet his Soveraign Lordship and Power do The Devils and damned Souls do not cannot bow to Christ as to their Jesus or Saviour yes they both do and must of necessity bow and submit to his Royal Scepter Soveraignty Power as their LORD The bowing therefore of the Knee at the naming of Iesus especially in time of Divine service being not to be found or imagined amongst Devils or Reprobates in Hell cannot possibly be intended the bowing in the name of Jesus mentioned in this Text which extends to those in Hell it self but only this bowing of Subjection which they yield unto him as their LORD Again every knee of things in earth is to bow in the name of Iesus If we take this generally for all Creatures upon earth animate or inanimate many of them want Knees to bow yea Eares to hear most of them understanding to apprehend the name of Iesus or distinguish this name of his from others or to be instructed in this duty of bowing the Knee when ever they hear the Lord Jesus named If we understand this generally of all men on earth Alasâ— the greatest part of men in the world
is at an end Indeed if it were a taken-up worship or some humane injunction it might perchance be drawn within the case of the Brazen Serpent But being thus directly set down by God himself in us there may be superstition in it there can be none and if it be in us we are to amend our selves but not to stir the Act which is of Gods own prescribing It was never heard in Divinity that Superstition could ever abolish a duty of the Tâ—xt That we set our selves to drive away Superstition it is well but it is well too that we so drive it away as we drive not all reverent regard and decency away with it also And are we not well toward it We have driven it from our head for we keep on of all hands and from our knees for kneel we may not we use not I am sure Sure heed would be taken that by taking heed we prove not Superstitious we slip not into the other extream before we be aware which of the two extreams Religion worse endureth as more opposite unto it For believe this As it may be superstitioâ—sly used so it may be irreligiously neglected also Look to the Text then and let no man perswade you but that God requireth a reverent carriage even of the body it self and namely this service of the knee and that TO HIS SONS NAME ye shall not displease him by it â—ear not Fear this rather for the knee if it will not bow that it shall be stricken with somewhat that it shall not be able to bow And for the Name that they that will do no HONOUR TO IT when time of need comes shall receive no comfort by it And so I leave this point Thus far this Bishops words whose great â—ame and estimation for learning drew on many other Bishops Deans Prebends Divines Scholars and Laymen to practise and promote this Bowing to or at the Name of Iesus formerly disused for the most part as a duty of the Text or a necessary Worship or decent Cerâ—mony grounded thereon without any due examination of his words Quotations or Reasons which if soberly discussed rather overthrow than ratifie his Conclusions I shall therefore briefly survey them in the general and then descend to discusse some particulars First Be pleased to take notice of the mis-translation of his Text At the name for In the name of Iesus every knee should bow against the Original and all other English Translations extant but that of Geneva which corrupts both the English sense and meaning of the text renders it as incongruous English and Nonsence as to translate these Scriptures Where two or three are gathered together IN my name Receive one such Child IN my Name Whatsoever ye shall ask IN my name many shall come IN my name Believe IN my name c. Into where two or three are gathered together At my â—ame Receive one such At my name Whatsoever ye shall ask At my name Many shall ask At my name Believe hope trust At my name Oâ— sound IN the Faith into â—ound AT the Faith which is neither good English Sense nor Scripture 2ly Observe how he no lesse then ten times or more changeth At his name into Ad nomen To the name of Iesus He would have uâ— bow To the Name To his name to bow c. are Ten times repeated Which as it idolizeth the name Iesus it self by giving divine honor and worship To Iâ— as a duty of this Text so it justifies and makes much for the Iesuites and Romanists bowing to and adoring his name Iesus wherever they behold it written carved painted as well as hear it pronounced Yea in some measure it subverts his pretended new Duty of his Text by this Nonsequitur Every knee should bow To the name of Jesuâ— Ergo all Christians must bow their Knees To this Name Iesus when ever it is pronounced in the Church and they hear the sound thereof in reading of a Chapter Epistle Gospel Collect Prayer Sermon Homily or administration of the Sacrament 3ly Consider his main Scripture cited to prove this bowing At and To this name Iesus to thiâ— Name only not his Name God Lord Christ or any other Name is Psalm 111.9 Holy and Reverend is his Name But is this name Iesus the Holy and Reverend name intended in that Text Nothing lesse For first this Psalm was compiled many hundred years before our Saviours incarnation or his Name Iesus given unto him by the Angel or imposed on him by his direction at his circumcision Mat. 1.21 25. Lu. 1.31 c. 2.21 What name was it then which is so holy and reverend the very Psalm it self resolves in direct terms it was no other but Lord four times repeated in it v. 1 2 10. Praise the Lord I will praise the Lord with my whole heart c. The works of the Lord are great c. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisedom there being no other Name else used in the whole Psalm nor in the Psalm next before and after it viz. 110. 112. That this title LORD is this holy and reverend Name is further evident by the 1 Chron 16.7 to 12. Ps. 105 1 2 3 c. In that day David delivered this Psalm to thank the LOâ—D O give thanks unto the Lord call upon his Name Glory ye in his holy Name Let the heart of them râ—joyce that seek the Lord Seek the Lord his strength Seek his face evermore c. Ps. 103.1 2. Blâ—sse the Lord O my Soul and all that is within me blesse his Holy name Blesse the Lord O my Soul c. Here is his Holy name above every Name his Exaltation and Dominion over all Creatuâ—es thus follows v. 19.20 21 The Lord hath prepared his Throne in Heaven and his Kingdom ruleth over all Bless the Lord ye his Angells that excell in strength that do his commandement hearkning to the voyce of his word Here are things in Heaven bowing their Knees to him Bless the Lord all ye his Hosts ye Ministers of his that do his pleasure Blesse the Lord all his Works in all places of his Dominion in heaven earth and under the earth agreeing with Phil. 2.9 10 11. and resolving LORD to be his holy Name above all Names since every tongue should confess that Iesus Christ is Lord in or to the glory of God the Father Adde to this Psalm 142.21 My mouth shall speak the prayse of the Lord and let all Flesh blesse his holy Name for ever and ever Lu. 1.46.49 My Soul doth magnifie the Lord c. For he â—hat is Mighty hath magnified me and holy is his Name Therefore this Name Lord not Iesus is the name that is holy and reverend mentioned in Psalm 111. and the Name above every Name in which every knee should bow intended in the Phiâ—ippians notwithstanding this Bishops and other Doctors fancies to the contrary and the bowing of every kneee
hath 〈◊〉 his Name when he ascended into heaven to shew forth his death till he come This seems to be his meaning by his precedent words His name he hath left behind to us that we may shew by our reverence and respect to It how much we esteem him But to take them in the favourablest sense they import That kneeling at or to the consecrated Elements of Christs body and bloud in the act of receiving them in the Lords Supper is a duty prescribed by or necessarily inferred from this Text of Philâ— 2.9 10. as well as bowing at and to the name of Jesus which some Great Rabbies have thence concluded with more confidence then judgement For as there is not one syllable in the whole Text Chapter or Epistle relating to or intended of the Lords Supper and so not of kneeling bowing at or to the sacred Mysteries in it So doubtlesse things in heaven and thingâ— under the earth did never yet receive or eat the holy Sacrament much lesse adore or kneel thereat or thereto Neither can this Text in any probability enjoyn the Posture of kneeling at the Lords Supper upon these considerations following 1. It is most apparent that Jesus Christ himself instituted his last Supper and adminiâ—tred the consecrated bread and wine to all his Disciples as they sate at the Table immediately after the Pascal Supper ended in a Sitting not Knéeling Posture as all the Evangelistâ—â—hus joyntly attest Mat. 26.20 c. Mar. 14.18 c. Luke 14 22. c. Iohn 13.12 c. When the â—ven was câ—mâ— Hâ— sate down with the Twelve as Matthew records it He sate down and the Twelve Apâ—stles with him So Lukeâ— And as They Sate and did eat afterward Iesus took â—read c So Mark And said Take â—at this iâ— my body c. Comparâ—d with Luke 22.27 Whether is grâ—ater He that siâ—teth at Meat or he that serveth Is not â—e that Sitteth at Mâ—at but I am among you as he that serveth spoken by Christ to the Apostles at and while they sate receiving the Lords Supper or applyed by this Evangelist to that Season And with Luke 24.30 whâ—ch some Protestants and most Papists apply to this Sacrament after Christs Resurrectiâ—n And it came to passe as he sate at meat with them He took Bread and blessed it and brake and gave to tâ—em Therefore Christ instituted and the Apostâ—es received the Sacrament sitting without all dispute 2ly It was the constant usage and custome of the Jewish Nation yea the practise of Christ his Apostles to Sit at all their Civil and Sacred Feâ—sts Suppers Sacrifices Râ—pasts as is most evident by all these ensuing Texts most express in point Gen. 27.19 c 37.25 c 43.33 Exod. 16 3. â—ev 32.6 Judg. 19.6 1 Sam. 9.22 c. 16.11 c. 19â—5 24 25 34. c. 20 24 Ruth 2.14 1 Kings 10.4 5. c. 13.19 20. c. 15.35 2 Chron. 9.4 Ps. 26 4â— 5. Prov. 23. 1 Cant. 1.12 Ezech 44.3 Mich. 4.4 Neh. 8â— 7. Esther 3.15 c. 7.7 c. Mat. 14.19 20. c. 15 35. c. 26.6 7. Lu. 14.7 8 9 10. c. 17.7 8. c. 7.36 37 c. 9.14 Marke 2.15 16. c. 13.3 4. c. 6.39 c. John 6.10 11 c. c. 12.1 2. Actâ— 10.41 Mar. 8.6 c. 6. 21 22 26. 1 Cor. 8.10 c. 10.9 Lu. 22.14 27 30. Therefore no doubt they all â—sed this Geâ—turâ— of Siâ—ting not kneeling at the eating and drinking the sacred Mysteries of the Lords Supper as well as of the Passeover a Type only of the Lords Supper whicâ— the Jewes alwâ—ies received Sitting after tâ—eir deliverance â—rom the Aeâ—yptian bondage though moâ—t conjecture they did eat it Stâ—nding in Aegypt when firâ—â— inâ—tituted though the Text doth not express it as is proved at large by learned Francis Tremelius on Mat. c. 26.20 Gulielm Stuckiâ—â— Antiqu. Conv. l. 2. c. 34. and others against the error of Chrysostom â—heophilact and others who thought the Jewes and our Saviour Chriâ—t with his Disciples did eat it standing not sitting 4ly The Jews and people of God yea Heathens too in their Solemn publick and private Fasts Prayers Sacrifices Devotions usually SATE not Kneeled down before the Lord and his Prophets witnesse Judg. 20.26 1 Sam. 1.9 2 Sam. 7.18 1 Chron. 17.16 Ezra 9.4 Neh. 1.4 Ps. 137.1 Gen. 31.10 1. Kings 19.4 Isay 52.2 c. 3.26 c. 47.1 5 8. Job 2.8 12. Num. 2.10 Ezech. 14.12 c. 20.12 c. 26.16 c. 33.31 Mich. 7.8 Zech. 4.8 Lu. 1.79 Lu. 10.13 c. 8.35 Mat. 27.61 Deut. 33 3â— 1 Cor 14 30. Jam. 2.3 Yea we read that Christ usually SATE when he instructed the people Mat. 13.1 2â— c. 26.55 he said I sate daily with you teaching in the Temple yea he SITS now at his Fathers own right hand in heauen making intercession for uâ— Col 3.1 Ps. 110.1 Rom. 8.34 Hebr. 1.3 c. 10.12 Therefore it is more than probable from this consideration that Christ and his Apostle SATE nor kneeled at the Lords Supper this gesture of Sitting being a gesture of humility as St. Augustine defines as well as Kneeling and more frequently used in daies duties of fasting and humiliation than any other posture aâ— the premised Scriptures evidence or than falling down upon the knees to pray on such daies as these of which we find one onely President in Scripture Ezra 9.5 and that after long sitting down astonied v. 3 4. which sufficiently refutes the error of those who repute Kneeling the fittest humblest gesture both in Prayer and receiving the Sacraments though they use it not in the Act of Baptizing 4ly That Chrysostom Theophilact Calvin Camerarius Beza and others on Mat. 26.20 Mar. 14.18 c Lu 22.14 are of opinion that Christ and his Apostles did eat the Pascal Supper standing which being ended Deinde recumbentes recumbentibus tradidit suum Sacramentum Primum enim perfecit significatum deinde verum perfecit recubuisse proprium Pascha traditurus Peracto selenni Pascharitu ut caenaret râ—cubuisse interpretor learned Gulielmus Stuckius Antiqu. Convivinalium l. 2. c. 24. De more Sedendi ad Mensam de sedibus atque sellis proves at large that it was the general custom of the Iews as likewise of the Grecians Romans and most other Nations in their Civil and Sacred Feasts to sup and eat SITTING and that Christ and his Disciples did institute and eat the Lords Supper Sitting which Buxdorfius and Antonius Walaeus Commentarie on Mat. 26.20 prove at large to whom I refer the Readers for fuller satisfaction 5ly This truth of our Saviours and his Apostles Sitting at the Lords Supper That Christ administred and his Disciples received the Lords Supper Sitting is so apparent that the Papists themselves who as most affirm introduced Kneeling at the Lords Supper to adore the Consecrated Elements and that the Priests might with more ease put the Bread into the Receivers mouths which themselves must not touch nor handle in most of their Mass-books Mâ—ssals
made a Footbanke unto that Antichristian Monstâ—r of Transubstantiation only by misinterpretation of it by such as sought out all means and laid hold on any colorable thing that might suckle the monster of their brain when it was once born So this Doctor This kneeling then in the Act of receiving is acknowledged by all its learnedest Advocates to be introduced only by Custom Vsage after Transubstantiation and Adoration of the Host prescribed first by Pope Honorius about the year of Christ 1226. promoted by the Feast of Corpus Christi instituted by Pope Vrban and confirmed for ever by multitudes of Pardons in the Council of Vienna by Pope Clement the 5. in the year 1310 as our learned Bp. Iewel and others affiâ—m without any Canon imposing it on the people The first Rubrick that ever I met with except that of the Missal for the Friers Predicants forecited is that in the Common Prayer-book set forth and confirmed by King Edward the Sixth in the year 1552. used continued in all Books of Common Pâ—ayer ever since Then shall the Minister first receive the Communion in both kinds himself and next deliver it to other Ministers if any be there present that they may help the chief Minister and after TO THE PEOâ—LE IN THEIR HANDS KNEELING Which Rubrick as the words and manner of penning declare is rather a Direction than Injunction to the People to receive KNEELING For it commands not in precise words That the People shall all receive the Communion Kneeling or only Kneeling in the Affirmative not Sitting or Standing in the Negative much lesse doth it threaten or inflict any penalty at all on the Minister if he give or on the People if they receive it otherwise nor enable the Minister to refuse the Lords Supper to such who scruple to take it KNEELING for he is peremptorily enjoyned by the Statute of 1 E. 6. c. 1. Not without a Lawfull Cause to wit for the scandalous crimes conteined in the Rubrick or Exhortation before the Communion and in case of Malice or Hatred to DENY the Sacrament TO ANY WHO SHALL DEVOUTLY AND HUMBLY DESIRE IT ANY LAW CUSTOME OR ORDINANCE TO THE CONTRARY NOTWITHSTANDING Onely it directs the Minister to deliver it to the People in their hands KNEELING and withall makes an Apology in another Rubrick in both King Edwards Books to clear the use of kneeling from any Superstition or intention of Adoration of Christs Body in the Elements or any justification of Transubstantiation to which ends the Church of Rome had abused it All which being duly pondered and that the first Reformers of our Religion under King Henry the Eighth in their Treatise concerning the Lords Supper compiled in the year of our Lord 1533. printed at the end of Mr. William Tyndal our famous learned Martyr his Workes p. 476 477. desired That Christian Princes would command and establish a Forme of Administring the Lords Supper by them described wherein ALL THE CONGREGATION are ordered TO SIT ROUND ABOUT THE LORDS TABLE as Christ his Apostles and the Primitive Christians did And then compared with these ensuing Confessions of Doctor Iohn Burges in his learned Treatises purposely written in his Defence of the Lawfullnesse of KNEELING in the Act of Receiving dedicated to our late King CHARLES and the Lord Keeper Coventry Namely That the Church of England holdeth sitting or standing to be as lawfull and holy as kneeling putting no necessity or worship of God in any of these arbitrary Ceremonies That there is not to be found any Decree for the gesture of Kneeling in the Act of Receiving no not in the Roman Church before or after thâ—â—eal presence nor yet in the Greek Churches That Beza and other Churches which live pell-mell with the Popish where Idolatry is openly in the streets committed in bowing to a piece of bread as iâ— it were nothing else but Christ himself shifted into a new suit of apparell had reason enough to forbear this gesture in their Churches and to disswade it as a thing which had been and therefore might be dangerous And thereâ—ore Beza doth no where condemn the use of it as in it self unlawfull but only defendeth the Churches which in respect of the perill that might ensue or out of a desire to root out the bread-worship out of the minds of men do decline the use of this Ceremony And this was the judgement of all those Divines who in the name of the French and Dutch Churches made certain Observations upon the Harmony of Confessions set out at Geneva in Beza his time Anno 1581. for in their fourth Observation on the Confession of Bohemia sect 14. they say thus In this Rite of Kneeling we leave each Church to their own liberty not that we condemn it simply as evil in it self used with caution given in our fourth Observation But for the rooting of bread-worship out of mens minds it is better that Ceremony in most places were abolished in receiving of the signs themselves May sufficiently perswade his Majesty our Bishops Lords and Parliaments to indulge the liberty of sitting to those who scruple kneeling at the Lords Supper since the Church of Rome her self prescribes it not by any Canon or Rubrick in the act of receiving and there hath been is and may be peril and scandal in its use Now whereas some conceit and object That it is a great contumacy irreverence sawcinesse boldnesse for those who confesse themselves unworthy to gather the crums under Christs Table at his Supper to presume to sit and eat the consecrated Bread and drinks the Cup at or upon the Table it self not KNEELING at a distance before or prostrate under it I desire such Objectors to â—onsâ—der 1. That Christ himself out of his infinite love invites all Communicants not to gather up the crums under this his Table like Dogges or as the captive Kings did under Adonibezecks the proud Tyrants Table but to sit down eat and drink the consecrated Bread Wine and this his Heavenly Banquet at his Table Therefore it is rather a high contempt disobedience voluntary sinfull Humility or slighting undervaluing of Christs love and grace for any invited Gueâ—ts like Dogges and Slaves to lye prostrate before or under his sacred Table then with Faith and holy confidence to approach unto it to sit eat and drink thereat as he enjoyns them 2ly That if it were no ill manners presumption or irreverence for the Disciples Lazarus and others to sit down with Christ himself whiles on earth at ordinary Tables the Pascal Supper and Lords Table too or in St. Iohn to lean on his breast and bosome at it or in the Primitive Church Christians to sit eat and drink the consecrated Elements at the Lords Table for many hundred years after Christs Incarnation then doubtlesse it can be no contempt misdemeanor irreverence unmannerlinesse for any now to do the like but rather it must be so in
Country should put away such Ceremonies which from time to time they see most abused as in mens Ordinances it often chanceth diversly in divers Countryes Whether all or some of these Passages may not be justly applyed to thiâ— Bowing at the Name of Iesus only as likewise to kneeling at the Sacrament upon due consideration of its original Authorâ— Promoters and Prâ—mises abuses I refer to every mans conscience to resolve Especially because it puts a difference disparity inequality not only between this Name Iesus and all other Names Titles Attributes of our Saviour and the Nameâ— Titles of God the Father and Holy Ghost but a visible undenyable inaequality and dispâ—rity between their sacred Persons though coâ—ternal and coâ—qual by our Churches Creed and Scriptures resolution and to be equally worshipped â—dored reverenced bowed unto by all Orthodox Believers whose Persons are never adored worshipped or bowed unto in the Church when their Nameâ— or Titles are mentioned nor yet the Person of God the Son when any other of his Names are uttered but only the Person of Iesus or rather his name alone when Iâ—sus is either read heard or seen Which as it apparently thwarts that express Text of Iohn 5.22 23. The Father hath committed all â—udgement to the Son that all men should honour the Son even as that is in the self-same manner form they honor the Father not otherwise nor more frequently devoâ—tly reverently than they honour the Father at and to whose person they bow not their Knees or Head when his name is recited as usual they do by standing up at and honouring all three persons alike in their frequent repetitions of Glory be to the Fa-Father and to the Sonne and to the Holy Ghost without bowing at or to all or any of their Names So it seems to put an inequality and disparity between their sacred Personâ— and Sovereign Divine Authority and to advance Iesus the Son above God the Father and Holy Ghost Especially when all their three names are joyntly read and repeated together in one Verse Prayer Sentence as at the end of every Morning Prayer The grace of our Lord JESUS Christ thâ— love of God the Father and the most comfortable fellowship of the HOLY GHOST be with us all evermore Amen At the end of every Evening Prayer and Communion The Peace of God which passeth all understanding keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of his Sonne JESUS Christ our LORD And the blessing of God Almighty the Father the Sonne and the Holy Ghost be amongst you and remain with you alwayes Amen In the Apostles Creed repeated every Morning and Evening prayer I believe in God the Father Almighty maker of heaven and earth and in JESUS CHRIST his only Sonne our LORD which was conceived by the Holy Ghost c. I believe in the Holy Ghost c. And in the Nicenâ— Creed used every Sunday and Holiday to omit Aâ—â—anaâ—ius his Creed the Letany Form of Baptisme the Collect Epistle and Gosple Trinity Sunday they are all mentioned together I believe in one God the Father Almighty maker of heaven and earth c. and in one LORD JESUS Christ the only begotten Sonne of God begotten of the Father before all Worlds God of God Light of Light very God of very God being of one substance with the Father c. And I believe in the Holy Ghost the LORD and giver of Light proceeding from the Father and the Son who with the Father and the Sonne together is worshipped and glorified If any Pagan Turk Jew or sober judicious Christian should come into our Churches when these Prayers Creeds are read and observe both Ministers and People to bow their Bodies Heads Knees with extraordinary reverence and adoration at and to the Name Iesus only when mentioned in them but not at or to his other Names Lord Christ only SON of GOD God very God thus coupled with immediately preceding following his Name Iesus yea not to bow to the person of Jesus as represented to them by these other glorious Names nor at the Name God as it comprehends the whole Trinity in Unity or denotes the persons of God the Father or God the Holy Ghost nor yet at or to the name Person or sence to use Bishop Andrews words will they not all then necessarily conclude and resolve that this Name Jesus is more adorable honourable worshipfull holy divine than all those other Names and Titles coupled with it Yea that the person of Jesus himself is more adorable honourable glorious divine when represented to our minds by his Name Jesus than by his other Names Titles of Christ Sonne Sonne of God LORD GOD very God That this Name Iesus it self addes special adoration veneration honor worship to his Person Deity not his Person Deity to his Name or that his Person Deity accumulate more honour glory and worship to this Name alone than to all or any of his other Names Titles Yea would not those Infidells conceive that Jesus was one Person thing and God Christ Lord Sonne of God c. another Person or thing inferiour to and lesse venerable adorable than Jesus And that the Person of Jesus who is onely thus devoutly bowed to when his name Jesus is recited in these Prayers Creeds is exalted far above God the Father and God the Holy Ghost whose names and Persons are neither thus adored worshipped bowed to nor honoured by them when thus coupled recited and represented to our minds at once in one Sentence Prayer Creed And doth not this bowing directly contradict those very Creeds wherein we professe these three Persons to be coetâ—rnal together and coequal to be neither greater nor less than another and the Holy Ghost with the Father and the Sonne together to be worshipped and glorified No doubt it doth in a very high degree aâ— every mans Conscience upon serious deliberation will inform him and these ensuing Histories in some soâ—â— demonstrate It iâ— storied of Amphilochius Bishop of Iconium that to câ—nvince the Emperor Tâ—eodosius of hiâ— Error in tollerating the Arrians who denâ—ed the Deity of Christ the Son of God whom they adored not with divine worship but only God the Father that comming one day to his Court and beholding Theodosius and his Sonne Arcadius newly made joynt Emperour and invested in equal imperial Power with his Father standing both together he puâ—posely bowâ—d himsâ—lf and made low and accustomed reverence to Theodosius the Father without doing any reverence to or taking notice of Arcadius his Son and Fellow Emperour in equal honour and power with him Whereupon Theodosius being very angry with this Bp. for this contempt neglect of his Son Arcadius in not bowing doing any obeysance to him and sharply reprehending him for it as an injury and affront to himself Amphilochius wisely replyed that he did it on set purpose and then said Thou seest hereby O Emperour how hardly thou sufferest the ignominy and