of Christ 145. They rejected all married people as uncapable of Heaven and held that the Apostles perpetually abstained from marriage They had all things in common holding those unfit for Heaven who had any thing peculiar to themselves They denied repentance and reconciliation to those that fell after Baptism In stead of the Evangelists they used Apocrypha books as the Gospel according to the Egyptians the act of Andrew and Thomas These Hereticks were called also Apotactitae by the Latines and by the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from renouncing of the world Q. 22. What was the Religion of the Sabellians Originians and Originists A. The Sabellians were indeed all one in opinion with the Noetians but this name grew more famous then the other for Sabellius an African by birth was a better scholar then Noetus Sabellianisme began to be known about the year of Christ 224. under the persecution of Valerian They held there was but one person in the Trintry whence it followeth that the Father suffered therefore they were named Patripassiani This one Person or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 say they is called by divers names as occasion serves The Originians were so called from one Origines a Monk who lived in Egypt and was disciple to Antony These condemned marriage extolled concubinat and yet were enemies to propagation committing the sin of Onan They also reject such books of the old and new Testament as seem to favour marriage The Origenists or Adamantians wree so called from that famous Origen who for his constancy in times of persecution and for his inexhausted labours was named Adamantïus His errours began to spred about the year of Christ 247. under Aurelian the Emperour and continued above 334. years They were condemned first in the council of Alexandria 200. years after his death and again in the fifth generall council of Constantinople under Iustinian the first they held 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or a Revolution of souls from their estate and condition after death into the bodies again to converse in the world and so by denying the perpetuity of our future estate either in heaven or hell by consequence they denyed the Resurrection of the flesh They held also that the punishments of the Devils and Reprobates should last only a 1000. years and then should be saved They taught that Christ and the holy Ghost do no more see the Father then we see the Angels that the Son is coessential to the Father but not coeternal because say they the Father created him as he did also the holy Spirit That the soules were created long before this world and for sinning in Heaven were sent down into their bodies as into prisons They did also overthrow the whole historical truth of Scriptures by their allegories Q. 23. What was the Religion of the Samosatenians and Photinians A. Paulus Samosatenus was so called from Samosata where he was born near Euphrates His Scholars were called Paulinians and Samosatenians and afterward Photinians Lucians and Marcellians from these new teachers Their beleef was that Christ was meerly man and had no being till his incarnation This Heresie was taught 60. years before Samosatenus by Artemon and was propagated afterward by Photinus Lucian and Marcellus Arrius and Mahomet They held that the Godhead dwelt not in Christ bodily but as in the Prophets of old by grace and efficacy and that he was onely the external not the internal word of God Therefore they did not baptize in his name for which cause the Councel of Nice rejected their baptisme as none and ordered they should be rebaptiâ— zed who were baptized by them This heresie under the name of Samosatenus brake out about 232. years after Christ and hath continued in the Eastern parts ever since The Photinians so called from Photinus born in the lesser Galatia held the same heresie with Samosatenus and began to propagate it about the year of Christ 323. at Syrmium where he was Bishop under Canstantius the Emperor and before him Marcellus his master under Constantine the great publickly taught it affirming also that the Trinity was the extention of the divinity which is dilated into three and contracted again into one like wax being contracted may be dilated by heat This heresie was much spread under Valens the Arrian Emperor 343. years after Christ. Q. 24. What was the Manichean Religion A. Manes a Persian by birth and a Servant by condition was Father of the Manichean Sect which was the sink of almost all the former heresies for from the Marcionites they derived their opinion of two Principles or gods one good the other bad With the Encratites they condemned the eating of flesh egges and milk they held also with the Anthropomorphites that God had members and that he was substantially in every thing though never so base as dung and dirt but was separated from them by Christs comming and by the Elect Manicheaâ—s eating of the fruits of the Earth whose intestins had in them a cleansing and separating vertue They condemned also the use of wine as being the gall of the Princes of darknesse With Marcion also they rejected the Old Testament and currilated the New by excluding Christs Genealogies and said that he who gave the Law was not the true God They babled also that there was a great combat between the Princes of darknesse and of light in which they who held for God were taken captives for whose redemption God laboureth still With the Ophites they held that Christ was the Serpent which deceived our first Parents and with divers of the precedent Hereticks not onely did they deny Christs Divinity but his Humanity also affirming that he fained himself to suffer die and rise again and that it was the Devil who truly was crucified With Valentinus they taught that Christs body was fixed to the Stars and that he redeemed only our souls not our bodies With the former Hereticks they denyed the Resurrection and with Pythagoras held transanimation With Montanus Manes held that he was the true Paraâ—let or comforter which Christ promised to send With the Gentiles they worshipped the Sun Moon and some Idols With Anaxagoâ—As they held the Sun and Moon to be ships and taught that one Schacla made Adam and Eve They make no scruple to swear by the creatures they give to every man two contrary souls which still struggle in him With the Poets they held that the heaven was supported by the shoulders of one whom they called Laturanius They make the soul of man and of a tree the same in essence as being both of them a part of God with the former hereticks also they condemned marriage and permitted promiscuous copulation and that not for procreation but for pleasure They rejected baptisme as needlesse and condemned alms-giving or works of charity they make our will to sin natural and not acquired by our fall as for sin they make it a
5. They hold Baptisme a pure legal administration not proceeding from Christ but from Iohn 6. They jest the Scriptures that divine Legacy of our salvation out of all life reverence and authority quoting it in driblets and shreds to make it the more ridiculous In their Letters they endeavour to be strangely prophane and blasphemous uttering Athiesticall curses and impâ—ecations which is a kind of canting among them as among Cypsies as for exampe in one you have this stile My own heart blood from whom I daily receive life and being to whom is ascribed all honour c. thou art my garment of needle work my garment of salvation Eternal plagues consume you all rot sink damne your bodies and souls into devouring fire where none but those who walk uprightly can enter The Lord grant that we may know the worth of Hell that we may scorn heaven 7. Sinne is onely what a man imagines and conceives to be so within himself 8. Ordinances they account poore low things nay the perfections of the Scriptures is so inconsiderable in their apprehensions that they prâ—â—ead to lâ—ve above them their lives witnesse they live without them 9. If you ask them what christian Liberty is they will tell you that it consists in a community of all things and among the rest of women which they paint over with an expression call'd The enjoyment of the fellow creature 10. The enjoyment of the Fellow-creature cannot but be seconded with lascivious songs drinking of healths musick dancing and bawdry Lastly They are with the Anabaptists those that most of all kick against the pricks of Authority for Magistracy cannot have in it any thing more sacred than the Ministry so that they wish as much policy in the State as government in the Church which is none at all so to bring an Eygyptian darknes upon both that the world might be the less scandalised at their madnessâ—s extravagancies But this age which is much more fruitfull of Religions than of good works of Scripture-phrases than of Scripture practises of opinions than of piety hath spawned more religions than that Lady of Holland did Inâ—ant to mention all which were to weary both my self and the reader therefore I will content my self to mention some few more as the Independents Presbyterians c. Q. 17. What are the opinions of the Independents A. 1. These are so called because they will have every particular Congregation to be ruled by their own laws without dependence upon any other in Church matters 2. They prefer their own gathered Churches as they call them in private places to the publick congregations in Churches which they flight calling them steeple-houses 3. They hold there is no use of learning or degrees in Schools for preaching of the Gospel and withall that maintenance of the Ministry by Tithes is Superstitious and Judaicall 4. They are against set forms of prayer chiefly the Lords prayer accounting such forms a choaking of the spirit 5. They give power to private men who are neither Magistrates nor Ministers to erect and gather Churches and to these also they give the power of election and ordination if we may call this ordination of deposition also and excommunication even of their own officers and finall determination of all Church causes 6. They commit the power of the Keyes in some places to women and publickly to debate and determine Ecclesiastick causes 7. They admit private men to administer the Sacraments and Magistrates to perform the Ministers office in marrying 8. They permit divorces in slight cases 9. They hold Independency to be the beginning of Christs Kingdome which is to be here on earth a thousand years 10. They place much Religion in names for they do not like the old names of Churches of the dayes of the week of the moneths of the year of Christmasse Michaelmasse Candlemasse c 11. In preaching they will not be tyed to a Text nor to prayer but they make one to preach another to pray a third to prophesie a fourth to direct the Psalm and another to blesse the people 12. They permit all gifted men as they call them to preach and pray and then after prophesying is ended they question the preacher in the points of his Doctrine 13. some of them allow no Psalms at all to be â—â—ng in publick calamities and will not suffer Woâ—â—en to sing Psalms at all 14 They will baptise no children but those of their own Congregations whom they esteem not members of their Church untill they have taken their Covenant 15. They in divers places communicate every Sunday among themselves but will not communicate with any of the reformed Churches 16. Whilest they are communicating there is neither reading exhortation nor singing not have they any preparation nor catechising before the communion and either they sit at Table or have no Table at all and because they would not seem to be superstitious in the time of administration they are covered 17. They allow their Ministers to sit in civil Courts and to voice in the choosing of Magistrates 18. They are against violent courses in matters of Religion nor will they have the conscience to be forced with fear or punishment but gently to be inclined by perswasion and force of argument in which point I commend their Christian moderation for in propagating the Gospel neither Christ nor his Apostles nor the Church for many hundred years did use any other sword but the word to bring men to Christ. Q. 18. What Tenets are held by the Independents of New England An. Besides those opinions which they hold with other Independent they teach that the spirit of God dwells personally in all the Godly 2. That their Revelations are equall in Authority with the Scriptures 3. That no man ought to be troubled in his Conscience for sinne being he is under the Covenant of grace 4. That the Law is no rule of our conversation 5. That no Christian should be prest to practise holy duties 6. That the Soul dieth with the body 7. That all the Saints upon earth have two bodies 8. That Christ is not united to our fleshly body but to the new body after the manner that his Humanity is united to his Divinity 9. That Christs Humanity is not in heaven 10. That he hath no other body but his Church 11. They reckon all Reformed Churches except themselves profane and unclean All these opinions savour of nothing but of pride carnall security blasphemy and slighting of Gods written word which is able to make the man of God perfect and wise unto salvation Q. 19. Vpon what grounds do the Independents forsake our churches An. Because they do not see the signes of grace in every one of our members but this ground is childdish for many are in the state of grace in whom we see no outward signes so was Saul when he persecuted the Church he was then a vessel of mercy and many in whom we
lyable to be censered as a brother Hence King Vzziah was excommunicate by the Priest Azariah and Theodâ—sius the Emperor by Ambrose Q. Will it follow that there must be no excommunication because Christ will not have the Tares plucked up till the Harvest A. 1. No for Christ speaketh there of Hypocâ—its which cannot be plucked up by the Church because she knoweth them not but in the great Harvest they shall be pluckt up by the Angels at his command who knows the secrets of the heart 2. If the place be meant of Hereticks they are not to be plucked up at such times as may endanger the Churches peace but they must be left to a convenient time when the Church may excommunicate them without danger or else left to the judgement of the great day 3. All Tares cannot be pluckt up whilest the Church is here Militant for there will be found still some Tares amongst the Corn some Goats among the Sheep a Iudas among the Apostles as there were Cananites and Iebusites among the Israelites 4. Christ by this condemns their rashnesse who presently go to pluck up and flye to excommunication before they use reproofe and admonition Q. Can the Minister exclude any man from the Kingdome of God A. 1. He cannot by his own power but by the power of him whose Minister he is 2. He cannot exclude any man from Heaven but he can pronounce and declare that such a man is excluded thence Q. Can the delivering of a man over to Satan be a means to save his spirit A. Yes accidentally for God can draw good out of evil and light out of darknesse thus the bufferings which Paul suffered by the Angel of Satan caused him to pray heartily it is the special work of Gods mercy to save our souls by affliction and misery Q. Can an excommunicate person be accounted as a Brother A. Yes for excommunication takes not away true Brotherly love and affection an excommunicate person may be shut out of Heaven but not out of hope we may exclude him out of our Society but not of our â—owels of compassion and mercy we draw the Sword of excommunication against him not to kill but to cure him Who would be more fully resolved of these Presbyterian Tenets let him read their own writings Q. How many Erroneous opinions in Religion have been lately revived or hatched since the fall of our Church government A. It were almost endlesse to number every particular it may suffice that I shall name more then one hundred of the most ordinary and latest received of them which are 1. That the Scriptures are a humane invention insufficient and uncertain and do not contain half of his revealed will 2. That they are all allegoricall and written according to the private spirit of the pen-men and not as moved by the Holy Ghost And that the Old Testament is now of no force 3. That reason is the rule of faith 4. That Scripture binds us no further then the Spirit assureth us that such is Scripture 5. That Scripture should not be read to a mixt Congregation without present exposition 6. That God is the Author of the pravity and sinfulnesse of mens actions 7. That Turks Jewes Pagans and others are not to be forced from their opinions 8. That God loves a crawling worme as well as a holy Saint 9. That Gods will not sin is the cause of mans damnation 10. That man was a living 〈◊〉 before God breathed into him and that which God breathed was a part of his divine essence 11. That God is the onely Spirit and that Prince of the aire who ruleth in the children of disobedience 12. That the soul dieth with the body 13. That reprobation cannot be proved out of Scripture 14. That there is no Trinity of persons in God 15. That every creature is God as every drop in the River is water 16. That Christ is not essentially but nominally God 17. That Christ was polluted with original sin 18. That Christ was true man when he created the world yet without flesh 19. That Christ died onely for sinners and not for unbelievers for sins past before our conversion but not for sins done after conversion 20. That no man is damned but for unbeliefe and that man can satisfie for his own unbeliefe 21. That Heathens have the knowledge of Christ by the Sun Moon and Stars 22. That the end of Christs comming was to preach Gods love to us and not to procure it for us therefore did not obtain life for the Elect but a resurrection only and deliverance us from death temporal 23. That Christ preached not the Gospel but the Law for the Gospel was taught by his Apostles 24. That our unction is all one with Christs Divinity 25. That Christ with the Church of Jewes and Gentiles shall reigne one Earth a 1000 years in carnall pleasures 26. That the Heathens are saved without Christ. 27. That the Spirit of God neither dwells nor works in any but it is our own spirit which both works in the children of disobedience and sanctifies the Elect. 28. That God seeth no sin in his Elect. 29. That a man baptized with the Holy Ghost knows all things as God doth 30. That we may be saved without the word prayer Sacraments c. 31. That there is no inherent sanctification in believers but all is in Christ. 32. That Adam had died though he had not sinned 33. That we have no original sin nor is any man punished for Adams sin 34. That Gods Image consisteth onely in the face which Image was never lost 35. That men who know the Gospel are of themselves able to believe 36. That one man is not more spiâ—itual then another 37. That we have no free will not so much as in our natural estate 38. That the moral Law is of no use among Christians 39. That we are not justified by faith and that neither faith nor holinesse nor repentance are required in Christians 40. That the childe of God can no more sin then Christ himselfe can 41 That there should be no fasting days under the Gospel 42. That God doth not chastise his children for sin 43. That God loves his children as well when they sin as when they do well and therefore Abraham in denying his Wife sinned not 44. That Gods children ought not to ask pardon for their sinnes for though they have sin in the flesh they have none in the conscience 45. That the body of iniquity is the great Antichrist mentioned in Scripture 46. That men shal have other bodies given them in the resurrection and not the same they had here on Earth 47. That Heaven is empty of souls till the resurrection 48. That Infants shall not rise at all yet Beasts and Birds shall rise againe 49. That after this life there is neither Heaven nor Hell nor Devil but Hell is in this life in the terrours of conscience 50. That there is no true Ministery nor Church
of Christ upon the Earth 51. That none are damned but for rejecting the Gospel 52. That now many Christians have more knowledge then the Apostles had 53. That miracles necessarily attend the Ministry 54 That there ought to be no Churches built nor should men worship in consecrated places 55. That the Apostles were ignorant of the salvation to be revealed in the last days 56. That all men ought to have liberty of conscience and of prophesying even women also 57. That circumcision and the old covenant was onely of things temporal 58. That Paedobaptisme is unlawful and impious and that others besides Ministers may baptise and that a man may be baptised often 59. That the people should receive the Lords Supper with their hats on but the Ministers in giving it should be uncovered 60. That the Church of England is Antichristian 61. That there is no divine right to call or make Ministers that Ministers should work for their living and that Tythes are Antichristian 62 â—hat Christians are not bound to observe the Lordâ— day and that we should observe still the old Sabbath 63. That humane learning and premeditation is uselesse to preaching and that preaching should onely confist in disputing reasoning and conferring 64. That the Saints must not joyn in prayer with wicked men not receive the Sacrament with them nor with any member of the Church of England 65. That â—ublick prayers are not to be used but by such as have an inâ—allible Spirit as the Apostles had 66. That set hours of prayer are needlesse 67 That singing of Davids Psalmes or other holy songs except they be of their own making are unlawful 68. That wicked men ought not to pray at all 69. That all government in the Church ought to be civil not Ecclesiastical 70 That the power of the keyes is as well in six or seven gathered together as in the greatest congregation 71. That neither miracles nor visions nor anointing the sick with oyl are ceased 72. That in these days many are with Paul rapt up into the third Heaven 73 That the Magistrate is not to meddle with matters of Religion nor forms of Church government which if they do they are not to be obeyed 74. That there ought to be a community of Goods seeing all the Earth is the Saints 75. That a man upon slight causes may put away his wife and that one man may have two wives 76. That children ought not at all to obey their parents if wicked 77. That parents should not instruct their children but leave them to God 78. That Christians ought not to maintain Religion by the sword nor to fight for their lives and liberties noâ— to fight at all nor to kil any thing nay not a chicken for our use 79. That it stands not with Gods goodness to damn his own creatures eternally 80. That i'ts unlawful for a Christian to be a Magistrate 81. That man lost no more by Adams fall then the rest of the whole creation 82 That Christ hath not purchased eternal life for man more then for the rest of the creation and that he offered up himselfe a full and perfect sacrifice not only for man but for all that man kept even the whole creation 83. None are sent to hell before the last judgment 84. It is not the Law but the Gospel which threatens us with Hell fire 85. If God shew not mercy to all he is not infinite 86. Christians are not bound to meet one day in seven for publick worship 87. The Saints are justified not by Christs obedience but by the essential righteousness of God 88. A woman committeth not adultery in lying with another man if her husband be a sleep 89. That the Saints may put away their unbeleeving wives or husbands 90. There is no other seale but the Spirit the Sacraments are no seales at all 91. The Magistrate may not put to death a murtherer being a member of the Church till first he be cast out of the Church 92. The promises belong to sinners as sinners and not as repenting sinners 93. Apocrypha books are canonical Scripture 94. To use set forms of prayer even the Lords prayer is Idolatry 95. Bells Churches and Church-yards preaching in Pulpits in Gowns by an hour-glasse the names of our months and days are all idolatry 96. That the Apostles Creed is to be rejected as erroneous 97. That there ought to be no other laws among Christians but the judicial Law of Moses and that the Magistrate hath no legislative power at all 98. That all Learning Schools Universities Arts Degrees are to be rejected as pernicious 99. That Angels and Devils are not substances but meer qualities and that mens soules are but terrestrial vapours perishing with the bodies 100. That some in this life are perfect without all sin and need not pray for pardon 101. That in God there is some composition and corporiety and mutability also 102. That Christ took not his flesh of the Virgin Mary but that his body was created without all consanguinity with the first Adam 103. That God doth personally subsist in every creature 104. That the world is eternal 105. That the Lords Supper may be celebrated in Inns rather then Churches and that in the end of a feast 106. That the Devils have no sinne But I will leave these Divels though I could mention many more but that it delights not my selfe nor can it the Reader to be raking in such filthy mire and dirt These are some of the poysonous weeds which have too much of late infested our English Garden I mean the Church once admired both at home and abroad for the beauty of her Doctrine and Disciplin and envied of none but ignorants or men of perverse minds The Poet bewailing the ruins of Troy said Seges ubi Troi a fuit Corn grows where Troy stood but I may sadly complain that in stead of corn that is sound and wholsom doctrine which should be the food of our souls now grows Tares and Weeds that choak the good word with which we were formerly fed and might have been unto a life of glory everlasting if we had therein abode But least I should bring thee into danger by giving thee onely a fight of these Rocks and Precepices to prevent that I shall commend to thy serious perusal Master Wollebius his Abridgement of Christian Divinity which for the good of my country men I Englished Enlarged and cleared in obscure places and have now fitted for a second impression A book worthy to be written in Letters of gold and imprinted in the heart of every good Christian The knowledge therein contained by prayer and through the assistance of Gods spirit will root and establish the in every good word and work to the comming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ which God of his infiniâ—e mercy grant The Contents of the Thirteenth Section The Doctrine of the Church of Rome concerning the Scriptures 2. Their tenets concerning predestination
Masse must be said on festival days for the dead except the body be present And although in the Masse for the living incense is burned to shew that their prayers like incense ascend before God yet in the Masse for the dead incense is not burned because their prayers are of no efficacy for do the dead praise thee saith David The corps may not be brought into the Church whilest Masse is saying for the living but must be set in the Porch till Masse be done and the Mass for the dead be begun in which Masse the kisse of peace must not be given because there is no communion between us and the dead neither can they answer us the dead corps is washed and anointed then it is carried to the Church but by the way the bearers rest three times to signifie Christs three days rest in the grave Holy water and Frankincense is put in the grave with the corps to keep off evil spirits thence and to shew that the deceased party hath offered to God the incense of his prayers and good life whilest he lived He is buried with green bayes to shew that his soul is alive and that it doth not â—ither with the body and with his face upward and his feet towards the East to shew his expectation of Heaven and his readinesse to meet Christ in the Resurrection whose appearance is believed shall be in the East Every Christian that is buried out of the Church or Church-yard hath a Crosse set at his head to shew he was a Christian. Câ—ergy men that have taken orders are buried in the habit of their orders all are wrapt in linnen because Christ was so yet some are buried in sackcloth to shew their repentance Antiently the names of holy men departed were registred in scrolls or â—olding tables called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which word Diptycha the Latin Church retained these were kept by the Bishop and the â—ames publickly read in time of divine service to shew that the just shall be had in everlasting remembrance The prayers that are made for the dead are not for the Saints in Heaven for they need not our prayers but our praises to God for them nor for the damned in Hell seeing our prayers can availe them nothing but onely for those who dying in venial sins unrepented make satisfaction in Purgatory Lastly there is neither Gloria in exceâ—sis nor Hallelujah sung in the office for the dead Of these passages see Alcuiâ—us de divin offic Amalar. Fortunat. de Eccles. officiis Stephanus Durantus de ritibus Eccles. Cathol Guliel Durandus in rationali c. The Contents of the Fourteenth Section Of the Eastern Religions and first of the Greeks 2. Of the Church dignities and discipline in the Greek Church at this day 3. Of the other Nations professing the Greek Religion chiefly the Moscovites and Armenians 4. Of the Monks Nunâ— and Eremites of Moscovia 5. Of the form of service in their Chu ches 6. How they administer the Sacraments 7. The Doctrine and Ceremonies of the Russian Church at this day 8. Of their Marriage and Funeral Ceremonies 9. Of the profession of the Armenians 10. Of the other Greek Sects namely the Melchites Georgians and Mengrelians 11. Of the Nestorians Indians and Jacobites 12. Of the Maronites Religions 13. Of the Cophti 14. Of the Abyssin Christians 15. Wherein the Protestants agree with and dissent from other Christian Churches SECT XIIII Quest. 1. HAving taken a view of the differences in Religion among the Romanists and Anti Romanists in the West what Religion do the Christians in the East professe A. In the East the Greek Religion prevaileth in many places chiefly in those Countries of Europe namely Greece Macedon Epirus 〈◊〉 Thrâ—ce Servia Basciâ— Moldavia Walachiâ— Bosnia Podolia and Moscovia In the Islands also of the Aegean Sea and in some parts of Poland Dalmatia and Croatia in some parts also of Asia namely in Natolia Circassia Mengrelia and Russia The Greekâ— place much of their devotion in the worship of the Virgin Mary and of painted but not carved Images in the intercesâ—ion prayers help and merits of the Saints which they invocate in their Temples They place justification not in faith but in workes School-divinity chiefly the works of Thomas Aquinâ—s which they have in Greek are in great request with them The Sacrifice of the Masse is used for the quick and the dead and they use to buy Masses they do not hold a Purgatory fire yet they believe there is a third place between that of the blessed and the damned where they remain who have deferred repentance till the end of their life but if this place be not Purgatory I know not what it is not what the souls do there Though they deny the Procession of the Holy Ghost from the Son yet they baptise in the name of the Three Persons Priests among them may marry once but not ofâ—â—er That marriage is unlawfull which is contracted within the seventh degree of Consanguinity and Affinity They use leavened bread in the Sacrament and administer in both kinds they have four Lâ—â—ts in the year they deny the Popes supremacy abstain from blood and things strangled observe the Jewish Sabbath with the Lords day They use neither confirmation nor extream unction and will not have either the blessed souls iâ— Heaven to enjoy Gods presence or the wicked in Hell to be tormented â—ill the day of judgement preaching is little used amongst them but Masses often therefore one of their Monks whom they call Coloieri for preaching sometimes in Lent and at Christmasse and Eastet was accused and banished to Mount Sinai by the Patriarch of Constantinople as Chytraus witnesseth They esteem equal with the Scriptures the Acts of the seven Greek Synods and the writings of Basil Chrysostoâ—e 〈◊〉 and their traditions They believe that the souls of the dead are bettered by the prayers of the living They are no less for the Churches authority and for Traditions then the Roman Catholicks be when the Sacrament is carried through the Templâ— the people by bowing themselves adore it and falling on their knees kisse the 〈◊〉 Q. 2. What Ecclesiastical Dignities and Discipline is there in the Greek Church at this day A. They have their Patriarch who resides at Constantinople who is elected by his Metropolitans and Arch-Bishops but is confirmed by the great Turkes chief Bassa who upon promise of some thousand Duckets from the Patriarch doâ—h ratifie his priviledges He hath no more authority with the great Turk then any Christian Embassadour who thinks it a great honour to be admitted to fall down at the Seigniors feet and to kisse his cloak Next to the Patriarch are the Metropolitans who are placed according to their antiquity Of thes Metropolitans are 74. under whom are Arch-Bishops and Bishops The Metropolitan of Thessalonica hath ten Bishops under him he of Athens hath six Corinth hath foure Bishops and one hundred Churches Mitylena had five
who produceth all things of himselfe the End of Ends and first cause of all operations the Author of all goodnesse and beauty by whose light all things shine c. Simplicius saith that from this divine beauty proceed all beauties and all truths from this divine truth the beginning of all beginnings the sowrce and original of all goodnesse the cause of causes God of Gods c. Plotinus to the same purpose makes God the original of all things and who only is sufficient in himselfe giving being to all c. The same doctrine is taught by his Scholar â—orphyrie and likewise by all the other Platoâ—â—sts this was also the general Tenet of the Stoicks as may be seen in Epictetus who sheweth that above all things we must learn to know there is but one God the governour of all things c. who is not ignorant of our works words and thoughts c. Cicero tells us that nothing is more excellent then God by whom the world is governed who is subject and obedient to none So Seneca we must find out something more ancient then the world whence the Stars had their original c. He calls God the Soul and Spirit the preserver and keeper of this Universe the Lord and Architect of this great work c. The same is acknowledged by Chrysippus as he is cited by Plutarch there cannot saith he be found out any other beginning or original of justice but from Iupiter who is the common nature fate and providence of all things The Peripateticks maintained the same doctrine as may be seen in Aristotles Physicks Metaphysicks and De mundo he acknowledgeth a first infinite and eternal Mover who is only wise and the cause of causes He is the Father of gods and men the preserver of the world the mover of Heavens Sun Moon c. His Scholar Theophrasâ—us to the same purpose confesseth that from this one principle all things have their existence and consistence that God made all things of nothing Alexander Aphrodisaeus and the rest affirm the same truth aud not onely the Philosophers but likewise the Poets assented to this doctrin Orpheus sings thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there is none other but this great King whose seat is in Heaven and is compassed with clouds who seeth all things and is seen of none c. To the same purpose Phocyllides 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 There is one wise God powerfull and blessed But of this subject I will speak more hereafter concerning the Sun I could alleadge Homer Hesiod Sophocles Virgil Ovid and other Poets to this purpose but this work is already performed by Iustin Martyr Eusebius Clemens Lactantius Plessis and others who likewise have inserted many verses out of the Sibylls Q. What Priests had the Romans A. Of these we have said somewhat already but we will say something more Their antientest Priests were Luperci the Priests of Pan Lycaeus Potitii and Pinarii of Hercules Of divination by chirping of Birds Augures of divining by Poultry Pullarii They that had the care of Altars and looked into the intrals of the Sacrifice were called Aruspices and Extispices Curiones were the Priests that had care of each Curla or Ward in the City for Romulus divided Rome into 33 Wards and assigned to each of them a Priest or Curio Over these was Curio maximus that is an Archbishop The Priests which Romulus ordained to the memory of Titus Tatius King of the Sabins were called Sodales Tatit. The Priests that went alwayes covered with threaden caps or hoods were called Flamines quasi Filamines whereof there were divers sorts as we have already shewed Of the Vestal Priestesses and the Salii as also of the Feciales Rex Sacrificulus and Pontifex maximus we have said The Priests that had the charge of the Sibylls books were at first but two called Duumviri then they were increased to ten Decemviri at last to fifteen called Quindecemviri Fauna or Fatua who for her loyalty to her husband was called Bona Dea had her peculiar Priestesses The Priests of Sybele mother of the Gods were called Gâ—lli whose chiefe or Archbishop was called Archi-gallus there were also other Priests called Triumviri and Septemviri epulonum who had charge of the publiquâ— Feasts and games Besides these every Idol had his Priest and these had their under Officers or servants called Camilli The servants of Flamen Dialis were called Flaminei They had their Church-Wardens called Aeditui their Trumpeters and Sacbutters called Tubicines and Tibicines Popae were those that bound the Sacrifices Victimarii that killed them Their Cryers that went before the Priest to injoyn the people to forbear working during the time of Sacrificing were called Preciae The women that were hired to sing the praises of the dead were named Praeficae Their Grave diggers Vespilones Q. What sort of Sacrifices did the ancient Romans use A. They used to offer a day before the solemn Sacrifice a preparative Sacrifice called Hostia Praecedanâ—a Their Succedaneae were Sacrifices which succeeded when the former were not satisfactory Wethers that were led to be Sacrificed with a Lamb on each side of them were called Ambiguiâ— Bidentes were sheep sacrificed having two horns and two eminent teeth Ambervales were sacrifices carried in their Processions about the fields Amburbales were Processions and sacrifices about the City Heysers sacrificed which had never been tamed or put under the yoke were called Injuges The Priest having brought the sacrifice to the Altar used to pray laying his hand on the Altar Musick in the mean time sounding Then he layeth on the head of the beast Corn or a Cake with Salt and Frankincense this was called Immolatio from molâ— the Cake Then followed Libatio which was the tasting of the Wine and sprinkling thereof upon the beasts head this done the hairs between the horns of the beast being pluckt out were flung into the fire this they called Libamina Primâ— Then the beast was killed the blood received in vessels and the intrails searched at last the beast is cut in pieces one piece was wrapped in meale and then burned on the Altar this was called Litare After this they went to feasting singing and dancing now every particular God had his sacrifice white beasts were sacrificed to their supernal Gods black to the infernal The Bull was the proper sacrifice of Iupiter Neptune Apollo Mars Luna and the Heroes The Ram was sacrificed to Mars and the Heroes Wine was offered to Ceres and Liber The Goat to Aesculapius and Liber Milk and hony to Ceres A Horse to Sol and Mars A Lamb to Iuno and Faunus A Dove to Venus A Doe to Pan and Minerva A Hinde to Diana A Hog to Sylvanus A Cock to the Lares A Sow to Cybele and a Sow to Ceres A Hen to Aesculapius and a Child to Saturne c. But this last was abolished by the Romans To each god also they assigned his particular Bird. The
Eagle to Iupiter The Cock to the Sun The Magpie to Mars The Raven to Apollo c. They had also their peculiar Trees Iupiter the Oke Pallas the Olive Venus the Mirtle Pluto the Cypress Bacchus the Vine Hercules the Poplar Apollo the Lawrel c. Q. what Religious Rites did the Romans use in their Marriages A. In their marriages they used prayers in which they called upon the chief Wedding gods to wit Iupiter Iuno Venus Diana and Pytho or Suadela Before they married they consulted with their Auspices who encouraged or discouraged them according to the Birds they saw the best Auspicium was either two Crowes or two Turtles these signified long and true love but to see one of these alone was ominous After this sight they went to their prayers and in the Temple before the Altar were married first sacrificing a Hog to Iuno Cui Vincla jugalia curae for she had the chief care of marriages the gall of the sacrifices the Priests flung away to shew there should be no gall in the married life They must not marrie upon unluckie dayes such were the dayes after the Calends Nones and Ides these were called dies atri or black dayes such a day was that which was kept in memory of Remus killed by his brother called Lemuria or Lemulia Neither must they marrie on Funeral dayes nor on Festivals nor when there was any Earth-quake or Thunder or Stormy weather no such commotions must be in marriages The Bride was besprinkled with water to signifie her purity and in the Entry or Porch she must touch the fire and water placed to shew she must pass through all difficulties with her Husband In the wedding Chamber were placed certain Dieties or Idols rather to shew what was to be done in that place these were Virginensis Subjugus Prem◠Pertunda Manturna Venus and Priapus Their other Rites which were rather Politick then religious I touch not as not being to my purpose Q. What were their Religious Rites in Funerals A. The Corps was wont to be washed anointed crowned by the Priest and placed in the porch of his house with a Cypresse tree before it every thing that was to be imployed in the Funerall was to be bought in the Temple of Venus Libitina to shew that the same diety which brought us into the world carrieth us out of it The eyes of the dead bodies were closed upon the going out of the breath but opened again in the Funeral pile that by looking towards Heaven they might signifie the soule was gone thither which also they expresse by the flying of the Eagle out of the same pile where the Emperors body was burned The place for the burial was appointed by the Pontifices and Augures Before the pile were wont to be sacrificed Captives to pacifie the infernal Ghosts but this being held too cruel Gladiators were appointed to fight and for want of these Women were hired to teare their Cheeks but this custome was forbid by the Law of the twelve Tables The Priest after the fire was burned gathered the bones and ashes washed them with wine put them in an Urn and besprinkled the people three times with holy Water For the number of three was sacred So was 7. and 9. Therefore upon those days they used to keep Festivals in memory of the dead Altars adorned with Cypress boughs and blew Laces were wont to be erected to the Ghosts and on them Frankincense Wine Oyl Milk and Blood Q. Why was the burying of the dead held an act of Religion A. Because it was held an act of justice and mercy both to bury the dead of justice that earth should be restored to earth and dust to dust for what could be more just then to restore to mother earth her children that as she furnished them at first with a material being with food rayment sustentation and all things needfull so she might at last receive them again into her lap and afford then lodging till the Resurrection whereof some of the wiser Gentiles were not ignorant it was also an act of mercy to hide the dead bodies in the earth that those organs of such a divine soul might not be torne by wild Beasts and Birds and buried in their mawes That disconsolate mother of Euryalus in the Poet is not so much grieved for the murthering of her Son as for that he should be left a prey to the Birds and Beasts Heu terrâ ignotâ cunibus data praeda Latinis Alitibusque jaces It was held among the Egyptians one of the greatest punishments that could be inflicted to want the honour of burial and with this punishment Iehoiakim the Son of Iosiah is threatned Ierem. 22. 19. That he should be buried with the burial of an Asse and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem And the Milesian Virgins were terrified from hanging themselves by the Law of their Senat that such self-murtherers should have their bodies dragged naked through the streets in the same rope wherewith they hanged themselves Mezentius in the Poet doth not desire Aenaeus to spare his life but earnestly intreats him to afford him burial Nullum in caede nefas nec sic in praelia veni Vnum hec per siqua est victis venia hostibus ore Corpus humo patiare tegi c. So Turnus intreats for the same favour from Aenaeas si corpus poliari luinine mavis Redde meis Aen. 12. The right of Sepulture hath been held so sacred among all civil nations of the Gentiles that the violation thereof hath by their Lawes been counted Sacriledge Therefore they have ascribed to their gods the patronage of funerals and Sepultures for this cause they called the Law of interring the Law of their gods 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Isocrates in Panatheniaco sheweth that the right of Sepulture is not so much humane as divine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The burying of the dead is commended by the Pagan writers as a work of humanity mercy clemency piety justice and religion therefore the Latine pharse yet doth intimate how just a thing it is to bury the dead when they call Funerals Deities justa exequiarum or justa funebria We read in Homer Iliad 24. how angry Iupiter and Apollo were with Achilles for abusing and neglecting to bury the body of Hector shewing that Achilles had lost all mercy and modesty 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. And to shew how religious an act it is to bury the dead the Gentiles assign the care of Funerals and Sepulchres to certain gods which they called Manes whose chief was Pluto called therefore Summanus hence all Tombs and Monuments were dedicated Diis manibus and therefore they who offered any violence to Tombs were said to violate the Manes Deorum Manium jura sancta sunto Of this you may see more in our Mystagogus Poeticus It was counted an execrable thing if any should light upon a dead body unburied and not cast earth
for among them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith Hesychius the forraign gods were worshipped This feast is called by Pindarus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hospitable tables and the sacrifice 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 36. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was the feast of Bacchus in whose Temple three empty vessels in the night time were filled with wine but none knew how for the doors were fast locked and guarded Thuia also was the first Priestesse of Bacchus from which the rest are called Thyadae 37. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were the feasts of Bacchus every third year in Latine Trienalia and Triennia of which Ovid Celebrant repetita Triennia Bacchae Some other festivals the Greeks observed but of lesse note The Contents of the Sixth Section Of the two prevalent Religions now in Europe 2. Of Mahomets Law to his Disciples 3. Of the Mahumetants opinions at this day 4 Mahomet not the Antichrist 5. Of their Sects and how the Turks and Persians differ 6. Of the Mahumetan Religious Orders 7. Of their other Hypocritical Orders 8. Of their secular Priests 9. Of the Mahumetan devotion and parts thereof 10. Of their Ceremonies in their Pilgrimage to Mecca 11. The Rites of their Circumcision 12. Their Rites about the sick and dead 13. The extent of Mahumetanism and the causes thereof 14. Mahumetanism of what continuance SECT VI. Quest. WHat are the two prevalent Religions this day in Europe A. Mahumetanism and Christianity The former was broached by Mahumet the Arabian being assisted by Sergius a Nestoriaâ— Monk with some other Hereticks and Jews about 600. years after Christ for Mahomet was born under Mauritius the Emperor anno Christi 591. and under Heraclius anno 623. he was chosen General of the Saracen and Arabian Forces and then became their Prophet to whom he exhibited his impious doctrin and law which he pretended was delivered to him by the Angel Gabriel But his Book called the Alcoran was much altered after his death and divers different copies thereof spread abroad many of which were burned and one retained which is now extant This is divided into 124. Chapters which are fraughted with Fables Lyes Blasphemies and a meer hodg-podge of fooleries and impieties without either Language or Order as I have shewed in the Caveat I gave to the Readers of the Alcoran yet to him that readeth this Book a thousand times is promised a woman in his paradise whose eye-brows shall be as wide as the Rainbow Such honour do they give to their ridiculous Book called Musaph that none must touch it till he be washed from top to toe neither must he handle it with his bare hands but must wrap them in clean linnen When in their Temples it is publickly read the Reader may not hold it lower than his girdle and when he hath ended his reading he kisseth the book and layeth it to his eyes Q. What Law did Mahomet give to his Disciples A. His Law he divides into eight Commandements The first is to acknowledge onely one God and onely one Prophet to wit Mahomet 2. The Second is concerning the duty of children to their Parents 3. Of the love of neighbours to each other 4. Of their times of prayer in their Temples 5. Of their yearly Lent which is carefully to be observed of all for one moneth or thirty days 6. Of their charity amd alms-deeds to the poor and indigent 7. Of their Matrimony which every man is bound to embrace at 25. years of age 8. Against murder To the observer of these commands he Promiseth Paradise in which shall be silken Carpets pleasant Rivers fruitfull trees beautiful women musick good cheer and choice wines stores of gold and silver plate with precious stones and such other conceits But to those that shall not obey this Law hell is prepared with seven gates in which they shall eat and drink fire shall be bound in chains and tormented with scalding waters He proveth the Resurrection by the story of the seven sleepers which slept 360. years in a Cave He prescribes also divers moral and judicial Precepts as abstinence from swines flesh blood and such as die alone also from adultery and fals witness He speaks of their Fridays devotion of good works of their Pilgrimage to Meccha of courtesie to each other of avoiding covetousnesse usury oppression lying casual murder disputing about his Alcoran or doubting thereof Also of prayer alms washing fasting and Pilgrimage He urgeth also repentance forbideth swearing commends friendship will not have men forced to Religion will not have mercy or pardon to be shewed to enemies He urgeth valour in Battel promising rewards to the couragious and shewing that none can die till his time come and then is no avoyding thereof Q. What other opinions do the Mahumetans hold at this day A. They hold a fatal necessity and judge of things according to the successe They hold it unlawful to drink Wine to play at Chess Tables Cards or such like recreations Their opinion is that to have Images in Churches is Idolatry They believe that all who die in their wars go immediatly to Paradise which makes them fight with such cheerfulnesse They think that every man who lives a good life shall be saved what Religion soever he professeth therefoâ—e they say that Moses Christ and Mahomet shall in the resurrection appear with three banners to which all of these three professions shall make their repair They hold that every one hath two Angels attending on him the one at his right hand the other at his left They esteem good works meritorious of Heaven They say that the Angel Israphil shall in the last day sound his trumpet at the sound of which all living creaturs Angels not excepted shall suddenly die and the Earth shall fall into dust and sand but when the said Angel soundeth his trumpet the second time the souls of all that were dead shall revive again then shall the Angel Michael weigh all mens souls in a pair of scales They say there is a terrible Dragon in the mouth of hell and that there is an iron bridge over which the wicked are conveyed some into everlasting fire and some into the fire of Purgatory They hold that the Sun at his rising and the Moon at her first appearing should be reverenced They esteem Polygamy no sin They hold it unlawfull for any man to go into their Temples not washed from head to foot and if after washing he piss go to stool or break wind upward or downward he must wash again or else he offends God They say that the heaven is made of smoak that there are many seas above it that the Moons light was impaired by a touch of the Angel Gabriels wing as he was flying along that the devils shall be â—aved by the Alcoran Many other favourless and sensless opinions they have as may be seen in the Book called Scaâ—la being an Exposition of the Alcoran Dialogue wise Q. Was Mahomet that Great
Sect did long retain the name of Nicolaitans but were called Gnosticks from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Knowledge which proud title they gave themselves as if their knowledge had been transcendent above other men But their knowledge was so whimsical that neither they or any else understood it they babled much concerning their Aeones and of Ialdabaoth who made the heavens and all things we see of water They ascribed divers sons to their chief Aeon to wit Ennoia Barbeloth and Prunicon which they named Christ. They held that most things were procreated of the Chaos and the Abysse of water and darknesse They taught also that in faithful men were two souls one holy of the divine substance the other adventitious by divine insufflation common to man and beasts These are the souls that sin and which passe from man to beast after the opinion of Pythagoras they held also there were two Gods a good and an evill as the Manichees afterward did They made Jesus and Christ two distinct persons and that Christ descended into Iesuâ— when he was thirty yeers old and then he wrought miracles On this Doctrin the Eutychians and Nestorians grounded their Heresies They would have none to suffer Martyrdom for Christ who they said conversed on the earth after his Resurrection 18 moneths This Heresie was much spread in Asia and Egypt about 129 yeers after Christ and in Spain it flourished after Christ 386 yeers Out of this Sink the Valentinians Manichees and Priscillianists sucked their poyson Q. 8. Of what Religion were the Carpocratians A. Carpocrates by birth an Alexandrian in Egypt who flourished about the yeer of Christ 109. in the time of Antoninus Pius and was contemporary with Saturnius this Carpocrates I say taâ—ght there were two opposite Gods that the Law and good works were needlesse to those that had faith that we could not avoid the rage of evil spirits but by doing evil for that was the way to please them Therefore they gave themselves over to Magick and a Libidinous life They taught also that Christ was a meer man and that their master Carpocrates was the better man hence sprung up the Samosatenians and Arrians They said also that Christ was begot as other men of Ioseph and Mary and that onely his soul ascended into Heaven They held Pythagorean transanimation but denyed the Resurrection and that this world was not made by God but by Satan Because their disciples should not publish their abominable mysteries they put a mark by a bodkin on their right Eare. Carpocrates carryed about with him his Punk Marcellina Q. 9. What was the Religion of Cerinthus Ebion and the Nazarites A. Cerinthus being a Jew by birth and circumcised taught that all Christians ought to be circumcised He lived in the time of S. Iohn the Apostle who would not enter into the same Bath with that pernicious Heretick He spred his Heresie in Domitians time about 62 yeers after Christ. He held the same impious Tenets that Carpocrates and taught that it was Iesus who died and rose again but not Christ. He denyed the Article of life eternal and taught that the Saints should enjoy in Ierusalem carnall delights for 1000 yeers the maintainers of this whimsie afterward were the Origenists Chiliasts or Millenaries and on this Mahomes founded his Paradise Ebion was a Samaritan by birth but he would be esteemed a Jew He lived also in Domitians time He denyed Christs divinity and held the necessity of the Ceremonial Law with Cerinthus And that the use of flesh was unlawfull because all flesh was begot of impure generation The Ebionites of all the New-Testament admitted only S. Matthews Gospel because it was written in Hebrew The Ebionite Heresie did not continue long under the name of Ebion but under other names to wit Sampsei and Elcesitae Against these Hereticks S. Iohn who lived in their time wrote his Gospel to prove Christs Divinity they rejected S. Pauls Epistles because they refell the Ceremonial Law As for the Nazarites or Nazarens they were before Cerinthus and Ebion about the end of Nero 37 yeers after Christ. They were the first that retained circumcision with Baptism and the ceremonial Law with the Gospel They were led much with private Revelations and Enthusiasms They had more Gospels then one to wit the Gospel of Eve and that which they called the Gospel of perfection They were much addicted to fables Noahs wife they called Ouria which signifieth fire in Chaldee she often times set the Ark on fire which therefore was so many times rebuilt They make her also the first that imparted to mankinde the knowledge of Angels Q. 10 What was the Heretical Religion of the Valentinians Secundians and Ptolemians A. The Valentinians who from their whimsical knowledge were called Gnosticks had for their master Valentinus an Egyptian who lived in the time of Antoninus Pius Emperor about a 110 yeers after Christ. He taught that there were 30 Aeones Ages or Worlds who had their beginning from Profundity and Silence that being the Male this the Female Of the Marriage or Copulation of these two were begot Vnderstanding and Truth who brought forth eight Aeones Of the Vnderstanding and Truth were begot the Word and Life which produced 10. Aeones The Word and Life brought forth Man and the Church and of these were procreated 12. Aeones these 8. 10. and 12. joyned together made up the 30. the last of these 30. being abortive produced the Heaven Earth and Sea Out of his imperfections were procreated divers evils as darkness out of his fear evil spirits out of his ignorance out of his tears springs and rivers and out of his laughter light They also taught that Christs body was meerly spiritual and passed through the Virgin as through a conduit or pipe Evil was natural they said to the creature and therefore they made God the author of evil which afterward was the doctrine of the Manichees They held that onely the soul was redeemed and that there should be no resurrection of the body Faith they taught was natural and consequently salvation which all did not attain for want of good works this was the Pelagian doctrine afterward They made three sorts of men to wit spiritual who were saved by faith onely these they called the sons of Seth hence the Sethian Hereticks The second sort are animal or natural who are saved by works and are of Abel hence the Abelites The third sort are carnal who cannot be saved these are of Cain hence the Cainite Hereticks They eat of things offered to idols slighted good works as needlesse and rejected the old Prophets Valentinus his chiefe Scholar and Successor was Secundus whose Disciples called Secundians changed the name but retained the Doctrine of Valentinus permitting all kind of vicious life in that they held knowledge without good works would bring men to Heaven Valentinus held that the Aeones were only the effects of the divine
Father of Christ and author of the Gospel but Moses Law they rejected and the old Testament as proceeding from the other god to wit of justice The Cerdonians also denyed the Resurrection of the flesh and Humanity of Christ Affirming that he was not born of a Virgin nor suffered but in shew Marcion by birth a Paphlagonian neer the Euxin Sea was Cerdons Scholar whose opinions he preferred to the Orthodox Religion out of spleen because his Father Bishop Marcion excommunicated him for Whoredom and because he could not without true repentance be received again into the Church therefore he professed and maintained Cerdons Heresies at Rome in the time of M. Antoninus Philosophus 133. years after Christ but he refined some points and added to them some of his own phansies With Cerdon he held two contrary gods and denied Christs Incarnation of the Virgin and therefore blotted his Genealogy out of the Gospel affirming his body to be from heaven not from the Virgin He denied that this world by reason of the Ataxie and Disorder in it could be the work of the good god He rejected the Old Testament and the Law as repugnant to the Gospel which is false for their is no repugnancy He denied the Resurrection and taught that Christ by descending into hell delivered from thence the souls of Cain Esau the Sodomites and other reprobates translating them into heaven He condemned the eating of flesh and the married life and renewed baptism upon every grievous fall into sin If any of the Catechumeni died some in their name were baptised by the Marcionites They also baptised and administred the Eucharist in presence of the Catechumeni against the custom of the Church They permitted Women also to baptize They condemned all Wars as unlawfull and held transanimation with the Pythagoreans Q. 15. What was the Religion of Apelles Severus and Tatianus A. Apelles whose scholars were called Apellitae was Marcions Disciple and a Syrian by birth He flourished under Commodus the Empâ—ror about 150. years after Christ. He taught that there was but one chief God to whom was subordinat a fierie God who appeared to Moses in the bush who made the world and gave the Law to the Israelites and was their God He gave to Christ a body compacted of the Stary and Elementary substance and appeared in the shape onely of man This body when he ascended he left behind him every part thereof returning to their former principles and that Christs spirit is onely in heaven He rejected the Law and Prophets and denied the Resurrection Severus author of the Severians was contemporarie with Apelles under Commodus 156. years after Christ. He used the company of one Philumena a Strumpet and Witch He taught his disciples to abstain from Wine as being poyson begot of Satan in the form of a Serpent with the Earth The world he said was made by certain Powers of Angels which he called by divers barbarous names He hated Women and Marriage denied the Resurrection the Old Testament and Prophets using in stead of them certain Apocryphall Books Tatianus a bad Scholar of a good Master Iustin Martyr was a Mesopotamian by birth and lived under M. Antoninus Philosophus 143. years after Christ his disciples were called Tatiani from him and Encratitae from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 temperance or continence for they abstain from Wine Flesh and Marriage They were called also Hydro-Paristatae users of Water for in stead of Wine they made use of Water in the Sacrament They held that Adam was never restored to mercy after his fall And that all men the sons of Adam are damned without hope of salvation except the Tatiani They condemned the Law of Moses the eating of flesh and the use of wine and held Procreation of Children to be the work of Satan yet they permitted though unwilingly Monogamy or the marrying once but never again they denied that God made male and female and that Christ was the seed of David Q. 16. Of what Religion were the Cataphrygians A. Montanus disciple to Tatianus who was his contemporary was author of this Sect who for a while were from him called Montanists but being ashamed of his wicked life and unhappy end they were afterward from the Country where he was born and which was first infected with his heresie called Cataphrygians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they were named also Tascodragitae because they used in praying to thrust their forefingers into their Nostrills to shew their devotion and anger for sin Tascus in their Language signifieth a long slick or slaff and Druggus their Nose as if you would say Perticonasati as the interpreter of Epiphanius translates it They loved to be called Spirituales because they bragged much of the gifts of the Spirit others that were not of their opinion they called naturual men This Heresie began about 145. years after Christ and lasted above 500. years He had two Strumpets which followed him to wit Prisca and Maximilla these forsook their Husbands pretending zeal to follow Montanus whereas indeed they were notorious Whoors they took upon them to prophesie and their dictates were held by Montanns as divine oracles but at last he and they for company hanged themselves He blasphemously held himself not onely to be in a higher measure inspired by the Holy Ghost then the Apostles were but also said that he was the very Spirit of God which in some small measure descended on the Apostles he condemned second marriages and yet allowed Incest He trusted altogether to Revelations and Enthusiasmes and not to the Scripture In the Eucharist these wretches mingled the Bread with Infants Blood they confounded the persons of the Trinity affirming the Father suffered Q. 17. What was the Religion of the Pepuzians Quintilians and Artotyrites A. These were disciples of the Cataphrygians Pepuzians were so called from Pepuza a town between Galatia and Cappadocia where Montanus dwelt and Quintillians from Quintilla another whorish Prophetesse and companion to Prisca and Maximilla They held Peprza to be that new Ierusalem fore told by the Prophets and mentioned in the Epistle to the Hebrews and in the Revelatien In this they said we should enjoy life eternal They perferred Women before Men affirming that Christ assumed the form of a Women not of a Man And that he was the author of their wicked Tenets They commended Eve for eating the forbidden fruit saying that by so doing she was the author of much happinesse to man They admitted Woman to Ecclesiastical functions making Bishops and Priests of them to preach and administer the Sacraments They mingled also the Sacramental Bread with humane Blood The Artotyritae were so called from offering Bread and Cheefe in the Sacrament in stead of Wine because our first Parents offered the fruits of the Earth and of sheep and because God excepted Abels sacrifice which was the fruits of his sheep of which Cheese cometh therefore they held cheese
more acceptable then wine In other points they were Pepuzians and differed from them onely in cheese offering therefore they were called Artotyritae from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bread and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cheese Q. 18. What was the Religion of the Tessarescae Decatitae or Quarradecimani and of the Alogiani A. The former of these were so called from observing Easter on the fourteenth day of the Moon in March after the manner of the Iewes and they made Saint Iohn the author of that custome which was observed by the Oriental Churches till Pope Victor excommunicated them as Schismaticks in dissenting from the custome of the Western Church This controversie fell out about the 165 year of Christ Severus then being Emperour and from the first Original thereof continued 200. years This Heresie was condemned by the council of Nice and ordered that Easter should be kept after the manner of the Western Church which derived their custom from Saint Peter These Hereticks also denied repentance to those that fell after baptisme which was the Novatian Heresie Alogiani so called from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the privative and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word because they denied Christ to be the word and consequently they denied his divinity as Ebion and Cerinthus had done before Samosâ—tenus Aâ—â—ius and the Mahumetans afterward These Alogiani rejected Saint Iohns Gospel and his Apocalypse as not written by him but by Cerinthus which is ridiculous for Cerinthus denied Christs Divinity which Saint John asserteth in writing that the Word was God These Hereticks were named also Berilliani from Berillus a Bishop in Arabia who taught that Christ was a man and then became the word of God The first broacher of this Heresie is thought to be Artemon a profane man who lived about the time of Severus Emperour 167. years after Christ from him they were called Artemonitâ— Q 19. What was the Religion of the Adamians Elcesians and Theodotians A. The Adamians or Adamites so called either from one Adam their author or from Adam the first man whose nakednesse they imitate sprung up shortly after the Gnosticks and were called Prodiciani from one Prodicus whom they followed Of this Sect there be many extant at this day They held it unlawful for men or women to wear cloathes in their congregation and assemblies seeing their meetings were the only Paradise on earth where they were to have life Eternal and not in Heavenâ— as Adam then in his Paradise so Christians in theirs should be naken and nor cloathed with the badges of their sin and shame They rejected marriages as diabolical therefore they used promiscuous copulation in the dark they rejected also all prayers to God as needlesse seeing he knew without us what we wanted The Elcesei so called from Elcesae an impostor and Sampsei from a spotted kind of Serpent which they represented in their changable dispositions were much addicted to judicial Astrology and Soothsaying They held two Priests one below made of the Virgin a meer man and one above they confound Christ with the Holy Ghost and sometimes they call him Christs Sister but in a masculine name to both which persons they give longitude latitude and locality To water they ascribe a divinity and so they did to two Whoores Marthus and Marthana the dust of whose feet and spittle they worshipped as holy reliques They had a certaine Apocrypha book the reading whereof procured remission of â—in and they held it no sin to deny Christ in time of persecution This Heresie began to spread about 210. years after Christ under Gordian the Emperor See Origen who writ against it The Theodocians so called from one Theodoâ—us or Theodotion who lived under Severus Emperour 170. years after Christ. He was a Byzantian by birth and a Tanner by profession who taught that in times of persecution we may deny Christ and in so doing we deny not God because Christ was meerly man and that he was begotten of the seed of man He also added to and took from the writings of the Evangelists what he pleased Q 20. What was the Religion of the Melchisedecians Bardesanists and Noetians A. The former were called Melchisedecians for believing that Melchisedeck was not a man but a Divine power superiour to Christ whom they held to be a meer man One Theodotus Scholar to the former Theodotus the Tanner was author of this Sect who lived under Severus about 174. years after Christ. The Bardesanists were so called from one Bardesanes a Syrian who lived under Verus the Emperour 144. years after Christ. He taught that all things even God himself were subject to Fate or a Stoical necessity so that he took away all liberty both from God and man and that vertue and vice depended on the Stars He renewed also the whimsies of the Aeones by which he overthrew Christs divinity and denied the Resurrection of the flesh The Noetians so called from Noetus born in Smyrna taught that there was but one Person in the Trinity which was both mortal and immortal in heaven God and impatible on earth Man and patible So they made a Trinity not of Persons but of Names and Functions Noetus also taught that he was Moses and that his brother was Aaron This Heretick was buried with the burial of an Asse and his city Smyrna was overthrown eight years after he broached his Heresie He lived about 140. years after Christ under M. Antoninus and L. Verus Emperours Q. 21. Of what Religion were the Valesians the Cathari Angelici and Apostolici A. The Valesians so called from one Valens an Arabian who out of the doctrine of the Gnosticks or Tatians condemned marriage and procreation Therefore his Scholars after the example of Origen gelded themselves thinking none can enter into heaven but Eunuchs Whereas the Eunuchs Christ speaks of be such as by continence subdue the lusts of the flesh This Heresie springing under Iulianus Philippus Emperour about the year of Christ 216. The Cathari 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so called by themselves as if they were purer then other men derived most of their Tenets from Novatâ—s hence they were named Novatians This Novatus lived under Decius the Emperour after Christ 220. years He was an African born This Heresie lasted till the time of Arcadius to wit 148. years they denyed repentance to those who fell after Baptism they bragged much of their Sanctity and good works They condemned second Marriages as adulterous They used rebaptization as the Donatists did afterward They rejected also Oyl or Chrism in Baptisme The Angelici were so called from worshipping of Angels it seems this Heresie was begun in the Apostles time who condemneth it but had its growth shortly after the Melchisedecians about the year of Christ 180. The Apostolici were so called from imitating the holinesse of the Apostles these were the spawn of the Encratites about the year
the Circumcellions so called from their Cells and Cottages in which they lived to shew their austerity these made no bones to murther all they met that were not of their Religion so that they were more dangerous then High-way Robbers The Donatists were named also Parmenianists from Parmenianus one of Donatus his disciples At Rome they were named Campates from the Camp or Field and Montenses from the Hill where they used to hide themselves The Priscillianists were so named from Priscillianus a Spaniard who under Gratian the Emperor spread his heresie first in Spain 348. years after Christ. From thence like a canker it run through all the West his heresie was made up of former heresies for with the Manicnes he held that the world was made by an evil god With the Sabellians he confounded the persons of the Trinity with the Origenists he taught that mens souls were made before their bodies in some receptacle of Heaven and with the Manichees that they were parcels of the Divine Essence With Astrologers they held that all humane events depended on the Stars and with the Stoicks that we sin necessarily and coactively With the Gnosticks they condemned marriage with the Encratites the eating of flesh with the Audians they allowed lying and perjury in matters of Religion and with the Gâ—osticks they rejected the ancient Prophets as fanatical and ignorant of the will of God The Rhetorians so called from one Rhetorius held the same Tenet which the Mahumetans do at this day namely that every man shall be saved by the Religion he professeth and that therefore no Religion should be forced but men should be left to their own choice and will The Feri or wild Hereticks were such as held it unlawful to eat or converse with men therefore they held none should be saved but such as lived alone They taught also that the holy Ghost was a creature Q. 33. What were the Theopaschitae Tritheiâ—ae Aqueiâ— Melâ—â—onii Ophei Tertullii Liberatores and Nativitarii A. The Theopaschites held that the divinity of Christ suffered as if there had been in him but one nature because one person The Tritheits divided the Essence of God into three parts the one they called the Father the other the Son and the third the Holy Ghost as though either of the persons had not bin perfectly God The Aquei held that the water was not created but coeternal with God this heresie was culled out of the Hermagenian and Audian Tenets The Melitonii so named from one Melito taught that not the soul but the body of man was made after Gods Image and so with the Anthropomorphites they made God corporeal The Ophei so called from one Opheus held there were innumerable worlds The Tertullii from one Tertullus taught that the souls of wicked men should be converted into Devils and Savage Beasts Liâ—eratores are those who taught that Christ by his descending into Hell did set at liberty all wicked that then beâ—eved in him Nativitarji were such as taught that Christs Divine Nativity had a beginning because it is written Psal. 2. Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee so they acknowledged the Eternity of his Essence but not of his Filiation These were but branches of former Heresies broached by obscure or unknown authors and of short continuance Q. 34. What were the Luciferians Jovinianists and Arbicks A. Luciferians so called from Lucifer Bishop of Caralitanum in Sardinia who lived under Iulâ—an the Apostate 333. years after Christ taught with the Cerinthians and Marcionites that this world was made by the Devil That mens souls were corporeal and had their being by propagation or traduction They denyed to the Clergy that fell any place for repentance or reconciliation neither did they restore Bishops or inferious Clerks to their Dignities if they fel into Heresie though they afterward repented This was the Doctrine of the old Novaâ—ians and Meletians these Luciferians were named also Homonymians for using the word flesh ambiguously in their dispurations The Iovinianists were so called from Iovinian a Roman who lived under Jovinian the Emperour 335. years after Christ. These held with the Stoicks that all sins were equal that after baptisme we could not sin that fasting was needlesse that Virginity was not better then the married life and that the blessed Virgin in bearing Christ lost her Virginity The Arabicks were so named from Arabia the countrey where this heresie was broached and maintained under Philip the Emperour 217. years after Christ they held that mens soules died with their bodies and that both in the last day should rise again From this heresie they were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is mortal soules not much different from them are the Psychopanuychitae of this age who make the soul sleep in the Grave with the body till the Resurrection Q. 35. What were the Collyridians Paterniani Tertullianists and Abelonitae A. The Collyridians were hatched also in Arabia and so named from a kinde of Cakes or Buns which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 these Cakes they presented every year with great ceremony to a certain Maid fitâ—ng in a chair of State and covered with a vail â—n honour of the Virgin Maâ—y these flourished under Theoâ—osius the great 357. years after Christ. Paterniani so called from one Paternus an obscure fellow were named also Venuâ—iani from Venus which by their venereal actions they honoured more then God These held that all the lower parts of mans body from the Navel downward were made by the Devil and therefore they gave themselves to all lasciviousnesse and uncleannesse therefore they were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 deriders of good manners and honesty The Tertullianists were so called from that famous Lawyer and Divine Terâ—ullian who lived under Severus the Emperour about 170 years after Christ. He being excommunicated by the Roman Clergy for a Montanist fell unto these heretical opinioâ—s to wit that God was corporeal but without delineation of members that mens souls were not onely corporeal but also distinguished into members and had corporeal dimensions and did encrease and decrease with the body and that the soul had its Original by propagation or traduction He held also that the souls of wicked men after death were converted into Devils that the Virgin Mary â— after Christs birth did marry once and with the Catapâ—rygian he bragged much of the Paraclet or Spirit which they said was poured on them in a greater measure then on the Apostles He condemned all use of arms and wars among Christians and with the Mâ—ntanists rejected second marriages as no better then adultery The Abelonitae were so called from Abeo Adams Son these taught that Abel was married but had no carnal commerce with his Wife because there is no mention made of his Children as there is of Cains and Seths For
Anthropomorphites and the Manichees They rejected the Books oâ— Moses made God with a humane shape taught that the world was made by evil Angels and that Michaâ—l 〈◊〉 Arch-angel was incarnate They condemned Image worship and despised the crosse because Christ died on it They held the churches baptism to be the baptism of Iohn but their own to be the true baptism of Christ they slighted the Church Liturgy and taught there was no other Resurrection but from sin by repentance they held also that men might dissemble in Religion At Antwerp one Taudenius or Tanchelinus being a Lay-man under took a Reformationâ— teaching that men were justified and saved by faith onely that there was no difference between Priests and Lay-men that the Eucharist was of no use and that promiscuous copulation was lawful The Petrobrussâ—ans so called from Peter de Bruis of Antwerp held that baptism was needlesse to Infants and likewise churches were uselesse that crosses should be broken that Christ was not really in the Eucharist and that prayers for the dead were fruitlesse One Peter Aballard taught that God was of a compounded Essence that he was not the author of all goodnesse that he was not onely eternal that the Angels helped him to create the world that power was the property of the Father Wisdom of the Son Goodnesse of the holy Spirâ—â— He denied that Christ took our flesh to save sinners or that the feare of God was in him he said that the holy Ghost was the soul of the world that man had no 〈◊〉 will that all things even God himselfe were subject to necessity that the Saints do not see God that in the life to come there should be no feare of God and that wee are in matters of faith to be directed by our reason His chief disciple was Arnoldus Brixienfis who denied also temporalties to the Clergy Gilbert Porrâ—â—anus Bishop of Poytires taught that the Divine Essenâ—â— was not God that the Proprieties and Persons in the Trinity were not the same that the Divinity was not incarnate in the Son He rejected also merits and lessened the efficacy of baptism The Henricians so called from one Henry of Tholouse a Monk and somented by Henry the Emperor taught the same Doctrines that Peter de Bruis did and withal that the church musick was a mocking of God The Patareni taught â—lso the same things The Apostolici so named from saying they were Apostles immediatly sent from God despised marriage all meats made of Milk the baptising of Infants purgatory prayers for the dead invocation of Saints and all Oaths They held themselves to be the onely true Church One Eudon gave himself out to be the judge of the quick and dead The Adamites started up again in Bohemia The Waldenses so called from Waldo of Lions who having distributed his wealth professed poverty he rejected images prayers to Saints Holy days Churches Oyl in Baptisme confirmation the Ave Mary auâ—icular confession indulgences purgator prayers for the dead obedience to Prelates distinction of Bishop and Priest Church Canons merit religious orders extream unction miracles exorcisms Church musick canonical hours and divers other Teneâ—â— of the Church of Rome They held that Lay-men might preach and consecrate the Bread and that all ground was alike holy They rejected all prayers except the Lords prayer and held that the Eucharist consecrated on the Friday had more efficacy then on any other day That Priests and Deacons falling into sin lost their power in consecrating and Magistrates in governing if they fel. That the Clergy should possesse no temporâ—lties that the Church failed in Pope Sylvesters time They rejected the Apostles creed and all oaths but â—ermitted promiscuous copulation and taught 〈…〉 man ought to suffer death by the sentence of any Judge Q. 5 What were the Albigenses and what other Sects were there in this twelfth Century A. These not long after the Waldenses swarmed in the Province of Tolouse and were overthrown by Simon Earl of Montferrat these taught that they were not bound to make prosession of their faith they denyed pâ—rgatory prayers for the dead the real presence private confession images bells in Churches and condemned the eating of flesh egges and milk The Romish writers affirm that they held two Gods that our bodies were made by Satan that the Scriptures were erroneous all oaths unlawful and Baptisme needlesse They rejected the old Testament and marriage and prayers in the Church they held there were two Christs a good born in an unknown Land and a bad born in Bethlehem of Iudea That God had two Wives of which he begot Sons and Daughters and more such stuâ—â— as may be seen in the above named authors The Corâ—erij held the Petrobrussian Tenets and withall that the Virgin Mary was an Angel that Christs body was not glorified in Heaven but did putrifie as other dead bodies and so should remain after the day of judgementâ— They taught also that the souls should not be glorified till the Resurrection Ioachimus Abbas taught that in the Trinity the Essence generated the Essence which opinion was condemned in the general Councel of Lateran under Innocent the third not long after started up Petrus Iohannis who maintained the errour of Ioachimus and withal taught that the reasonable soul was not the form of man that the Apostles preached the Gospel after the literal not after the spiritual sense that grace was not conferred in baptisme that Christs side was pierced with a Lance whilest he was yet alive which is directly against the words of Saint Iohn therefore this opinion was condemned in the councel of Vienna he held also Rome to be Babylon and the Pope to be Antichrist Q. 6. What opinions in Religion were professed the â—â—â—teenth Century A. Almaricus a Doctor in Paris taught that if Adâ—m had not sinned there had been no procreation nor distinction of Sex This was condemned in the councel of Lateran under Innocent the third He held that the Saints do no wayes see God in himselfe but in his creatures He denyed the Resurrection Paradise and Hell also the real presence invocation of Saints Images and Altars He said that in the Divine minde might be created Ideas He transformed the mind of a â—ontemplative man into the Essence of God and taught that charity made sin to be no sin David Dinantius taught that the first Matter was God which was to make God a part and the meanest part of all his creatures Gulielmus de sancto amore taught that no Monks ought to live by alms but by their own labours and that voluntary poverty was unlawful the same doctrine was taught by Desiderâ—us Longobardus affirming it a pernicious opinion that men should leaue all for Christ. Raymundus Lullius taught that in God were different Essences that God the Father was before the Son that the holy Ghost was conceived of the Father and the Son 〈◊〉 the Doctrine of the Church is that he proceeds
from the Father and the Son not by way of Generation or Conception but of Eternal and Spiritual dilection he also taught that it was injustice to punish any man for opinions in Religion or Heresie The Whippers taught that whipping of themselves with rods full of knots and sharp pricks did more expâ—â—te and abolish sin then confession that this their voluntary whipping was before Martyrdom which was inflicted by outward force that now there was no use of the Gospel nor of the Baptisme of Water sith the Baptisme of Blood was better that holy water was â—â—â—iesâ—e that no man could be saved who did 〈…〉 himselfe They also held perjury lawful The 〈◊〉 whose author was one Hermannus Italus held community of Wives lawful which Doctrine they put in practise at their meetings to pray then putting out their lâ—ghts â—hey used promiscâ—ous copnlation and the children born of such commixtion they put to death They taught that all things amongst Christians should be in common that Magistracy did not consist with Christianity and that the Saints did not see God till the day of judgement Gerardus Sagarellus of Parma whose Disciples were named Pseudâ—-apostoli that is false Apostles because they bragged that they did imitâ—te the Apostles poverty therefore they would not take or keep money or reserve any thing for the next day he taught that to make vows or to swear at all was unlawful that marriages might be dissolved by such as would embrace their Religion and that they were the onely Christians they were enemies to Tythes and to Churches which for prayer they accounted no better then Hogs Styes Q. 7 What were the opinions in Religion the feurteenth Century A. The Beguardi who professed a Monastical life taught that we might attaine to as much perfection and beatitude in this life as in Heaven that all intellectual natures were blessed in themselves not in God that it was a sin to kisse a Woman but not to lie with her because nature inclined to this but not to that That perfect and spiritual men were freed from obedience to superiours from fasting praying and good works and that such men could not sin nor encrease in grace being perfect already They would have no reverence to be used in the Eucharist nor at all to receive it for that did argue imperfection The Beguinae professed the same Tenets and withal were against vows and voluntary poverty The Beguini taught that wealth consisted not with Evangelical perfection and therefore blamed Pope Iohn 22 for permitting the Franciscans to have corn in their barns and wine in their cellars They held that the state of Minorites was more perfect then that of Bishops that they were not bound to give an account of their faith when they were demanded by the Inquisitors and that the Pope had no power to dispense with Vows The Lolhards so called from Walter Lolhard their author held that Lucifer was injuriously thrust out of Heaven that Michael and the blessed Angels should be punished eternally that Lucifer should be saved that the blessed Virgin lost her Virginity after Christs birth and that God did neither see nor would punish sins committed under ground therefore they gave themselves to all uncleannesse in their vaults and caves Richardus Armacanus taught that voluntary poverty was unlawful and that priests could blesse and confer orders as well as Bishops One Ianovesiâ—s taught that in the year â—â—60 on Whitsunday Antichrist would come who should pervert all Christians and should mark them in their Hands and Foreheads and then should be damned eternally and that all Iewes Saracens and Infidels who were seduced by Antichrist should after his destruction be converted to Christ but not the Christians that fell off from Christ. The Turelupini taught that we should not be ashamed of those members we have from nature and so like the Cynicks they gave themselves openly to all uncleannesse they held also that we were not to pray with our voice but with the heart onely Q. 8. What were the Tenets of the Wicklevits who lived in this Centurie A. They were so called from Iohn Wickliffe an Englishman and taught that the substance of bread and wine remained in the Sacrament that neither Priest nor Bishop remaining in any mortal sin could consecrate or ordain that the Mass had no ground in Scripture that outward confession was needlesse where there was true contrition that a wicked Pope had no power over the faithful that Clergy-men should have no possessions that none should be excommunicate by the Church but he who is first excommunicate by God that the Prelate who excommunicates a Clerk appealing to the King is a traitorâ— and so is he that being excommunicate refuseth to hear or to preach that Deacons and Priests may preach without authority of the Bishop that the King might invade the Churches Revenues that the people may punish their Kings that the Laity may detain or take away the Tytâ—es that special prayers for any man were of no more force then general that religious orders were unlawful and that such should labour with their hands that it was a sin in Constantine and others to enrich the Church that the Church of Rome was Satans Synâ—gogue they rejected also the Popes election by Cardinals Indulgences decretal Epistles the Popes excommunications and his supremacy they held also that Austin Benet and Bernard were damned for instituting religious orders that God ought to obey the Devil that he who gives almes to Monasteries should be excommunicate that they are Simoniacks who pray for their Parents or Benefactors that Bishops reserved to themselves the power of Ordination Confirmation and Consecration for lucres sake that Universities Degrees and Schools of Learning were hurtfull to the Church These and such like Tenets of Wickliff are let down in the Councel of Constance where they were condemned Other opinions are fathered upon him to wit that man had no free will that the sins of the Predestinate were venial but of the Reprobate all mortal that the Saints were not to be invocated nor their reliques kept nor the Crosse to be worshipped nor images to be placed in Churches they rejected also Vows Canonical hours Church-Musick Fasting Baptizing of Infants Benedictions Chrism and Episcopacy He held also that the Brother and sister might marry that every creaâ—ure may â—e called God because its perfection is in God Q. 9. What opinions were taught the fifteenth Century A. Iohn Hus of Bohemia publickly maintained the Doctrine of Waldus and Wickliffe and withal taught that Saint Peter was never head of the Church that the Church is onely of the predestinate that Saint Paul when he was a persecutor was not a member of Satan that the Divinity and the Humanity made up one Christ whereas the personal union consisted indeed not between the two Natures but between the Person of the Word and the Humane Nature That the Pope was subject to Cesar that the Pope
this life our sinnes are still inherent in us though they be not imputed to us that wee are justified by faith without works and that faith is never without charity that the best of our works deserve damnation that here we may be assured of our justification and salvation that the Church Liturgy ought not to be read in Latin but in the vulgar tongue that faith is a more excellent vertue then charity that there is no merit in us that in this life we cannot possibly fulfil the Law that to invocate the Saints to worship Images and Reliques or the Crosse is Idolatry that usury is not altogether unlawful that Lent and other set Fasts are not to be kept that there be onely two Scaraments Baptisme and the Lords supper and that the Sacraments cannot justifie or confer grace that the Baptisme of water is not of absolute necessity nor depends the efficacy of it from the intention of the Minister nor ought it to be administered by private men or women in private houses That Christ is not corporally in the Eucharist that in the want of Bread and wine other materials may be used and that Wine alone without Water is to be used that there is no Transubstantiation nor ought to be any adoration of the Bread that the â—up should be administred to all that Extream Unction was onely temporary in the Church that the Clergy ought to marry He rejected also the Church-Hierarchy and Ceremonies and exorcisms Penance also Confirmation Orders Matrimony and Extream Unction from being Sacraments Q. 15. What other opinions in Religion were held this age A. Servetus a Spaniard who was burned at Genevâ— taught with the Sabellians that there was but one Person in God and that there was in Christ but one nature with Eutychees he denied the holy Ghost and Baptisme to Infants which he would have to be deferred till the thirtieth year of their age He held also that God was Essential in every creature Brentius a Lutheran taught that Christs body after its ascension is every where whence sprung up the Vbiquitaries Castelliâ— a School-Master in Geneva held that the Canticles was not Scripture but a Love Ballade between Solomon and one of his Concubines One Postellus taught that men of all Sects and Professions should be saved by Christ. Oâ—iander held that we were justified not by â—aith but by the Essential righteousnesse of God which he said was the formal cause of our justification One 〈◊〉 a Maâ—tuan taught that Christ justified us not as he was God but as he was man Amsdorphius wrot a Book to prove that good works were pernicious to salvation One George Maiâ—r taught that Infants could not be justified for want of good works Iohn Agricâ—â—â— affirmed that the Law was altogether needlesse and that Christians were not tied to the observation thereof Hence sprung up the Antinomians One Steunbergetus in Morâ—via denyed the Trinity the Divinity of Christ the holy Ghost and Virginity of Mary he rejected also Baptisme and the Lords day affirming we had no command in Scripture to keep that but the Sabbath onely One Oâ—inus taught that â—olygamy or multiplicity of Wives was lawful One Valentinus Gentilâ—â— of Naples denied the Trinity and rejected the Creed of Athâ—â—â—â—ius One 〈◊〉 of Cracovia in â—oland denyed also the Trinity and thâ—â—ty of Essence and taught that neither the Second nor Third Person were God that Satan was created evil that mans intellect is eternal that our free will was a passive power moved necessarily by the appetite that God was the Author of sin and that the will of man in sinning was conformable to the will of God that it was not adultery to lie with another mans Wife that we must belive nothing but what is evident to sense or reason that the same body which dieth riseth not again that the soul perished with the body that there should be no care had of burial that separated souls could not suffer corporeal fire and that God being a Spirit should not be invocated by our mouth but by our heart One Swenkfeldius taught that the Scripture was not the Word of God nor that our faith depended on it but it rather on our faith That Christ brought his body with him from Heaven That Christs humanity became God after his ascension that every man was endowed with the same essential vertues of justice wisdom c. which were in God That the power and efficacy of Gods word preached was the very Son of God In Moravia there started up some professors called Nudipedales because they went bare-footed these in imitation of the Apostles forsook houses Lands Businesse and Children and lived together in common avoiding the society of other people Another Sect sprung up which called themselves Free Men teaching that they were freed from obedience to Magistrates from Taxes Tythes and other duties that after baptisme they could not sin That they were not onely like God but already deified And that it was lawful among themselves but no where else to have women in common Q. 16. Were there no other opinions held this Century A. Yes many more so vain and luxuriant are the wits of men in finding out many inventions and shaping to themselves forms and Ideas of Religions every one esteeming his own the best and as much in love with his own imaginations as Narcissus was with his shadow in the Water or Dercalion with his own picture Some reject Scriptures others admit no other writings but Scriptures Some say the Devits shall be saved others that they shall be damned others that there are no Devils at all Some hold that it is lawful to dissemble in Religion others the contrary Some say Antichrist is come some say not others that he is a particular man others that he is not a man but the Devil and others that by Antichrist is meant a succession of men some will have him to be Nero some Caligula some Mahomet some the Pope some Luther some the Turk some of the Tribe of Dan and so each man according to his fancy will make an Antichrist Some onely will observe the Lords day some onely the Sabbath some both and some neither Some will have all things in common some not Some will have Christs body onely in Heaven some everywhere some in the Bread others with the bread others about the bread others under the Bread and others that Christs body is the bread or the bread his body And others again that his body is transformed into his divinity Some wil have the Eucharist administred in both kinds some in one some not at all Some will have Christ descend to Hell in respect of his soul some onely in his power some in his divinity some in his body some not at all some by Hell understand the place of the damned some Limbus Patrum others the wrath of God others the state of the dead others the grave Some wil make Christ two Persons some give him but
one Nature and one Will some affirming him to be onely God some onely man some made up of both some altogether deny him some will have his body come from Heaven some from the Virgin some from the Elements some wil have our Souls Mortal some Immortal some bring it into the body by infusion some by traduction some wil have the soul created before the world some after some will have them created altogether others severally some will have them corporeal some incorporeal some of the substance of God some of the substance of the body So infinitly are mens conceits distracted with variety of opinions whereas there is but one truth which every man dims at but few attain it every man thinks he hath it and yet few enjoy it The main causes of these distractions are pride self-love ambition contempt of Church and Scripture the Humour of Contradiction the Spirit of Faction the desire of Innovation the want of preserment in high Spirits Anger Envy the benefit that ariseth to some by fishing in troubled waters the malignant eye that some have on the Churches prospeâ—ity the greedy appetite others have to Quailes and the Flesh-Pots of Egypt rather then to Manna though sent from Heaven the want or contempt of Authority Discipline and order in the Church which like Bulwarks Walls or Hedges keep out the wild Boars of the Forfest from rooting up the Lords Vineyard and the little Foxes from eating up the Grapes thereof Therefore wise Governours were forced to authorize Bishops Moderatours or Superintendents call them what you will for regulating curbing and punishing such luxurious wits as disturbed the peace of the Church and consequently of the State by their fantastical inventions knowing that too much liberty was no lesse dangerous then Tyranny too much mercy as pernitious as cruelty and a general permission in a Kingdom or State no lesse hazzardous to the publick tranquillity then a general restriction The Contents of the Ninth Section The first original of the Monastical Life 2. The first Eremites or Anchorites 3. The manner of their living 4. Their Excesses in Religion 5. The preheminence of the Sociable Life to the Solitary 6. The first Monks after Anthonie 7. The rules of Saint Basil. 8. Saint Hieroms order 9. Saint Austins order 10. If Saint Austin instituted his Eremites to beg 11. Of Saint Austins Leathern Girdle used at this day 12. The institutions and exercises of the first Monks 13. Why Religious persons cut their Haire and Beards 14. Whence came that custom of Shaving 15. Of the Primitive Nuns 16. Of What account Monks are at this day in the Roman Church 17. How the Monks and Nuns of old were consecrated 18. The Benedictine order 19. Of the orders proceeding from them 20. Of Saint Bennets rules to his Monks 21. The Benedictines Habit and Dyet 22. Rules prescribed by the Councel of Aix to the Monks 23. The Rites and Institutions of the Monks of Cassinum 24. The manner of electing their Abbots 25. The Benedictine Nuns and their rule 26. Of the Laws and Priviledges of Monasteries SECT IX Quest. 1. HAving taken a view of the Opinions in Christian Religion for 1600 years it remains that we now take notice of the strictest observers thereof therefore tell us who they were that separated themselves from other Christians not so much in opinion as in place and strictnesse of living and what was the first original of this separation A. When the Christian Religion in the beginning was opposed by persecutors many holy men and women to avoid the fury of their persecutors retired into desart places where they gave themselves to fasting prayer and meditation in the Scriptures These were called Eremites from the Desart where they lived and Monachi from their single or solitary life And Anchorites from living a part by themselves Such were Paul the Eremite Anthony Hilarion Basil Hierom and others Afterward the Eremites growing weary of the Desarts and Persecution at an end betook themselves into Towns and Cities where they lived together and had all things in common within one building which they called Monastery Covent or Cloyster These Monks were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Worshippers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Exercisers or Wrestlers in Christianity Clerici also as being the Lords inheritance and Philosophers from their study and contemplation of Divine and Humane things Their houses were called Caenobia because they held all things among them in common and Claustra or Cloysters because there they were inclosed from the rest of the world 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Schools of cares and discipline and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 places of exercise As the men had their peculiar Houses or Cloysters so had the women who were willing to separate themselves from the world these were called Nâ—nnâ— or Nuns from the Egyptian word Nennus for there were the first Monasteries from their solitary life they are named Moniales and from their holinesse Sanctimoniales and from the Roman phrase Virgines Vestoles now because these holy men and women lived at first in caves and subterraneal holes they were named Mandritae for Mandrae signifies caves or holes and Troglodyta from those Ethiopians in Arabia neer the Red Sea who lived on Serpents flesh and Roots whose skins were hardned with the nights cold and tanned with the Suns heat They were so called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from their caves where they dwelt Q. 2. Who were the first Eremites or Anchorites A. If we take Eremites for such as have lived in desarts for a while to avoid persecution then we may say that Eliah Iohn Baptist and Christ himself were Eremites For they were forced sometimes to live an Eremitical or solitary life in desarts But if by Eremites we understands such as wholly addicted themselves to an Eremitical or solitary life from the world and worldly affairs that they might the more freely give themselves to fasting prayer and contemplation then the first Eremite we read of since Christ was Poul the Theban who having lost in the persecution under Decius both his Parents and fearing to be betrayed by his Sisters Husband betook himself to a cave at the foot of a Rocky Hill â—bout the year of Christ 260. and there continued all his life to wit from fifteen years of age till he died which was the one hundred and thirteenth year of his life All which time he saw no body but Antonius who being Ninety years old by divine instinct came to Paul on the day he died This Antonius instituted this Eremitical life in Egypt Being twenty years old he sold his Estate and bestowed it on the poor then in remote places he lived alone but that sometimes he would visit his disciples At 35. years he betook himself to the desart till he was 55. Then he returned to the Cities and preached Christ there Afterward he returned again to the desart where he spent the remainder of his life and dyed the 105. year of
divers Families to wit of 8. Sebastian S. Roch S. Ann. S. Anthony S. Dominie S. Martin of the Rosary and divers others Of these passages see Bruschius Balaeus Pol. Virgil Surius in the lives of the Saints the Centuries of Magdeburg Isidor and divers others The Contents of the Tenth Section Of new religious orders sprung out of the Benedictines and first of the Cluniacenses 2. Of the Camaldulenses and Monks of the Shadowy Valley 3. The Sylvestrini Grandimontenses and Carthusians 4. The Monks of S. Anthony of Vienna the Cistertians Bernardins and Humiliati 5. The Fraemonstratenses and Gilbertins 6. The Cruciferi Hospitalarii Trinâ—tarians and Bethlemits 7. The Johannites or first religious Knights in Christendom 8. The Templars 9. The Teutonici or Mariani 10. The Knights of S. Lazarus Calatrava and S. James 11. The orders of Mendicant Friers and first of the Augustinians 12. Of the Carmelits 13. Of the Dominicans 14. Of the Franciscaâ—s 15. Of things chiefly remarkable in the Franciscan order 16. Of the Knights of the holy Sepulchre and Gladiatores 17. Of the Knights of S. Mary of Redemption of the Montesians of the order of Vallis Scholarium and Canons Regular of S. Mark 18. Of S. Clara S. Pauls Eremites and Boni-homines 19. The servants of S. Mary Coelestini and Jesuati 20. The order of S. Briget 21. The order of S. Katherine and S. Justina 22. The Eremites of S. Hierom S. Saviour Albati Fratricelli Turlupini and Montolivetenses 23. The Canâ—ns of S. George the Mendicants of S. Hierom the Canons of Lateran the order of the Holy Ghost and of S. Ambrose ad Nemus and of the Minimi of Iesu-Maria 24. The orders of Knight-hood from the year 1400. namely of the Annunciada of S. Maurice of the Golden Fleece of the Moon of S. Michael of S. Stephen of the holy Spirit c. SECT X. Quest. 1. WHat new Religious Orders did there spring up in the West upon the decay of the Benedictines and what were the Cluniacenses A. After the Benedictines had flourished in the West about 400. years namely from the time of Iustinian tili Conradus the first about the 900. year of Christ out of this root sprung up new branches who being offended at the loose lives of the Benedictines and that they had fallen off from their Founders rule resolved to retain the old rule of Benet but to adde some new statâ—â—es thereto and to underpâ—op the old decaying house with new posts The first that began this reformation was Berâ—o who built a Monastery near Cluniacum over which when he was dying he placed one Odo to be Abbot thereof which Odo was the first indeed that revived Bennets rule and inforced it with new additions and so from the place his Monks were called Cluniacenses and not Benedictines by their rule the Abbot must eat with his Brothers and not alwayes with strangers a revolting Monk may be recevied again above three times fearing least the wandering sheep should become a prey to the Woolf. They renewed the custom of dipping the consecrated bread into the Cup which was used in case of necessity to children and the sick and afterward was promiscuously used by all at the Communion till it was condemned by Pope Iulius 340. years after Christ but this custom revived again An. 580. and was condemned again by the third Synod of Bracara at last An. 920. it was revived by these Monks of Cluniacum When any is to be admitted into their order they are brought to the Monastery there they are clipped shaved washed and stript of their old cloathes and then being new cloathed are admitted These Monks at first were very strict but afterward became more loose Q. 2. What were the Camaldulenses and Monks of the Shady Valley A. About the yeer of Christ 1030. according to Sabellicus one Romualdus of Ravenna perceiving how the rule of Bennet was neglected began to lay the foundation of a new Order in the Field Camaldulum whence he gave the name of Camaldulenses to his Monks He erected as we said before a Monastery upon the top of the Appenins having obtained a place from one Modulus who dreamed he had seen in his sleep Ladders reaching from that place to Heaven on which he saw Mortals cloathed in white mounting upward whereupon Romualdus procureth the place buildeth a Covent and gave his Monks white hoods to wear He enjoynd them also to silence except in time of divine service and yet some to keep their rule of silence the more strictly will not joyn with the rest but pray by themselves two days every week they feed on bread and water which is their fast and sit bare-footed on the ground About half a mile from thence are wooden crosses which women must not go beyond under pain of the Popes curse The order of Vallis Vmbrosa or the Shadowy Valley was instituted An. 1060. by one Iohn Gualbert a Florentine as is said this Iohn having forgiven his enemy who had killed his Brother for which mercy shewed to his enemy in a certain Abby Church whither he went for devotion he was thanked so the story goeth by a Crucifix there which bowed its head to him resolved to renounce the world came to the Shadowy Vally where there were two Monks living In that place he makes up a like house of boards but his fame grew so great that many both Clergy and Lay-men flock to him And the Lady of the soyle being Abbatesse bestowed the ground upon him with other large possessions So he being made Abbot by the consent of the Monks who were gathered together there proposed Saint Bennets rule to be observed which he enlarged by causing lights to burn still in the night both in their Chappel and Dormitory and ordering that they should wear no other cloth but what they made of the wooll of their own sheep He reformed divers Monasteries and placed over them Provosts of his own choosing he built also divers in Lombardy and elsewhere for which he was Canonized and by Alexander 2. and Gregory 7. Popes his order was ratified Their habit was of a purple or as others write of an ash-colour Q. 3. What were the Sylvestrini Grandimontenses and Carthusians A. The Sylvestrini were so named from one Sylvester who instituted this order after the rule and habit of the Monks of Vallis Vmbrosa This order was begun in the Marquisate of Ancona in Italy The Grandimontenses were so called from the voice that three times uttered these words in Grandi Monte that is in the Great Hill where one Peter was advised by the same voice to build his Monastery This Peter was disciple and successor to one Steven who in the year 1076. erected this order in Gascony where on the Hill Muretum he built him a cottage after he had wandered through many desarts He prescribes a rule to his disciples patched up of Bennets rule and of the Rites of the Canons Regular of
then he concludes that the body or flesh which suffered at Ierusalem was not christ body 22. He makes the soul of man to be all one with the Gospel and the body of Christ to be the whole Creation by this and such like stuffe with which his books are fraughted we may see that he deserveth to have his brains purged with Hellebor rather than his crasie opinions refused by arguments or Scripture In the mean while we may perceive to our great grief the lamentable fruits which are begot of two much liberty in religion These impious Opinions are in his printed Pamphlets lately published One Richard Coppiâ— holdeth some of the before recited opinions withall lately before a confused multitude in an usurped pulpit asserted the lawfulnes of womens preaching for such Ranters a pillory were more fit than a pulpit Q. 12. What opinions in Religion are lately broached by Iohn Reeve and Lodowick Muggleton An. These two would perswade us that they are the two last witnesses and prophets of Christ sent by his spirit to seal the foreheads of the elect and reprobate that one Iohn Robins is the last great Antichrist and son of perdition spoken of by the Apostle in the Thessalonians because he sheweth lying signes and wonders and assumes to himself the titles of the onely God in that he calls himself Adam and Melchisedeth and Father of Iesus Christ in saying the three persons in Trinity are Adam that is himself Abel that is his sonne Iesus and Caiâ— that is the holy Ghost Many such blasphemies they ascribe to him They affirm also that Christians using the sword of steel are ignorant of Iesus and enemies to his Gospel and they teach that the two uncreated substances of earth and water were eternally resident in the presence of God the Creator that death was from Eternity that the person of the reprobate Angel or Serpent entred into the womb of Eve and there died but quickened in her all manner of uncleannesse that there is no devil at all without the body of man or woman but what dwells within them so that the devil spoken of so often in the Scripture is mans spirit of unclean reason and cursed imagination that God the Father was a spirituall man from Eternity and that in time his spirituall body brought forth a naturall body that if the very Godhead had not died that is say they the soul of Christ which is the eternall Father had not died all men had perished eternally that Moses and Eliah are angels and did represent the person of the Father in heaven as they did the person of the Son on earth that Eliah was made protectour of God when God became a child and that he filled the Lord Iesus with those great revelations of his former glory which he possessed in heaven when he was the immortall Father and that it was Eliah who spake these words from heaven saying this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased they say also that all the Ministry in this world whether Propheticall or Ministeriall with all the worship taught by them is all a lye and abomination to the Lord. Again they declare that whereas there are three witnesses on earth water blood and the spirit that by water is meant the Commission given to Moses and the Prophets under the Law by blood the Commission given to the Apostles and Ministers of the Gospel by the Spirit is meant the Commission of the two witnesses that were to come in this last age whose ministry is invisible and spirituall cutting off all formall worshipping of an invisible spirituall personall God they say there is hardly a minister in the world that confesseth an invisible God but they preach a God of three persons that is a monster instead of one true personall God they say that the true God is a distinct body or person as a man is a distinct body or person again they say that there is no Christian Magistrate in the world that hath any authority from Christ to set up any visible form of worship and that the spirits and bodies of men are both mortall both begot together and both of one nature that the spirit is nothing without the body that it is the Spirit alone that walks and works eats and drinks and dies for the spirit is a naturall fire of reason they say also that the bodies or persons of holy men wherein they lived and died shall not appear again any more but when the Saints are glorified they are absolutely of the very same glorious nature both in spirit and body as God is and that believing spirits are of the very same divine nature of God This is the summe of their Divinity and Phylosophie as may be seen in their transcendent spirituall Treatise as they call it which is full of transcendent nonsence and blasphemieâ— for here they lay their axe to the very root of Christianity in giving a new Father to our Saviour Jesus Christ in calling the blessed Trinity a monster in denying the Creation whilst they make earth and water eternall in making angels and mens souls mortall in making weak man Gods protector and author of that divine knowledge which was in Christ in denying the Ministry of the Gospel and the power of the Magistrates and the outward worship of God and making the souls of men corporeall in denying also the Resurrection of the flesh and transforming men into the Divine nature By this and other wicked tenets permitted and countenanced among us at this time we see what Christian religion is come to in this land so famous heretofore for piety and zeal we received Christianity as soon as any Nation in Europe whether by the preaching of Saint Peter or Saint Paul or Simon Zelâ—tes or Ioseph of Arimathea I know not but all agree we received it very early and have continued ever since in the profession thereof neither was there ever any Nation more devout and zealous in the advancement thereof as our goodly Temples Monasteries Hospitals Colledges and Schools can witnesse but alas now Quantum mutamur ab illis Angligenis what is there left among us but the bare Skeliton of Religion the vitall substance thereof being eat up and consumed by heresies and blasphemies worse than any Sarcophagus I may here with Ieremiah complain that from the daughter of Sion all her beauty is departed her Princes are become like Harts c. How is the gold become so dimme and the most fine gold changed and the stones of the Sanctuary are scattered in every corner of the streets c. Q. 13. What are the opinions of the Quakers An. These fanaticall spirits are called Quakers because they use to quake and tremble when they prophesie so did the Heathen soothsayers of old non vultus non color unus non compta mansere 〈◊〉 sed pectus anhelum rabie fera corda tument c. but the spirit of God is the spirit of peace
quietnesse and tranquility he is not in fire earthquakes and whirlwinds but in the soft and still voyce it s not the quaking of the body but humility and reverence of mind which he requires these Sectaries deny all ministeriall Ordinances and knowledge got by study and industry pretending an inward light from the spirit and that all our Learning got by Preaching Hearing Reading or Catechising iâ— but notionall and carnall and hanging upon the tree of knowledge they blasphemously prate also that Christ had his failings and that he distrusted God on the Crosse when he cryed out My God my God why hast thou forsaken me by which they overthrow the work of our Redemption which none could perform but he that knew no sin in whose lips was found â—o guil whom his enemies could not accuse of sin They will not have Ministers to preach for titheâ— which they call wages and yet our Saviour saith That the labourer is worthy of his wages and the Apostle That they who serve at the altar should live by the alâ—ar and if they communicate of their spirituall things why should they not participate of the peoples temporall things They will not have particular houses for preaching and prayer and yet among the Iews was the temple and Synagogues and after Christianity was settled Churches were erected They cannot abide studied or methodicall Sermons nor expouâ—ding nor learning in matters of Divinity by which we see how ignorant these people are who despise such helps as God hath given for propagating the Gospel Is it not better to studie and premeditatâ— than to utter quicquid in buecam veâ—erit undigested immethodicall ignorant trash Christ and his Apostles expounded and opened the Scriptures and yet these men reject expounding these men are also against singing of Psalmes a duty practised by Christ and urged by Saint Paul and Saint Iames. They reject infant-Baptisme and yet to infants belongeth the kingdome of heaven They will have no set days for Divine worship and consequently the Lords day must be of no account with them They will have no prayer before and after Sermâ—n and yet the Apostles joyned prayer with their Doctrine and breaking of bread Acts 2. 24. neither did they ever undertake any weighty businesse without prayer They condemn set houres of prayers and yet we read in the Acts of the Apostles that the third and ninth houres were set houres of prayer but by these wild Fancies we may see how crosse-grained these people are in contradicting every thing even Gods word it self if it be not consonant to their shallow reason which they call the spirit but it is indeed the spirit of giddinesse with which they are troubled and trouble others for the rejecting of all outward forms and decent ceremonies in Religion iâ— the overthrow of Religion it self which thought it consist not in ceremonies yet without them it is like a man stript naked of his garments and so for want of them exposed to all injuries of weather and danger of death The leaves of a tree are not the fruit thereof and yet without them the fruit will not prosper Q. 14. What other opinions do the Quakers hold An. Not to mention their â—orrid blasphemies in saying that some of them are Christ some God himself and some equall with God because they have the same spirit in them which is in God They maintain that the Scripture is not the word of God that out preaching is conjuration that expounding of Scripture is adding to it that the letter of Scripture is carnall that the word is not the rule to try the spirits that the soul is a part of God and long existent before the body that there is no Trinity that Christ hath no other body but his Church that Christs coming in the flesh was but a figure that all men have a light in them sufficient to salvation that the man Christ is not ascended into heaven that there is no imputation of Christs righteousnesse that prayer for remission of sinnes 〈◊〉 needlesse that we are justified by our own inherent righteousnesse that there is no 〈◊〉 life or glory to be looked for but in this world that there is no locall heaven nor hell nor resurrection of the body that many of them cannot sin that the calling of our Ministry is Antichristian that our preaching is altogether uselesse that themselves are immediately called by God that our worshiping of God in the Church is heathenish that the of children with water in Baptisme is Antichristian that we have no Sacraments that Dâ—vids Psalms are â—arnall and noâ— to be sung that in our Churches which they â—ll breasts houses God is not worshipped 〈◊〉 Christ 〈◊〉 to destroy all propertie and that therefore all things ought to be common that no man is to be called Master or Sir or to be saluted by the way and that one man ought not to have power over another here we see that these men despise Magistracy reject the Ministry sleight all decency and ordinances in Christs Church and in a word overthrow as much as in them lyeth all Religion and piety setting up a Babel of their own full of impiety ignorance aud blasphemie these are the fruits of too much liberty and the effects of reading Scripture by ignorant and malicious spirits who like spiders suck poyson out of the sweetest and wholesomest flowers and like mad men use that sword of the word to destroy themselves and others which was ordained to saye and defend us from our enemies Q. 15 Wherein do the absurdities and impieties of their opinions consist An. 1. In rejecting all Vniversity Learning because Christ and his Apostles were never taught in Schools but this opinion is ridiculous for Christ and his Apostles taught no other Divinity for the matter than what is taught in Universities the difference is onely in the manner of attaining this knowledge for they had it by inspiration we by study labour and instruction and yet the prophets had their Schools and Colledges both on the hill of God 1 Sam. 10. 5. 10. and at Bethel 2 Kings 2. 3. and at Iericho v. 5. and at Naiâ—th 1 Sam. 14. 20. Elisha had his Colledge 2 Kings 6. 1. 2. They will not have us expound Scripture because the Apostles expoundeâ— them but this conceit is also frivolous for to what purpose did Christ appoint Doctours and Pastors to continue still with his Church if they are not to expound Scripture what the Apostles expounded briefly we expound more fully In their expositions there be many intricate obscure high and figurative passages which require a further exposition God did never reveal all his truth at one time Among the Jews we read that Ezra the Scribe and the Levites expounded the Law Neh. 8. Christ took a Text and expounded it Luke 4. and so did Philip Acts 8. 3. They will not have Ministers to be called Masters but I would know of these men whether they that labour in
whose Sacrifice the Father is well pleased but also to sheâ— Preachers that their prayers must like Incense ascend before God and that the good fame of their life and Doctrine must be like the fume of Incense smelling sweetly among all men The Deacon also reads the Gospel in a high place that it may be heard the better and to shew that it ought not to be preacheâ— in corners but as Christ saith on the house topps this is also in imitation of Christ who when he would reach his Disciples went up into an high mountain The Gospel is read with the Deacons face against the North that the frosen and cold hearts of the Northern Nations might be warmed and melted by the comfortable heat of this bright Sun of the Gospel When the Deacon salutes the people he signes himself with the â—rosse on the forehead to shew he is not ashamed of the Crosse of Christ and likeways on the breast to put us in minde that we should be ready to crucifie our affections with Christ. At the reading of the Gospel all stand up bare-headed to shew their reverence Swords and Staves are laid aside to shew their peacable mindes and the Book is kissed to declare by this their love and affection to the Gospel They say that Christ performed the Deacons part when he preached and prayed for his Apostles Their third and highest Sacred order is Priest-hood when the Priest is ordained the Bishop with some other Priests lay their hands on his head and anoint his hands with oyle to signifie that not onely must the Priest have his head stuffed with knowledge but his hands must be supple and ready to do good workes the Bishop also delivers into his hand the Chalice with the VVine and the Patin with the hoaft saying Receive power to say Masse for the quick and dead and to offer Sacrifice to God in the name of the Lord. Then the 〈◊〉 kisseth the Priest to shew he is his equal in respect of order whereas the Deacon and Sub-Deacon kisse the Bishops hand to shew they are of an inferiour order The Priest must not say Masse till he first have washed and confessed if he be guilty of any deadly sin and have put on first the Amictus which like a vaile covers his head and shoulders to shew how Christs Divinity was vailed by his humanity 2â— the Alba or Talaris because it reacheth to the heeles in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which by its whitenesse signifieth innocency and by its length perseverance two vertues fit for Priests 3. The Girdle or Belt about their loynes to shew the subduing of their concupiscence 4. The Stola or Orarium about the neck and hanging crosse-way on the breast signifie that the Priest most undergo the yoak of Christ and still meditate on his Crosse. 5. The Mappula or Manipulus which is a Towell or Handkerchief for wiping away the sweat from their faces and moysture from their eyes representing also the purity that ought to be in the Priests lives 6. The Casula over all the other garments signifying charity which is above all vertues Christ exercised the Priests office when he administred the Eucharist when he offered the Propitiatory Sacrifice of his body on the Altar of the Crosse and yet whilest he is making intercession for us in heaven Q. 17. Wherein consisteth the office of the Bishop A. Under this name are comprehended Popes Patriarchs Primats Metropolitans Arch-Bishops and Bishops Some will have the Bishop to be a particular order but indeed the order of Priest and Bishop is all one in respect of catechising baptising preaching administring the Eucharist binding and loosing The Bishop then is an office of dignity not of order he hath nine priviledges above the Priest namely of Ordination Benediction of Nuns consecration of Bishops and imposing hands on them Dedication of Churches Degradation holding of Synods making of Chrisme hallowing of Cloathes and Vessells Because Bishops are Superintendents and Overseers therefore they have the highest Seat in the Church they are consecrated on the Lords day only and at the third hour because then the holy Ghost descended on the Apostles to whom Bishops have succeeded At the Bishops consecation there must be present at least three to wit two Bishops and the Metropolitan that the gifts of the Spirit may not seem to be giveâ— by stealth and in corners in this they follow the example of Saint Iames who was made Bishop of Ierusalem by Peter Iames and Iehn In the Bishops consecration two hold the Bible over his head one pouring the benediction on him and the rest laying their hands on his head By this Ceremony is signified not onely the conferring of the gifts of the spirit but also the knowledge which the Bishop must have of the Gospel and the care he must undergoe to support it On the Saturday in the evening he is examined concerning his former life and the Trinity is three times called upon for a blessing The next morning he is examined concerning his future conversation and faith and then his head and hands are annointed and the Mytre is set on his head the Staffe also and Ring are given him The Priest is annointed with oyl but the Bishop with chrism that is Oyl and Balsome to shew that the higher he is in dignity the more fragrant must his fame and conversation be He must excel in knowledge and good works represented by the annointing of his head and hands Christ performed the Bishops office when he lifted up his hands and blessed his Apostles saying Receive the holy Ghost whose sins you forgive they are forgiven c. Q. 18. What colours do they hold sacred in the Church of Rome A. Four namely White Red Black and Green White is worn in the festivities of Saints Confessors and Virgins if they be not Martyrs to shew their integrity and innocency In festivities also of Angels because of their brightnesse in the feast of the Virgin Mary of All Saints yet some then wear red of Iohn Baptists Nativity of Saint Pauls Conversion of Saint Peters Chair also from the Vigil of Christs Nativity to the eighth day of Epiphany except there be some Martyrs days between On Christs Nativity on the feast of Iohn the Evangelist on the Epiphany because of the Star thaâ— appeared to the wise men on the day of the Lords supper because then the chrisme is consecrated on the holy Sabbath till the eighth day of the Ascension on the Resurrection because of the Angel that appeared in white on the Ascension day because of the bright cloud that carried up Christ to Heaven and the two Angels then in white on the feast of dedication because the Church is Christs Spouse which ought to be innocent and immaculate The Red colour is used in the Solemnities of the Apostles Evangelists and Martyrs for they shed their blood for Christ in the Festivity of the Crosse also in Pentecost week because the
passion is read in the Pulpit uncovered the dividing of Christs Garment is represented by the Sub-Deacons much adoration is given to the Crosse. Christs body is carried by two Priests to the Altar which body was consecrated the day before for on this day and on the holy Sabbath the Sacrament is not celebrated because the Apostles those two days were in great fear and sadnesse And so there is no divine office this Sabbath On this day the Agni Dei or Lambs of Wax are consecrated to defend those that carry them from Thunder and Lightning The Paschal Taper is also consecrated and the fire which was put out is renewed by new sparkes out of a flint to represent Christ the true Light of the world and that stone cut out of the mountain on the Taper being lighted are fastned five pieces of frankincense to represent the spices brought by the Women and Christs five wounds The Taper hath three things in it representing Christ. The cotton or week signifieth his Soul the wax his Body and the light his Divinity It also putteth the people in minde of the firie Pillar which went before the Israelites to Canaan The light of the Taper also signifieth both the light of the Gospel here and the light of glory hereafter The Lessons are read without title or tone the Fonts or Baptisteria are also blessed this day to shew that by Baptisme we are buried with Christ the Priest in consecrating the water toucheth it with his hand dips the Taper in it bloweth on it and mixeth the chrisme with it Baptisme is to be administred but twice a year to wit at this time and on the day of Pentecost except in case of necessity besides divers ceremonies used in Baptism the Priest bloweth three times on the Infant gives him chrisme and a white garment Four sorts are excluded from being witnesses in Baptism namely religious Persons Infidels such as are not confirmed a man and his wife together for becoming spiritual parents they are not to know one another carnally any more They say divers Letanies in Baptism Confirmation is done by the Bishop who anoints the child with chrisme on the forehead as the Priest had done on the crown of his head in Baptism The reason why the child is twice anointed with chrisme is because the holy Ghost was given twice to the Apostles once here on earth before Christs ascension and once from heaven in a fuller measure after Christs ascension By the first they received a new birth or regeneration by the second growth strength and perfection Therefore this Sacrament of confirmation is called by the Greek Fathers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 perfection or consummation The chrisme wherewith they are anointed is made and consecrated on the day of the Lords Supper because two days afore Easter Mary Magdalen anointed Christs head and feet The Priest must not confirme except by delegation from the Pope this belongs onely to the Bishop because it is an Apostolical Function and Bishops are the Apostles successors Confirmation is not to be given to those that are not baptized because the character of this Sacrament presupposeth the character of Baptisme Neither must children be confirmed till they be able to give an account of their faith Then the Bishop strikes the childe on the cheek with his hand to shew he must be content to suffer for Christ. On the holy Sabbath the Altars begin to be covered again Gloria in excelsis is sung the Bells are rung as preparatives for the Resurrection but before the Gospel incense is carried instead of light to shew that the light of the world was supposed to be yet in the grave by the women that went to embalme him And the Post-Communion is not sung to shew how the Apostles were silent when Christ was apprehended Q. 22. What be their other holy days which they observe A. The chief is the Feast of Easter in which their Churches Altars Crosses and Priests are cloathed in their best Ornaments nothing this day must be eat or drunk without the Priests benediction and signed with the Crosse. In Easter week the custome was in Salutations to say The Lord is risen and to answer thus Thanks be to God and then to kisse each other which custome is yet observed by the Pope to the Cardinals when he sayeth Masse this day The next Sunday to Easter is called Dominica in albis because they that are baptized on the holy Sabbath lay aside on this day their white Garments The second Sunday is called Expectationis the day of expectation or looking for the comming of the Holy Ghost On Easter day before Masse there is a solemn procession of the Priests cloathed in white singing the Resuâ—rection before whom are carried Tapers burning Crosses and Banners There are also Processions all the week after to the Fonts singing in imitation of the Israelites rejoycing for the drowning of their enemies in the read sea Baptism is the sea and our sins are our enemies every day also this week the Neophytes are led to the Church by their god-fathers and god-mothers with wax Tapers before them which on the next Sunday called in albis they offer to the Priests From the Octaves of Easter till Whitsunday are sung two Halellujahs every Sunday and one every working day to shew that the joyes of heaven are represented which the soul onely participates till the Resurrection and after that soul and body together which is a double Hallelujah every day iâ— Easter week hath its peculiar Epistle and Gospel mentioning the Resurrection of Christ and our happinesse in heaven to this same purpose hath every Sunday after Easter its peculiar Masse and service Rogation Sunday which is the fifth after Easter is so called from praying or asking for being Ascension day is neer and we cannot follow Christ corporally into heaven therefore we are taught to follow him by our prayers three days then before Ascension day are Rogations Letanies or prayers both for spiritual and temporal blessings the Letany used at this time is called the Lesser invented by Mamertus Bishop of Vienna in a time when Wolves and other wild Beasts had broke out of the woods and killed divers people the greater Letany was the invention of Gregory the first when Rome was afflicted with a great Plague caused by the poysonable breath of serpents on these Rogation daies there use to be processions with Crosses Reliques and Banners carried before singing also and praying for divers blessings among the rest for the fruits of the earth the Vigil or Eve of Ascension hath its proper Mass on Ascension day is a soleum procession on the Sunday after promises are read concerning the coming of the holy Ghost on Whitsun Eve Baptisme is celebrated as it was on Easter Eve for as we are dead with Christ iâ— baptisme so we are baptized with the Holy Ghost which was accomplished when he came down on the Apostles the Feast of Pentecost is kept seven
with one eye put out sometimes by mists and vapors arising out of the earth Endymion was the sun with whom the Moon is in love visiting him once every moneth Ianus also was the Sun who is keeper of the four doores of Heaven to wit East West North and South he hath two faces seeing as well backward as forward in one hand he hath a Scepter in the other a Key to shew that he rules the day and that he openeth it to us in the morning and shuts it in the Evening Ianus was the first that taughâ— men Religion and doubtlesse men became Religious and did acknowledge a Deity by beholding the Beauty Motion Power and Influence of the Sunne By Ianus was placed a Serpent biting his tail intimating that the sunnes annuall motion is circular beginning where it ends atque in se sua per vestigia labitur annus By Minerva also was meant the sunne as appears by the golden Lamp dedicated to her at Athens in which burned a perpetual light maintained with oil which not only shews the suns golden beams and inextinguishible light but also that oil as all other fruits are begot by his heaâ— for the same cause she was the inventer of Arts and sciences and held the Goddesse of Wisedome and Learning for by the moderate heat of the sunne the organs of the brain are so tempered and the spirits refined that all Arts by men of such temper have been found and wise actions performed she had a golden Helmet and a round Target the one signifying the colour the other the orb of the Sunne the Dragon dedicated to her signified the sunnes piercing eye as the Cock was dedicated to Minerva so he was to the sunne to shew that by these two names one Deity was meant no man could look upon her Target having Gorgâ—ns head in it without danger nor may any without danger of his eyes look upon the sunne The Athenians preferred Minerva to Neptâ—â—e because the benefits men have by the Sunne are greater than those they have by the Sea and that hot and dry Constitutions are fitter to make Scholars than cold and moist for the fire which Prometheus stole from the sun brought Arts to perfection The Image of Pallas was kept in Vesta's Temple where the sacred fire burned perpetually to shew that the sunne the â—ouâ—tain of heat and light is the same that Minerva who was called Pallas from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to signifie the shaking and brandishing of the Sun beams expressed also by the brandishing of the spear She had power to use Iupiters thunder and to raise storms to shew that thunder and storms are caused by the Suns heat she and Vulcan the god of Fire were worshipped on the same Altar to shew these two were but one Deity to wit the Sun who is the god of Fire which Homer also expressed by giving her a fiery Charriot and a golden Lamp holding out a beautifull light she made her self invisible by putting on the dark helmet of Orcus so is the Sunne to us when he is covered with mists clouds and vapours which arise from Orcus or the loweâ— parts of the earth and so he is invisible to us when he goeth under Orcus or our hâ—misphere By Nemesis the Goddesse of Revenge was also meant the Sun for he punisheth the sinnes of men by pestilence famine and the sword for he by his heat either raiseth infectious vapors or inflameth the blood burns up the fruits of the earth and stirreth up the spirits of men to strife and Waâ—â—es as Nemesis raised the humble and humbled the proud so doth the Sun obscure lucid bodies and illustrate obscure things The Aâ—gyptians to shew that the Sun and Nemesis were the same they placed her above the Moon By beautifull Tithonus also they meant the Sun who is the beauty of the world Aurora was in love with him and rejoyced at his presence it is the approach of the Sun that gives beauty lovelynesse and chearfulnesse to the morning Tithonus in Aurora's Charriot was carried to Ethiopia where he begets black Memnoâ— of her to shew that the Sun in the morning having mounted above our Hemisphere moves towards the South parts of the world where by his excessive heat in the Meridian he â—awns or blacks the Ethiopians Tithonus in his old age became a weak grashopper so in the Evening the light and heat of the Sun weakneth and decayeth to us By Castor and Polluâ— they signified the Sun and Moon the one that is the Sun being a Champiâ—â— subdueth all things with his heat the other to wit the Moon is a rider if we consider the swiftnesse of its motion they may be said to divide immortality between them because when the one liveth that is shineth the other is obscured and in a manner dead to us they ride on white horses to shew their light and motion They that will see more of the Sun let them read what we have written elsewhere in Mystagog Pâ—eâ—ico But besides what we have written there we now make it appear that the Sun was in a manner the onely Deity they worshipped for the honoâ—r they gave the Moon Fire Stars Air Earth and Sea was all in relation to the Sun as they are subservient to him and the many names they gave to the Moon as Minerva Vesta Vrania Luna Iuno Diana Isis Lucina Hecate Cybele Astarte Erthus were onely to signifie the different operations of the Sun by the Moon so that as Aristotle de mundo saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God being One hath many names from his many effects which he produceth in the world The Sun then in regard of the seminall vertue generative facultie and desire of procreation which he gives to sublunary creatures for eternizing of their severall species is called Venus à venis from the veins and arteries for these also were anciently called veins in which are the blood and vitall spirits the proper vehicles of Venus or the seminal vertue of which the seed of generation is begot which the Prince of Poets knew when he said of Dido's Venereal love Vulnus alit venis Every Spring when the sunne returneth to us he brings this venereal faculty with him therefore he may be called Venus à veniendo from coming for he cometh accompanied every year in the spring with this generative desire which he infuseth in the creatures which the same learned Poet Geor. l. 2. acknowledgeth in these divine Verses Ver adeo â—râ—ndi nemorum ver utile silvis Veâ—e tument terrae genitalia semina poscunt Tum Pater omnipotens foeâ—undis imbribus â—ther Conjugis in gremium laetae descendit omnes Magnus alit magno commistus corpore foetus Avia tum resonant avibus virgulta canoris Et Venerem certis repet unt â—rmenta diebus Parturit omnis ager c. And in another place Geor. 3. he sheweth the reason why in the spring living
creatures are more prone to venery because the Sun infuseth then a moderate heat into the body Vere magis quia vere calor â—edit ossibus c. This venereal desire is by the Poets called Vrania and Olympia because it proceeds from heaven namely from the Sun the chief ruler in heaven And to shew that by Venus they meant the Sun as he is the God of love they speak of her in the Masculine Gender so doth Virgil Aen. 2. descendo ac ducente Deo flammam inter hostes They paint her with a beard hence Venns barbata to shew the sunne-beams They gave her the Epithets of the Sun in calling her golden Venus so doth Virgil Aen. 10. Venus aurea and by the Greek Poets 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and by the Eastern people she was called Baaâ—eth Shammajim the ruler of Heaven and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Phosphorus or Lucifer from the light of the sunne which Venus or the Moon borroweth So what Orpheus in Hymnis speaks of Venus is to be understood of the sunne 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is thou procreates all things in Heaven in the fruitfull earth and in the sea or depth She is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fair haired to shew the beauty of the sunne-beams And Euripides in Phoeniss gives her 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a golden circled light by Cupid also was meant the sunne who was painted young with wings crowned with Roses and naked to shew the eternity swiftnes colour and native beauty of that great Luminary who may be called the god of love in that by his heat he excites love in all living creatures as is already said By Luna or the Moon they understood the sunne for though these be two different Planets yet in effect they are but one Luminary for the Moon hath her light from the sunne therefore she is called sometimes the sister sometimes the daughter of Phoebus she is painted with a Torch and Arrows and with Wings to signifie her motion and that her light and operations are originally from the sun As the Hawk was dedicated to the sun because of her high flying and quick fight so the Moon was represented by a white skinned man with an Hawks head for her whitenesse is not from her self but from the Hawks head that is the sun They held her to be both male female to shew that she is the sun in acting the Moon in suffering she receiveth her light and power from the sun in this she is passive she imparts this light and power to the inferior world in this she is active she is called Lucina also from this borrowed light and Diana from the divine qualities thereof for which cause Diana was held to bee the sister of Phoebus and Iuno from helping she was painted with beams about her face sitting upon Lions with a scepter in her hand by which was meant the Dominion she hath received from the sun and whereas they made the rain bow to attend upon Iuno they meant hereby that the sun makes the rain-bow therefore by Iuno they meant the sun So when they make Vulcan the son of Iuno they understand the sun for he by his heat causeth fire and not the Moon And so Mars the god of fire is said to be Iuno's son that is the sun for it is he that inflameth mens bloods and not the Moon They expressed the power of the sun over the sea and other waters by the names of Neptune Nâ—râ—us Glaucus Triton and other sea Deities When they would expresse his operations on the earth they gave him the names of Vesta â—ybele Bona dea c when they would shew his power under the Earth then they used the names of Orcus Pluto Proserpina Charon Cerberus c. Orcus is from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an oath because they used to swear by the sun Eâ—to mî sol testis ad haec conscia Iuno Aen. 12. and in another place Aen. 4. Sol qui terrarum flammis opera omnia lustras Pluto is from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wealth for all wealth both upon and within the earth is begot of the suns heat and influence When he is under our Hemisphere he is called the god of hell he is said to ravish Proserpina that is the seminal vertue of vegetables which in the Winter and the sun's absence lyeth hid in the bowels of the Earth his influence upon the corn and other seeds cast into the Earrh and causing them proserpere to creep out thence is called Proserpina Charon is from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 joy the sun is joyfull to us by his presence and as he is Phoebus or light of the world he is also joyfull to us by his absence and as he is Charon under the earth for then he permits the air to receive refrigeration by which all things are refreshed Cerberus is as much as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a flesh eater for aâ— all flesh is generated by the Sun so is all flesh consumed by the same Cerberus had three heads to shew that time which devoureth all things hath three heads one present the other past and the third to come now the Sun by his motion is the measurer of time in which respect he is called Cerberus and so he was represented by Saturn cutting down all things with his â—ickle for all things are consumed by time Tempus â—dax rerum tuque invidiosa vetustas omnia dellruitis By what we have said appears that the wise Gentiles did acknowledge but one Deity giving him divers names from his divers effects and operations This Deity was nothing else but the Sun as we have shewed whose power is diffused every where and nothing as David saith is hid from the heat thereof Iovis omnia plena saith Virgil Ecl. 3 all things are filled with Iupâ—ter and elsewhere he singâ— Gâ—or 4. that God runs through all the parts of the earth of the sea and of the heaven Deum namque ire per omnes terrasque tractusque maris coelumque profundum Aen. 6. And in his Divine Poem he sings that this spirit for so he calls the Sun and so did Solomon before him in the first of Ecclesiastes cherisheth Heaven Earth Sea Moon and Stars and that he diffuseth himself through all parts of the world and produceth Men Beasts Birds Fishes which he animates and foments Principio coelum at terram camposque liquentes Luâ—entemque gloâ—um Lâ—nae Titaniaque astra Spiritus intus alit totamque infusa per artus Mens agitat molem magno so corpore â—iscet Inde hominum pecudumque genus vitâ—que 〈◊〉 Et quae marâ—â—reo â—ert monstra sub aequâ—re Pâ—ntus Igneuâ— est ollis vigor â—oelestâ— origo c. But here it may be objected that seeing the Gentiles acknowledged the power and vertue of the Sun to be every where why did they devise so many pettie Deities I answer this multiplication of Deities was for
in points of Religion but let us maintain the Unity of the Spirit in the bond of love and know that Religion is not in words but in works not in opinions but in assurance not in speculation but in practice Pure Religion and undefiled before God is to visit 〈◊〉 Fatherlesse and widows c. to do good and to communicate for with such Sacrifice God is well pleased that not the bearers of the Law but the doers shall be justified that not they that cry Lord Lord shall enter into heaven but they who do the will of our Father that without peace and holinesse no man shall see the Lord that they who seed the hungâ—y and cloath the naked c. shall inherit the Kingdome prepared for them from the beginning of the world And God grant that we may run the wayes of Gods Commandements walk in love tread in the paths of righteousnesse â—ight the good fight run the race set before us with patience looking unto Iesus the Authour and Finisher of our faith that having finished our course and wrought out our salvation with 〈◊〉 and trembling may at last receive the Crown of righteousnesse In the mean while let us not forget our Saviours Legacy which is Love one another and my peace I leave with you Are we not all the members of one body the sheep of one fold the children of one Father Do we not all eat of the same bread drink of the same cup live by the same Spirit hope for the same inheritance are we not all washed with the same Baptisme and redeemed by the same saviour why then should we not be of the same heart and mind with the Apostles why is there such strugling in the womb of Rebecca such a noise of hammers in building Christs mysticall Temple such clashing of arms under the Prince of peace is this Christianity Alas we are Mahuâ—etanes or Gentiles in practise and Christians in name Now the God of peace that brought again our Lord Iesus from the dead give us the peace of God that passeth all understanding that we may all think and do the same thing That as there is but one shepherd so theâ—e may be but one sheepfold The Church of God is a little flock beset with many Wolves of Iews Turks Pagans Atheists why then should we not be carefull to preserve peace love and unity among our selves the onely thing to make us formidable to our enemies Concordia res parvae crescunt A bundle of Arrows cannot be broken except they be separated and disjoyned nor could the horse tail be plucked off as Sertorius shewed his Romans so long as the hairs were twisted together as hard a matter it will be to overcome us so long as we are united in love but let this band be broken and we are a prey to every enemy imbelles damae quid nisi praeda sumus If we will needs fight let us buckle with our profest and common enemies with the Devil the world and the Flâ—sh with Principalites and Powers with spirituall darknesse and chiefly with our selves Nec tonge scilicet hostes quaerendi nobis circumstant undique muros We have a Trojan horse full of armed enemies in the Citadel of our hearts we have Iebusites within us which we may subjugate but can never exterminate and such is our condition that we are pestered with enemies whom we can neither fly from nor put to flight Nec fugere possumus nec sugare If we did exercise our selves oftner in this spiritual Militia we should not quarrel so much as we do nor raise such tragedies every where in the Church of Christ about controversies opinions quarrelling about the shell of Religion being carelesse what become of the kernel With Martha we busie our selves about many things but neglect that Vnum necessarium playing Philosophers in our disputes but Epicures in our lives I wil end in the words of Lactantius Instit. 6. c. 1. 2. Innecentiam sâ—lam 〈◊〉 quis obtulerit Deo satis pie religioseque litavit He is the most religious man who offers to God the best giâ—t which is innocency For Christian Religion consisteth not in words but in gifts and sacrifices our gifts are perpetual our sacrifices but temporary our gifts are sincere hearts our sacrifices are praises and thanksgivings No Religion can be true but what is grounded on goodnesse and justice FINIS The Alphabetical TABLE of the chief things conteined in the severall Sections of The View of all Religions c. A. ABbots how elected 275. c. how consecrated 343. c. Abraxas the Sun 519. c. Abyssins their religion 494. c. Adamites 366. Adonis the Sun 517. Africa the religion thereof 94. c. African Islands their religions 102. Albati 318. etc. Albigenses and their opinions 223 c. America the religion thereof 102 c. Southern America the religion thereof 112. etc. Americans their superstitious fear and tyranny thereof 116 etc. Anabaptists 229 c. of Moravia 230 etc. their opinions and names 361 c. Angola its religion 100 c. Antinomians 366. Apis the Sun 518 c. Apollo the Sun 516. Apostles and their office 396. Arabians their religion and discipline 67 c. Armenians their religion 489 c. Arminians their tenets 367 c. Asia the religions thereof 1.2 c. Atys the Sun 518. S Austins girdle 257 c. B. Babylonians their ancient religion 58 c. Bel and Belenus the Sun 520. Bengala its religion 83. Bishops 399. 405. c. Bisnagar its religion 87 c. Brasil its religion 113 c. S. Bridgets Order 313 c. Brownists their kinds and tenets 363 c. Buildings first erected for divine service 4. Burial of the dead an Act of justice and mercy 131 c. C. Calvins doctrine 236 c. Camaldulenses 283. Cambaia its religion 84. Canons of S. Saviour 318. of S. George 319 c. of Lateran 320. Carmelites 300 c. Carthusians 284 c. Cerberus the Sun 527. Ceremonies in religion 513 c. Charom the Sun 526 c. Chinois their religion 79 c. Christianity its beginning 181 c. It yeelds to Mahumetanisme 182 c. Its excellency 538 c. Christian duties urged 542 c. Churches from the beginningâ— 1 2. etc 1 2. c. set Day Sacrifices and Church-Government from the beginning 5 c. Under Moses 6. After Moses 7. Under David and Solomon 8 c. After Solomon 9 c. Among the ten Tribes 11. In and after the Captivity of Babylon 28 c. Among the Iewes at this day 29 c. Church Offices sold among the Iewes 49 c. Church how to be governed 409. Church-Governours ibid. c. Alterable 410. Church of Arnhem vide Millenaries Church of England deplored and Remedy against her growing errours 427. Of Protestant Churches 496 c. Church of Rome wherein different from other Churches 429 c. Cluniacenses 282. Colours of the Sun worn
act parts the most contrary to her nature imbruing her white and innocent hands in blood and Massacres But as she hath met with Wolves to destroy and tear in pieces so hath she also met with Shepheards to heal and protect and among those the most laborious Authour of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ANZEBEIA hath not bin the least considerable His severe and most indefatigable labours in most parts of Learning are consummated in this piece of Religion wherein like an experienced Anatomist he hath left no vein un-cut up To fall into excessive commendations of him were to commit a moral absurdity by praising one whom the general Trumpet of Fame hath blaz'd abroad for so great an advancer of Vertue and Learning But to trouble you with them were yet to be so much the more importunate whose conversation with him was so great that whatsoever I may say of him I shall not acquaint you with so much as your self know Nor did the influence of your Patronage raise and animate only him but there are so many other monuments of your great encouragements to learning that it will be thought modesty in me not to mention all But your excessive Benefactorship to the Library of S. Iohns Colledge at Cambridge whereof I have sometimes had the honour to be an unworthy member I cannot passe over as a thing which will stand upon the file of memory as long as learning shall find professors or children And that which increases the glory of your munificence is that that Library may hoast that it is furnished with the works of its owne sonnes which being the greatest act of retribution and gratitude that may be must be accordingly acknowledged by all that shall come after But that which hath the most engaged and satisfied the English world is that your endeavours have displayed themselves in their clearest light in that one thing that is necessary that is to say Religion not only by being a constant assertor of her purity here in England but in that after more then Ulyssean Travels throughout most parts of Europe you have returned to your former enjoyments of that chast Penelope when others either out of weaknesse or surprise are ensnared and besotted with the Tenets of other Countries whereby they are both ingrateful and injurious to their own by preferring the prudence and policy of another before hers Religion certainly if well improved is the Talent that felicifies the improver if not condemnes him It is that universal Patrimony which entitles us to be the sonnes of God and by which we are adopted into the assured hope of eternal happinesse It is the Loadstone wherewith when our soules are once touched they are directed to the right pole of the eternally beatifical vision and without which we must infallibly expect to split against the rocks and shelves of perdition It is the consummation of heavens indulgence to Mankind that which doth familiarize us and makes good our Interest in the great being and cause of all things It is the perfection of nature since that whatsoever we know of the divinity by her comes only by the assistance and mediation of our sences but the other furnishes us with a more evident assurance and that in things which can be neither seen heard nor conceived by the more particular providence of Grace and Faith whereby he is pleased to bow down the heavens and descend unto a familiar conversation with our very spirits But that which ought further to endear all men to Religion is that she only next to God may pretend Ubiquity as being a thing written in such indelible characters in the hearts of all men that even the most barbarous nations and the greatest strangers to civility and policy have acknowledged some divine worship though their pravity or want of instruction may have blinded them from the true but yet that eclipse of the true God hath not been total insomuch as they have still retained a sense and veneration of Religion so that to the best of their imaginations they have created something like God to themselves To make this yet more evident we are to note that most people though they had not so clear apprehensions of the immortality of the soul as we have yet were they not only perswaded of the impossibility of its annihilation but have also acknowledged rewards and punishments to be expected after this life To ascend yet a little higher the divinity and preheminence of Religion is demonstrated in that it exerciseth that Empire and Soveraignty over the mind of man that no blandishments of the flesh no temptations no torments have been able to dispossesse it It hath triumph'd in the midst of its persecutions and by her sufferings hath conquered her persecutors Her pleasing Ravishments can stifle for a time all sence of humanity elude flames and racks and so arm the delicacy and tendernesse of virgin-purity as to overcome the hardiest Tyrants It is she that raises our soules to a holy boldnesse and intimacy in our addresses to heaven being indeed rapt into the heavens of divine contemplation by her extasies and illuminations It was her inspiring communication that elevated your pious soul when you described the divine perfections of the incomparable THEOPHILA These things can she do and greater when there is but one grain of true Faith but when she is defiled and adulterated with humane ceremonies and inventions she is deformed and looses all her grace and beauty And among these hath she met with two most importunate pretenders Atheisme and Superstition the one strips her stark naked the other meretriciously prostitutes her in the disguises of humane Inventions And that she hath been thus evill entreated in all places and times this book gives but too great testimony whether you look on the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or this small appendix treating for the most of what happened in High and Low Germany I would not draw any excuse for our own gyrations of Religion here from their madnesse but rather condem◠them as things that would have out-vy'd the extravagance of the former But to draw any argument against Religion from either were impious for if we did we must in consequence deny all both particular and universal providence of Almighty God we must deny the Scriptures the heavenly Legacy of eternal salvation we must deny Heaven Hell Eternity nay take away the Cement of all humane society and expect to see the order and beauty of the universe hurried into darknesse and confusion since it ought not to out-last man for whom it was created Nay but let us rather professe humanity and make this use of the failings and extravagance of others in matters of Religion To humble our selves to a relyance on that immense Being who hath thought fit to plant Religion in the heart of man to direct him in his voyage to eternal happinesse wherein that every man might take the right way is the earnest prayer of Worthy SIR Your most devoted and
perswaded men that if they were not baptized by him and his they must necessarily incurre great danger 〈◊〉 their souls To which he added that those who 〈…〉 with the pâ—crogative of his Baptisme should be the restored people of Israel and that the wicked Cananites should be destroyed by their swords and the God himself should râ—â—eale from heaven the times wherein these things should be fulfilled To visions horrible dreams which he thought procâ—eded to him from God he gave great credit and he affirmed that he saw the preparations of the last day and the Angel going to blow the Trumpet by an indispurable revel 〈…〉 Godâ— Upon the account of which dreams his 〈◊〉 as â—redulous as their Master speâ—r and destroyed all they had fearing the difficulties of the times wherein they should spend them all which being scatter'd and consum'd before the day came they suffer'd a punishment and inconveniences befitting their folly having the lash of poverty perpetually at their backs However they a generation on whom the greatest quantity of black Hellebore would not be much effectuall did still adore this miraculous piece of 〈◊〉 as â— true Prophet even to admiration of which men some not worthy the face or name of mankind do at this day in great numbers live at Merhern in Palaces and Covents upon their accidental contributions and where they get their livelihood with their hands and apply themselves to any handy-craft whereof they are the Masters and Governours who by the commodities gained by them increase the common stock They have at home with them their Cooks their skullions their errand-boyes and their Butlers who have a care and dispose all things as they do in Monasteries and Hospitals They study to maintain mutual peace and concord being all equal These even to this day are commonly known by thâ— name of the Hutsian Fraternity LODOWICK HETZER Polluit ut mentem Sectis deformibus error Corpore sic Hetzer foedus adulter erat THE CONTENTS LOdowick Hetzer a famous Heretick He gaines Proselytes in Austria and Switzerland Anno 1527. at a publick disputation Oecolampadius puts Hetzers Emissaries to their shifts Hetzer denied christ to be co-essentiall with the Father His farewell to his Disciples He is put to death 〈◊〉 Adultrery LOdowick Hetzer famous for his Heresie and Learning was first very inâ—imately acquainted with Nicholos Stork and then with Thomâ— Muntzer yet he agreed not with these in some things as in that opinion of theirs of the overturning and destroying of all the powers of this world which opinion he looking on as malicious and barbarous forlook them and joyning with Iohn Deâ—â— they by their mutual endeavours sent some Prophets into Germany But dissenting also from him in some things be propagated his own sect in Austria and made many Proselytes at Berâ— in Switzerland Which gave occasion that the Reverend Senate appointed a publick disputation at Soning and caused letters of safe conduct to be sent to Hetzer and his followers for which bickering was set apart the first day of February in the year one thousand five hundred twenty seven where he appeared not himself but his emissaries came who were by the most learned but withall stinging Oecolampadius driven unto their shifts and enforced to acknowledge conviction Hetzer was a considerable part and the fire brand of the Anabaptistical sect but he stiffely denied Christ to be co-essential with the Father which the verses made by him upon the carrying of the Cross do more than hint Ipse ego qui propriâ cuncta haec virtute creabam Quaris quot simus Frustra ego solus eram Hîc non tres numero verùm sum solus at isti Haud numero tres sunt nam qui ego solus eram Nescio Personam solus sum rivus ego fons Qui me nescit eum nescio solus ero I who at first did make all things alone Am vainly ask'd my number as being one These three did not the work but only I That in these three made this great Syzygie I know no Person I 'm the only Maine And though they know me not will one remain He was excellent at three tongues he undertook to translate the book of Ecclesiasticus out of the Hebrew into High-Dutch Plauterus hath testified for him in writing that he very honestly and unblameably bid farewell to his Disciples and with most devout prayers commended himself to God even to the astonishment of the beholders He having been kept long in dose prison was on the fourth day of February in the year one thousand five hundred twenty nine senâ—â—nced to die and thinking himself unworthy of the City was led without the walls where he was put to death not for sedition or baptisme as Plauterus sayâ—â— but for Adultery which act be endeavoured to 〈◊〉 by some arguments fetcht from the holy Scriptures MELCHIOR HOFMAN Pellibus a teneris suetus doctissime nôsti Hofmanni teneras excoriare Greges THE CONTENTS HOFMAN a Skinner and Anabaptist Anno 1528. seduced 300 men and women as Embda in West-Friesland His followers accounted him a Prophet At Strasburg he challenged the Ministers to dispute which was agreed upon Jan. 18. 1532. where being mildely dealt with he is neverthelesse obstinate Other Prophets and Prophetesses deluded him He deluded himself and voluntarily pined himself to death IN the year one thousand five hundred twenty eight Melchior Hosman a Skinner of Strasburg a most eloquent and most crafty man at Embda in West Friezland ensnared 300. men and women into his doctrine where he conjured up Anabaptisme out of hell upon pain of damnation whereupon being returned to the lower Provinces who ever addressed themselves to him he entertained them with water baptizing all promiscuously This man upon the prophecy of a certain decrepid old man went to Strasburg it having been foretold him that he should be cast into prison and remain there six moneths â—t which time being set at liberty he should with his fellow-labourers disperse the harvest of the Gospel through all the world He was by his followers acknowledg'd and honour'd as a great Prophet This was the great prop and pillar of the reign of Munster Having therefore made what haste he could possible to Strasburg in order to the fulfilling of the prophecy he there challenges the Ministers of the word to dispute which offerture the Senate engaged with upon the eleventh of Ianuary one thousand five hundred thirty and two at which time the mists and clouds of errors and blindnesse were quite dispersed by the sunne of the Gospel However Hosman stiffely adhered to the foresaid prophecy as also to his own dreams and visions nor would he acknowledge himself overcome but their mildnesse having somewhat appeased him he was thence dismissed as one judged worthy of such a place where Lepers are shut up left others be infâ—cted But 't is
Episcopacy how different from Presbytery Magistrates office Presbyters among the Iews Ministers called Presbyters How to be elected Presbytery their power to excommunicate Excommunicate persons their condition The prophets Pharisees c. could not excommunicate Why Christ did not excommunicate Iudas Excommunication and excommunicate persons considered Divers erroneous opinions which have been lately revived or hatched since the fall of our Church-government Church of England deplâ—red Church of Rome different from other Churches about the Scriptures See Bellarmin Eckius Pighius and the other writers of controversies in the Romane Church Romane Church different from others about Predestination Gods Image and Sinne. See the above named Authors and the Catechism of the Councel of Trent Romanists differ about the Law of God Christ Faith Iustification and good works See the Catechism of Trent with Bellarmin and the other writers of controversies Differ about Pennance Fasting Prayers and Almes See the authors above named Differ from others about the Sacrament See the former authors Ceremonies used in the five controverted Sacraments See besides the above named authors Eckius in his homilie upon this subject Roman Church differeth from others about the Saints in Heaven Of these passages see Thomas in his summes Gregory de Valentia Bellaranine and the others above named Church of Rome their doctrine concerning the Church See the above named authors Romanists differ about Councils Monks Magistrates and Purgatory Who would see more at lenght the Doctrines of the Church of Rome let him read the above named authors and withall Baronius Bonaventura P. Lombard Canus Canisius Cassander Alphensus de Castro Coccius Genebrard Gerson Gretzerus Suarez Turrianus Vasquez Hugo de S. Victore and others The outward worship of the Roman Church and first part of their Masse Acholyths their offices Of these particulars see Stephanus Durantus de ritibus Ecclesiae Gul. Durandus his rationale Alcuinus de divinis officiis Innocent 3. de myster Missae Hugo de Sanct. Victore de offic Eccles. in specul Ecclesiae Berno de offic missae and divers others Romanists their manner of dedicating of Churches What observable thereupon But of this subject concerning dedication read Durandus Durantus Turrecremata Hostiensis Hugo de S. Victore de Sacram. Hospinian Raibanus Ivo c. Their consecration of Altars c. See the former Authors The degrees of Ecclesiastical persons in the Church of Rome Their sacred orders Of these passages see Innocent 3. l. I. Myst. Missae c. 58. Stephan Eduensis de sacr altariâ— c. 10. Amalar. Fortunat l. 6. de Eccles. offic c. 19. l. 2. l. 3. Rab. Maurus l. I. de instit cler c. 18. Alcuin de divin offic Alexand de Ales Part 4. Quest. 26. Hugo de S. Victore l. 2. de sacram Part 4. Besides the Councils of Rhemes of Lateran of Braccara and divers others See also Guliel Durand l. 2. c. 10. Office of the Bishop What colours held sacred See Durands Rationale L. 3. c. 18. The other parts of the Masse Of these and other Ceremonies see the above named Authors and Gabriel Biel decanone Missae Other parts of their worship See Durandus and Durantus Days Festivall in the Church of Rome Festival days of Christ. Of these and other Ceremonies see the afore named Authors See the authors above named Their canonical hours of prayer and observatiâ—ns thereupon Of these hours Cassianus speaketh Rabanus Maurns Isidor Amalarius Fortunatus Rupertus Tuitiens c. See Gabriel Biel in can missae Navarr de orat et hor. can Durandus in rationali Durantus de ritibus Ecclesiae c. Their Processions and observations thereon Of these things see the forenamed writers Festival days of the Saints But of these passages see the Roman Martyrology Baronius Surius Durandus Fasti Mariae Lippelous c. Their ornaments and utensils used in Churches dedicate to Christ and the Saints See Innocent 3. L. 2 de myst missae Rab. Maurus de instit eleric Amalar. Fortunat de eccles officiis Isidor de eccles officiis Alcuin de celeb missae Dâ—â—antus c. Of these and many more See Durandus in his Rationale and the other writers above named Their office performed to the dead Greâ—k Religion at this day See the Councel of Florence Boterus Chytraeus Brerewood Ieremy Patriarch of Constantinople in resp â—d German Possevin de reb Moscâ—v c. Greeks their Church dignities and discipline at this day See the above named Authors and the Letters of Stephen Gerlochius to Crusius An. 1575. Moscovites their Religion and discipâ—in See the above named Authors and withall the History of Russia by G. Fletcher Possevin de reb Moscov Sigism de Moscovia Guaguin descrip Moscov c. Monks and Nuns in Muscovia See the above named Authors Moscovites their Church service See the 〈◊〉 of Russia Their Sacraments See the above named Histories Their Doctrine and Ceremonies See Fletcher Boterus Les Estats du Monde and other relations of Moscovia Their Marriages Their funerals See the above named writers Armenians their Religion See Baronius Borerus Chytraeus Boemus Vitriacus his Oriental History the Armenian Confession c. Melchites Georgians Mengrelians Circassians See Bellonius his observations Boterus Chytraeus de stat Eccles. Thomas â— Iesu. Brerewood Prateolus de Sectis c. Nestorians Indians their Religion at this day Iacobites In Bibliotheca Fatrum Baronius c. See the above named Authors Maronites their Religion See the above named Authors and withal Possevin apparat sacr Thomas a Iesu. de conver Gent. Vitriacus Histor. Orient Tyrius de bello saâ—ra c. Cophti of Egypt See the above named Authors with Barâ—nius and Thevets Cosmography of the Levant c. 48. Abyssins their Religion Protestant Church its agreement with and dissent from other Christian Churches Religion the ground of government and greatnesse The Foundation of all Common-wealths Religion most requisite in Princes and Governers they should be carefull of it But one Religion to be allowed publickly Different Religions how and when to be tolerated Princes must not dissemble in Religion Dissimulation in Religion rejected False religions why blessed and the contemners punished Ceremonies in Religion Mixed Religions Idolatry condemned Gentiles worshipped the Sun under divers names and shapes Their Religion most consonant to natural reason Sun the Gentiles chief and onely God Apollo the Sun Mars the Sun Adonis the sun Atys the sun Priapius the sunne Liber the sun Apis the sun Moloch the sun Abraxas the sun Mithra the sun Iupiter the sun Mercury the sun Bel c. the sun Belenus the sun Hercules the same with the sun Pan the sun Polyphemus the sun Endymion the sun Ianus the sun Minerva the sun Pallas the sun Vulcan the sun Nemesis the sun Tithonus the sun Venus the sun Moon the same Luminary with the sun Moon her properties Pluto the sun Prosepina the sun Charon the sun Cerberus the sun Gentiles acknowledge but one Deity Gentiles their superstitious fear Gentiles their Deities
Guiana 21. Of Brasil 22. Of Peru. 23. Of Hispaniola SECT III. Quest. WHat was the Religion of the old Africans A. Their chief gods were the Sun and Fire to which they erected Temples and kept the Fire continually burning on Altars to that purpose The Planets were the Numidian and Lybian gods From Gentilisme they were converted to Judaism then to Christianity and at last to Mahumetanisme We read that Matthias the Apostle preached in Aethiopia and Simon another Apostle in Mauritania about the time of Constantine Christianity was generally received in the hither and lesser Africa and was by the Goths infected with Arianisme which made way for Mahumetanism The Poeni or Phonicians and Carthoginians whilest Gentiles offered men sacrifices to Saturn in their supplications they put infants in the arms of Saturns brazen image made hot with fire and so were burned to death At Tunis neer the Lake â—itonia Miuerva taught the use of Oyle and invented the Art of Spinning therefore she was worshipped as a goddesse Venus was a great deity in Phoenicia Iuno in Carthage At this day they are Mahumetans whose Religion consisteth most in washing and frequenting of the Mosques See Alexander ab Alexandro Ih. Leo Sâ—idas and others Q. What is the Religion and Church Discipline of Fez A. They are at this day Mahumetans in their prosession and in their Devotion no ways sparing for there are in the City of Temples and Chappels about 700 whereof some are garnished with many pillars and Fountains of Marble Each Temple hath one Priest to say Service and look to his Churches revenue which he bestoweth upon the Church-Officers namely the Porters Cryers and the Lamp-lighters these are night Officers but for the day Cryers who from their Steeples call the people to prayers these have no pay but onely are freed from tenths and all other payments In the great Church which is about a mile and halfe in compasse and hath 31 great gates the roofe whereof is upheld with twenty Arches in breadth and 38 in length are lighted every night 900 Lamps some of the greaâ—est are of brasse with sockets for 1500 Lamps About the walls are divers Pulpits for their Readers who begin their Lectures shortly after break of day in the Summer they read after Sun-set Mahumets Law and Moral Philosophie are read then to the winter Lectures are allowed large revenues books and Candles The Priest of this Temple taketh charge of the Orphans mony and of the poor to whom he dealeth Corn and mony every Holy-day This Temple hath a treasurer and under him eight Notaries and six Clarks twenty 〈◊〉 for the husbandry twenty Lime-kills and twenty Brick-kills for repairing of the Temple the Revenâ—es of which are 200 Ducatsaday Oâ—â—er Temples of the City are hence furnished when they want Here are two stately Colledges for porfessors of divers Sciences and divers Hospitals for strangers and the â—ick with all accommodations Their Marriages are performed in the Church They have great feasting at the circumcision of the males They observe divers Feastivals at some of which the youth do with Cudgels and other weapons knok down one another so that many murthers are committed They make Bone-fires on the Feast of St Iohn Baptist and on Christmasse â—Even eat Sallades of green Hearbs On Mahumets birth-day the Poets make Sonnets in his praise which they reherse publiquely and are rewarded accordingly In Fez are 200 Grammer-Schools the youth are bound in seven yeers to learn the Alcoran by heart On Mahumets birth-day every boy carrieth a wax torch to school which they light before day and let them burn till Sun-rising all this while singing Mahumets praise Candles are presented to the King that day of incredible heigth and bignesse who that night heareth all the Law read By Mahuments Law Soothsayers are inprisoned and yet here are many of that profession There are here divers Sects of Mahumetans some like our Anabaptists condeming all learning and trusting to Enthusiasmes others who think by their fasting and good works that they are so holy and perfect that they cannot sin There be some who hold all Religions to be true because every one takes that to be God which he worships and they teach that the Heaven with the Planets Stars and Elements are one God They have also their Hermits By their Discipline Women may not enter their Mosques because of their often pollutions and for that Eve first sinned The day after a child is born the Priest is sent for to pray The child is washed by the women who name it and then it is circumcised but somtimes the circumcision is put off for divers yeers They are very strict in their fastings not tasting any thing though they should faint till the Stars appear the Mufti or High-Priest sits with the King every day in judgment except the Friday then the King sits alone See 〈…〉 c. Q. What are their times of Prayer A. Two hours afore day then they pray for the day 2. Two hours after day then they give thanks for the day 3. At Noon then they give thanks for that halfe the day is past 4. At four in the afternoon then they pray that the Sun may well set on them 5. At twilight they give thanks after their daily labours 6. They pray-two hours after twi-light and then they desire a good night thus they pray six times in 24. hours and so devout they are that when they hear the Sexton from their Steeples cry to prayer before day then may no man touch his wife but prepare to prayer by washing or other devotion either at Church or in his own house after this his prayer the Talby or Priest sits down and resolves for half an hour all doubts that are moved in matters of their Law He is counted profane and disabled from being witnesse who prayeth not six times a day See Purchas in his Pilgrimage Q. What is the Religion of Morocco A. The same is there professed that is in Fez but they are not altogether so devout in Morocco as in Fez for they have not that number of magnificent Temples Colledges Hospitals and Schools yet some they have especially one Temple very large and stately in Morocco with a magnificent Steeple of incredible hight they have also their Hermites and other Religious men in all these they come short of Fez by reason they are often molested by the incursions of the Arabians They here also among them as in Fez multitudes of Jews who â—â—cked over thither when they were driven out of Spain by Ferdinand and out of Portugal by King 〈◊〉 There be also among them many Christians but in miserable captivity and slavery whereas the Turks elsewhere in spiritual affairs subject themselves to the Caliph of Cairo these African kingdoms acknowledge onely their subjection to the Caliph of Bagdaâ— or Babylon The Turks of Morocco and Fez think they merit Heaven if they kill many Christians therefore they
run with as great alacrity to war against Christians as to a wedding beleeving if they die in that war they shall immediatly possesse Paradise which is indeed the generall belif of all Turks See Les Estats du Monde Boterus Leo c. Q. What Religon is professed in Guinea A. Gentilism for they adore strawen rings instead of God Of whom they speak blasphemously calling him evill and black and the Author of their miseries And that they are no wayes beholding to him for what they enjoy but to their own industry They put within their Rings Wheat Water and Oyle for their god to feed upon Such Rings are worn by many as preservatives against danger Their Priests use to preach to them on festival dayes and after Sermon to besprinkle the infants with Water in which a Newt doth swim They consecrate to their Idol the first bit and draught of their meat and drink But I believe this black god they rail against is the devill whom their cunning Priests represent to that ignorant people in some black and ugly shape Sometimes of a black dog If they paint themselves with Chalke they think they do good service to their God When he is angry with them they use to bribe the Priest with gold so fishermen use to do when they have no successe at sea The Priest with his wives walks in Procession knocking his breast and clapping his hands then hanging some boughs from the trees on their necks and playing on a Timbrel the Priest flings Wheat into the sea to appease the angry God They have certain trees in great veneration consulting with them as with Oracles using divers foolish ceremonies They worship a certain bird which hath feathers like stars and a voice like a Bull. The Tunie is a sacred fish with them and not to be touched So are the mountains whose tops they daily feed or the Priests rather with meat and drink When one dieth the Priest makes gods of straw to accompany the dead in the other world wine and good cheere are sent with him and servants with his wives if he be the King these are slain to wait upon the King and their heads advanced upon Poles round about the grave They hold it a sin to spit on the ground The Tuesday is their Sabbath They use circumcision and some other Turkish ceremonies See G. Arthus Dantiseanus Mercator Bertius c. Q. Of What Religion were the African Ethiopians antiently A. Gentiles for they worshipped some immortall gods as the Sun Moon and the World some mortal as Iupiter Pan Hercules But some of them who dwelt neer and under the line did not worship but curse the Sun still when he rose because his excessive heat offended them When their Queen went to Solomon she being instructed by him in the knowledge of the true God upon her return planted the Jewish Religion in her country but the Eunuch of Queen Candace being baptized by Philip brought home with him the Christian Faith which hitherto they have retained See Diodorus Boemus Strabo Sardus Damianus a Goes c. Q. What Religion do these Aethiopians or Abyssins professe A. Christianity yet Gentilisme is retained in some part of Prestor-Iohns ample Dominions The Christians circumcise both male and female on the eighth day in memory of Christs circumcision The males are baptized fourty days after and the females eighty They abstain from certain meats and use some Mosaical Ceremonies They are very rigid in their Fastings they begin their Lent ten days before ours some Fryers eat no bread all the Lent some not in a whole year but are contented with Herbs without Salt or Oyl They keep a fast of three days after Candlemasse in memory of Ninevehs repentance Some Fryers all that time eat nothing and some Nurses give their Children suck but once a day He that marrieth three wives is excommunicated Queen Candace after her conversion consecrated the two magnificent Temples of the Sun and Moon to the Holy Ghost and the Crosse. Afterward these two Temples were given to the Monkish Knights of Saint Anthonies Order with two large Monasteries The Abyssins in their Liturgy mention the three first general Councils but not that of Chalcedon because they are Eutychians or Jacobltes Their Patriarch is onely a Monk of Saint Anthonies order and so is the Patriarch of Alexandria by whom the Aethiopian is consecrated and is in subjection to the Sea of Alexandria They observe here both Saturday and Sunday with equal devotion In the Eucharist the Priest administers leavened bread except on the Thursday before Easter for then it is unleavened because that day Christ instituted the Supper Anâ— the Deacon gives the Wine in a Spoon They receive all standing and in the Church onely all that day after they must not spit till Sun set They give the Eucharist to Infants immediately after Baptisme They believe traduction of Soules They are careful to confesse their sins to the Priest and still after confession receive the Eucharist The Patriarch onely excommunicates and none but murtherers usually Inferiour Priests and Monks labour for their maintenance but the Bishops Deanes and Prebends have large revenues and benefices They permit their Clergy to marry once and have pictures in their Churches but not images Betwixt Easter and Whitsuntide they eat flesh on Fridays Every Epiphanie day they baptize themselves in Lakes or Rivers So do the Muscovites in memory of Christs baptisme the same day They use no Confirmation nor Extream Unction See Damianus a Goes Alvarez in his Aethiopian History and others Q. What is the Religion of the lower Aethiopians A. These were not known to the Antients but they are found by Navigators to be for the most part Gentiles though divers Moors live among them Yet some of them worship but one God They superstitiously observe divers days of the Moon They feast the dead with bread and boyled flesh They punish witchcraft theft and adultery with death They may marry as many wives as they please but the first is the chief and the rest are her servants They pray to the dead in white garments In Monomotapa and some other places thereabouts the Jesuites have converted divers to Christianity many whereof are fallen back again to Gentilisme See Eâ—anuel Acosta of the Eastern affaires and Boterus c. Q. What is the Religion of Angola and Congo A. In Angola they are all heathens In the midst of their towns they worship wooden Idols resembling Negroes at whose feet are heaps of Elephants teeth on which are set up the skulls of their enemies killed in the wars They believe they are never sick but when their Idol is angry with them therefore they please him by pouring at his feet the Wine of Palmes They use to wash and paint and new cloath their dead and bury with him meat drink and some of his goods at whose grave they shed the blood of Goats They are much addicted to divination by