the word and Doctrine deserve not honour even double honour that is honourable titles and honourable maintenance 't is true they should not ambitiously affect honours nor ought they to reject them Christ was oftentimes called Master and yet he never reproved any for calling him so 4. They quarrell with the word Sacrament because not found in Scripture but I would know whether thing meant this word sacrament be not found in scripture where hath the scripture forbid us to call sacred things by significant terms they may as well say that God is not every where or that he knows not all things because these words omnipresent and omniscient are not in scripture 5. They will not have Ministers to take tithes then they will not have those who wait at the altar to partake with the altar which thwarts the Apostles words directly why should not the Ministers under the Gospel as well receive tithes as the Priests under the law is our burthen easier or our calling lesse deserving it s too much presumption to discommend what Christ hath commended but he commended the Scribes and Pharisees for paying their tithes Luke 11. 42. 6. They reject infant-Baptisme because the Scripture speaks not of it but the Scripture speaks of baptising whole Families and Nations Acts 16. 33. but infants are included in these Infants were circumcised were admitted to Christ to them belongs the Kingdome of heaven Ieremiah an infant was sanctified by the holy spirit Ier. 1. 5. 6. the hand of the Lord was with Iohn Baptist an infant and he grew strong in the Spirit Luke 1. 66. 80. can any man then forbid water that these should not be baptised which have received the Holy Ghost 7. They quarrell with publick prayers iâ— the Church because Christ bids us pray in private this is a childish consequence for the one should be done and the other not to be left undone ouâ— Saviour prayed sometimes privately by himself and sometimes publickly with his Disciples he calleth his Temple the house of prayer but the prayers there used were publick Saint 〈◊〉 both prayed in publick and taught in publick Acts 〈◊〉 36. and 21. 5. Publick prayers were used among the 〈◊〉 also Neh. 9. 3 4. are we not coâ—â—â—â—ded to pray continually and to lift up pure hands in all places is it not by prayer that our preaching is sanctified and made usefull its true we ought not to make publick places as the Pharisees did the Temple and Synagougue the places of our private prayers we have chambers at home to pray in private but this privacy doth no more exclude publick prayers thâ—n private instructions at home by the master to his family do exclude publick preaching 8. They will not have David's Psalms to be sung in meeter These dull souls do not know that David made his Psalms in meeter and did sing them and why may not we do the same in our language which David did in his besides did not Christ sing a hymne did not Paul and Silas sing Psalms to God at midnight Acts 16. Doth not the Apostle exhort us to Psalmes and hymnes Ephes. 5. and doth not Saint Iames will us to sing Psalms when we would be merry there are in the Psalms as in a store house all sorts of materialls for devotion and for all occasions 9. They make faith and repentance necessary concomitants of Baptisme this they hold to exclude-Infants from baptisme but they should know that though Infants have not faith and repentance actually yet they have both in possibility the seed of both are in them and the actuall faith of their Parents supplies the actuall defect of the children besides Simon Magus Alexander the Copper smith and others were baptised who neither had true faith nor repentance and repentance is enjoyned to Simon long after his Baptisme Acts 8. 13 22. Christ was baptized who needed neither faith nor repentance 10. They say That the Church is in God therefore God is not in the Church by the same reason they may say that God is not in heaven because heaven is in God or that Christ is not in us because we are in Christ Christ is in us as the head we are in him as the members The Church is in God because in him we live move and have both our naturall and spirituall being God is in his Church by his assistance providence and spirituall presence and so he hath promised that where two or three are gathered together in his name there is he in the midst of them Mat. 18. 20. Divers other absurd opinions they maintain as namely against tithes against maintenance for preaching against Clerks saying Amen in the Church and such like of which we have already spoken and indeed all or most of their opinions are Anâ—baptisticall and this Sect is the spawn of Anabaptists who are subdivided into different factions and such diversity there is amongst them that the Anabaptists in Holland will not admit those of Moravia and Suevia without rebaptization Sebestian Francus in his Chronologie reckoneth seventy sects of them Q. 16. Now you have satisfied me as to the Quakers I pray do me the like favour concerning a sort of people they call Ranters which I have received divers horrid relations of and such as for their strange and impious assertions I have not yet admitted into my belief A. The Ranters are a sort of beasts that neither divide the hoof nor chew the cud that is to say very unclean ones such as hold no small correspondency with the Quakers their lives and demeanours are much alike onely what the Ranters act upon the stage by an open profession of lewdnesse and irreligion the other do it within the curtain by crafty and seemingly innocent insinuations pretences of sanctity and the contempt of the things of this world These are they that make a laughing stock of Christianity by their bitter invectives derision at the ordinances and ceremonies of Christian Religion These are they that make no distinction between Forms and Order for having cryed down the former their dispensations will not bear with the later it being their main design to bring the businesse of Religion to that condition wherein man was before he had assum'd thoughts of government that is to say into Anarchy and confusion As for their blaspemies and horrid expressions of christian things Mahumetanes Jews and Pagans owne more modesty and lesse prophanesse But to retail their opinions or to anatomize this monster we must come to particulars 1. They hold that God Devils Angels Heaven Hell c. are Fictions and Fables 2. That Moses the Baptist and Christ are impostors and what Christ and his Apostles acquainted the world with as to matter of Religion perished with them and nothing transmitted to us 3. That preaching and praying is uselesse and that it is but publick lying 4. That there is an end of all Ministry and Administrations and people are to be taught immediately from God
death of this 〈◊〉 great many with resolute mindes made it their businesse not only to bring his doctrine into suspicion but into utter disesteem unanimously resolving to embrace 〈◊〉 was good sound and consonant to Christian doctrine and reject the rest as hereticall In the meane time the report beat up and downe both among the people and the more learned that this man of ingenuity and authour of private doctrines this very David George was a contagion and a destructive pestilence a devoted incendiary of a most dangerous Sect that though most falsely he was born a King and that he accounted himselfe the true Messias The Magistrate being extreamly moved at these things not deferring his zeale any longer when the glory of God and his Son Iesus Christ was so much concerned caused all those who were conceived to be infected with the pestilence of that Religion to be brought to the Palace to whom he rubbed over what things had been transacted some years before that is to say acquainted them how that they had been banished their Countrey upon the account of the Gospel and upon their humble addresses received into the protection and made capable of the priviledges of the City c. But that it had appeared since that they had fled for refuge to Basil not for the propagation of the Gospel but for that of the leaven of the sacrilegious David though by all outward appearance they had hitherto been accounted favourers and professors of the true Religion In the first place therefore the Senate being desirous to know the truth required to have his true proper name for some have thought as some authours deliver that his name was Iohn Brâ—â—es Secondly whether he had privately or publickly dispersed his Religion and what Tenets he held To which some made answer unanimously that they had left their countrey for the true Religions sake nor did they acknowledge themselves any other than the professors and practisers of the lawfull Religion That for his name he had not called himselfs by any other than his own proper name and for his doctrine they had acknowledged none either privately or publickly save what he had privately sometimes suggested which was not disconsonant to the publick The Magistrate perceiving this obstinacy of mind caused eleven of them the better to discover the reall truth to be secured and more narowly looked to In the mean time the Senate leaving no stone unmored in this businesse appointed some to bring forth into publick view some bookes and writings of David which should give no small light in the businesse and these the Magistrate recommended to men of the greatest learning to be read over and examined with the greatest care possible that so whatsoever they should meet with repâ—gnant to the Truth they should extract and give him an account thereof Those who had this charge put upon them presented the Senate with this extract of Articles out of his writings 1. THat all the Doctrine delivered by Moses the Prophets or by Jesus Christ himselfe and his Apostles was not sufficient to salvation but â—ress'd up and set forth for young men and children to keep them within decency and duty but that the doctrine of David George was perfect entire and most sufficient for the obtaining of salvation 2. He affirmed that he was Christ and the Messias the well beloved Sonne of the Father in whom he was well â—leased not born of blood nor of the flesh nor of the lust of man but of the holy Ghost and the spirit of Christ who vanishing hencelong since according to the flesh 〈◊〉 deposited hitherto in some place unknown to the Saints was now at length reinfused from heaven into David George 3. He held that he only was to be worshipped as whâ— should bring out the house of Israel and the true thaâ— is the professors of his doctrine tribe of Levi and thâ— Tabernacle of the Lords not through miseries sufferings crosses as the Messias of the Jewes did but with 〈◊〉 meekness love and mercy in the spirit of Christ granted unto him from the Father which is in heaven 4. He approved himself to be invested with the authâ—rity of Saving or condemning binding and loosing and that at the last day he should judge the twelve tribes of Israel 5. He further maintained that Jesus Christ was sent from the Father to take flesh upon him for this reason at least that by his doctrine and the use of his Sacraments men being as it were no better then children 〈◊〉 uncapable of receiving the true doctrine might be kept within duty till the coming of David George who should advance a Doctrine that should be most perfect and 〈◊〉 effectuall should smooth out mankinde and should consummate the knowledge of God and of his sonne and whatâ—ever hath been said of him 6. But he further affirmed That these things should not come to passe according to humane ceremonies but after a spiritual dispensation and after such a manner as haâ— not been heard of which yet none should be able to discern or comprehend but such as were worthy disciples of David George 7. To make good and prove all these things he wrested and misinterpreted many places of the holy Scripture as if Christ and the Apostles whom he commends had intiâ—â—ted not themselves nor any other Ecclesiasticall 〈◊〉 save only the coming of David George 8. And thence it was that he argued thus If thâ— Doctrine of Christ and his Apostles be most true and 〈◊〉 effectuall for the obtaining of salvation the Church which they had by their doctrine built up and confirmed could not possibly have been broken to peeces for as Christ himself testifieth against the true Church the gates of Hell shall not be able to prevaile But that building of Christ and his Apostles is overturned and pulled down to the very foundation by Antichrist as may be evidently seen in the Papacy according to the Testimony of the same Christ It therefore necessarily followes that the Doctrine of the Apostles is imperfect and interrupted whence he concluded his own doctrine and faith to be the only solid and sufficient doctrine 9. Moreover he maintained himself to be greater than John Baptist yea than all the Saints that had gone before him for that the least in the Kingdome of God according to the suffrage of Truth it self is greater than John But he said David George was one whose kingdome was heavenly and most perfect whence he makes himself not only greater than John but also sets himself above Christ since that he was born of flesh and that himself was born of the spirit according to a heavenly manner 10. He further allowed with Christ that all sinnes committed against God the Father and against the Son may be forgiven but those that are committed against the Holy Ghost that is to say against David George shall be forgiven neither in this world nor in the world to come by
George Maior one of Luthers disciples who taught that no man nay not infants can be saved without good works But it s ridiculous to expect good works from Infants who have not as yet the use of reason nor organs fit for operation 4. Osiandrists so called from Andrew Osiander a Lutheran who taught that Christs body in the Sacrament suffered was corruptible and died again directly against Scripture saying that Christ being risen from the dead dieth no more death hath no more dominion over him He taught also that we are not justified by faith or works but by the essential righteousnesse of Christ dwelling in us But the essential righteousnesse of Christ is the righteousnesse of his divinity which is not communicable nor separable from him 5. Augustinians in Bohemia these taught that none went to heaven or hell till after the last judgement whereas Christ tells the contrary to the good thiefe this day thou shalt be with me in Paradise and affirmeth that the soul of Lazarus was carried by Angels into Abrahams bosom and Dives into hell Wherefore did Christ ascend to heaven but that we might be where he is They make also dormice or swallows of mens souls saying that they sleep till the resurrection if Saint Steven when he was dying had known this Doctrin he would not have called upon the Lord Jesus to receive his spirit The story also of Lazarus and Dives doth overthrow this conceit They say also that Christs human nature is not as yet ascended into heaven which directly overthroweth our Creed in that article as likewise the Scriptures and withall the hope and comfort of a Christian. 6. Stancarians so called from one Francis Stancarus a Mantuan who taught that Christ justifieth us and is our mediator only according to his humane nature whereas our redemption is the work of the whole person and not of one natâ—re alone 7. Adamites so called from one Adam author of the Sect they use to be naked in their Stoves and Conventicles after the example of Adam and Eve in Paradise And therefore when they marry they stand under a Tree naked having onely leaves of trees upon their privities they are admitted as brethren and sisters who can without lust look upon each others nakedness but if they cannot they are rejected 8. Sabbatharâ—anâ— so called because they reject the observation of the Lords day as not being commanded in Scripture and keep holy the Sabbath day onely because God himselfe rested on that day and commanded it to be kept But they forget that Christ came to destroy the Ceremonial Law wherof the Sabbath in respect of the seventh day was a branch and therefore Christ himself brake it when he commanded the sick man whom he cured to carry home his bed on that very day 9. Clancuâ—arii were those who professed no religion with their mouth thinking it sufficient to have it in their heart They avoid all Churches and publick meetings to serve God thinking their private houses to be better then Temples whereas they should remember that private prayers cannot be so effectual as publick neither is it enough to believe with the heart except we also confesse with the mouth for he that is ashamed to confesse Christ before men shall not be confessed by Christ before his Father and his holy Angels 10. Davidistae so called from one David George a Hollâ—nder he gave himselfe our to be the Messiah sent by the holy Spirt to restore the house of Israel that the Scriptures were imperwect and that he vas sent to bring the true Law and Doctrine that the â—oul was pure from sin and that the body onely sinned whereas indeed they both concur in the act of sinning and therefore are both punishable especially the Soul which is the chiefe agent the body is but the instrument He taught also that a man may have many Wives to replenish spiritual Paradise that it was no sin to deny Christ with the mouth so long as they believed on him in their heart He rejected also the books of Moses 11. Mennonists so called from one Mennon a Fâ—â—eslander These deny Christ to be born of Mary affiâ—ming that he brought his flesh from Heaven he called himselfe the Judge of men and Angels 12. Qeistae and 〈◊〉 who taught there were three distinct Gods differing in degrees One George Paul of Cracovia is held to be author of this Sect. 13. Antitrinitarians these being the spawn of the old Arrians and Samosatenians deny the Trinity of Persons and the two natures of Christ their author was Michael Servetus a Spaniard who was burned at Geneva 14. Antimarians who denied Maries Virginity affirming she had other children besides Christ because there is mention made of Christs brethren in the Gospel this is the old Heresie of Cerinthus and Helvidius whereas they consider not that in Scripture those of the same kinred are called brothers So is Lot called Abrahams brother and Lâ—â—an Iacobs Unckle is called his brother 15. Antinomians who reject the Law affirming there is nothing required of us but faith this is to open a wide gap for all â—mpiety Christ came not as he saith himselfe to abolish the Law but to fulfil it If there be no use of the Law then they must deny Gods justice and that it is now an uselesse attribute of the divinity â—16 Infernaleâ— these held that Christ descended into no other hell but into the grave onely and that there is no other hel but an evil conscience whereas the Scripture speaketh of hell fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels and calls it the bottomlesse pit c. 17. Bequinians so called from one Boquinus their Master who taught that Christ did not die for the wicked but only for the faithful so they make him not to be the Saviour of mankind and of the world but a particular Saviour only of some wheras Saint Iohn saith that Christ is the reconciliation for our sins and not for ours onely but also for the sins of the whole world 1 Iohn 2. 2. 18. Hutistes so called from one Iohn Hut who take upon them to prefix the very day of Christs comming to judgement whereas of that day and hour knoweth no man nay not the Angels in Heaven 19. Invisibiles so called because they hold that the Church of Christ is invisible which if it be in vain did he compare it to a City built upon a hill â—â—in vain also doth he counsel us to tell the Church if our brother wil not be reformed in vain also doth the Apostle warn Bishops Presbyteries to look to their stock to rule the Church which Christ hath purchased with his blood Act. 20. How can he be called the sheepherd of that â—â—ock which he neveâ— saw 20. Qnintinistae so called from one Quintinus of Bicardy a Tailour He was author of the Libertins who admit of all Religions Some of them mock at all Religions at that Lucianist who â—rot a book of the three Impostors
Some of them deny the souls immortality and doubt whether there be any other Deity except Heaven and Earth 21. The Family of Love whose author was one Henry Nicolas a Hollander They reject all Sacraments and the three last petitions of the Lords prayer They say that Christ is onely the image of God the Fathers right hand and that mans soule is a part of the divine essence 22. Effroâ—tes so called from shaving their foreheads till they bleed and then anoint them with oyle using no other baptisme but this they say the holy Ghost is but a bare motion inspired by God into the mind and that he is not to be adored all which is directly repugnant to Gods word which proves that the holy Ghost is true God Thou hast not lyed saith Saint Peter unto man but unto God meaning the holy Ghost This Sect took up their station in Transylvania 23. Hosmanists these teach that God took flesh of himself whereas the Scripture saith that Christ was made of a Woman They deny pardon to those thaâ— relapse into sin and so they abridge the grace of God who wills us to repent and thereupon receives us into â—avour 24. 〈◊〉 so called from one Gaspâ—â— Schewenkfeld a Silesian he taught that the Scripture was needlesse to Salvation and with the old Mâ—nichees and Valentinians that Christ was not conceived by the holy Ghost in the Virgins Womb but that God created a man to redeem us and joyned him to himselfe and that this man became God after he ascended into Heaven they confound the Persons of Father and Son and say that God did not speak these words This is my beloved Son That faith is the very essence and nature of God That all Christians are the Sons of God by nature procreated of the divine essence That the Sacraments are uselesse that Christs body is every where Of these Sects and many more of lesse note see Florimundus Raymundâ—s hence we may see what a dangerous Gap hath been made since Luther began to oppose the Church of Rome for the little Foâ—â—es to destroy Christs Vineyard what multitudes of Taâ—es have grown up 〈◊〉 the good Corn in the Lords field what troublesome Frogs worse then those of Egypt have crawled into mâ—st mens houses what swarmes of Locusts have darkened thâ— Sun of righteousnesse whilst â—e was â—â—ining in the Firmament of his Church Q 13. What other opinions in religion were maintained this age A. Carolostadius Arch Deacon of Witâ—berâ— and Oecolâ—â—padius Monk of the Order of S. Bridges opposed Luthers Doctrin in the point of the real presence shewing that Christ was in the bread onely sacramentally or significatively The Libertius whose author was one Quintious a Taylor of Piâ—cardy taught that whatsoever good or evil we did was not done by us but by Gods Spirit in us that sin was nothing but an opinion that in reproving of sinners we reproved God himself that he onely was regenerate who had no remorse of conscience that he onely reâ—euted who confessed he had committed no evil that man in this life may be perfect and innocent that the knowledge we have of Christ and of our Resurrection is but opinion that we may dissemble in Religion which is now the opinion of Master Hobbs and lastly they slight the Scriptures relying on their own inspirations and they slight the Pen men of the Holy Ghost calling Saint Iohn a foolish young man Saint Matthew a Publican Saint Paul a broken vessel and Saint Peter a denyer of his Master Zuinglius Canon of Constance held the Doctrine of Câ—rolostadius against Luther concerning the real presence David George a Glasier in Gaunt taught that he was God Almighties Nephew born of the Spirit not of the flesh the true Messiah and third David that was to reign on Earth that Heaven was void of inhabitants and that therefore he was sent to adopt Sons for that heavenly Kingdom He denied Spirites the Resurrection and the last judgement and life eternal He held promiscuous copulation with the Adamits and with the Manichees that the soul was not polluted with sin that the souls of Infidels shall be saved and the bodies of the Apostles as well as those of Infidels shall be burned in Hell fire and that it was no sin to deny Christ before men therefore they condemned the Martyrs of folly for shedding their blood for Christ. Melaâ—â—ctâ—on was a Lutheran but not altogether so rigid so was Bucer except in the point of Christs real presence Westphalus also but he denied original sin and the Holy Ghosts procession from the Son and that Christs did not institute the Lent Fast nor was any man tied to keep it Q. 14. What were the chief Heads of Calvins Doctrine A. That in this life our â—aith is not without some doubtings and incredulity that the Scriptures are sufficient without traditions that an implicite faith is no faith that the Books of Tobias Iudith a part of Hester The Wisedome of Solomon Ecclesiasticus Baruch The History of Bell and the Dragon and the books of Macchabees are not parts of the Canonical Scripture that the Hebrew Text of the Old Testament is only authentical and so the Grek of the New Testament that the Scripture in Fundamentals is clear of it selfe and is a sufficient judge of controversies that the Elect have saving faith onely which can never totally and finally be lost that predestination to life or death dependeth not on mans foreseen merits or demerits but on Gods free will and pleasure that no sin comes to passe without the will of God that the Son of God received not his Essence of the Father nor is he God of God but God of himselfe that Christ in respect of his humaniâ—y was ignorant of some things that the Virgin Mary was obnoxious to divers sins and infirmities that Christ is our Mediaâ—or in respect of both natures that Christ was in the state of damnation when he suffered for us but did not continue in it that Christ by his suffering merited nothing for himselfe that he descended not truly into Hell but by suffering the pains of Hell on the Crosse that there is no Limbus Patrum nor Purgatory that our prayers avail not to the dead that the torments of the evil Angels were deferred till the day of judgement that Christ came not out of the grave whilest it was shut that the true Church of God consisteth onely of the Elect and that it is not visible to men that the Church may erre that Saint Peter was not Bishop of Rome nor the Pope his successor but that he is Antichrist that the Church and Magistrate cannot make Laws to bind the conscience that caelibat and the monastical life is unlawful consequently the vows of chastity poverty and obedience that man hath not free will to goodnesse that concupiscence or the first motions before the will consents are sins that all sins are mortal and none in themselves venial that 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
holy Ghost appeared in fire in some places white is worn on the Festivities of the Martyrs because it is said Cant. 5. My beloved is white and red VVhite in his Confessors and Virgins Red in his Martyrs these are the Roses and Lillies of the Valley Black is worn upon Good Friday on all fasting days on the Rogation days in Masses for the dead from Advent till the Nativity and from Septuagesima till Easter Eve on Innocents day some wear black because of the mourning in Rama some red because of the blood of those young Martyrs Green which is made up of the three former colours white red and black is used between the 8. of Epiphany and Septuagesima likewise between Pentecost and Advent but in the City of Rome the violet colour is worn sometimes in stead of black and red Q. 19. Wherein consisteth the other parts of the Masse A. The second part begins with the offertory which is sung and so called from the Priests offering of the Hoast to God the Father and the peoples offering of their gifts to the Priest Then the Priest before he offereth the immaculate Hoast washeth his hands the second time in the interim the Deacon casteth over the Altar a fair linnen cloth called Corporale because it covers Christs body and represents his Church the mystical body it 's called also Palla from palliating or covering the mystery above named There is also another Palla or Corporal with which the Chalice is covered Then the Deacon presenteth the Patina with the round Hoast on it to the Priest or Bishop the Deacon alone can offer the Chalice but the Priest consecrates it who also mixeth the Wine and VVater in the Chalice which the Deacon cannot doe the Priest poureth out a little on the ground to shew that out of Christs side water and blood issued out and fell on the ground The water is blessed by the Priest when it is mixed but not the wine because the wine represents Christ who needs no blessing the Hoast is so placed on the Altar that it stands between the Chalice and the Priest to shew that Christ is the Mediator between God who is represented by the Priest and the People which the water in the Chalice resembleth Then the Priest fumeth the Altar and the Sacrifice three times over in manner of a crosse to shew Maries three-fold devotion in annointing Christs feet then his head and at last her intention to annoint his whole body then the Priest boweth himself kisseth the Altar and prayeth but softly to himselfe this prayer is called secreta and secretella but though it be said in silence yet the close of it is uttered with a loud voice per omnia saecula saeculorum then follows the Praefatio which begins with thanksgiving and ends with the confession of Gods majesty the minds of the people are prepared with these words Lift up your hearts the answer whereof is We lift them up unto the Lord then is sung this hymn Holy Holy Holy c. Heaven and Earth is full of thy Glory c. then follows Hosanna and after this the Canon which containeth the Regular making up of that ineffable mystery of the Eucharist it is also called Actio and Secreta because in it is giving of thanks and the Canon is uttered with a low voice The Canon by some is divided into five parts by others into more in it are divers prayers for the Church for the Pope for Bishops Kings all Orthodox Christians for Gentiles also Jewes and Hereticks those in particular are remembred for whom the sacrifice is to be offered whose names are rehearsed for those also that be present at the Masse and assistant and for himselfe likewise then is mention made of the Virgin Mary of the Apostles Evangelists and Martyrs but the Confessors are not named because they shed not their blood for Christ then follows the Consecration after many crossings these words being pronounced For this is my body the people answer Amen then the Hoast is elevated that the people may adore it and that by this might be represented Christs Resurrection and Ascension when the Priest mentioneth Christ Passion he stretcheth out his armes in manner of a crosse the Hoast is crossed by the Priest five times to shew the five wounds that Christ received but indeed in the Canon of the Masse there are seven several crossings of the Hoast and Chalice in the first the signe of the crosse is made three times in the second five times in the third twice in the fourth five times in the fifth twice in the sixth thrice and in the seventh five times so all makes up twenty five crossings prayers are also made for the dead Tâ—e Deacon washeth his hands to shew how Pilate did wash his hands when he delivered Christ to be scourged The third part of the Masse begins with the Pater Noster and some other prayers the Sub-deacon delivereth the Patina covered to the Deacon who uncovereth it and delivers it to the Priest kisseth his right hand and the Priest kisseth the Patina breaks the Hoast over the Chalice being now uncovered by the Deacon and puts a piece of it in the wine to shew that Christs body is not without blood The Hoast is broken into three parts to signifie the Trinity then the Bishop pronounceth a solemn blessing then is sung Agnuâ— Dei c that is O Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world c. and then the kisse of peace is given according to the Apostles command Salute one another with a holy kisse In the fourth part of the Masse the Priest communicates thus he takes the one half of the Hoast for himself the other half he divides into two parts the one for the Deacon the other for the Sub-deacon after these three the Clergy and Monks communicate and after them the people the Priest holdeth the Chalice with both hands and drinks three times to signifie the Trinity the Hoast must not be chewed with the teeth but held in the mouth till it dissolve and after the taking thereof he must not spit but must wash his hands least any of the Hoast should stick to his fingers The three washings of the Priests hands in the Masse doe signifie the three-fold purity that ought to be in us to wit of our Thoughts Words and Works then follows the Post-communion which consisteth in thanksgiving and singing of Antiphones this done the Priest kisseth the Altar and removes again to the right side thereof where having uttered some prayers for the people and blessed them the Deacon with a loud voice saith Ite missa est that is Go in peace the Hoast is sent to God the Father to pacifie â—is anger Q. 20. In what else doth their outward Worship consist A. The fifth part of their Worship consisteth in their divine Service or Office as they call it whereof be two sorts one composed by S. Ambrose for the
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
the Jews eight days together The two first and two last are solemnly kept the other four are but half festivals They first repair to their Synagogues then after some praying and singing they run home to their Tents but do not stay there all night as their Ancestors were wont to do They use to take in one hand boughs of Palme Olive and Willow and in the other a Pome-citron then they bless God and shake the boughs towards the four cardinal points of Heaven then having placed the Law upon the Pulpit they go round about it seven times in seven days in memory of the Walls of Iericho encompassed seven times Then having shaken the branches in their hands they pray against Christians This feast is kept about the middle of September in which moneth they beleeve shall be fought the great battel between Gog and Magog in which Gog shall be slain and the Jews restored to their own Land About night they go abroad in the Moon light believing that God doth reveal to them by the shadows of the Moon who shall live or die that year for then they begin the computation of their year The shaking of the branches towards the four corners of the world signifies the destruction of the four great Monarchies to wit the Assyrian Persian Grecian and Roman They make great use of Citrons in this feast for they send sixteen men every year into Spain to bring with them as many of these as they can for by the Citrons they say are represented just men who are as full of good their workes as this fruit is full of seeds Q. How do they keep their new Moons A. Their new Moons are but halfe holy days with them for in the morning they go to their Synagogues the rest of the day they spend in eating drinking and gaming The day before the new Moon they use to fast when they first see her they utter a Benediction and leap three times towards her wishing that their enemies may come no neerer to hurt them then they are able to come neer and hurt her The women have more right to keep this day holy then the men because they would not part with their Ear-rings and Jewels towards the making of the Golden Calf but willingly parted with them towards the building of the Temple They give a ridiculous reason why sacrifices were commanded every new Moon because say they the Moon murmured against God in the beginning therfore he took her light from her and appointed sacrifices to expiare her crime Q. Why do the Iews fast in the moneth of August A. Because they hold the world was made in September therefore they make that moneth the beginning of their year and believe that about that time God will come to judge the world for this cause they fast and pray divers days before and baptize themselvs in Lakes and Rivers and where these are wanting they make pits which they fill with water in these they dip themselves over head and ears thinking this a meanes to expiate their sins they frequent their Synagogues and Church yards desiring God to pardon them for the good Jews sake who are buried there and in the same they distribute large Alms to the poor In some places there they cause Rams horns to be sounded when they go to their Synagogues to put the greater terrour in them when they consider their sins and the horror of Gods judgements Their fasting ceremonies being ended they shave and bath themselves and begin their year with much mirth and jovialty Q. What solemnity use they in beginning their new year A. Because they are commanded by Moses Lev. 23. 24. to keep holy the first day of the seventh moneth therefore they begin their Civil year from that day which after evening peayer in their Synagogues they initiate with a cup of wine wishing to each other a good year The younger sort repair to the chief Rabbi for his blessing which he bestoweth on them by prayer and imposition of hands Being returned home they fall to eating drinking and making merry On the Table is set down a Rams head to put them in minde of that Ram which on this day was sacrificed in Isaacs stead and to signifie that they shall be the Head and not the Tail of Christians They feed that night plentifully on fish and fruit to shew that they will encrease and multiply in good works as the fish do in the Sea and that their enemies shall be cut off from all help as the fruit is plucked off from the tree In the morning they go betimes to their Synagogues to sing and pray the Law is taken twice out of the Ark and some Lessons read after which one soundeth a Rams horn on the Pulpit if he sounds clear it s a good sign if otherwise they hold it ominous and a sign of a bad year This horn-trumpet is also in memory of Isaacs delivery by the Ram this day as they hold The rest of the day they spend in good cheer and mirth After dinner they go to the waters there to drown their sins If they see any fish in the water they shake their cloaths that their sins falling upon those fishes may be carried away by them into the Sea as of old they were by the scape-goat into the wilderness At night they feast again and so initiate the year with two days mirth Q. How doe they prepare themselves for Morning prayer A. They hold it necessary that every Jew from the fifteenth of Iune till Pentecost should rise before day because then the nights are long but from Pentecost till the fifteenth of Iune they may rise after day their rising will be the more acceptable to God if they have weeped in the night for with such the stars and planets do weep they must let their tears fall down their cheeks because then God is ready with his bottle to receive them these tears may serve them for good use because when at any time the enemies of Israel send out Edicts to destroy the Jewes God is ready with these bottles to pour them out upon these writings and to blotuot the Edict that the Jews may receive no hurt thereby They hold the morning the best time to enter into the house of God because David faith Thou wilt heat my voice betimes in the morning In the evening they say God commands all the gates of Heaven to be shut which are guarded by certain Angels who are silent till after midnight then a great noise is heard in Heaven commanding the gates to be opened this noise is heard by our cocks here below who presently upon this clap their wings and crow that men thereby may awake then the evil spirits who had leave to wander up and down in the night whilest Heaven gates were shut lose all power of doing hurt as soon as they hear the cock crow they must say this prayer as they are taught by their Rabbins
in the morning though a Goose or an Asse and all the day after they pray to it but a Crow they cannot abide the sight of that will make them keep in all day They salute the first appearance of the New Moon with prayers on their knees Neer to every Idol is a Cistern of water in which they that passe by wash their feet worship and offer Rice Eggs or such like When they sow mow marry go to sea and when the women lie in they feast their idols with musick and other solemnities fourteen days together and so do sea-men after they return home See Linschoten Q Of what Religion are the people of Malabar A. Pythagoreans they are holding not onely the immortality of Soules both of beasts and men and transanimation but also a divinity in Elephants Kine and other beasts therefore at Calecut the chief City of this Dominion and head of a small Kingdome of the same name there is a stately Temple of 700. pillars dedicated to the Ape Their Bramanes or Priests the successors of the old Brachmannes are in such esteeme here that the King will not converse with his new married Wife till one of the chief Bramanes hath had the first nights lodging with her They hold that God made the World but because the trouble of governing thereof is so great therefore hath given the charge thereof to Satan whom they worship with flowers on their Altars and sacrifices of Cocks The Bramanes wash his image sitting in a fiery Throne with three Crowns and four Horns in sweet water every morning The King of Calecut eats no meat till it be first offered by his Priests to this Idol Debtors that will not pay are arrested by a rod sent from the chief of the Bramanes with which a circle is made about the Debtor in the Kings name and the said Priest out of which he daâ—e not go till the debt be satisfied otherwise he is put to death Every twelfth year in the City of Quilacare is a Jubilee kept to the honour of their Idol in which the King of that place upon a Scaffold covered with silk before the people washeth himself then prayeth to the Idol and having cut off his nose ears lips and other parts at last cuts his own throat as a sacrifice to his idol His successor by their discipline is bound to be present and to act the same tragedy on himselfe at the next Jubilee See Castaneda Barbosa Boterus Linâ—â—hoten and Purchas Q. How caâ—â— these Idolatrous Pagans to beleeve the immortality of souls A. By the meer force of natural reason for they observed that the soul is incorporeal not onely free from al dependance on the body in respect of its essence but also in regard of its inorganical operations to wit of Understanding and Will they found that the more the body decayed and grew weak the more vigorous active and strong was the soul that it lost nothing of its operations by the losse or decay of the outward senses that it could comprehened all the world within it self that it could move it self in an instant from one end of the world to the other that it can make things past many years agoe as if they were present that it can conceive spiritual Essences and Universalities all which do prove how far the soul exceedeth the body and bodily senses which can reach no farther then to sensible qualities singularities or individuals to things present only to bodies only Besides they observed that the soul could not dye or perish or corrupt and putrifie as bodies do because it is immaterial simple without composition of different substances and free from contrary and destructive qualities which are the causes of death corruption and putrefaction in bodies Again every body is quantitative sensible and may be measured and filled but the soul hath no quantitie nor is it sensible but by its effects nor can it be measured nor can the whole world fill it nor doth it increase or decrease as bodies do nor can it receive hurt or detriment from any outward thing and whereas bodily senses are weakned by any vehement object as the eye by too much light the ear by a violent souâ—d c. the soul is perfected by its object and the more sublime or eminent the object is the more is the soul corroborated in sits understanding neither is the soul subject to time and motion as bodies are for it makes all times present and is not capable of generation corruption alteration c. moreover there is in the soul even of Epicurus himself a desire of immortality which desire cannot be in vain nor frustrated because natural and consequently necessary and wee know that God hath made nothing in vain but this desire must be in vain if frustrâ—ted And we find that many who have denied the souls immortality in their health and prosperity have been forced to confesse it in their sicknesse and troubles and on their death bed If we look upon the writings of the learned Gentiles we shall find them professing this truth this we may see in the fragments of Zoroastres in Trismegistus in Phocillides who thus sings 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is The soul is immortal and void of old age and liveth allwayes And againe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is The soules remain void of fate in death The Pythagoreans believed the same as we see by their opinion of Transanimation Socrates and Plato speak most divinely of the soul essence and immortality so doth Aristotle in his books De anima so do the Poets so doth Cicero in Som. Scip. Erigamus in caeâ—um oculos tanquam in Patriam in quam nobis aliquando redeundum est Let us saith he lift up our eyes towards Heaven as our country to which at last we shall return So he saith The body is fraile but the spirit is immortal So Seneca Animus unde demissus estâ— ibi illum aeterna requies manet Eternal rest remaines for the soul there from whence it came Animus sacer aeternus cui non possit inijci manus Many such passages may be seen in his writiâ—gs and that generally the Gentiles believed this truth is plain by their opinion they had of torments in Hell and of joyes in their Elysian fields Q. Of what Religion are the people of Narsinga and Bisnagar A. This rich Indian Kingdom having these two names from the two Chief Cities thereof is infested with horrible Idolatry Here is an Idol to which Pilgrimes resort either with their hands bound or ropes abovt their necks or knives sticking in their armes and legs which limbs if they fester they are accounted holy Gold Silver and Jewels are given by these Pilgrims to maintain this Idol and his Temple All these gifts are cast into a Lake and kept there for the uses aforesaid This Idol is carried yearly in procession with Virgins and Musick going before Under the Idols Chariot Pilgrims
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
Doctrin of the Trinity was not unknown even by the light of nature to the Gentile Philosophers Poets and Sibylls Zoroastres speaketh of the Father who having perfected all things hath delivered them to the second Mind which Mind saith he hath received from the Father knowledge and power Here is a plain testimony of the first and second person Concerning the third he saith that the Divine love proceeded from the Mind or Intellect what else is this Divine love but the Holy Ghost The Chaldaean Magi which were their Philosophers acknowledged three beginnings to wit Ormases Mitris and Ariminis that is God the Mind and soul Mercurius Trismegistus taught his Egyptians that God who is life and light begot the Word who is the other Intellect and maker of all things and together with him another who is the firie God or Spirit here the three persons are distinctly named He sheweth also that the subtil intellectual Spirit by the power of God did move in the Chaos this is consonant to the words of Moses the spirit of God moved on the waters Orpheus singeth the praises of the Great God and of his word which he first uttered Pythagoras and his Schollars were not ignorant of this Mystrey when they placed all perfection in the number of three and made love the Original of all things Zeno the Stoick confesseth that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Word is God and the Spirit of Iove Socrates acknowledgeth God to be the Minde or Intellect that the Essence of God is his Idea which he begets by the knowledge of himself and by which he made the World Numenius the Pythagorean Plotinus Iamblichus and others do write very plainly of the three Hypostases or Persons in the Trinity so that no Christian can write more fully as may be seen in their own words as they are alleadged by Du-Plessis in his Book of the truth of Christian Religion who citeth also certain Oracles of Serapis the Egyptian chiefe Idol or Devil and of Apollo out of Suidns by which we may see how the evil Spirits are forced to confesse the Trinity I could also alledge the testimonies of the Sybills to the same purpose but because I study brevity and these heathen testimonies and Sibyllin verses are cited by Clemens Alexandrinus Origin against Celsus Cyril against Iulian Eusebius in his preparation Saint Augustine in his bookes of the City c. I forbear to insist any more on this subject And as the Gentiles gave testimony to this plurality of persons so did the Jewes also though now they reject this doctrine thinking that we by worshipping the Trinity do worship three Gods but their ancient Rabbins do prove the Trinity out of the Old Testament as Rabbi Simeon the Sonne of Iohai brings a place out of Rabbi Ibba upon Deuteronomy 6. Hearken O Israel the Lord our God is one God In the Hebrew thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Iehovah Elohenu Iehovah Echad He shewes that the first Iehovah is God the Father the second word Elohenu our God is God the Son for so he is called by the Propher and Evangelist Emanuel God with us The third word Iehovah is God the holy Ghost And the fourth word Echad that is One is to shew the Unity of Essence in this plurality of persons Many other passages I could alleadge out of the writings of the ancient Rabbies to confirme this truth but this is already performed by Galatinus in his books de arcanis catholicae veritatis Q. 6 Who were Simons principal Scholars and what were their opinions A. 6. Menander a Samaritan also and a Magician He flourished at Rome in the time of Titus about 49. years afser Christ. He held the same impious opinions that Simon did but differed from him in saying that himself and not Simon was the Saviour of the world and that therefore all should be baptized in his name and not in the name of Simon or Christ and that all such should in power excel the Angels and should live immortally here so he denied the Resurrection of the flesh To him succeeded Saturninus and his fellow Scholar Basilides about the fifteenth year of Adrian the Emperour and after Christ the hundreth Saturninus was of Antioch and infected Syria with his poyson as Basilides did Egypt Saturninus held the same impieties with Simon and Menander but differed from them in saying that the world was made onely by seven Angels and not by all against the Will and Knowledge of God He taught also that some men were naturally good and some naturally evil and that nothing must be eat that hath life in it which was the Doctrine afterward of the Manichees And impiously affirmed that some of the antient Holy Prophets spake and were sent by Satan Basilides also was a Simonian Heretick but differed from him in holding there were so many Heavens as dayes in the year to wit 365. the chiefe god he called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the letters of which name are contained 365. He held also that this inferiour world and man was created by the 365th or last Heaven He taught also that the superiour god Abraxas begot the Minde this the Word Of the Word came Providence and of Providence Wisedome Of Wisdom the Angels were begot the last of which was the God of the Jewes whom he calls an ambitious and a turbulent God who had attemped to bring all Nations in subiection to his people He said that Christ was sent by Abraxas to oppose the turbulent God of the Jewes and doth not call him Iesus and Saviour but Goal a Redeemer He held it unlawful to suffer Martyrdom for Christ He permitted Idolatry and taught that no voluntary sin was pardonable and that Faith was not the gift of God but of Nature as also election The other errours which this Egyptian held for he was of Alexandria were the same that Simon maintained Q. 7. What was the Religion of the Nicholaitans and Gnosticks A. The Nicholaitans so called from Nicholas one of the seven Deacons Act. 6. and whose works Christ hated Rev. 2. gave themselves to all uncleannesse and sflshly lusts teaching that men ought to have their Wives in common They made no scruple of eating things offered to Idols At their meetings or love Feasts they used to put out the lights and commit promiscuous adulteries with each others wise They taught that the world was made by the copulation of light and darknesse out of which Angels Daeâ—ons and Men were procreated Mans seed and menstruous blood were with them sacred and used by the Gnosticks in their divine service whereby they brought an odium upon Christianity They would not have God but Angels creators of this inferiour world which Angels they called by divers barbarous names Nicholas the father of this Sect was by birth an Antiochian whose doctrine began to spread about the beginning of Domitians reign after Christ 52 yeers before S. Iohns banishment into Pathmos The professors of this
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
minde but Secundus said they were true Essences subsisting by themselves He added also light and darknesse to the eight principal Aeones and so made up ten To Secundus succeeded Ptolomaeus in Valentinus his School He gave to Bathos or Profundity two Wives to wit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Cogitation and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Will. By the former Wife Bythus he procreated 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Minde and by the other he begot 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Truth Ptâ—lomaeus also slighted the old Law Q. 11. Of what opinions were the Marcites Colarbaâ—â— and Heracleonites A. Marcus was a notable Magician who lived under Antoninus Pius about 115. years after Christ. His Scholars called themselves Perfect and bragged that they were more excellent then Peter or Paul They denyed Christ humanity the resurrection of the flesh They held two contrary beginnings or Gods to wit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Silence and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Speech From these the Marcionites and Manichees borrowed their two principles They retained their Aeones of Valentinus but reduced them to four to wit Silence Speech and two unnamed so in stead of the Christian Trinity they held a Quaternity They taught that all men and every member in mans body were subject to and governed by certain letters and characters They baptized not in the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost but in the name of the Father unknown of Truth the Mother of all and of him who descended upon Jesus By Magical words they bragged that they could turn the Sacramental Wine into blood and bring downe the grace of God from Heaven into the chalice The Colarbasians so called from Colarbas or Colarbasus the author of that Sect ascribed the life actions and eventâ— of man and all humane affairs to the seven Planets as authors thereof They held also but one Person in the Deity called by different names They divide Jesus from Christ as the Nestorians afterward and taught that Christ was as a flower compacted and made up of the 30. Aeones Heracleon Father of the Heracleonites lived about 110. years after Christ. These divided the Aeones into good and bad and held two beginnings to wit Profundity and Silence Profundity they held to be the most ancient of all and that of this with Silence all the other Aeones were procreated They said that man consisted of a soul body and some third substance they held it no sin to deny Christ in danger of life with the mouth if so be the heart believed in him They used in their prayeâ—s Superstitious and Magical words to drive away Devils And they thought by anointing their dead with Water Oyl and Balsame to free them from eternal death Q. 12. Of what Religion were the Ophites Cainites and Sethites A. These were called also Ophei and Ophiomorphi from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Serpent which they worshipped This Sect began about the year of Christ 132. They taught that Christ was the Serpent which deceived Eve and that he in the form of a Serpent entred the Virgins Womb. In the Eucharist they used to produce a Serpent by inchanting words out of his hole or rather box in which they carried him about neither did they think that the Sacramental bread was consecrated till that Serpent had first touched it or tasted thereof they denyed also the Resurrection of the flesh and Christs incarnation The Caini were so called because they worshipped Cain as the author of much goodnesse to mankind so they worshipped Esau Core Dathan Abiram and Iudas who betrayed Christ saying that he foreknew what happinesse should come to mankind by Christs death therefore he betrayed him Some of this Sect were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is resisters of God for they opposed him what they could in his Laws therefore rejected the Law of Moses as evil and worshipped the wicked Angels whom they pleased by their evil actions they taught also that we were evil by nature and that the creator of the world was an unknown God and envious to Cain Esau and Iudas The Sethites so called frâ—m Seth Adams Son whom they worshipped lived most in Egypt About the same time that the Cainites florished They thought that Seth was born of a superiour Vertue which they called Mother She of the chief God brought forth Seth the Father of all the Elect So they make Seth a part of the Divine substance who came in place of Abel who by the envy of some Angels stirring up Cain against him was slain They prate also that by the cunning of some Angels some of Cains posterity were preserved in the Ark from the flood which was sent by this great Mother to punish the Cainites for the murthering of Abel Of this posterity of Cain proceed all wicked men They denied the Resurrection and held that the Angels had carnal commerce with women and of this copulation two men were produced the one Earthly the other Heavenly being an Hermaphrodite who was created to Gods image who as they blasphemously taught is an Hermaphrodite and so Adam also They make Christ who was born of the Virgin to be no other then Seth. Q. 13. What Religion did the Archonticks professe and the Ascothypâ—ae A. These were the last of the Valentinian Hereticks caâ—â—ed Archontici from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Principalities these they worshipped as inferior gods Father of the Angels and creators of the world of Photenia the Mother were the Angels begot by these Archontes One Peter an Anachorit and a Monk of Palestina was author of this Sect in the time of Constantius the Son of Constantine about the year of Christ 308. These spawned anothed Sect which they called Ascothyptas because they brake in pieces all the Plate and Vessels used in the Sacrament for they rejected the Sacraments of the Church They despised good works and gave themselves to all uncleannesse and slighted the Old Testament denied the Resurrection and Sacraments as is said thinking it unlawful to represent Spiritual and Heavenly things by corporal and earthly They thought that the Devil begot Cain and Abel of Eve both these sons were Reprobates And that a man who hath knowledge and saith may be saved let his life be never so Vitious and that the devil was the Son of the Jewish but not of the Christian God They also affixed to each Heaven or Sphere an angel as the Peripateâ—icks did an Intelligence Q. 14. What was the Religion of Cerdon and Marcion A. Cerdon lived about the time of Valentinus the Heretick under Antoninus Pius Emperor 110 yeers after Christ he taught that there were two contrary gods the one a god of mercy and pitty the other of justice and severity whom he called evil cruel and the maker of the world The former God he called good and the
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
substance communicated from parents to Children and not a quality or affection These wicked opinions raged in the world 340. years after Manes was excoriated alive for poysonning the Persian Kings Son these Hereticks were three Sects to wit Manichees Catharists or Puritans and Macarii or blessed Q. 25. What was the Religion of the Hierarchites Melitians and Arrians A. The Hierachites so called from Hieracha an Egyptian and a Monk who lived shortly after Origen under Gallienus 234. years after Christ taught that married people could not enjoy heaven nor infants because they cannot merit they admitted none into their Church but those that lived single They denied that Paradise in which man was created had any earthly or visible being They held Melchisedeck to be the Holy Ghost and denied the Resurrection The Meletians so called from Meletius a Theban Bishop in Egypt who because he was deposed for offering to Idols in spleen he taught the Novatian Heresie in denying pardon of sins to those that fell though they repented rejected all from their communion who in time of persecution fell from Christ though they afterward repented They used Pharisaical washings and divers other Judaical ceremonies and in their humiliations to appease Gods anger with dancing singing and gingling of small bells This Heresie began under Constatine the Emperour 286. years after Christ. The Arrians so called from Arrius a Lybian by birth and a Presbyter of Alexandria by Profesion were called also Exoucontji for saying that Christ was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 created of nothing This heresie brake out under Constantine 290. years after Christ and over-run a great part of the Christian world They held Christ to be a creature and that he had a mans body but no humane soul the divinity supplying the room thereof They held also the holy Ghost a creature proceeding from a creature to wit Christ. The Arrians in their Doxolegier gave glory not to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost but to the Father by the Son in the Holy Ghost They rebaptized the Orthodox Christian and baptized onely the upper parts to the Novel thinking the inferiour parts unworthy of baptisme Q. 26. What was the Religion of the Audians Semi-arrians and Macedonians A. The Audiani so called from Audaeus a Syrian who appeared under Valentinian the Emperour 338. yeares after Christ were named afterwards Anthropormorphytae for ascribing to God a humane body these as afterward the Denatists forsook the Orthodox Church because some wicked men were in it They held darknesse fire and water eternal and the Original of all things They admitted to the Sacrament all sorts of Christians even such as were profane and impenitent The Semi-arrians were those who neither would have Christ to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the same individual essence with the Father as the Orthodox Church held nor yet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of a like essence but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of a different Essence but of a like Will and so they taught that Christ was not God in Essence but in Will only and Operation This Heresie also held that the Holy Ghost was Christs creature It began under Constantius the Emperour 330. years after Christ. The chief author thereof was one-eyed Acatius Bishop of Cesaraea Palestina successor to Eusebius hence they were called Acatiani The Macedonians so called from Macedonius Bishop of Constantinople held that the holy Ghost was a creature and the servant of God but not God himselfe and withal that by the holy Spirit was meant only a power created by God and communicated to the creatures This Heresie sprung up or rather being sprung up long before was stifly maintained under Constantius the Son of Constantine 312. years after Christ and was condemned in the second Oecumenical councel at Constantinople under Theodosius the great These Hereticks were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fighters against the spirit Q. 27. Of what Religion were the Aerians Aetians or Eunomians and Apollinarists A. The Aerians so called from Aerius the Presbyter who lived under Valentinian the first 340. years after Christ held that there was no differance between a Bishop and a Presbyter that Bishops could not ordain that the dead were not to be prayed for that there should be no set or anniversary fasts and with the Encratites or Apotactitae admitted none to their communion but such as were continent and had renounced the world They were called Syllabici also as standing captiously upon Words and Syllabies They are said also to condemn the use of flesh the Aetians were called so from Aetius a Deacon whose successor was Eunomius about the year of Christ 331. under the Emperor Constantius he was Bishop of Cyzicum whose disciples were called Eunomians and Anomei for holding that Christ was no way like the Father They were called also Eudoxiani Theophronâ—ani When they were banished they lived in holes and caves and so were called Troglodytae and Gothici because this heresie prevailed much among the Goths by means of Vlphillas their Bishop These hereticks held that God could be perfectly here comprehended by us that the Son was neither in power essence or will like the Father and that the Holy Ghost was created by the Son that Christ also assumed onely mans body but not his soul. They permitted all kind of licentiousnesse saying that faith without good works could save The Eunomians did rebaptise the Orthodox professors and baptised in the name of the Father uncreated the Son created and the Holy Ghost created by the Son The Apollinarists so called from Apollinaris Presbyter in Laodicea divided Christs humanity in affirming that he assumed mans body and a sensitive soul but not the reasonable or intellective soul of man because that was supplied by the divinity from this division they were named Duplaâ—es and Dimâ—iritae In stead of the Trinity they acknowledge onely three distinct degrees of power in God the greatest is the Father the lesser is the Son and the laest of all the Holy Ghost They held that Christs flesh was consubstantial with his divinity and that he took not his flesh from the Virgin but brought it from Heaven They held that Christ had but one will that mens souls did propagate other souls that after the Resurrection the ceremonial Law should be kept as before This heresie brake out 350. years after Christ under Valens the Emperor Q. 28. What did the Antidicomarianites Messalians and Metangismonites professe A. The former of these were so called because they were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 adversaries to Maries Virginity Whence they were named Antimaritae and Helvidians from Helvidius the author who lived under Theodosius the great 355. years after Christ. These held that Mary did not continue a Virgin after Christ was born but that she was known by Ioseph whereas she was indeed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a perpetual Virgin The Messalians were so
also and to communicate The order of Saint Iames of the Sword was instituted Anno 1158. under the reignes of Alphonso the nineth King of Castile and of Ferdinand King of Leon. The Knights wear on their breasts and on the left sidâ—â— Scalloâ—shell About their neck they wear three chains of Gold from which hangs the form of a sword being of red Sattin embroidered and a Scallop shell upon the same sword The red sword signified their victory over the Arabians with whose Blood their swords were dyed The Scallop shell was a mark of their Pilgrimage to the Holy Sepulchre of Saint Iames these they gather on the Sea shore and fasten them to their hats or hooâ—s who go on Pilgrimage This order took first beginning in Galiciâ— under the homage then of Leon at first these Knights lived in common with the Monks of Saint Helie and shaved their Crowns vowing chastity poverty and obedience but afterward they married they both were of Saint Austins rule This order was also established in Portugal above six hundred Knights were of this order Many Lords of Spain hold it an honour to wear the habit of Saint Iames. The great Mastership of this order was incorporated to the Crown of Castile Anno 1493. by Pope 〈◊〉 the sixth The order of Saint Iulian called of the Pear-Tree was instituted in the Kingdom of Leon Anno 1179. and was approved by Pope Alexander the third Lâ—cius the third and Innocent the third The Knights have the Pear Tree for their 〈◊〉 But after A phâ—â—so the ninth King of Leon becaâ—e Master of the City Alcantara which he took from the Moors and bestowed it on the Great Master of 〈…〉 and this gave it to the Master of the Pear Tree These Knights of the Pear Tree stiled themselves Knights of Alcantâ—ra and forsaking their former Armes were the Green Crosse Flower de 〈◊〉 on their brests they live under the order of Benedict They first professed Chastity but Pope Paul the fourth permitted them to marry The Great Mastership of this order was by Pope Alexander the six 〈◊〉 Spaniarâ— united to the Grown of 〈◊〉 in favour of King 〈◊〉 of Arragon and Queen â—â—abel his wife The order of Calatravs was â—ounded in the Kingdom of Castile-Anno 1158. under the Reign of Sancio the third and sixth King of Castile They were called Calatravâ— from a Castle of that name taken from the Moors and given to the 〈…〉 but they fearing their own weaknesse surrendered it to the King Sancio of Castile who gave it to certain Monks of the Cistertian order who offered themselves to keep this frontiered Castle Hence arose the order of Calatrava They wear a red crosse Flower de luced Pope Alexander the third approved this order at first these Knights wore Scapularies and robes of white but Pope Benedict the third dispensed with them for that Monkish habit and they were permitted by Pope Paul the third to marry once onely At last the Masterships of Saint Iames of Calatrava and of Alcantara were annexed to the Crown of Spain in favour of Charles the fifth Emperour and King of Spain who enjoy the revenues of these three great Masters The order of the Band or Red Scarffe was instituted in Castile by Alphonso the 11th Anno 1330. King of Leon Castile The Knights wore a broad Ribband of red Silk and are bound to accompany the King in his Wars to be valiant sober courteous discreet c. The order of the Dove or Holy Ghost was instituted in Segobia in Castile Anno 13â—â— by Iohn the first of Castile They wore a collaâ— linked with Sun beams whereat hung a Dove of Gold enamelled with white as if it were flying down from Heaven But this order ended with the institutors life to wit the same year of his institution The order of Saint Saviour of Montreal called the order of Arragon was instituted in Arragon Anno 1120. by Alphonso the eighteenth King of Navarre and first of Arragon The Knights wore a white robe and on the breast an anchored red crosse their rule was like that of the Templars to whom they succeeded in Montreal but only that they had power to marry The order of our Lady of Mâ—ntesia or of Valencia was instituted in the Kingdome of Valencia Anno 1317. by Iames the second King of Arragon upon the extirmination of the Templâ—rs The Statutes of this order were answerable to that of Calatrava under the rule of the Cistertians whose cloathing they were dispensed withal to wear Their Crosse was that of Saint George a full red crosse which they wore on their breast The order of the Looking Glasse of the Virgin Mary was instituted by Ferdinand the Infant of Castile Anno. 1410. upon a memorable Victory he had over the Moores The Collar of this order was composed of Bough-pots full of Lillies interlaced with Griffons The order of Iesus Christ was instituted in Portugal An. 1320. by Dionysius the sixth King of Portugal the Knights wear black and upon their breast a red crosse and another white over the red Pope Iohn the twenty second confirmed this order Anno 1320. gave them the rule of Saint Bennet Pope Alexander the sixth gave them leave to marry This order as that of D. Avis was annexed to the Crown of Portugal This order D. Auis was instituted in Portugal under the first King Alphonoso Henriquez Anno 1147. under the rule of Saint Bennet They beare for their Armes the crosse like that of Alcantara with two black birds like Ravens Q. 12. What were the orders of Knight-hood in Germany Hungary Bohemia Poland c. A. The order of the Dragon was instituâ—ed in Germany by the Emperor Sigismund Anno 1418. upon the condemnation of Husse and Hierom of Prâ—gue The Knights did wear on high days a Scarlet cloak a double Golden chaine at the end whereof hung a Dragon overthrown her wings seeming broken and daily they wear a Crosse Flower de Luced with green This order was famous throughout Germany and Hungary The order of Austria and Carinthia or of Saint George was instituted by the Emperor Frederick the third first Arch-Duke of Austria Anno 1470. The Knights wear a white coat and a red crosse they were bound to guard the Frontiers of Germany Hungary Austria Styria and Carinthia against the Turks The order of Poland or of the white Eagle was instituted by King Ladistaus the fifth Anno 13â—5 The Knights wear a triple chaine of Gold whereat hangs an Eagle Crowned The order of Denmark or of the Elephant was instituted by Christierne the first King of Denmark Anno 1478. The Collar which the Knights wear is composed of Elephants with silver Castles on their backs at the end whereof hangeth the picture of the Virgin Mary beset with Sun beams and a Crescent under her feet The order of Sweden or of Iesus or of the Sâ—raphims was instituted
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
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
have our Lamps ready to meet the Bridgroome The Completory is a fit time for prayer because then Christ prayed and swear Blood in the Garden The song of 〈…〉 then sung for as he immediatly before his death uttered these words so should we before our sleepâ— which is a resemblance of death Four Psalmes 〈◊〉 are then said to expiate the sins of our child-hood youth manhood and old age The Creed is said the first hour and 〈◊〉 to shew that all 〈◊〉 workes must begin and end iâ— saith About mid-night are said the Nocturnals because about that 〈◊〉 the Egyptian first borne were 〈◊〉 then Christ was borne then was he apprehended by the Iewes 〈◊〉 are we in greatest danger then is the prince of darknesse most busie in his workes of darknesse Q. 25. What mâ—y we observe concerning their Processions A. They ground their Processions on the practise of David and Salomon when the oâ—e accompained the Ark in Triumph to the Tabernacle the other to the Temple They have four solemn Processions Namely on the Purification of the Virgin on Palm-Sunday on Easter day and on Holy thursday being the fortieth day after Easter and the day of Christs Asension kept in memory of that Procession which Christ made with his Disciples when they walked to the Noâ—ne of Olives from whence he ascended to Heaven as there is a Procession every Sunday in memory of Christs Resurrection so there was wount to be another every Thursday in remembrance of his Ascension but because of the multitude of Festivals this is kept but once yearly solemnly yet every Sunday it is remembred in that days Procession They hold also that these Processions were typified by the Israelits comming out of Egypt For as Moses delivered them from the Tyranny of Pharâ—â—h so hath Christ freed us from the oppression of Satan The Tables of the Law were received on Sinai and carried before the people so the Gospel is taken down from the Altar and carried in their Procession A fiery pillar went before the Israelites and burning Tapers are carried before the people in these solemnities as every Tribe had their armes and colours carried before them so here are carried Crosses and Banners Their Levites hore the Tabernacle and our Deacons carry the Coffer or Pix Their Priests carried the Ark and our Priests carry the holy Reliques In their Procession Aaron followed in his Ornaments and in ours the Bishop in his Pontificals There was the sounding of Trumpets here the noyse of Bells there was sprinkling of Blood here of holy water c. They carry Banners and Crosses in memory of that Crosse seen in the aire by Constantin and which after he always wore in his Banners Besides these triumphant Processions they have also in times of publick calamity mâ—urnfull Processions which they call Rogatioâ—s and the Greeks Litaniae that is prayers of supplications of which there is the great Letanie kept on Saint Marks Feast and invented by Gregory the first in a great Plague at Rome The lesser Letanie is kept three days before the ascension and was invented at Vienna by Mamertus Bishop there in a time when there were great Earth-quakes and Irruptions of Wolves which in France did great hurt this is called the lesser Rogation because it was found out in a lesser City then Rome and by a lesser Bishop then Gregory Yet the lesser is more ancient by 80. years for it was devised in the time of Zeno the Emperor of Constantinople whereas the other was found out in the time of Mauritius who was contemporary with Gregory the great Pope Liberius appointed there should be Letanies when Wars Plague or Famine do threaten which commonly fall out about that time of the year wherein the memory of Christs Ascension is observed Q. 26. Wherein consisteth the Eighth part of their Worship A. In the Worship of the Saints whom they honour with Temples Chappels Altars Images Holy-days mentioning of their names in the Masse reserving and worshiping of their Reliques praying to them c. They divide them into four ranks namely Apostles Martyrs Confessors and Virgins The Festival days of the Saints kept in memory of their martyrdom are called Natales that is birth-days for then they began truly to live when they died for Christ. In the Kalendar these following Saints have their Holy-days Fabian and Sebastian Agnes the Conversion of S. Paul Iulian Agatha the Purification of Mary this day is a Procession in memory of that Procession which Ioseph and Mary made to the Temple this Feast was instituted in the time of Iustinâ—an upon a great mortality which then hapned and candles this day are carried with great solemnity to shew that our light should shine before men that Christ who was this day presented in the Temple is the true light of the world and that like wise Virgins whereof Mary was the chief we should have our Lamps ready the Feast of S. Peters chair is kept in memory of his advancement first to the Bishoprick of Antioch then of Rome the Feast of the Annunciation is kept in memory of the tidings which the Angel brought to Mary of her conception on the first of May is the Feast of Philip and Iames the lesser the son of Alpheus and Brother of our Lord who was the first Bishop of Ierusalem had seen Christs Transfiguration and for preaching Christ was thrown down from the pinacle of the Temple by the Jewes the other Iames called the greater and of Compostella was the son of Zebedaeus and brother to S. Iohn the Evangelist on the third of May is the invention of finding of the Crosse by Helena Constantines mother the Feast of S. Iohn Baptist is kept the 24. of Iune in which are fires made and Torches carried to shew that he was a shining and a burning Lamp the Feast of Peter and Paul is kept the 29 of Iune in memory that they both suffered in one day under Nero on the 25 of Iuly is the Feast of S. Iames S. Iohns brother who preached the Gospel in Spain and returning to Ierusalem was beheaded by Herod the Feast of the seven Sleepers is on the 27 of Iuly these flying from the persecution of Decius hid themselves in a Cave where they slept about 300 years and being awaked thought they had slept but one night the Feast of S. Peters Chaines is kept August the first in memory of Peters miraculous delivery from Herods prison when the Chaines fell from him of their own accord the Feast of S. Laurence is kept August the tenth in memory of his martyrdom under Valerian he was Arch-Decon of Rome after whom none there have had that title the Assumption of Mary is on the fifteenth of August this is her greatest Feast for it is ushered in with a fast and hath its Octave on this day herbes and flowers are gathered and blessed because she is compared to the Rose and Lilly S. Bartholomews Feast is on the 24 of
from the Son abstained from blood and strangled things observed the Sabbath with the Lords day condemned the fourth marriage as utterly unlawful rejected confirmation administred the Sacrament in leavened bread and in both kindes and excluded the blessed souls from heaven till the Resurrection they did besides hold that all mens souls were created together in the beginning that Hereticks are to be rebaptized that the child is not to be baptized till the mother be purified which is fourty dayes after a Male childe and eighty after a Female that children should receive the Eucharist as soon as baptized that the Father may dissolve the Matrimony of his child if he dislike it that the Eucharist is not to be reserved nor to be carried to sick persons in danger of death that Priests and Deacons must be married that children of five or six years old may be made Subdeacons that women during their monthly purgations are not to be admitted into the Church nor to the Eucharist But these opinions the Maronites renounced when the Christians had the command of Syria and Palestine but when Saladine recovered those 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 fell off from the Roman Church and embraced their former Teners but in the 〈◊〉 of Gregory the 〈◊〉 and Clement the eighth they reconciled themselves again to the Roman Church Q. 13. What are the Cophti A. The 〈◊〉 are the Iacobites of Egypt for the Egyptians were anciently named 〈◊〉 we call them Cophti that is Egyptian Christians as the Iacobâ—res of Syria are named Syrians and in no country were these Euâ—ychians more patronised then in Syria and Egypt yet these Iacobites differ from Eutyches in this that He taught the two natures in Christ to be one by confusion or commixtion whereas They say that they are one by co-adunation but so that the properties oh each nature remain distinct so that in effect they 〈…〉 but dare not say to for fear of 〈…〉 persons not being able to 〈…〉 the Nature and the Person These 〈…〉 to the Patriarch of Alexandria whose 〈…〉 is now in the City of Caire They used heretofore to be circumcised but by the Popes perswasion have left it They baptize not children till the 〈◊〉 day to whom they give the Euceharist immediately after baptism and then also confer on them all sacred orders under Priesthood their parents promising for them and performing what they promise till they be sixteen years old chastity fasting on Wednesdayes Fridays and in the four Lents They administer the Eucharist in leavened bread and in both kinds With the Greeks they leave out the words of the 〈◊〉 creed and from the Son they deny the Sacrament and extream Unction to the sick reject Purgatory and prayer for the dead and all General Councils chiehly Chalcedon after that of Ephesus They keep no Lords day nor Feasts except in Cities They marry within the second degree of consanguinity without dispensation they account the Romane Church heretical and in their Liturgies use to read the Gospel of Nicodeâ—â—â— Q. 14. What are the Abyssin Christians A. These be they which in habit the Mid-land 〈◊〉 under Presbyter or Preâ—ious 〈◊〉 they have a 〈◊〉 of their own whom they call Abunna whose 〈◊〉 is white his upper Vestimeâ—t is like a Cardinals cloak 〈…〉 before When he rides abroad on his Mule he is attended on with a great train three crosses or staâ—es are carried about him and holdeth a crosse in his own hand They have many 〈◊〉 Priests or Bishops and great store of Monasteriâ—s All their Patriarchs and Bishops are of S. Anthonies order as are the Patriarcks of Alexandria to whose jurisdiction anciently Aethiopia did belong and yet at this day they are tied to chuse their Abunna whom they call Catholike of the juriâ—diction of 〈◊〉 by the 〈◊〉 of which place he is confirmed consecrated and invested in his Ecclesiastical Rights In their Liturgy also they pray particularly for the Patriarch of Alexandria The 〈◊〉 Religion consisteth in circumcising Male and Female whether out of Religion or the ancient custom of their Nation as being descended from the ancient Aethiopians or Arabians Ismaels posterity who used to be circumcised is uncertain But most likely they are circumcised in memory and imitation of Christ who was also circumcised They use also every year to baptise themselves in Lakes and Rivers 〈◊〉 Epiphany day in remembrance of Christs baptisme who was baptized on that day in Iordan The other points of their Religion be these they abstain from such beasts as the old Law accounteth unclean they keep the Sabbath and Sunday together The Thursday before Easter they administer the Sacrament is unlearened bread but ordinarily in leavened bread all communicate standing in both kindes The Wine they receive from the Deâ—con in a spâ—on and that in the Church onely The day they receive in they must not spit till 〈…〉 After sorty days the Males are baptized the 〈◊〉 after eighty except in case of necessity and then also they give them the Eucharist they think their Children dying without baptisme shall be saved by the â—aith of their parents They confesse after every sin committed and then receive 〈…〉 They are Iacobites in acknowledging 〈…〉 and will in Christ therefore they 〈…〉 of Chalcedan for condemning Dioscorus the 〈◊〉 So they deny Confirmation Extream and 〈◊〉 They hold tradâ—ction of souls admit of painâ—ed not 〈◊〉 Images they usually excommunicate are none but 〈◊〉 and this onely belongs to the 〈◊〉 Priests and 〈◊〉 have neither Tythes nor Almes by begging but live by their labour They permit not their Bishops and Priests to marry twice Flesh is eat every Friday betwixt Easter and Whitsunday The King conferreth all Ecclesiastick promotions except the Patriarchship Of these passages see the above named Authors and 〈◊〉 the Aethiopian Liturgy in Bibliâ—thâ—ca 〈◊〉 tom 6. Alvares the King of Portugals Chaplain who lived in Aethiopia 6 years wrote the Aethiopian History Zega Zabo an Aethiopian Bishop sent into Portugal by King David the Abyssin who set out the confession of the Aethiopian faith translated by Damianus a Goes c. Q. 15 Wherein doth the Protestant Church agree with 〈◊〉 dissent from other Christian Churches A. They agree with the Greek Church in giving the Sacrament in both kindes in admitting Priests to marry in rejecting images purgatory and extreame unction and in denying the Popes supremacy in the same points also they agree with the Melchites or Syrians with the Georgians Mengrelians and Gircassians and with the Moscovites or Russians who are all of the Greek profession though in some things they differ The Protestants agree with the Nestorians in rejecting auâ—â—cular confession in permitting Priests to marry in communicating in both kinds and in rejecting Crucifixes With the Christians of Saint Thomas they agree in administring the Sacrament in both kinds in rejecting images and extream Unction and permitting Priests to marry and denying the Pope supremacy They agree with the Iacobites
Regum timendorum in prâ—prios greges Reges in ipsâ—s imperium est Iâ—vis Horat. 10. If it were not for the force of Religion few Common-wealths could defend themselves what souldier would fight with that courage or expose his life to danger if he did not expect a greater reward a more durable garland hereafter then any they could expect here This made the Iewes so resolute against their neighbour Gentiles this animated the Romans against their enemies they fought Pro Aris for their Altars in the first place this animateth the Turks against Christians and these against the Turks Q. 3. Ought not then Princes aud Magistrates to have a special care in the setling and preservation of Religion A. Yes for no means is so powerful to establish and perpetuate their thrones and authority as Religion no Guard so strong as this no Castle so impregnable no Spur so sharp to stir and extimulate peoples affections towards the defence obedience reverence and maintenance of their Governours as Religion therefore the wise Roman Emperors took more pride and delight in the titles of Pius and Sanctus of Pious Holy Religious then to be stiled wife Fortunate Stout or Valorous and to let the people know what care they had of Religion they alone would be called Pontifices Maximi or chief Bishops There is no Epithet that the wise Poet gives to Aenaeas so often as that of Piety Pius Aenaeas pietate insignis armis insignem pietate virum c. Qun justior alter â—ec pietate fuit c. Virgil. That good Emperour Antoninus who succeeded Hadrian preferred the title of Pius to all his other honorable titles and as wise Princes have been chiefly careful of Religion to preserve it pure and uncontaminate so have they bin diligent in suppressing Atheists the chief enemies thereof for they saw that Atheisme did introduce Anarchy for he who is an enemy to God cannot be a friend to Gods Vice-Gerents therefore in all wel governed States they have been either put to death or banished as being enemies to government and humane society Wise Princes finde that as religion uniteth peoples affections to them so it makes them fortunate and successful in all their actions and undertakings never was there a more religious Prince then King David and never a King more successful against his enemies the like we may see in Constantine Theodosius Charles the Great and many others no lesse famous for their Religion than for their Victories and because wise Law-givers are not ignorant how much religion is prevalent with the people therefore they delivered them no Laws but what either they received or said they received from some Deity so Lycâ—rgus gave out that his Laws were delivered to him by Apollo Minos received his Laws from Iupiter with whom he was familiar nine years together Zaleucus makes Minerva the Author of his Laws Numa ascribes his Laws to the Nimph AegerÃa with whom he had familiar conferences in the night And Mahomet will have his Laws backed by the authority of the Angel Gabriel such is the force of Religion that without this men would neither receive nor obey Laws for this cause God himself appeared often to the Patriarchs and came down in lightning thunder upon Moâ—nt Sinai when he gave the Law Neither hath there been any more forcible way to appease tumults and popular seditions then the conceit of Religion When the Câ—ty of Florence in a civil dissention was washed with her own blood Francis Sodorinus the Bishop in his Pontificals having the crosse carried before him and accompanied with his Priests struck such an awe of Religion into the hearts of the Citizens with his very presence that they flung down their arms the like religious Stratagem was used by Iaddus the High Priest of the Jewes to obtain the favour of Alexander as he was marching against Ierusalem with his Army who was so struck with the Priests majestical presence and Vestiments that he both adored the Priest spared the City and conferred on it divers benefits The like respect and successe had Pope Vrban from Attila when he besieged Aquileia and many more examples may be alledged Q. 4. Are Pluralities of Religions tolerable in a State A. 1. Publickly one Religion onely is to be allowed because there is but one God who is the Object of Religion therefore as his Essence is most simple and indivisible so should his worship be because diversities of Religion breed diversities of opinions concerning God 2. As there is but one truth so there ought to be but one Religion for false Religions either teach to worship false Gods or else in a false manner to worship the true God therefore God himselfe prescribed to the Jews the rule and manner of his worship strictly commanding them not to alter any thing therein and Saint Paul sheweth That the Gospel which he taught was the onely true Gospel so that if an Angel from Heaven should preach any other Gospel let him be accursed Galat. â—3 As there is but one Church which is the ground and pillar of truth and one faith to lay hold on that truth and one spirit to lead the Church into the way of truth so there should be but one Religion which is the Doctrine of that truth 4. There is but one way to Heaven and life â—â—ernal but the wayes to destruction are many therefore there ought to be but one Religion to conduct us in that way to eternal happinesse 5. Religion as is said is the Foundation of all States and Kingdoms therefore in one State or Kingdom there ought to be but one Religion because there can be but one foundation for one Building cannot have many Foundations 6. â—eligion is the band and cord by which the unity of the State is preserved if this band be broken into many pieces how can it binde the affections of people and preserve their unity either amongst themselves or with their Princes and Governours As therefore a City divided against it self cannot stand neither can that State subsist which is divided into different Religions which occasioneth diversity of affections and withall many jars and contentions 7. As in bodies natural contrary qualities cause destruction so in bodies Politick contrary Religions for if there be but one true Religion the rest must needs be false and what can be more contrary then truth and falshood so that the belly of Rebecca must needs be tormented where such opposite twins do struggle Hence proceed heart-burnings emulations strifes proscriptions excommunications and such like distempers by which the seamlesse coat of Christ is torne in pieces 8. Diversitie of Religions beget envy malice seditions factions rebellions contempt of Superiors treacheries innovations disobedience and many more mischiefs which pull down the heavy judgements of God upon that State or Kingdom where contrary Religions are allowed because whilest every one strives to advance his own Religion above the other all these distempers now mentioned must
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
the honour to wear a long robe of Gold and Purple and on his head a Crown of Gold beset with Jewels The ancient Greeks also priviledged their Priests to wear Crowns whence they were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Rome the Flamen Dialis or Iupiters Priest had this honour that his bare word had the force of an Oath and his presence was in stead of a Sanctuary if any guilty person had fled to him he was free that day from any punishment He had power to exercise Consular authority and to wear Consular garments and whereas none had the Honour to ascend the Capitol in a Sedan or Litter save onely the Pontiseâ— and Priests we see in what reverend esteem they were in old Rome and no lesse honour but rather more the Priests and Bishops of modern Rome have received from Christian Princes Among the Iews we find that Eli and Samuel were both Priests and Judges the Levites were as Justices and by their word used to end all strife Deut. 21. in Davids time 6000 of the Levites were Judges and after the captivity some of the Priests were Kings of Iudâ— 1. Chrom 23. in the Christian Church we see how at all times the Clergy hath been honoured in Scripture they are called Fathers Embassadours Friends of God Men of God Prophets Angels c. Tertullian L. de poeniten shews that in the Primitive Church Penitents used to fall down at the feer of their Priests and some write that they used to kisse their feet In what esteem the Bishops of Italy France Germany and Spain are now in and in England have been in is known to all that read the Histories of these Places In Moscovia the Bishops not onely are endowed with rich Revenues but also with great honours and priviledges and use to ride in rich apparrell and in great state and magnificence What respect the Great Turk giveth to his Mufti or High Priest and in what esteem he hath the Christian Patriarch of Constantinople is not unknown to those that have lived there or read the History In a word Religion flourisheth and fadeth with the Priests Ministers thereof it riseth and falleth floweth and ebbeth as they do and with Hippocrates Twins they live and die together so long as the Gâ—ntile Priests had any maintenance and respect left them so long their superstition continued in the Empire even under Christian Emperors but as soon as Theodosius took away their maintenance Gentilisme presently vanished and went out like the snuff of a Candle the tallow or oil being spent Q. 12. What Religion is most excellent and to be preferred above all others A. The Christian Religion which may be proved first from the excellent doctrines it teacheth as that there is a God that he is but one most perfect infinite eternall omniscient omnipotent absolutely good the authour of all things except sin which in a manner is nothing the Governour of the world and of every particular thing in it that Jesus Christ the son of God died for our sins and rose again for our justification c. 2. From the reward it promiseth which is not temporall happiness promised by Moses to the Iews in this life not sensual and beastly pleasures promised by the Gentile-Priests to their people in their Elysium by Mahomet to his followers in his fools Paradise but eternal spiritual immaculate and Heavenly felicity in the full and perpetual fruition of God in whose presence is the fulnesse of joy and at his right hand are pleasures for evermore such as the eye hath not seen nor the ear heard and cannot enter into the mind of man 3. From teaching the faith of the Resurrection which none of the Gentiles did believe and not many among the Iews for the Saduces denyed it onely Christianity believes it being assured thâ—t he who by his power made the great world of nothing is able to remake the little world of something neither can that which is possible to nature prove impossible to the aâ—thour of nature for if the one can produce out of a small seed a great tree with leaves bark and bougâ—s or a butterfly out of a worm or the beautifull feathered Peacock out of a mis-shapen egge cannot the Almighty out of dust raise our bodies who first out of dust made them 4. No Religion doth teach how God should be worshipped sincerely and purely but Christianity for other Religions consist most in sacrifices not of beasts and birds onely but of men also likewise in multitudes of unnecessary ceremonies whereas the Christian Religion thâ—weth that God is a spirit and will be worshipped in spirit and truth That outward Ceremonies are but beggerly rudiments That he will have mercy and noâ— sacrifice That thâ— sacrifice of God is a broken and contrite heart That he is better pleased with the circumcision of our fleshly lusts than of our flesh with the mortification of the body of sin than of the body of nature He caâ—eth not the flesh of Bulls nor drinks the blood of Goats but we must offer to him thanksgiving and must pay 〈◊〉 vows The best keeping of his Sabbath is rather to forbear the workâ— of sin than the works of of our hands and to wash our hearts in innocency rather than our hands in water The service he expects from us is the presenting of our bodies â—living sacrifice and holy which is our reasonable service No Religion like this doth teach us the true object of our faith and hope which is God of our charity which is our neighbour of temperance which is our selves of obedience which is the Law of prayer which is the Kingdome of Heaven and the righteousnesse thereof in the first place and then things concerning our worldly affairs in the second place no Religion but this teacheth us to deny our selves to forgive our enemies to pray for our persecutors to do good to those who hurt us to forget and forgive all injuries and to leave vengeance to God who will repay no Religion like this teacheth the conjugal chastity that ought to be between one man and one wife for other religions permit either plurality of wives or divorces upon light occasions or fornication amongst young people unmarried Crede mihi non est flagitium adolescentem scortari Terent or that which is worse and not to be named but Christianity forbids unchast talk immodest looks and even unclean thoughts Other Religions forbid perjury this swearing at all except before a Judge to vindicate the truth No Religion doth so much urge the mutual justice or duties that ought to be between masters and servants parents and children Princes and people and between man and man all these oppression extortion usury bribes sacriledge c. are forbid even all kind of covetousnesse and immoderate care but to cast ouâ— care upon God to depend on his providence to use this world as if we used it not to cast ouâ— bread upon the Waters to
make us friends of our unrighteous Mâ—nmon to be content with food and raiment to have our conversation in heaven to seek the things that are above to lay up our treasures in heaven where neither â—oth can spoil nor thiâ—ves break through and steal 5. The excellency of Christianity may be proved from the multitude of witnesses or martyrs and Confessors who have not only forsaken father and mother lands and possessions and whatsoever else was dear to them but likewise their lives and that with all chearfulnesse for the name of Christ and which is most strange in the midst of flames and other torments they did sing and rejoyce and account it no small 〈◊〉 happines to suffer for Christ being fully perswaded that the afflictions of this lâ—fe were not worthy of the glory that should be revealed and that after they had fought the good fight and finished their course a Crown of righteousnesse was laid up for them 6. The excellency of the author commends Christianity above all other religions which have been delivered by men onely and those sinfull men too as Moses â—ycurgus Minos Solon Numa and Mahomet c. But the author of Christianity was both God and man whose humane nature was without spot or sin original and actuall for though he became sin for us yet he knew no sin there was no guile sound in his mouth he had done no violence he was oppressed and afflicted yet opened he not his mogth but was brought as a lamb to the slaughter and as a sheep before his shiarers was dumb c. Isa. 53. his very enemies could not accuse him of sin he prayed for those that crucified him and died for his enemies he was obedient to his father even to the death of the Crosse he did not lay heavy burthens upon other mens shoulders which he did not touch himself but as well by practise as by precept he hath gone before us in all holy duties and as he died for sinners so he rose again for them the third day ascended into Heaven where he now sits at the right hand of his father and will come again to judge the quick and the dead He is the true Messias who in the fulnesse of time came upon the accomplishing of Daniels seventy weeks not long before the destruction of Ierusalem as was foretold by the Prophets by whose presence the glory of the second Temple far exceeded the glory of the first though in all things else inferiour to it He is the true Shilâ— at whose coming the Scepter departed from Iuda and as it was foretold that he should come of David be born in Bethlehem have a Virgin for his mother preach in Galiâ—ce and heal all manner of infirmities and should reign over the Gentiles so these things came to passe 7. Never was there any Religion propagated through the world in that wonderful manner as this was if we consider either the authours that spread it who were illiterate fâ—sher-men and yet could on a sudden speak all languages or the manner how it was spread without either violence or eloquence whereas Mahumetanisme and other religions have been forced upon men by the Sword Christianity was propagated by weaknesse sufferings humility patience plainnesse and working of miracles the suddennesse also of its propagation the great opposition it had by the Potentates of the world whom notwithstanding these fisher-men conquered the largenesse of this religions extent as being spread over the four parts of the habitable earth I say all these being considered musâ— needs shew us what preheminence this religion hath above all others the course whereof could not be retarded either by the force policy or cruelty of Tyrants who exposed Christians to a thousand sorts of torments yet in spite of all opposition it went like a mighty torrent through the world and like the Palm the more it was suppressed the more it flourishedâ— Per tela per ignes ab ipso ducit opes animumque ferrâ— What religion could ever name such Martyrs either 〈◊〉 number or constancy as the Christian can To be brief how far truth exceedeth error one God multiplicity of Gods his sincere and pure worship the idolatry of worshipping evil Spirits Starres dead Men bruâ—â— beasts yea meere accidents and phansies and hoâ— far divine power exceedeth all humane power so far doth Christianity exceed Gentilisme Again how much Christ exceedeth Moses and the Gospel the Law and how far the precept of patience and meeknesse taught by Christ exceedeth the precept of revenge delivered by Moses how far Baptisme excelleth Circumcision and the Lords Supper the Iewish Passeover the true propitiatory sacrifice of Christs body all the sacrifices of beasts and birds how far the easie yoke of Christ is lighter than the heavy burthens of Moses and the true Messiah already come exceeds the Iews supposed Messiah yet expected so far doth the Christian religion excell the Iewish superstition Lastly how far Iesus in respect of his humane nature exceedeth Mahomet the one being conceived of the holy Ghost and born of a Virgin the other bâ—ing conceived and born after the manner of other men the one being without sin the other a thief and robber the one teaching love peace and patience the other hatred war and revenge the one curâ—ing mens lust by Monogamy the other letting loose the reins to uncleannes by Poligamy The one planting Religion in the soul the other in outward Ceremonies of the body The one permitting the moderate use of all Gods creatures the other prohibiting Wine and Swines-flesh The one commanding all men to search the Scriptures the â—ther prohibiting the vulgar to read the Alcoran or to translate it into other tongues out of the Arabick the one working by miracles the other onely by cheating tricks The one propagating Religion by suffering patience and humility the other by cruelty oppression and tyranny The one choosing for his followers innocent and holy men such as followed their trade of fishing the other wicked and profane persons whose trade consisted in thieving robbing and murthering The one teaching sound and wholsome Doctrine the other ridiculoâ—s and favourlesse fables in his Alcoran I say how far in all these things the man Christ Jesus not to speak of his Divinity did exceed Mahomet so far doth Christianity excel Mahumetanism And thus have I with as much brevity as I could taken and given a view of all known Religions and have set down what use is to be made thereof and withal have shewed the excellency of Christianity above all other professions in the world God grant that as it is the best of all Religions so we of this Land may prove the best of all the professors thereof learning to deny our selves to take up the Crosse of Christ and follow him in meeknesse patience humility justice sobriety holinesse love and all other vertues wherein the life of Religion consisteth laying aside self-interest idle quarrels needlesse debates unprofitable questions
lesser but now the one sits in Persia the other to wiâ— the lesser in Ciliciâ— They are in some sort 〈◊〉 holding a coalition of Christs two natures into one compounded nature but by their late confession ìt seems they have renounced this opinion Their Patriarch they call Catholikes they administer the Sacrament with unleavened bread and will not have Christs body to be really in the Sacrament under the species of bread and wine nor do they mingle water with wine With the Greeks they deny the procession of the Holy Ghost from the Son They give the Eucharist to Infants presently after Baptism they pray for the dead yet deny Purgatory they re-baptise converts from the Latine Church They fast the 25. of December and keep Christmasse day on the Epiphany or rather Christs baptisme They keep the feast of Annunciation the sixt day of April the Purification the fourteenth of February They eat flesh on Fridays betwen Easter and Ascention day In Lent they feed onely on Herbs Rootes Fruits and Pulse they abstain from such beasts they account unclean they hold that the souls of good men obtain not felicity till the Resurrection They admit none to be secular Priests till they are married but must not marry the second time They will not have the Sacraments to confer grace They administer the cup to all and celebrate no Masse without distributing the Sacrament They invocate Saints and insert divers words into the Creed which are neither Greek nor Latine Q. 10. What other Sects are there of the Greek Religion A. The Melchites so called from Melech a King because they have always followed the faith of the Emperors of Constantinople according as it was established by the Councel of Chalcedon against Eutyches and Dioscorus They are also called Syrians from the country where they inhabit These are altogether of the Greek Religion and Communion but not of the jurisdiction of the Patriarch of Constantinople but of the Arch-Bishop of Damascus under the title of Patriarch of Antiochia for this City where Christianity had its first residence and name and where Peter sat seven years Bishop being wasted and forsaken the Patriarchs seat was translated to Damascus where it remaineth 2. The Georgians are also of the Greek Religion but are not subâ—ect to the Patriarch of Constantinople having a Metropolitan of their own whose residence is in the Monastery of Saint Katharine in Mount Sinâ—i a great way from Iberia lying between the Euxin and Caspian Seas where the 〈◊〉 inhabit who are so called from Saint George as some think who converted them to Christianity and whose picture they carry yet in 〈…〉 but doubtlesse they were called 〈◊〉 before Saint George was born for Mela speake of them in the first Book of his Geography who lived in the time of Claudius the Emperor and Vadianus on that place thinks they were called Georgians from their Husbandry to which they were much addicted 3. The Georgians next Neighbours to wit the Mengrelians called of old Colchi and the ancient Zychi now called Circassians whence the Sultan had his 〈◊〉 are also of the Greek Communion and subject to the Patriarch of Constantinople but they baptise not their Children till they be eight years old In other points they are of the Greek Religion being converted to Christianity by Cyrillus and Methedius the Apostles or Ministers of the Patriarch of Constantinople Q. 11. What is the Religion of the Nestorians Christians of Saint Thomas and Jacobites A. 1. The Nestorians so called from Nestorius the Heretick whose opinion concerning two Persons in Christ they held a long time and spread themselves through a great part of Asia by reason of Cosroes the Persian King who in hatred to Heraâ—â—ius the Emperor caused all Christians within his Dominions to become Nestorians these were subject to the Patriarch of Musal which some think to be Bagded or Babyloâ— others Seleucia and others a part of old 〈◊〉 but at this day most of them are subject to the Pope both in jurisdiction and partly in Religion and have renounced their old errors concerning the two 〈◊〉 in Christ that Mary should not be called the 〈◊〉 of God that the Councel of Ephesus and all other Councels after it are to be rejected these errors I say they have renounced but they administer the 〈◊〉 with leavened bread and in both kindes 〈◊〉 permit their Priests to marry the third or fourth 〈◊〉 they have Crosses but not 〈◊〉 nor Crucifixes nor 〈◊〉 confession 2. The Christians 〈…〉 or of Saint 〈◊〉 so called because converted by him They were heretofore Nestorians and subject to the 〈◊〉 of Masal but now are subordinate to the Pope both in profession and jurisdiction They did use to give the Eucharist in both kindes to season the bread with salt instead of Wine to drink the â—oyce of Raisons to baptise their children when fourty days old to reject all Images except the cross the Popes supremacy extream â—uction and second marriages of their Priests but now they are of the Roman Religion 3. The Iacobites so called from Iacobus the Syrian a great Eucychian are spread through many Kingdomes in the East They are named also Dioscorians from Dioscorus Patriarch of Alexandria a great Patron of Eutyches They belonged anciently before the Councel of Chalcedon to the jurisdiction of Antiochia but since they yeild obedience to a Patriarch of their own whose residence is in Caramit the Old Metropolis of Mesopotamia but yet retains the name of Patriarch of Antiochia They held there was in Christ but one nature will and operation and therefore in signing with the Crosse they used but one singer whereas the other Eastern Christians used two Before baptisme they imprinted on their children the sign of the Crosse with a hot Iron They deny Purgatory and prayers for the dead and say that the Angels are made of fire and light They hold that just mens souls remain in the earth till the Resurrection their Priests are married they deny 〈◊〉 confession give the Eucharist in both kindes and the bread 〈◊〉 They circumcise both Sexes they condemn Eutyches as an Heretick and yet honour Dioscorus and Iacob the Syrâ—an as Saints but now they have utterly rejected the Heresie of one nature in Christ and with the Latine Church acknowledge two distinct natures with their distinct properties as may be seen by the Iacobites confessions Q. 12. What is the Religion of the Maronites A. The Maronites are so called from Maron a holy man their chiefe residence is in Mount Libanus though some inhabit Aleppo Damascus Tripoli of Syria and Cyprus Their Patriarch is a Monk of Saint Anthony having nine Bishops under him he is alwayes called Peter and will be stiled Patriarch of Antiochia which title is claimed by the Iacobite Patriarch who is alwayes named Ignatius The Maronites were Monothelites and with the Greeks denyed the Procession of the holy Ghost