Friers and Nunnes it needs not to those that know the hypocrisie uncleannesse of that Cloyster-brood The Russe himself though otherwise addicted to all superstition speaketh so fouly of it that it must needs gain silence of any modest man Besides these they have certain Eremites whom they call Holy men that are like to those Gymnosopâ—ists for their life and behaviour though farre unlike for their knowledge and learning They use to go stark naked save a â—lout about their middle with their hair hanging long and wildly about their shoulders and many of them with an iron coller or chain about their necks or mids even in the very extremitie of winter These they â—â—ke as Prophets and men of great holinesse giving them a libertie to speak what they lâ—â—t without any controlement though it be of the very highest himself So that if he reprove any openly in what sort soever they answer nothing but that it is Pâ—…um that is for their â—…es And if any of them take some piece of sale waâ—â— from any 〈◊〉 shop as he passeth by to give where he list he thinketh himself much beloved of God and much beholding to the holy man for taking it in that sort Of this kind there are not many because it is a very hard and cold profession to go naked in Russia specially in Winter Among other at this time they have one at Mosko that walketh naked about the streets and inveigheth commonly against the state and government especially against the Godonoes that are thought at this time to be great oppressours of that Common-wealth Another there was that died not many years ago whom they called Basileo that would take upon him to reprove the old Emperour for all his crueltie oppressions done towards his people His bodie they have translated of late into a sumptuous Church near the Emperours house in Mosko and have canonized him for a Saint Many miracles he doth there for so the Friers make the people to believe and many offerings are made unto him not onely by the people but by the chief Nobilitie and the Emperour and Empresse themselves which visit that Church with great devotion But this last year at my being at Mosko this Saint had ill luck in working his miracles For a lame man that had his limbs restored as it was pretended by him was charged by a woman that was familiar with him being then fallen out that he halted but in the day time and could leap merrily when he came home at night And that he had intended this matter six years before Now he is put into a Monasterie and there raileth upon the Friers that hired him to have this counterfeit miracle practised upon him Besides this disgrace a little before my coming from thence there were eight slain within his Church by fire in a thunder Which caused his bels that were tingling before all day and night long as in triumph of the miracles wrought by Basileo their Saint to ring somewhat softlier and hath wrought no little discredit to this miracle-worker There was another of great account at Plesko called Nicola of Plesko that did much good when this Emperours father came to sack the town upon suspicion of their revolting and rebellion against him The Emperour after he had saluted the Eremite at his lodging sent him a reward And the Holy man to requite the Emperour sent him a piece of raw flesh being then their Lent time Which the Emperour seeing bid one to tell him that he marvelled that the Holy man would offer him flesh to eat in the Lent when it was forbidden by order of holy Church And doth Evasko which is as much to say as Jack think quoth Nicola that it is unlawfull to eat a piece of beasts flesh in Lent and not to eat up so much mans flesh as he hath done already So threatning the Emperour with a prophesie of some hard adventure to come upon him except he left murdering of his people and departed the town he saved a great many mens lives at that time This maketh the people to like very well of them because they are as Pasquils to note their great mens faults that no man else dare speak of Yet it falleth out sometime that for this rude libertie which they take upon them after a counterfeit manner by imitation of Prophets they are made away in secret as was one or two of them in the last Emperours time for being overbold in speaking against his government CHAP. XXII Of their Liturgie or form of Church-service and their manner of administring the Sacraments THeir morning service they call Zautrana that is maâ—â—ins It is done in this order The Priest entereth into the Church with his Deacon following him And when he is come to the middle of the Church he beginneth to say with a loud voice Blasslavey Uladika that is Blesse us heavenly Pastour meaning of Christ. Then he addeth In the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holy Ghost one very God in Trinitie and Aspody Pomeluy or Lord have mercy upon us Lord have mercy upon us Lord have mercy upon us repeated three times This done he marcheth on towards the Chancel or Sanctum Sanctorum as they use to call it and so entreth into the Scharsuey Dwere or the heavenly doore which no man may enter into but the Priest onely Where standing at the altar or table set near to the upper wall of the chancell he saith the Lords prayer and then again Aspody Pomeluy or Lord have mercie upon us Lord have mercie upon us c. pronounced twelve times Then Praised be the Trinitie the Father Sonne and holy Ghost for ever and ever Whereto the Deacons and people say Amen Next after the Priest addeth the Psalmes for that day and beginneth with O come let us worship and fall down before the Lord c. and therewithall himself with the Deacons and people all turn themselves towards their Idols or Images that hang on the wall and crossing themselves bow down three times knocking their heads to the very ground After this he readeth the ten commandments and Athanasius Creed out of the Service book This being done the Deacon that standeth without the heavenly doore or chancell readeth a piece of a Legend out of a written book for they have it not in print of some Saints life miracles c. This is divided into many parts for every day in the year and is read by them with a plain singing note not unlike to the Popish tune when they sung their Gospels After all this which reacheth to an houre and an half or two houres of length he addeth certain set Collects or prayers upon that which he hath read out of the Legend before and so endeth his Service All this while stand burning before their Idols a great many of wax candles whereof some are of the bignesse of a mans wast vowed or enjoyned by penance upon the people of the parish
had entred himself this last year into the Russe profession and so was rebaptized living now as much an idolatour as before he was a riotour and unthriftie person Such as thus receive the Russe baptisme are first carried into some Monasterie to be instructed there in the doctrine and ceremonies of the Church Where they use these ceremonies First they put him into a new and fresh suit of apparell made after the Russe fashion and set a coronet or in Summer a garland upon his head Then they anoint his head with oyl and put a wax candle light into his hand and so pray over him foure times a day the space of seven dayes All this while he is to abstain from flesh and white meats The seven dayes being ended he is purified and washed in a bathstove and so the eighth day he is brought into the Church where he is taught by the Friers how to behave himself in presence of their idols by ducking down knocking of the head crossing himself and such like gestures which are the greatest part of the Russe religion The Sacrament of the Lords supper they receive but once a year in their great Lent time a little before Easter Three at the most are admitted at one time and never above The manner of their communicating is thus First they confesse themselves of all their sinnes to the Priest whom they call their ghostly father Then they come to the Church and are called up to the Communion table that standeth like an altar a little removed from the upper end of the Church after the Dutch manner Here first they are asked of the Priest whether they be clean or no that is whether they have never a sinne behind that they left unconfessed If they answer No they are taken to the table Where the Priest beginneth with certain usuall prayers the communicants standing in the meanwhile with their arms folded one within another like penitentiaries or mourners When these prayers are ended the Priest taketh a spoon and filleth it full of claret wine then he putteth into it a small piece of bread and tempereth them both together and so delivereth them in the spoon to the Communicants that stand in order speaking the usuall words of the Sacrament Eat this c. Drink this c. both at one time without any pause After that he delivereth them again bread by it self and then wine carded together with a little warm water to represent bloud more rightly as they they think and the water withall that flowed out of the side of Christ. Whiles this is in doing the communicants unfold their arms and then folding them again follow the Priest thrice round about the communion toble and so return to their places again Where having said certain other prayers he dismisseth the communicants with charge to be merry and chear up themselves for the seven dayes next following which being ended he enjoyneth them to fast for it as long time after which they use to observe with very great devotion eating nothing else but bread and salt except a little cabbage and some other herb or root with water or quasse mead for their drink This is their manner of administring the Sacraments Wherein what they differ from the institution of Christ and what ceremonies they have added of their own or rather borrowed of the Greeks may easily be noted CHAP. XVIII Of the doctrine of the Russe Church and what errours it holdeth THeir chiefest errours in matter of faith I find to be these First concerning the word of God it self they will not read publickly certain books of the Canonicall Scripture as the books of Moses specially the foure last Exodus Leviticus Numeri and Deuteronomie which they say are all made disauthentick and put out of use by the coming of Christ as not able to discern the difference betwixt the morall and the ceremoniall law The books of the prophets they allow of but reade them not publickly in their churches for the same reason because they were but directours unto Christ and proper as they say to the nation of the Jews Onely the book of Psalmes they have in great estimation and sing and say them dayly in their Churches Of the new Testament they allow and read all except the Revelation which therefore they read not though they allow it because they understand it not neither have the like occasion to know the fulfilling of the prophesies contained within it concerning especially the apostasie of the Antichristian church as have the Western Churches Notwithstanding they have had their Antichrists of the Greek Church and may find their own falling off and the punishments for it by the Turkish invasion in the prophecies of that book Secondly which is the fountain of the rest of all their corruptions both in doctrine and ceremonies they hold with the Papists that their Church Traditions are of equall authoritie with the written word of God Wherein they preferre themselves before other Churches affirming that they have the true and right traditions delivered by the Apostles to the Greek Church and so unto them 3. That the Church meaning the Greek and specially the Patriarch and his Synod as the head of the rest have a sovereigne authoritie to interpret the Scripture and that all are bound to hold that interpretation as sound and authentick 4. Concerning the divine nature and the three persons in the one substance of God that the holy Ghost proceedeth from the Father onely and not from the Sonne 5. About the office of Christ they hold many foul errours and the same almost as doth the Popish church namely that he is the sole mediatour of redemption but not of intercession Their chief reason if they be talked withall for defence of this errour is that unapt and foolish comparison betwixt God and a Monarch or Prince of this world that must be sued unto by Mediatours about him wherein they give speciall preferment to some above others as to the blessed Virgin whom they call Precheste or undefiled and S. Nicolas whom they call Scora pomosnick or the Speedy helper and say that he hath 300. angels of the chiefest appointed by God to attend upon him This hath brought them to an horrible excesse of idolatry after the grossest and prophanest manner giving unto their images all religious worship of prayer thanksgiving offerings and adoration with prostrating and knocking their heads to the ground before them as to God himself Which because they do to the picture not to the portraiture of the Saint they say they worship not an idol but the Saint in his image and so offend not God forgetting the commandment of God that forbiddeth to make the image or likenesse of any thing for any religious worship or use whatsoever Their church-walls are very full of them richly hanged and set forth with pearl and stone upon the smooth table Though some also they have embossed that stick from the board almost an inch outwards They call them
is like to determine in those that now are and to make a conversion of the Russe estate If it be into a government of some better temper milder constitution it will be happy for the poore people that are now oppressed with intolerable servitude CHAP. VI. Of the manner of crowning or inauguration of the Russe Emperours THe solemnities used at the Russe Emperours coronation are on this manner In the great Church of Precheste or our Lady within the Emperours castle is erected a stage whereon standeth a scrine that beareth upon it the Imperiall cap and robe of very rich stuff When the day of the Inauguration is come there resort thither first the Patriarch with the Metropolitanes Archbishops Bishops Abbots and Priors all richly clad in their Pontificalibus Then eâ—â—eâ— the Deacons with the quire of sâ—â—gers Who so soon as the Emperour setteth foot into the Church begin to sing Many years may live noble Theodore Juanowich c. whereunto the Patriarch and Metropolite with the rest of the Clergie answer with a certain Hymn in form of a prayer singing it all together with a great noise The hymn being ended the Patriarch with the Emperour mount up the stage where standeth a seat ready for the Emperour Whereupon the Patriarch willeth him to sit down and then placing himself by him upon another seat provided for that purpose boweth down his head towards the ground and saith this prayer Oh Lord God King of Kings Lord of Lords which by thy prophet Samuel didst choose thy servant David and anoint him for King over thy people Israel hear now our prayers and look from thy sanctuarie upon this thy servant Theodore whom thou hast chosen and exalted for King oven these thy holy Nations anoint him with the oyl of gladnesse protect him by thy power put upon his head a crown of gold and pretious stones give him length of dayes place him in the seat of Justice strengthen his arm make subject unto him all the barbarous nations Let thy sear be in his whole heart turn him from an evil faith and from all errour and shew him the salvation of thy holy and universall Church that he may judge thy people with justice and protect the children of the poore and finally attain everlasting life This prayer he speaketh with a low voice and then pronounceth aloud All praise and power to God the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost The prayer being ended he commandeth certain Abbots to reach the imperiall robe and cap which is done very decently and with great solemnitie the Patriarch withall pronouncing aloud Peace be unto all And so he beginneth another prayer to this effect Bow your selves together with us and pray to him that reigneth over all Preserve him O Lord under thy holy protection keep him that he may do good and holy things let justice shine sorth in his dayes that we may live quietly without strife and malice This is pronounced somewhat softly by the Patriarch whereto he addeth again aloud Thou art the King of the whole world and the Savioun of our souls to thee the Father Sonne and holy Ghost be all praise for ever and ever Amen Then putting on the robe and cap he blesseth the Emperour with the signe of the crosse saying withall In the name of the Father the Sinne and the holy Ghost The like is done by the Metropolites Archbishops and Bishops who all in their order come to the chair and one after another blesse the Emperour with their two forefingers Then is said by the Patriarch another prayer that beginneth O most holy virgin mother of God c. After which a Deacon pronounceth with an high loud voice Many years to noble Theodore good honourable beloved of God great Duke of Volodemer of Mosko Emperour and Monarch of all Russia c. Whereto the other Priests Deacons that stand somewhat farre off by the altar or table answer singing Many years many years to the noble Theodore The same note is taken up by the Priests and Deacons that are placed at the right and left side of the Church and then all together they chaunt and thunder out singing Many years to the noble Theodore good honourable beloved of God great Duke of Volodemer Mosko Emperour of all Russia c. These solemnities being ended first cometh the Patriarch with the Metropolites Archbishops and bishops then the Nobilitie and the whole companie in their order to do homage to the Emperour bending down their heads and knocking them at his feet to the very ground The style wherewith he is invested at his Coronation runneth after this manner THeodore Juanowich by the grace of God great Lord and Emperour of all Russia great Duke of Volodemer Mosko and Novograd King of Cazan King of Astracan Lord of Plesko and great Duke of Smolensko of Tweria â—oughoria Permia Vadska Bulghoria and others Lord and great Duke of Novograd of the Low-countrey of Chernigo Rezan Polotskoy Rostove Yaruflaveley Bealozera Liefland Oudoria Obdoria and Condensa Commander of all Siberia and of the North parts and Lord of many other Countreys c. This style containeth in it all the Emperours Provinces and setteth forth his greatnesse And therefore they have a great delight and pride in it forcing not onely their own people but also strangers that have any matter to deliver to the Emperour by speech or writing to repeat the whole form from the beginning to the end Which breedeth much cavill and sometimes quarrell betwixt them and the Tartar and Poland Ambassadours who refuse to call him Czar that is Emperour and to repeat the other parts of his long style My self when I had audience of the Emperour thought good to salute him onely with thus much viz. Emperour of all Russia great Duke of Volodemer Mosko and Novograd King of Cazan King of Astracan The rest I omitted of purpose because I knew they gloried to have their style appear to be of a larger volume then the Queens of England But this was taken in so ill part that the Chancellour who then attended the Emperour with the rest of the Nobilitie with a loud chafing voice called still upon me to say out the rest Whereto I answered that the Emperours style was very long and could not so well be remembred by strangers that I had repeated so much of it as might shew that I gave honour to the rest c. But all would not serve till I commanded my Interpreter to say it all out CHAP. VII The State or form of their Government THe manner of their government is much after the Turkish fashion which they seem to imitate as near as the countrie and reach of their capacities in politick affairs will give them leave to do The State and form of their government is plain tyrannicall as applying all to the behoof of the Prince and that after a most open and barbarous manner as may appear by the Sophismata or secrets of their government afterwards set
About 9. of the clock in the morning they have another service called Obeidna or Compline much after the order of the Popish Service that bare that name If it be some high or Festivall day they furnish their Service beside with Blessed be the Lord God of Israel c. and We praise thee O God c. sung with a more solemn and curious note Their Evening service is called Vecherna where the Priest beginneth with Blaslavey Uladika as he did in the morning and with Psalmes appointed for the Vecherna Which being read he singeth My soul doth magnifie the Lord c. And then the Priest Deacons and people all with one voice sing Aspody pomeluy or Lord have mercy upon us thirty times together Whereunto the boyes that are in the Church answer all with one voice rowling it up so fast as their lips can go Verii Verii Verii Verii or Praise Praise Praise c. thirty times together with a very strange noise Then is read by the Priest and upon the holydayes sung the first Psalm Blessed is the man c. And in the end of it is added Alleluia repeated ten times The next in order is some part of the Gospel read by the Priest which he endeth with Alleluia repeated three times And so having said a collect in remembrance of the Saint of that day he endeth his evening service All this while the Priest standeth above at the altar or high table within the Chancel or Sanctum Sanctorum whence he never moveth all the service time The Deacon or Deacons which are many in their cathedrall Churches stand without the chancel by the Scharsuey dwere or heavenly doore for within they may not be seen all the service time though otherwise their office is to sweep and keep it and to set up the wax candles before their Idols The people stand together the whole service time in the body of the Church and some in the Church porch for pew or seat they have none within their Churches The Sacrament of baptisme they administer after this manner The child is brought unto the Church and this is done within eight dayes after it is born If it be the child of some Nobleman it is brought with great pomp in a rich â—led or wagon with chairs and cushions of cloth of gold and such like sumptuous shew of their best furniture When they are come to the Church the Priest standeth readie to receive the child within the church-porch with his tub of water by him And then beginneth to declare unto them that they have brought a little Infidell to be made a Christian c. This ended he teacheth the witnesses that are two or three in a certain set form out of his book what their dutie is in bringing up the child after he is baptized viz. That he must be taught to know God and Christ the Saviour And because God is of great Majestie and we must not presume to come unto him without Mediatours as the manner is when we make any suit to an Emperour or great Prince therefore they must teach him what Saints are the best and chief mediatours c. This done he commandeth the devil in the name of God after a conjuring manner to come out of the water and so after certain prayers he plungeth the child thrise over head and ears For this they hold to be a point necessary that no part of the child be undipped in the water The words that bear with them the form of baptisme uttered by the Priest when he dippeth in the child are the very same that are prescribed in the Gospel and used by us viz. In the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Ghost For that they should alter the form of the words and say by the holy Ghost as I have heard that they did following certain hereticks of the Greek church I found to be untrue as well by report of them that have been often at their baptismes as by their book of Liturgie it self wherein the order of baptisme is precisely set down When the child is baptized the Priest layeth oyl and salt tempered together upon the forehead and both sides of his face and then upon his mouth drawing it along with his finger over the childs lips as did the Popish priests saying withall certain prayers to this effect that God will make him a good Christian c. all this is done in the Church-porch Then is the child as being now made a Christian and meet to be received within the Church doore carried into the Church the Priest going before and there he is presented to the chief Idol of the Church being laid on a cushion before the feet of the image by it as by the mediatour to be commended unto God If the child be sick or weak specially in the winter they use to make the water lukewarm After baptisme the manner is to cut off the hair from the childs head and having wrapped it within a piece of wax to lay up as a relique or monument in a secret place of the church This is the manner of their baptisme which they account to be the best and perfectest form As they do all other parts of their religion received as they say by tradition from the best Church meaning the Greek And therefore they will take great pains to make a proselyte or convert either of an infidell or of a forein Christian by rebaptizing him after the Russe manner When they take any Tartar prisoner commonly they will offer him life with condition to be baptized And yet they perswade very few of them to redeem their life so because of the naturall hatred the Tartar beareth to the Russe and the opinion he hath of his falshood and injustice The year after Mosko was fired by the Chrim Tartar there was taken a Divoymorsey one of the chief of that exploit with 300. Tartars more who had all their lives offered them if they would be baptized after the Russe manner Which they refused all to do with many reproches against those that perswaded them And so being carried to the river Mosko that runneth through the citie they were all baptized after a violent manner being thrust down with a knock on the head into the water through an hole made in the ice for that purpose Of Lieflanders that are captives there are many that take on them this second Russe baptisme to get more libertie and somewhat besides towards their living which the Emperour ordinarily useth to give them Of Englishmen since they frequented the countrey there was never any found that so much forgot God his faith and countrey as that he would be content to be baptized Russe for any respect of fear preferment or other means whatsoever save onely Richard Relph that following before an ungodly trade by keeping a Caback against the order of the countrey and being put off from that trade and spoiled by the Emperours officers of that which he
Chudovodites or their miracle-workers and when they provide them to set up in their Churches in no case they may say that they have bought the image but exchanged money for it 6. For the means of justification they agree with the Papists that it is not by faith onely apprehending Christ but by their works also and that Opus operatum or the work for the work sake must needs please God And therefore they are all in their numbers of prayers fasts vows and offerings to saints alms-deeds crossings and such like and carrie their numbring beads about with them continualy as well the Emperour and his Nobilitie as the common people not onely in the Church but in all other publick places specially at any set or solemn meeting as in their fasts law courts common consultations entertainment of Ambassadours and such like 7. They say with the Papists that no man can be assured of his salvation till the last sentence be passed at the day of judgement 8. They use auricular confession and think that they are purged by the very action from so many sinnes as they confesse by name and in particular to the Priest 9. They hold three Sacraments of Baptisme the Lords supper and the last an oyling or unction Yet concerning their Sacrament of extreme unction they hold it not so necessary to salvation as they do baptisme but think it a great curse and punishment of God if any die without it 10. They think there is a necessitie of baptisme and that all are condemned that die without it 11. They rebaptize as many Christians not being of the Greek church as they convert to their Russe profession because they are divided from the true church which is the Greek as they say 12. They make a difference of meats and drinâ—â— accounting the use of one to be more holy then of another And therefore in their set fasts they forbear to eat flesh and white meats as we call them after the manner of the Popish superstition which they observe so strictly and with such blind devotion as that they will rather die then eat one bit of flesh egges or such like for the health of their bodies in their extreme sicknesse 13. They hold marriage to be unlawfull for all the Clergie men except the priests onely and for them also after the first wife as was said before Neither do they well allow of it in Lay-men after the second marriage Which is a pretence now used against the Emperours onely brother a child of six years old who therefore is not prayed for in their Churches as their manner is otherwise for the Princes bloud because he was born of the sixth marriage and so not legitimate This charge was given to the priests by the Emperour himself by procurement of the Godonoes who make him believe that it is a good pollicie to turn away the liking of the people from the next successour Many other false opinions they have in matter of religion But these are the chief which they hold partly by means of their traditions which they have received from the Greek Church but specially by ignorance of the holy Scriptures Which notwithstanding they have in the Polonian tongue that is all one with theirs some few words excepted yet few of them read them with that godly care which they ought to do neither have they if they would books sufficient of the old and new Testament for the common people but of their Liturgie onely or book of common service whereof there are great numbers All this mischief cometh from the Clergie who being ignorant and godlesse themselves are very wary to keep the people likewise in their ignorance and blindnesse for their living and bellies sake partly also from the manner of government settled among which the Emperours whom it specially behoveth list not to have changed by any innovation but to retain that religion that best agreeth with it Which notwithstanding it is not to be doubted but that having the word of God in some sort though without the ordinary means to attain to a true sense and understanding of it God hath also his number among them As may partly appear by that which a Russe at Mosko said in secret to one of my servants speaking against their images and other superstitions That God had given unto England light to day and might give it to morrow if he pleased to them As for any inquisition or proceeding against men for matter of religion I could hear of none save a few years since against one man and his wife who were kept in a close prison the space of 28. years till they were overgrown into a deformed fashion for their hair nails colour of countenance and such like and in the end were burned at Mosko in a small house set on fire The cause was kept secret but like it was for some part of truth in matter of religion though the people were made to believe by the Priests and Friers that they held some great and damnable heresie CHAP. XXIV Of the manner of solemnizing their Marriages THe manner of making and solemnizing their marriages is different from the manner of other countries The man though he never saw the woman before is not permitted to have any sight of her all the time of his woing which he doth not by himself but by his mother or some other ancient woman of his kinne aswell by the parents as by the parties themselves for without the knowledge and consent of the parents the contract is not lawfull the fathers on both sides or such as are to them in stead of fathers with other chief friends having a meeting and conference about the dowrie which is commonly very large after the abilitie of the parents so that you shall have a market man as they call them give a 1000. rubbels or more with his daughter As for the man it is never required of him nor standeth with their custome to make any joynter in recompence of the dowrie But in case he have a child by his wife she enjoyeth a third deal after his decease If he have two children by her or more she is to have a courtesie more at the discretion of the husband If the husband depart without issue by his wife she is returned home to her friends without any thing at all save onely her dowrie if the husband leave so much behind him in goods When the agreement is made concerning the dowrie they signe bonds one to the other as well for the paiment of the dowrie as the performing of the marriage by a certain day If the woman were never married before her father and friends are bound besides to assure her a maiden Which breedeth many brabbles and quarrels at Law if the man take any conceit concerning the behaviour and honestie of his wife Thus the contract being made the parties begin to send tokens the one to the other the woman first then afterwards the man but yet seâ—
to be no better then Tuâ—ks in comparison of themselves and so they will say because they bow not themselves when they meet with the crosse nor signe themselves with it as the Russe manner is They have holy water in like use and estimation as the Popish Church hath But herein they exceed them in that they do not onely hallow their holy water stocks and tubs full of water but all the rivers of the countrey once every year At Mosko it is done with great pomp and solemnitie the Emperour himself being present at it with all his Nobility marching through the streets towards the river of Moskua in manner of procession in this order as followeth First go two Deacons with banners in their hands the one of Precheste or our Ladie the other of S. Michael fighting with the dragon Then follow after the rest of the Deacons and the priests of Mosko two and two in a ranck with copes on their backs and their idols at their breasts carried with girdles or slings made fast about their necks Next the priests come their Bishops in their pontificalibus then the Friers Monks and Abbots and after the Patriarch in rich attire with a ball or sphere on the top of his mitre to signifie his universalitie over that Church Last cometh the Emperour with all his nobility The whole train is of a mile long or more When they are come to the river a great hole is made in the yce where the market is kept of a rod and a half broad with a stage round about it to keep off the presse Then beginneth the Patriarch to say certain prayers and conjureth the devil to come out of the water and so casting in salt and censing it with frankincenâ—e maketh the whole river to become holy water The morning before all the people of Mosko use to make crosses of chalk over every doore and window of their houses lest the devil being conjured out of the water should flie into their houses When the ceremonies are ended you shall see the black guard of the Emperours house and then the rest of the town with their pails and buckets to take of the hallowed water for drink and other uses You shall also see the women dip in their children over head and ears many men and women leap into it some naked some with their clothes on when some man would think his finger would frieze off if he should but dip it into the water When the men have done they bring their horse to the river to drink of the sanctified water and so make them as holy as a horse Their set day for this solemn action of hallowing their rivers is that we call Twelfthday The like is done by other Bishops in all parts of the Realm Their manner is also to give it to their sick in their greatest extremity thinking that it will either recover them or sanctifie them to God Whereby they kill many through their unreasonable superstition as did the Lord Borris his onely sonne at my being at the Mosko whom he killed as was said by the physicians by pouring into him cold holy water and presenting him naked into the Church to their Saint Basileo in the cold of the Winter in an extremitie of sicknesse They have an image of Christ which they call Neruchi which signifieth as much as Made without hands for so their priests and superstition withall perswadeth them it was This in their processions they carrie about with them on high upon a pole enclosed within a pix made like a lanthorn and do reverence to it as to a great mysterie At every brewing their manner is likewise to bring a dish of their wort to the Priest within the Church which being hallowed by him is poured into the brewing and so giveth it such a virtue as when they drink of it they are seldome sober The like they do with the first fruits of their corn in Harvest They have another ceremonie on Palmsunday of ancient tradition what time the Patriarch rideth through the Mosko the Emperour himself holding his horse bridle and the people crying Hosanna and spreading their upper garments under his horse feet The Emperour hath of the Patriarch for his good service of that day 200. rubbels of standing pension Another pageant they have much like to this the week before the nativitie of Christ when every Bishop in his Cathedrall Church setteth forth a shâ—wâ— of the three children in the Oven where the Angel is made to come flying from the roof of the Church with great admiration of the lookers on and many terrible flashes of fire are made with rosen and gun-powder by the Chaldeans as they call them that run about the town all the twelve dayes disguised in their players coats and make much good sport for the honour of the Bishops pageant At the Mosko the Emperour himself and the Empresse never fail to be at it though it be but the same matter plaid every year without any new invention at all Besides their fasts on Wednesdayes and Fridayes throughout the whole year the one because they say Christ was sold on the Wednesday the other because he suffered on the Friday they have foure great Fasts or Lents every year The first which they call their great Lent is at the same time with ours The second about Midsummer The third in Harvest time The fourth about Hallontide which they keep not of policie but of mere superstition In their great Lent for the first week they eat nothing but bread and salt and drink nothing but water neither meddle with any matter of their vocation but intend their shrieving and fasting onely They have also 3. Vigils or Wakes in their great Lent which they call Stoiania and the last Friday their great Vigil as they call it what time the whole parish must be present in the Church and watch from nine a clock in the Evening till six in the morning all the while standing save when they fall down and knock their heads to their idols which must be an hundred and seventie times just through the whole night About their burialls also they have many superstitious and profane ceremonies as putting within the finger of the corps a letter to Saint Nicholas whom they make their chief mediatour and as it were the porter of heaven gates as the Papists do their Peter In Winter time when all is covered with snow and the ground so hard frozen as that no spade nor pikeax can enter their manner is not to burie their dead but to keep the bodies so many as die all the Winter time in an house in the suburbs or out parts of the town which they call Bohsedom that is Gods house where the dead bodies are piled up together like billets on a woodstack as hard with the frost as a very stone till the Springtide come and resolveth the frost what time every man taketh his dead friend and committeth him to the ground They have