they will not acknowledg it but continue still in their obstinacy and cruelty against Christ and his members they â—rag themselves to be the seed of Abraham and glory in their seal of circumcision given to him but if they were of Abraham they would do the works of Abraham they would beleeve with Abraham who saw the day of Christ and rejoyced they can claim no share in the covenant made with Abraham because they deny and persecute him who is the foundation of the Covenant they condemn Christians for making and honouring of the image of Christ and of his Saints which is not so much out of zeal against images for they allow the images of the Cherubins which were in the Tabernacle and Temple but rather out of spight against Christ and his Saints They count it idolatry to honour Christ in his picture or image and yet they consider not that themselves are the greatest Idolaters in the world in worshipping God according to their own fansie and not according to his word which teacheth us that he is to be worshipped in the unity of Essence and Trinity of persons which they deny thus they worship though not images yet their own imaginations how often have their Progenitors attempted to reestablish their antient government but still in vain and to their own destruction witnesse what they suffered under Vespasian and Titus what under Iulian when by his permission they began to rebuild their Temple what under Hadrian when they rebelled and attempted to set up their earthly Monarchy what under Trajan and Marcus Antoninus what under King Philip called Longus in France when they poysoned the Wells what shall I speak of their barbarous cruelties and inhumane savagenesse under Andrew their Captain in the time of Trajan when they murthered many thousands of people eating their flesh wearing their skins and girding themselves with their guts yet bleeding of these passages we may read in Sozomen Dio Marcellinus Paulus Aemilius the French Historian and others as they have still been the greatest enemies that ever Christianity had so doe they continue their harred against us at this day but being kept under they dare not do the mischief they would yet they curse us still and hold that the best of Christians is no better then the Serpent whose head deserved to be trod upon They think they do God good service if they can cheat a Christian and they make no conscience to forswear themselves when they take an oath upon any of our Bibles thinking they are bound to keep no oath but what they take upon their own Torah or book of the Law which is read in their Synagogues Neither will they swear willingly but in the Hebrew tongue counting all other languages profane especially the Latine which they hate because the Romans and Latin Church have been their greatest subduers and conquerers They call us Gentiles Edomites and Devils and Anathematise us daily They will not call Mary the Mother of Christ but in derision The mother of him that was hanged They are mercilesse Extortioners and cunning in the Art of poysoning Their Religion consisteth most in needlesse and ridiculous ceremonies in Rabbinical fables Cabalistical whimsies Thalmudical Traditions large Fringes and Phylacteries and in a meer outside whereas mercy and justice and weighty things of the Law are neglected and slighted Q. May Christian Primes with a safe conscience permit Iews to live within their Territories A. Yes conditionally that they communicate not in Religion nor marry together nor be too familiar and that these Jews be obedient to the civil power quiet modest distinguished by some outward badge and not to be admitted to any publick office or charge for they have been tolerated both by the Civil and Canon Law 2. The Jews in the old Testament had leave to commerce with the Gentiles 3. We ought to permit them upon hope we may convert some of them to the knowledge and love of Christ. 4. We ought by all meanes to commiserate their condition because to them pertaineth the adoption and the glory and the convenants and the giving of the Law and the service of God and the promises whose are the Fathers and of whem as concerning the flesh Christ came c. Rom. 9. 4. 5. we must consider that by their fall salvation is come to the Gentiles and if the fall of them be the riches of the world and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles how much more then fulnesse Rom. 11. 12. let us not then insult over their miseries nor boast against the branches for we are but wild Olives graffed upon them and if God spared not the natural branches take heed least he also spare not thee Rom. 11. For blindnesse is happened but in part upon Israel untill the fulnesse of the Gentiles do come in Rom. 11. And then all Israel shall be saved that is most of them according to the Scripture phrase For the Angel tells Daniel that every one of his people shall be delivered whose names shall be found in the book Dan. 12. 1. so them all the Jews before the last judgement shall be saved and shall acknowledge Christ the true Mesliah yet not all without exception but all whose names are written in the book of life this restriction sheweth that some will not be saved 5. By suffering the Jewes to live amongst us we shall be the more induced to acknowledge the goodnesse of God towards us Gentiles in receiving us to mercy when he cast off his own people By this also we are taught to fear and tremble at Gods judgements because for unbelief they were broken off we stand by faith let us not be too high minded but fear for if we continue not in his goodnesse we shall also be cut off Rom. 11. Lastly from the Jewes we have our Scriptures they can be our witnesses to the Gentiles that cut Scriptures are not devised and compiled by us but by our enemies out of which Scripture even to the great grief of the Jewes we can clearly prove that Christ is the true Mesliah therefore it is convenient that we permit them to live amongst us Q. May Christian Princes permit the Iewes to exercise their own Religion A. They may if so be they dishonour not Christ nor traduce or molest his Church For they were better exercise their Religion then curn Atheists principally seeing they worship the same God with us though not in the same manner and read the same Scriptures though not in the same sense For this cause the Primitive Church and the Imperial Laws suffered them and Christ himself permitted their Doctors to sit in the chair of Moses and to teach his Doctrine and counselled the people to obey the same besides by permitting the Jews to use their Religion without molestation by using them courteously they may be the sooner enduced to embrace Christ and indeed our cruelties against them and the wickednesse of our lives have been
was not Head of the Church nor Vicar of Christ nor successor of Peter that Bishops were murtherers in delivering over to the secular power such as did not obey them that canonical obedience was a humane invention that Priests though excommunicate ought to preach that Excommunications Suspensions and Interdicts were invented to maintain the Clergies pride These and such like points did he defend for which he was condemned in the councel of Constance These same opinions were maintained by Hierom of Prague for which also he was by the same Councel condemned the next year One Pickard of Fâ—anders renewed in Bâ—hemâ—a the Heresie of the Ad mâ—tes The Hussites divided themselves into thrâ—e Sects to wit the Pragenseâ— the Thabo iteâ— so called from mount Thabor where Christ was transfigurrd which name Zisca their Captain gave them calling the Castle where they used to meet Thabor as if they had seen there Christs transfiguratâ—on The third Sect were called Orphans after Zisca's death as having lost their Faâ—her and Patron all these used barbarous cruelty against Priests Monks Churches Images Reliques and such as professed the Roman Catholick Religion The Mosâ—ovites or Russians fell off to the Greek Religion and held that the Pope was not the chief Pastor of the Church that the Roman Church was nor head of the rest They rejected also the Latine Fathers the definitions canons and decrees of the general Councels and used leavened bread in their Eucharist One Rissuich a Hollander taught that the Angels were not created that the soule perished with the body that there was no Hell that the matter of the Elements was coeternal with God He blasphemed Christ as a Seducer and not the Son of God He held that Moses never saw God nor received his Law from him that Scriptures were but Fables that the Gospel was false and such like blasphemous stuffe did he spue out for which he was burned Q. 10. What opinions did the Sixteenth Century hâ—ld A. Martin Luther an Augustin Frier â—aught thaâ— Indulgences were unlawful that the Epistle to the Hebrews the Epistle of Iames the second of Pâ—ter the two last of Iohn the Epistle of Iude and the Apecalyâ—e were not canonical He opposed invâ—cation of Saints Image wâ—rship Free-wâ—ll the Popes Supremacy Excommunication teâ—poral posseâ—â—ions of â—he Clergy merit of Works possibility of tuâ—filing the Law the Monastical life caelibaâ— canonical obâ—dience distinction of Meats Transubstantiation communion under one kinde the Masse auricular confession Absolution Purgatory extream Unction and five of the Sacraments He held also that General Councels might erre that 〈◊〉 was not a particular person that Faith onely justified that a faithfull man may be assured of his salvation that to the faithful sin is not imputed that the first motions are sin that Sacraments did not confer grace Divers other opinions are fathered upon him by his adversaries as may be seen in the above named Authors The Anabaptists so called from Re-baptizing had for their author one Nicolas Storke who pretended familiarity with God by an Angel promising him a Kingdom if he would reform the Church and destroy the Princes that should hinder him His Scholar Muncer raised an army of 4000. Bores and Tradesmen in Suevia and Franconia to maintaine his Masters dreams but they were overthrown by Count Mansfield Iohn of Leyden a Taylor renewed the said dreams and made himself King in Munster of the Anabaptists whose Viceroy was Knipherdoâ—ing but this phantastical Monarchy was soon destroyed the Town taken after 13. moneths Siege where the King and his Viceroy with their chief Officers were put to death Their Tenets were that Christ was not the Son of Mary nor true God that we were righteous not by faith in Christ but by our own merits and sufferings They rejected original sin baptisme of Infants communion with other Churches Magisâ—â—acy among Christians Oaths and punishments of Malefactors They refused to swear allegeance to Princes and held that a Christian may have many wives and that he may put away his wife if she be of another Religion and marry another That no man must possesse any thing in proper that re-baptization may be used that before the day of judgement the godly should enjoy a Monarchy here on Earth that man had free-will in spiritual things and that any man may Preach and give the Sacraments Q. 11. What are the Anabaptists of Moravia A. These at first called themselves Apostolicall because they did imitate the Apostles in going bare-foot and in washing one anothers feet in having also all things in common amongst them But though this custom be now left yet at this day in Moraviae they have a common Steward who doth distribute equally things necessary to all They will admit none into their Society but such as have some trade and by their handy worke can get their livings As they have a common Steward for their temporals so they have a common Father for their spirituals who instructs them in their Religion and prayeth with them every morning before they goe abroad to worke These publike prayers are to them instead of Sermons They have a generall governour or head of their church whom none knoweth but themselves for they are bound not to reveal him They communicate twice in the year the men and women sit promiscuously together On the Lords day they walk two and two through the Towns and Villages being clothed in black and having slaves in their hands They are much given to silence at table for a quarter of an houre before they eat they sit and meditate covering their faces with their hands the like devotion they shew after meat All the while their governour stands by to observe their gesture that if any thing be unbeseeming he may tell them of it When they come to any place they discourse of the last judgement of the eternall paines of hell of the crueltie of Divels tormenting mens bodies and souls that so they may afright simple people into their religion then they comfort them by shewing them a way to escape all those torments if they will be but rebaptized and embrace their religion They observe no festival days nor will they admit of any disputations Q. 12. What Sects are spâ—ung out of Lutheranism A. Besides the Anabaptists already mentioned there be Adiaphorists of which Melancthon is thought to be author these hold the customs and constitutions of the church of Rome to be things indifferent and that they may be professed or not professed without scruple 2. Vbiquitaries These hold that Christs humanity as well as his divinity is every where even in hell Breâ—tius is thought to be father of this opinion But if Christs humanity be every where then we must deny the articles of his Resurrection Ascention and comming again to judge the Quick and the dead for what needs there such motions if he be everywhere 3. Majorists so called from one
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
quietnesse and tranquility he is not in fire earthquakes and whirlwinds but in the soft and still voyce it s not the quaking of the body but humility and reverence of mind which he requires these Sectaries deny all ministeriall Ordinances and knowledge got by study and industry pretending an inward light from the spirit and that all our Learning got by Preaching Hearing Reading or Catechising iâ— but notionall and carnall and hanging upon the tree of knowledge they blasphemously prate also that Christ had his failings and that he distrusted God on the Crosse when he cryed out My God my God why hast thou forsaken me by which they overthrow the work of our Redemption which none could perform but he that knew no sin in whose lips was found â—o guil whom his enemies could not accuse of sin They will not have Ministers to preach for titheâ— which they call wages and yet our Saviour saith That the labourer is worthy of his wages and the Apostle That they who serve at the altar should live by the alâ—ar and if they communicate of their spirituall things why should they not participate of the peoples temporall things They will not have particular houses for preaching and prayer and yet among the Iews was the temple and Synagogues and after Christianity was settled Churches were erected They cannot abide studied or methodicall Sermons nor expouâ—ding nor learning in matters of Divinity by which we see how ignorant these people are who despise such helps as God hath given for propagating the Gospel Is it not better to studie and premeditatâ— than to utter quicquid in buecam veâ—erit undigested immethodicall ignorant trash Christ and his Apostles expounded and opened the Scriptures and yet these men reject expounding these men are also against singing of Psalmes a duty practised by Christ and urged by Saint Paul and Saint Iames. They reject infant-Baptisme and yet to infants belongeth the kingdome of heaven They will have no set days for Divine worship and consequently the Lords day must be of no account with them They will have no prayer before and after Sermâ—n and yet the Apostles joyned prayer with their Doctrine and breaking of bread Acts 2. 24. neither did they ever undertake any weighty businesse without prayer They condemn set houres of prayers and yet we read in the Acts of the Apostles that the third and ninth houres were set houres of prayer but by these wild Fancies we may see how crosse-grained these people are in contradicting every thing even Gods word it self if it be not consonant to their shallow reason which they call the spirit but it is indeed the spirit of giddinesse with which they are troubled and trouble others for the rejecting of all outward forms and decent ceremonies in Religion iâ— the overthrow of Religion it self which thought it consist not in ceremonies yet without them it is like a man stript naked of his garments and so for want of them exposed to all injuries of weather and danger of death The leaves of a tree are not the fruit thereof and yet without them the fruit will not prosper Q. 14. What other opinions do the Quakers hold An. Not to mention their â—orrid blasphemies in saying that some of them are Christ some God himself and some equall with God because they have the same spirit in them which is in God They maintain that the Scripture is not the word of God that out preaching is conjuration that expounding of Scripture is adding to it that the letter of Scripture is carnall that the word is not the rule to try the spirits that the soul is a part of God and long existent before the body that there is no Trinity that Christ hath no other body but his Church that Christs coming in the flesh was but a figure that all men have a light in them sufficient to salvation that the man Christ is not ascended into heaven that there is no imputation of Christs righteousnesse that prayer for remission of sinnes 〈◊〉 needlesse that we are justified by our own inherent righteousnesse that there is no 〈◊〉 life or glory to be looked for but in this world that there is no locall heaven nor hell nor resurrection of the body that many of them cannot sin that the calling of our Ministry is Antichristian that our preaching is altogether uselesse that themselves are immediately called by God that our worshiping of God in the Church is heathenish that the of children with water in Baptisme is Antichristian that we have no Sacraments that Dâ—vids Psalms are â—arnall and noâ— to be sung that in our Churches which they â—ll breasts houses God is not worshipped 〈◊〉 Christ 〈◊〉 to destroy all propertie and that therefore all things ought to be common that no man is to be called Master or Sir or to be saluted by the way and that one man ought not to have power over another here we see that these men despise Magistracy reject the Ministry sleight all decency and ordinances in Christs Church and in a word overthrow as much as in them lyeth all Religion and piety setting up a Babel of their own full of impiety ignorance aud blasphemie these are the fruits of too much liberty and the effects of reading Scripture by ignorant and malicious spirits who like spiders suck poyson out of the sweetest and wholesomest flowers and like mad men use that sword of the word to destroy themselves and others which was ordained to saye and defend us from our enemies Q. 15 Wherein do the absurdities and impieties of their opinions consist An. 1. In rejecting all Vniversity Learning because Christ and his Apostles were never taught in Schools but this opinion is ridiculous for Christ and his Apostles taught no other Divinity for the matter than what is taught in Universities the difference is onely in the manner of attaining this knowledge for they had it by inspiration we by study labour and instruction and yet the prophets had their Schools and Colledges both on the hill of God 1 Sam. 10. 5. 10. and at Bethel 2 Kings 2. 3. and at Iericho v. 5. and at Naiâ—th 1 Sam. 14. 20. Elisha had his Colledge 2 Kings 6. 1. 2. They will not have us expound Scripture because the Apostles expoundeâ— them but this conceit is also frivolous for to what purpose did Christ appoint Doctours and Pastors to continue still with his Church if they are not to expound Scripture what the Apostles expounded briefly we expound more fully In their expositions there be many intricate obscure high and figurative passages which require a further exposition God did never reveal all his truth at one time Among the Jews we read that Ezra the Scribe and the Levites expounded the Law Neh. 8. Christ took a Text and expounded it Luke 4. and so did Philip Acts 8. 3. They will not have Ministers to be called Masters but I would know of these men whether they that labour in
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
needs follow We could instance the condition of the Iewes how they flourished whilest they adhered to the Religion prescribed them by God But when they admitted the Gentile Religions also among them they fell into all the mischiefs mentioned and God cast them off as a prey to their Enemies But we have sufficient and experimental proof of this in our neighbouring Countries of France and Germany what distempers and civil wars not many years ago have ensued upon the differences of Religion to the desolution and ruine of many Towns and Cities Tantum Relligio potuit suadere malorum Q. 5. May a State tolerate different Religions in privat A. 1. If they be such Religions as do not overthrow the fundamentals of truth 2. Nor such as impugne or disturb the government established in that State or Kingdom 3. If the professors thereof be such as are not factious ambitious or pertinacious but honest simple tractable obedient to Superiors having no other end in holding their opinions of Religion but Gods glory and satisfaction of their own conscience so far as they can conceive and withal are willing to submit to better judgements and to renounce their opinions when they are convinced to be erroneous in these regards I say a State may and wise States do tolerate diversities of opinions in Religion upon good grounds because as Solomon saith There is a time for all things under the Sun There will come a time when the tares shall be separated from the corne though the wise Husbandman suffers them to grow together a while The wise Physitian will not presently fall to purging out the noxious humours of a Cacochymicall Body for in some diseases nothing is more dangerous then precipitate and untimely Physick Chronical dâ—seases are not cured by Physick and motion but by time and rest The nature of man is such saith Seneca that he will be sooner led then drawn facilius ducitur quà m trabitur Stubborn and violent courses in reformation beget stubborn and violent opposition The warme Sun will prevail more with the traveller then the cold and boysterous winde the Goats blood will break the Adamant which the hardest hammers cannot do God also hath his times for calling of men to the knowledge of his truth some he calls at the nineth hour and some not till the eleventh Christ sends abroad his Disciples to preach and work miracles among the Iewes but into the way of the Gentiles they must not yet go till his ascension It falls out many times that the remedy is worse then the disease and while we go about to cure the State we kill it and instead of purging out the peccant humours of the body Politick we cast it into a Calenture or burning Feaver This was not unknown to that wise and good Emperor Theodesius who could not be perswaded by the Catholikes to extirpate or use violent courses against the Arrians but permitted them to enjoy their Churches and opinions knowing how dangerous it would prove to the State if the quietnesse thereof should be disturbed this had been to kindle the fire which was lately extinguished and to raise a conâ—â—â—gration in the Empire which could not be quenched without an inundation of blood this had been Camerinam movere or to awake a sleeping Dog For this cause though the Turk is zealous in his Religion yet he permits Christians Iewes Persians Aethiopians and others to enjoy their several Religions The like liberty is permitted in Germany France and other places for avoiding further mischief For this purpose that there may not be a breach of peace and disturbance in the government of the State The Turks and Moscovites inhibit all disputations in points of Religion upon pain of death The like inhibition was made by the Emperor and Princes of Germany after their Civil Wars that there should be no dispute or contention between the Catholickes and Protestants for indeed by such disputes Religion it self is weakned and the State indangered for if it be not tolerable to question Laws once established how can it be safe either for State or Church to call in question Religion once setled and confirmed by authority By questions and dispâ—tes the Majesty of Religion is slighted and that made dubious which ought to be most certain The objects and high mysteries of our faith are not to be measured by our shallow reason The many disputes about Religion commonly overthrow the practise of Religion which consisteth not in talking but in doing the one indeed is more easie then the other as Seneca saith Omnes disputare malunt quam vivere We had rather dispute of salvation then work it out with fear and trembling If Heaven could be obtained with wrangling and disputing a profane Sophister should sooner have it then a Holy Christian who knows that life eternal is not obtained by talking of but by walking in the ways of Gods Commandements But to return to our former discourse and to end this question as we began diversity of Religious with the limitations aforesaid may be connived at especially when it cannot be avoided without the danger and ruin of the State and the rather because the Conscience cannot be compelled nor faith forced There never was a wiser State than the Romans and more zealous in the worship of their gods 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to the custome and laws of their Nation yet they admitted the worship of Isis and Aesculapius forrain Deities and a Pantheon or Temple for all gods And though they abhorred the Iewes above all other people yet Augustus that wise and happy Emperor permitted them to exercise their own Religion Princes and Magistrates must like wise Ship-Masters rather strike Saile and cast Anchor then make Ship-wrack in a storme and rather saile back with safety then venture upon the Rocks in the Harbour with danger Praestat recurrere quà m male currere As Constans the Emperor and Theâ—dosius the Great though Catholick Princes yet for quietnesse sake tolerated the Arrians So did Leo make an Edict of Union called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that all the different religions within his dominions might live peaceably and friendly together For the same cause Anastasius made a Law of Amnesty and accounted those the best preachers that were moderate Q. 6. May a Christian Prince dissemble his Religion A. 1. He may not because God abhorreth Hypocrisie condemneth a double heart and rejecteth such as draw neer to him with their lipps when their hearts are far from him Christ denounceth more woes against Hypocrisie then any other sin of those who are Wolves in Sheeps cloathing he will have us take heed and threatneth to deny those before his heavenly Father who deny him before men We are commanded to love God with all our heart with all our strength c which we do not if we dissemble He requires faithfulnesse truth and sincerity in the inward parts he abhorreth liaâ—s and deceitful men Shall we think it lawful
is yet to come therfore must make both confession of their faith and of their sâ—â—s They pray that their death may be a sufficient expiation for their sins and that they may have a share in Paradise and in the life to come Q. How do they use their dead A. When the Party dieth his kindred tear off a little piece of their garments because Iacob tore his garments when he heard of Iosephs death They mourn also seven days because Ioseph did so for his father All the water in the house they pour out into the streets They cover his face and bow his thumb that it resembleth the Hebrew Shaddai that so they may terrifie Satan from comming near the Corps His other fingers are stretched out to shew that now he holds the world no longer having forsaken it They wash the body with warm water and anoint the head with wine and the yolk of an egg and cloath him with the white surplice he wore on the day of Reconciliation and then they Coffin him When the Corps is carried out of the house they cast a shell after him signifying that all sorrow should be now cast out of that house In the Church yard a prayer or two is said then the Corps is buried the next of kin casteth in the first earth In their return they cast grasse over their heads either to signifie their frailty and mortality For all flesh is grass or else their hope of the Resurrection When they enter the Synagogue they skip to and fro and change their seat seven times The Mourners go bare-foot seven days abstain from wine and flesh except on Sabbaths and Festivals They bath not in 33. days nor pare their nails They burn candles for seven days together thinking that the departed souls return to the place where they left the body and bewail the losse thereof They beleeve that no Jew can be partaker of the Resurrection who is buried out of Canaan except God through hollow passages of the earth convey his body thither grounding this conceit upon Iacobs desire to Ioseph that he should bury him in Canaan and not in Egypt They borrowed diverse Gentile customs in their Funerals as cutting or tearing their skin hiring of women to sing and minstrils to play also shaving going bare footed and bare-headed with dust on their heads washing anointing and embalming besides beautifying of their Sepulchres and adding of Epitaphs c. they used also burning of the dead as may be seen in 1 Sam. 31. 12. and Amos 6. 10. they bury apart by themselves and not with those of another Religion Their common Epitaph is Let his soul be in the bundle of life with the rest of the just Amen Amen Selah Other vain opinions and ceremonies they have but not to our purpose Of which see Munster Buxtâ—rfius Margarita Galatin Hospinian Fagius D. Kimchi Aben Esra c. The Contents of the second Section The Religions of the ancient Babylonians of the making worshipping of images and bringing in Idolatry 2. Of Hierapolis and gods of the Syrians 3. Of the Phenicians 4. Of the old Arabians 5. Of the ancient Persians 6. Of the Scythians 7. Of the Tartars or Cathaians and Pagans 8. The Religions of the Northern Countries neer the Pole Three-ways whereby Satan deludes men by false miracles The fear of his Stratagems whence it proceeds His illusions many our duty thereupon 9. Of the Chinois 10. Of the ancient Indians 11. Of Siam 12. Of Pegu. 13. Of Bengala 14. Of Magor 15. Of Cambaia 16. Of Goa 17. Of Malabar Pagan Idolaters believe the immortality of the Soul 18. Of Narsinga and Bisnagar 19. Of Japan 20. Of the Philippina Islands 21. Of Sumatra and Zeilan 22. Of the ancient Egyptians 23. Of the modern Egyptian Religions SECT II. Quest. WHat kinde of Religious or rather Superstitious government was there among the Ancient Babylonians Answ. They had their Priests called Chaldeans and Magi who were much addicted to Astrology aâ—d Divination and had their Schools for education of the Youth in this knowledge They worshipped divers gods or idols rather the two chief were Belus or Bel or Baal by whom they meant Iupiter the other was Astaroth or Astarte by which Iuno was understood They were bound also by their superstitious discipline to worship the Sun and so was the King to offer to him every day a white horse richly furnished They worshipped also the Fire under the name of Nego and and the Earth by the name of Shaca To this Goddesse they kept a feast for five dayes in Babylon where during that time the Servants were Masters and the Masters Servants They worshipped also Venus for maintaining of whose service the women prostituted themselves to strangers and received much money thereby to this purpose they sat and exposed themselves at the Temple of Venus which they call Militta Their Priests used to have their Processions and to carry their Idols on their shoulders the people before and behinde worshipping The Priests also there used to shave their heads and beards and to stand in their Temple with Axes Scepters and other Weapons in their hands and Candles lighted before them They held a Divine Providence but denied the Creation Ninus was the first Idolater who after the death of his Father Belus set up his Image and caused it to be adored with divine honours here at Babylon and in the rest of his dominions Thus we see that the making of images and the worshipping of them was the invention of the Gentiles for indeed they were men whom the Pagans affirmed to be gods and every one according to his merits and magnificence began after his death to be worshipped by his friends but at length by the perswasion of evil spirits they esteemed those whose memories they honoured to be lesser gods this opinion and idolatry was fomented by the Poets and not onely a preposterous love and a vain admiration of the worth and merits of dead men brought in idolatry but likewise Deisidemonia or a foolish and preposterous fear primus in orbe Deos fecit timor for the Gentiles did fear their Religion would be in vain if they did not see that which they worshipped they would therefore rather worship stocks and stones then an invisible Deity but it is ridiculous saith Seneca Genâ— posito simulachra adorare suspicere fabros vero qui illa secerunt contemnere to worship and admire the image and to slight the image maker whereas the Artificer deserves more honour then the Art Against this madnesse the Prophet Isaiah speaketh chap. 44. men cut down trees rinde them burn a part of them make ready their meat and warm themselves by the fire thereof but of the residue he maketh a god an idol and prayeth to it but God hath shut their eyes from sight and their heart from understanding Divers ways they had in worshipping of their Idols sometimes by bowing the head sometimes by bending the knee
strive to be crushed to death whose bodies are burned and the ashes kept as holy Reliques Some do cut their flesh in pieces and stab themselves with knives to the honour of this Idol and cast into its face the pieces of their cut flesh Women also do prostitute themselves to procure money for the Idols mainteinance He thinks himself blessed that can but touch the Idols Chariot whereas in other parts of the Indies the Wives burn themselves alive with their Husbands bodies or else they are shaven and live ever after in perpetual disgrace At the Toâ—n Casta the Women are content to be buried alive with their deadhusbands In some places when men make Vows to their Idols they pay them by suffering the Priests with sharp hooks fastened to the cross-yard of a Mast to lift them up by both shoulders till the blood run down on the Mast then he is let down and lifted up again by the middle to give thanks to his Idol for accepting his sacrifice The Chief Priest of those parts dispenseth with Marriages at his pleasure and when he gives licence to the Woman to marry again he feales it with a hot iron on her shoulder They have divers feastivals some to their Kine some to the Sun and to other of their gods When the Sun Moon are eclipsed they say it is because they are bit by that celestial signe called the Dragon See Vertomannus Fernandes and the Writers above named Q. What Religion is professed in Japon A. The same Gentilism that is professed in the rest of the Indies with some variation of Ceremonies but Christianity hath got some footing there by the industry and painful labours of the Jesuits The heathen Japonians worship an Image with three faces by which they mean the Sun Moon and the Elementary world They have multitudes of Cloysters and Colledges They have also divers festivals to their Idols which they carrie in Procession some on horse backe others in Chariots They beleeve there are divers Paradises to which every peculiar god carrieth his own worshippers with which imaginary happinesse the silly people are so in love that many use to drown themselves others to cut their own throats or to break their necks by casting themselves down from high towers to this they are encouraged by their cunning and coverous Priests who out of this suck no small advantage Some in narrow holes receive breath onely by a Cane and so continue fasting and praying till they die The Priests strangely extort confession from the people by putting some of them in scaleshanging from high Rocks from whence they being cast down by their Gogins which they say are men disguised like devils are broken all to pieces They have a Feast in which they burn multitudes of Lamps at their doors and walk all night up and down the streeâ—s to meet the souls of their friends lately departed before whom they set meat and drink and invite them to their houses that in their three years journey to Paradise they may not faint for want of provision seeing that in lesse time then three years they cannot passe thither Of these passages see Massaeus Acosta and the Jesuites Epistiles Q. What Religion is professed in the Philippina Islands A. There are Christians Mahumetans and Pagans in those Islands who worship the Sun Moon and Stars which they hold to be the children of the Sun and Moon Their Priests are for the most part women who are Sorcerers and Prophetesses They worship also the Devil in ugly shapes and so they do that thing which they meet with first in the morning except it be a Lizard or other kinde of worme for the sight of these is held so unlucky that it makes them leave off all businesse and return home They use to deck their Idols with Ostrich feathers At the sacrificing of a hog they sound Cymbals two old women with Pipes of reede reverence the Sun and in their sacred garments with hair-laces and horns on the head of the Elder dance about the hog muttering certain words to the Sun Then a cup of Wine is poured on the Hogs head by the Elder of these two Hags who atlast kills the beast and takes iâ—to her mouth a burning torch which she bites The other Witch with the Swines blood marks all that are present in the forehead and then they fall to dressing of the Hog which the women onely eat up See Ant. Pigafetta and Oliver Noorts Navigation Q. What Religon doth Sumatra and Zeilan professe A. Along the Sea coasts there are Moors and Christians but Pagans in the inland Countries here the Sea is covered with multitudes of Islands in some of which the Priests are tied to nourish their hair and to have smooth faces like women They guild their teeth and are burned in piâ—ch if they have carnal commerce with a woman In Zeilan or Ceylon the blinded people undertake Pilgrimages of a thousand leagues eighteen miles whereof they wade up to the middle in dirty stinking water full of Blood-Leeches and seven leagues they clamber up a steep Mountain by the help of nayls and thorns tied thereto there being no other passage And all this toyl is to visit a stone on the top of this hill having in it the print of a mans foot who they say came thither first to instruct them in Religion Neer the stone is a springing water in which they wash then pray and with sharp pointed instruments cut their flesh and draw blood thinking thereby that God is pleased and that all their sins are pardoned In this water the poor are permitted sometimes by the King to gather precious stones whereof there is store to pray for his soul. There are in this Island many Temples Priests and Idols Monasteries also of yellow Monks shaven and still praying on Beads who have their Processions in great solemnity with dancing and musick the Abbot riding upon an Elephant in rich attire carrying a golden rod in his hand lifted over his head they pray here to the devil when they are sick and to the Image of the Elephants head for wisdom They have a huge Statue bearing a sword in its hand they think the world shall not end so long as this Image is in safety See Massaeus Vertimannus Odoricus Spilbergius c. Q. Of what Religon where the Antient Egyptians A. Egypt may be called the mother of all superstition and idolatry for they entertaining au opinion that all things at first had beginning there of slime or mud by the heat or influence of the Sun Moon and Stars mixing the Elements in the composition of bodies ascribed divinity to these Celestial Luminaries and Elements and so erected Temples Images Holy-days and other divine Rites to them worshipping the Sun and Moon der the names of Osiris and Isis. The Grecians under the names of Apolio and Diana the four Elements by the names of Vulcan Iuno Neptune and Ceres The five lesser Planets by the
for among them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith Hesychius the forraign gods were worshipped This feast is called by Pindarus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hospitable tables and the sacrifice 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 36. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was the feast of Bacchus in whose Temple three empty vessels in the night time were filled with wine but none knew how for the doors were fast locked and guarded Thuia also was the first Priestesse of Bacchus from which the rest are called Thyadae 37. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were the feasts of Bacchus every third year in Latine Trienalia and Triennia of which Ovid Celebrant repetita Triennia Bacchae Some other festivals the Greeks observed but of lesse note The Contents of the Sixth Section Of the two prevalent Religions now in Europe 2. Of Mahomets Law to his Disciples 3. Of the Mahumetants opinions at this day 4 Mahomet not the Antichrist 5. Of their Sects and how the Turks and Persians differ 6. Of the Mahumetan Religious Orders 7. Of their other Hypocritical Orders 8. Of their secular Priests 9. Of the Mahumetan devotion and parts thereof 10. Of their Ceremonies in their Pilgrimage to Mecca 11. The Rites of their Circumcision 12. Their Rites about the sick and dead 13. The extent of Mahumetanism and the causes thereof 14. Mahumetanism of what continuance SECT VI. Quest. WHat are the two prevalent Religions this day in Europe A. Mahumetanism and Christianity The former was broached by Mahumet the Arabian being assisted by Sergius a Nestoriaâ— Monk with some other Hereticks and Jews about 600. years after Christ for Mahomet was born under Mauritius the Emperor anno Christi 591. and under Heraclius anno 623. he was chosen General of the Saracen and Arabian Forces and then became their Prophet to whom he exhibited his impious doctrin and law which he pretended was delivered to him by the Angel Gabriel But his Book called the Alcoran was much altered after his death and divers different copies thereof spread abroad many of which were burned and one retained which is now extant This is divided into 124. Chapters which are fraughted with Fables Lyes Blasphemies and a meer hodg-podge of fooleries and impieties without either Language or Order as I have shewed in the Caveat I gave to the Readers of the Alcoran yet to him that readeth this Book a thousand times is promised a woman in his paradise whose eye-brows shall be as wide as the Rainbow Such honour do they give to their ridiculous Book called Musaph that none must touch it till he be washed from top to toe neither must he handle it with his bare hands but must wrap them in clean linnen When in their Temples it is publickly read the Reader may not hold it lower than his girdle and when he hath ended his reading he kisseth the book and layeth it to his eyes Q. What Law did Mahomet give to his Disciples A. His Law he divides into eight Commandements The first is to acknowledge onely one God and onely one Prophet to wit Mahomet 2. The Second is concerning the duty of children to their Parents 3. Of the love of neighbours to each other 4. Of their times of prayer in their Temples 5. Of their yearly Lent which is carefully to be observed of all for one moneth or thirty days 6. Of their charity amd alms-deeds to the poor and indigent 7. Of their Matrimony which every man is bound to embrace at 25. years of age 8. Against murder To the observer of these commands he Promiseth Paradise in which shall be silken Carpets pleasant Rivers fruitfull trees beautiful women musick good cheer and choice wines stores of gold and silver plate with precious stones and such other conceits But to those that shall not obey this Law hell is prepared with seven gates in which they shall eat and drink fire shall be bound in chains and tormented with scalding waters He proveth the Resurrection by the story of the seven sleepers which slept 360. years in a Cave He prescribes also divers moral and judicial Precepts as abstinence from swines flesh blood and such as die alone also from adultery and fals witness He speaks of their Fridays devotion of good works of their Pilgrimage to Meccha of courtesie to each other of avoiding covetousnesse usury oppression lying casual murder disputing about his Alcoran or doubting thereof Also of prayer alms washing fasting and Pilgrimage He urgeth also repentance forbideth swearing commends friendship will not have men forced to Religion will not have mercy or pardon to be shewed to enemies He urgeth valour in Battel promising rewards to the couragious and shewing that none can die till his time come and then is no avoyding thereof Q. What other opinions do the Mahumetans hold at this day A. They hold a fatal necessity and judge of things according to the successe They hold it unlawful to drink Wine to play at Chess Tables Cards or such like recreations Their opinion is that to have Images in Churches is Idolatry They believe that all who die in their wars go immediatly to Paradise which makes them fight with such cheerfulnesse They think that every man who lives a good life shall be saved what Religion soever he professeth therefoâ—e they say that Moses Christ and Mahomet shall in the resurrection appear with three banners to which all of these three professions shall make their repair They hold that every one hath two Angels attending on him the one at his right hand the other at his left They esteem good works meritorious of Heaven They say that the Angel Israphil shall in the last day sound his trumpet at the sound of which all living creaturs Angels not excepted shall suddenly die and the Earth shall fall into dust and sand but when the said Angel soundeth his trumpet the second time the souls of all that were dead shall revive again then shall the Angel Michael weigh all mens souls in a pair of scales They say there is a terrible Dragon in the mouth of hell and that there is an iron bridge over which the wicked are conveyed some into everlasting fire and some into the fire of Purgatory They hold that the Sun at his rising and the Moon at her first appearing should be reverenced They esteem Polygamy no sin They hold it unlawfull for any man to go into their Temples not washed from head to foot and if after washing he piss go to stool or break wind upward or downward he must wash again or else he offends God They say that the heaven is made of smoak that there are many seas above it that the Moons light was impaired by a touch of the Angel Gabriels wing as he was flying along that the devils shall be â—aved by the Alcoran Many other favourless and sensless opinions they have as may be seen in the Book called Scaâ—la being an Exposition of the Alcoran Dialogue wise Q. Was Mahomet that Great
fiery torches if he be wicked if good they comfort him and defend his body in the grave till the day of judgment but the bodies of the wicked are knocked down nine fathoms under ground and tormented by their angry Angels the one knocking him with an hammer the other tearing him with an hook till the last day against this torment the Turks use to pray at the graves of the dead The women there do not accompany the dead to the grave but stay at home weeping and preparing good cheer for the Priests and others of the departed mans friends They believe that when the Corps hath been in the grave on quarter of an hour that a new spirit is put into it is set upon its knees and is examined by the foresaid Angels of his faith and works They believe also that it is a work of charity and conducible to the soul of the defunct if the birds beasts or ants be fed with the meat which they set on the graves of the dead Q. How far hath this Mahumetan Superstition got footing in the world A. Though it be not so far extended as Gentilisme yet it hath over-reached Christianity not in Europe where Christianity prevaileth but in Africa where it hath thrust out the ancient Christian Churches and erected the Half-Moon in flead of the Crosse except it be among the Abyssins and some small places held by the Spaniard or Portugal But in Asia it hath got deeper footing having over-run Arabia Turkie Persia some part of Mogols countrey and Tartaria onely here and there some smal Congregations of Christians are to be found In America indeed it is not as yet known Now the reasons why this Superstition is so far spread are these 1. The continual jars frivolous debates and needless digladiations about questions of Religion among Christians which hath made the world doubt of the truth thereof and takes away the end and scope of Religion which is to unite mens affections but the remedy is become the disease and that which should cure us woundeth us 2. The wicked and scandalous lives both of Christian Laity and Clergy for the Mahumetans generally are more devour in their religious duties and more just in their dealings 3. The Mahumetan Conquests have in those parts propagated their Superstition 4. Their religion is more pleasing to the sense then Christianity for men are more affected with sensitive pleasures which Mahomet proffers in his Paradise then with spiritual which are lesse known and therefore lesse desired 5. The greatnesse of the Turkish tyranny over Christians the rewards and honours they give to those that will turn Muselmen or Mahumetans are great inducements for weak spirits to embrace that religion for a Christian Runegado that will receive circumcision among them is carried about the streets with great joy and solemnity is presented with many gifts and made free from all taxes for which very cause many both Greeks and Albanians have received circumcision 6. The liberty which is permitted to multiply wives must needs be pleasing to carnal-minded men 7. They permit no man to dispute of their Alcoran to call any point of their religion in question to sell the Alcoran to strangers or to translate it into other languages It is death to offend in any of these which is the cause of much quietnesse and concord among them 8. They inhibit the profession of Philosophy among them and so they keep the people in darknesse and ignorance not suffering the light to appear and to detect their errors 9. They teach that all who live a good life shall be saved whatsoever his religion be this makes many weak Christians revolt from their holy faith without scruple or check of conscience for what care they whether they serve Christ or Mahomet so they be saved 10. They hold that after a certain time of torments in Hell the wicked shall be released from thence this doctrine is more pleasing to wicked men then Christianity which admits of no redemption from Hell nor any mitigation of eternal torments 11. Men are much taken with moral outsides whereby the Turks exceed Christians for they are more modest in their conversation generally then we men and women converse not together promiscuously as among us they are lesse sumptuous in their buildings lesse excessive and phantastical in their clothes more sparing in their dyet and altogether abstemious more devout and reverend in their Churches so that they will not suffer a piece of paper to be trod upon or lie on the ground but will take it up kisse it and lay it in some place out of danger and this is because the name of God and Mahomets Law is written upon paper they are also more sober in their speeches and gesture and more obedient to their Superiors then we are 12. There is nothing more pleasing to our nature then private revenge which by Christs Law is prohibited but by the Mahumetan Law is allowed for they are to hate and to kill their enemy if they can 13 Arianism had infected most of the Eastern Churches therefore it was no wonder if they received Mahomets Doctrine which was grounded upon Arius his Heresie 14. They suffer no man to blaspheme Christ but honour him and speak reverently of him so they do of Moses and Abraham which makes that neither Iews nor Christians are in those parts much averse from or violent against their Religion 15. They have been alwayes very zealous and diligent in gaining Proselytes and yet force no man For these and such like reasons let us not wonder at the great encrease of Mahumetanisme in the world Q. Of what continuance is Mahumetanisme A. Mahomet was born in the year of Christ 592. in the time of S. Gregory the Pope and Mauritius the Emperour according to Genebrard he lived 63. years of which he spent 23. years in spreading of his doctrine then died in the year of our Lord 655. Constance being Emperour and Eugenius the first Pope So that Mahumetanisme hath lasted already above 1000. years to the great oppression and vexation of the Church of Christ and to the eternal dishonour of Christian Princes who if they had spent but the tenth part of that blood against the Turks which they have shamefully and sinfully shed in their own private quarrels there had not been at this day any remainder of that damnable Sect which hath longer continued a scourge to the Church of Christ then ever any enemy did against Gods people of old For the Egyptians oppressed the Israelites scarce 200. years the Canaanites 20. years the Moabites 18. years the Philistines 40. years the Assyâ—ians and Chaldeans from the first to the last did not â—ex oppress Gods people above 300. years afterward they were oppressed by Antiochus Epiphanes 40 years the Christian Church from Nero till Constantine was afflicted about 260. years and afterward by the Goths and Lombards nere 300. years But this oppression of the Church by
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
more acceptable then wine In other points they were Pepuzians and differed from them onely in cheese offering therefore they were called Artotyritae from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bread and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cheese Q. 18. What was the Religion of the Tessarescae Decatitae or Quarradecimani and of the Alogiani A. The former of these were so called from observing Easter on the fourteenth day of the Moon in March after the manner of the Iewes and they made Saint Iohn the author of that custome which was observed by the Oriental Churches till Pope Victor excommunicated them as Schismaticks in dissenting from the custome of the Western Church This controversie fell out about the 165 year of Christ Severus then being Emperour and from the first Original thereof continued 200. years This Heresie was condemned by the council of Nice and ordered that Easter should be kept after the manner of the Western Church which derived their custom from Saint Peter These Hereticks also denied repentance to those that fell after baptisme which was the Novatian Heresie Alogiani so called from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the privative and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word because they denied Christ to be the word and consequently they denied his divinity as Ebion and Cerinthus had done before Samosâ—tenus Aâ—â—ius and the Mahumetans afterward These Alogiani rejected Saint Iohns Gospel and his Apocalypse as not written by him but by Cerinthus which is ridiculous for Cerinthus denied Christs Divinity which Saint John asserteth in writing that the Word was God These Hereticks were named also Berilliani from Berillus a Bishop in Arabia who taught that Christ was a man and then became the word of God The first broacher of this Heresie is thought to be Artemon a profane man who lived about the time of Severus Emperour 167. years after Christ from him they were called Artemonitâ— Q 19. What was the Religion of the Adamians Elcesians and Theodotians A. The Adamians or Adamites so called either from one Adam their author or from Adam the first man whose nakednesse they imitate sprung up shortly after the Gnosticks and were called Prodiciani from one Prodicus whom they followed Of this Sect there be many extant at this day They held it unlawful for men or women to wear cloathes in their congregation and assemblies seeing their meetings were the only Paradise on earth where they were to have life Eternal and not in Heavenâ— as Adam then in his Paradise so Christians in theirs should be naken and nor cloathed with the badges of their sin and shame They rejected marriages as diabolical therefore they used promiscuous copulation in the dark they rejected also all prayers to God as needlesse seeing he knew without us what we wanted The Elcesei so called from Elcesae an impostor and Sampsei from a spotted kind of Serpent which they represented in their changable dispositions were much addicted to judicial Astrology and Soothsaying They held two Priests one below made of the Virgin a meer man and one above they confound Christ with the Holy Ghost and sometimes they call him Christs Sister but in a masculine name to both which persons they give longitude latitude and locality To water they ascribe a divinity and so they did to two Whoores Marthus and Marthana the dust of whose feet and spittle they worshipped as holy reliques They had a certaine Apocrypha book the reading whereof procured remission of â—in and they held it no sin to deny Christ in time of persecution This Heresie began to spread about 210. years after Christ under Gordian the Emperor See Origen who writ against it The Theodocians so called from one Theodoâ—us or Theodotion who lived under Severus Emperour 170. years after Christ. He was a Byzantian by birth and a Tanner by profession who taught that in times of persecution we may deny Christ and in so doing we deny not God because Christ was meerly man and that he was begotten of the seed of man He also added to and took from the writings of the Evangelists what he pleased Q 20. What was the Religion of the Melchisedecians Bardesanists and Noetians A. The former were called Melchisedecians for believing that Melchisedeck was not a man but a Divine power superiour to Christ whom they held to be a meer man One Theodotus Scholar to the former Theodotus the Tanner was author of this Sect who lived under Severus about 174. years after Christ. The Bardesanists were so called from one Bardesanes a Syrian who lived under Verus the Emperour 144. years after Christ. He taught that all things even God himself were subject to Fate or a Stoical necessity so that he took away all liberty both from God and man and that vertue and vice depended on the Stars He renewed also the whimsies of the Aeones by which he overthrew Christs divinity and denied the Resurrection of the flesh The Noetians so called from Noetus born in Smyrna taught that there was but one Person in the Trinity which was both mortal and immortal in heaven God and impatible on earth Man and patible So they made a Trinity not of Persons but of Names and Functions Noetus also taught that he was Moses and that his brother was Aaron This Heretick was buried with the burial of an Asse and his city Smyrna was overthrown eight years after he broached his Heresie He lived about 140. years after Christ under M. Antoninus and L. Verus Emperours Q. 21. Of what Religion were the Valesians the Cathari Angelici and Apostolici A. The Valesians so called from one Valens an Arabian who out of the doctrine of the Gnosticks or Tatians condemned marriage and procreation Therefore his Scholars after the example of Origen gelded themselves thinking none can enter into heaven but Eunuchs Whereas the Eunuchs Christ speaks of be such as by continence subdue the lusts of the flesh This Heresie springing under Iulianus Philippus Emperour about the year of Christ 216. The Cathari 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so called by themselves as if they were purer then other men derived most of their Tenets from Novatâ—s hence they were named Novatians This Novatus lived under Decius the Emperour after Christ 220. years He was an African born This Heresie lasted till the time of Arcadius to wit 148. years they denyed repentance to those who fell after Baptism they bragged much of their Sanctity and good works They condemned second Marriages as adulterous They used rebaptization as the Donatists did afterward They rejected also Oyl or Chrism in Baptisme The Angelici were so called from worshipping of Angels it seems this Heresie was begun in the Apostles time who condemneth it but had its growth shortly after the Melchisedecians about the year of Christ 180. The Apostolici were so called from imitating the holinesse of the Apostles these were the spawn of the Encratites about the year
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
the Circumcellions so called from their Cells and Cottages in which they lived to shew their austerity these made no bones to murther all they met that were not of their Religion so that they were more dangerous then High-way Robbers The Donatists were named also Parmenianists from Parmenianus one of Donatus his disciples At Rome they were named Campates from the Camp or Field and Montenses from the Hill where they used to hide themselves The Priscillianists were so named from Priscillianus a Spaniard who under Gratian the Emperor spread his heresie first in Spain 348. years after Christ. From thence like a canker it run through all the West his heresie was made up of former heresies for with the Manicnes he held that the world was made by an evil god With the Sabellians he confounded the persons of the Trinity with the Origenists he taught that mens souls were made before their bodies in some receptacle of Heaven and with the Manichees that they were parcels of the Divine Essence With Astrologers they held that all humane events depended on the Stars and with the Stoicks that we sin necessarily and coactively With the Gnosticks they condemned marriage with the Encratites the eating of flesh with the Audians they allowed lying and perjury in matters of Religion and with the Gâ—osticks they rejected the ancient Prophets as fanatical and ignorant of the will of God The Rhetorians so called from one Rhetorius held the same Tenet which the Mahumetans do at this day namely that every man shall be saved by the Religion he professeth and that therefore no Religion should be forced but men should be left to their own choice and will The Feri or wild Hereticks were such as held it unlawful to eat or converse with men therefore they held none should be saved but such as lived alone They taught also that the holy Ghost was a creature Q. 33. What were the Theopaschitae Tritheiâ—ae Aqueiâ— Melâ—â—onii Ophei Tertullii Liberatores and Nativitarii A. The Theopaschites held that the divinity of Christ suffered as if there had been in him but one nature because one person The Tritheits divided the Essence of God into three parts the one they called the Father the other the Son and the third the Holy Ghost as though either of the persons had not bin perfectly God The Aquei held that the water was not created but coeternal with God this heresie was culled out of the Hermagenian and Audian Tenets The Melitonii so named from one Melito taught that not the soul but the body of man was made after Gods Image and so with the Anthropomorphites they made God corporeal The Ophei so called from one Opheus held there were innumerable worlds The Tertullii from one Tertullus taught that the souls of wicked men should be converted into Devils and Savage Beasts Liâ—eratores are those who taught that Christ by his descending into Hell did set at liberty all wicked that then beâ—eved in him Nativitarji were such as taught that Christs Divine Nativity had a beginning because it is written Psal. 2. Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee so they acknowledged the Eternity of his Essence but not of his Filiation These were but branches of former Heresies broached by obscure or unknown authors and of short continuance Q. 34. What were the Luciferians Jovinianists and Arbicks A. Luciferians so called from Lucifer Bishop of Caralitanum in Sardinia who lived under Iulâ—an the Apostate 333. years after Christ taught with the Cerinthians and Marcionites that this world was made by the Devil That mens souls were corporeal and had their being by propagation or traduction They denyed to the Clergy that fell any place for repentance or reconciliation neither did they restore Bishops or inferious Clerks to their Dignities if they fel into Heresie though they afterward repented This was the Doctrine of the old Novaâ—ians and Meletians these Luciferians were named also Homonymians for using the word flesh ambiguously in their dispurations The Iovinianists were so called from Iovinian a Roman who lived under Jovinian the Emperour 335. years after Christ. These held with the Stoicks that all sins were equal that after baptisme we could not sin that fasting was needlesse that Virginity was not better then the married life and that the blessed Virgin in bearing Christ lost her Virginity The Arabicks were so named from Arabia the countrey where this heresie was broached and maintained under Philip the Emperour 217. years after Christ they held that mens soules died with their bodies and that both in the last day should rise again From this heresie they were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is mortal soules not much different from them are the Psychopanuychitae of this age who make the soul sleep in the Grave with the body till the Resurrection Q. 35. What were the Collyridians Paterniani Tertullianists and Abelonitae A. The Collyridians were hatched also in Arabia and so named from a kinde of Cakes or Buns which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 these Cakes they presented every year with great ceremony to a certain Maid fitâ—ng in a chair of State and covered with a vail â—n honour of the Virgin Maâ—y these flourished under Theoâ—osius the great 357. years after Christ. Paterniani so called from one Paternus an obscure fellow were named also Venuâ—iani from Venus which by their venereal actions they honoured more then God These held that all the lower parts of mans body from the Navel downward were made by the Devil and therefore they gave themselves to all lasciviousnesse and uncleannesse therefore they were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 deriders of good manners and honesty The Tertullianists were so called from that famous Lawyer and Divine Terâ—ullian who lived under Severus the Emperour about 170 years after Christ. He being excommunicated by the Roman Clergy for a Montanist fell unto these heretical opinioâ—s to wit that God was corporeal but without delineation of members that mens souls were not onely corporeal but also distinguished into members and had corporeal dimensions and did encrease and decrease with the body and that the soul had its Original by propagation or traduction He held also that the souls of wicked men after death were converted into Devils that the Virgin Mary â— after Christs birth did marry once and with the Catapâ—rygian he bragged much of the Paraclet or Spirit which they said was poured on them in a greater measure then on the Apostles He condemned all use of arms and wars among Christians and with the Mâ—ntanists rejected second marriages as no better then adultery The Abelonitae were so called from Abeo Adams Son these taught that Abel was married but had no carnal commerce with his Wife because there is no mention made of his Children as there is of Cains and Seths For
this cause these Abclites did marry Wives but not use them as Wives for propagation for â—â—ar of Original sin whereof they would not be authors therefore they condemned copulation as a work of the flesh and altogether Satanical But for the conservation of their Sect they used to adopt other mens Children This heresie sprung up under Arcadius the Emperout 370. yeares after Christ in the Terriroties of Hippo where Saint Austin was Bishop This heresie lasted not long Q. 36. What Tenets in Religion held the Pelagians Praedestinati and Timotheans A. The Pelagians were so called from Pelagius a Brittain by birth and a Monk at Rome afterward a Presbyter under Theodâ—sius the yonger 382. years after Christ. They were named also Caelestiani from Caelestius one of Pelagius his scholars These taught that death was not the wages of sin but that Adam should have died though he had not sinned That Adams sin was hurtful onely to himselfe and not to his posterity that concupiscence was no sin that Infants did not draw original sin from their Parents that infants might be saved without baptisme that they should have life eternal but out of the Kingdom of God that man after the fall had the free will to do good and ascribed no more to grace but that by it we had our nature and that by our good works wee obtaine grace they rejected the Doctrine of predestination perhaps because the Hereticks called Praedestinati made Predestination a cloak for all wickednesse security and desperation for they taught that the Predestinate might sinne securely for he could not be damned and that such as were not predestinate should never be saved though their life were never so holy This heresie was not long before Pelagianisme and is the same with that of the Libertins The Timotheans so called from Timotheus Aelurus that is the Caâ— from his bad conditions sprung up under Zeno the Greek Emperour 447. years after Christ. These taught that the two natures of Christ were so mixed in the Virgins Womb that they ceased to be what they were before and became a third substance made up of both as a mixed body is made up of the Elements which lose their names and forms in the mixtion These Hereticks afterward lost the name of Timotheans from Timotheus their Author Bishop of Alexandria and were called Monothelites and Monophysites from ascribing onely one will and one nature to Christ. Of the Pelagians see Austin and the other Fathers who have written against them Q. 37. What was the Religion of the Nestorians Eutychians and of those Sects which sprung out of them A. The Nestorians were so called from Nestorius Patriarch of Constantinople who broached his Heresie under Theodosius the younger 400 years after Christ. He taught that in Christ were two distinct persons to wit the Son of God and the Son of Mary that the Son of God in Christs baptisme descended into the Son of Mary and dwelt there as a lodger doth in a house therefore he would not call the Virgin Mary 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Mother of God but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Mother of Christ. Besides he made the humanity of Christ equal with his divinity aad so confounded their properties and operations This Heresie was but the spawn of some former Heresies chiefly of Manicheisine and Arrianiame It was condemned in the Councel of Epâ—esus under Theodosius the younger in which Cyrill Bishop of Alexandria was Presidentâ— and the author Nestorius was deposed and banished where his blasphemous tongue was eat out with Wormes and his body with Core and his seditious complices swallowed up by the Earth The Eutychians so named from Euâ—yches Archimandrite or Abbot of Constantinopie who lived in the latter end of Theodosius the younger held opinions quite contrary to Nestorius to wit that Christ before the Union had two distinct natures but after the Union only one to wit the Divinity which swallowed up the Humanity and so they confounded the property of the two natures affirming that the Divine nature suffered and died and that God the Word did not take from the Virgin Humane nature This heresie was first condemned in a Provincial Synod at Constantinople then it was set up again by Dioscurus Bishop of Alexandria in the theevish Councel of Ephesus called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and at last condemned by the generall Councel of Chalcedon under Marcian the Emperour From the Eutychians sprung up the Acephalâ— or headlesse Hereticks so called because they had neither Bishop Priest nor Sacâ—ament amongst them these held that in Christ were two natures which notwithstanding they confounded as they did also the properties saying that the humanity lost it selfe and properties being swallowed up by the divinity as a drop of Vineger is lost in the Sea Severus Bishop of Alexandria was author of this Sect under Anastasius Emperour 462. yeares after Christ. They were called also Theodosians from Theodosius their chiefe Patron and Bishop of Alexandria 2. The Monophysites were all one with the Eutychians differing onely in name 3. The Agnoetae so called from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ignorance becausâ— they held that Christs Divinity which with them onely remained after the Union was ignoranT of the day of judgement and where Lazarus after his death was laied This heresie was revived by Theodosius Bishop of Alexandria under Mauritius the Emperour 572. yeares after Christ. 4. The Iacobites so called from Iacobus the Syrian held the same opinions that the Eutychians and scoffed the Christians with the name of Meâ—chites because they followed the Emperour in their Faith These under Phâ—cas the Emperour drew all Syria into their Heresie 575. yeares after Christ. 5. The Armenians so named from Armenia insected with that Heresie held that Christ took not a humane body from the Virgin but that it was immortall from the first minute of its Conception hence they were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they againe in sâ—orn called the Orthodox Christians Manicheans and Phantasâ—asts these held a Quaternity of Persons and that the Divinity suffered and kept their Easter after the Jewish manner They sprung up under Phocas the Emperour 577. yeares after Christ. 6. The Monothelites in words held there were two natures in Christ but in effect denyed them by giving him one Will onely All these branches of Eutychianisme were condemned by the fifth General Councel held at Constantinople under Iustinian the first who confirmed the councel of Chalcedon to which these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or doubting Hereticks for so they called themselves would not subscribe At last sprung up Mahumetanisme 589. years after Christ. Of which we have spokeh already Of all these see Isidor Theodoret Evagrius Nicephorus Sâ—erates Sozomen and others The Contents of the Eighth Section Of the opinions in Religion held the seventh Centurâ— â— The opinions of the eighth Century 3. The Tenets of the ninth and tenth Centuries 4.
then he concludes that the body or flesh which suffered at Ierusalem was not christ body 22. He makes the soul of man to be all one with the Gospel and the body of Christ to be the whole Creation by this and such like stuffe with which his books are fraughted we may see that he deserveth to have his brains purged with Hellebor rather than his crasie opinions refused by arguments or Scripture In the mean while we may perceive to our great grief the lamentable fruits which are begot of two much liberty in religion These impious Opinions are in his printed Pamphlets lately published One Richard Coppiâ— holdeth some of the before recited opinions withall lately before a confused multitude in an usurped pulpit asserted the lawfulnes of womens preaching for such Ranters a pillory were more fit than a pulpit Q. 12. What opinions in Religion are lately broached by Iohn Reeve and Lodowick Muggleton An. These two would perswade us that they are the two last witnesses and prophets of Christ sent by his spirit to seal the foreheads of the elect and reprobate that one Iohn Robins is the last great Antichrist and son of perdition spoken of by the Apostle in the Thessalonians because he sheweth lying signes and wonders and assumes to himself the titles of the onely God in that he calls himself Adam and Melchisedeth and Father of Iesus Christ in saying the three persons in Trinity are Adam that is himself Abel that is his sonne Iesus and Caiâ— that is the holy Ghost Many such blasphemies they ascribe to him They affirm also that Christians using the sword of steel are ignorant of Iesus and enemies to his Gospel and they teach that the two uncreated substances of earth and water were eternally resident in the presence of God the Creator that death was from Eternity that the person of the reprobate Angel or Serpent entred into the womb of Eve and there died but quickened in her all manner of uncleannesse that there is no devil at all without the body of man or woman but what dwells within them so that the devil spoken of so often in the Scripture is mans spirit of unclean reason and cursed imagination that God the Father was a spirituall man from Eternity and that in time his spirituall body brought forth a naturall body that if the very Godhead had not died that is say they the soul of Christ which is the eternall Father had not died all men had perished eternally that Moses and Eliah are angels and did represent the person of the Father in heaven as they did the person of the Son on earth that Eliah was made protectour of God when God became a child and that he filled the Lord Iesus with those great revelations of his former glory which he possessed in heaven when he was the immortall Father and that it was Eliah who spake these words from heaven saying this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased they say also that all the Ministry in this world whether Propheticall or Ministeriall with all the worship taught by them is all a lye and abomination to the Lord. Again they declare that whereas there are three witnesses on earth water blood and the spirit that by water is meant the Commission given to Moses and the Prophets under the Law by blood the Commission given to the Apostles and Ministers of the Gospel by the Spirit is meant the Commission of the two witnesses that were to come in this last age whose ministry is invisible and spirituall cutting off all formall worshipping of an invisible spirituall personall God they say there is hardly a minister in the world that confesseth an invisible God but they preach a God of three persons that is a monster instead of one true personall God they say that the true God is a distinct body or person as a man is a distinct body or person again they say that there is no Christian Magistrate in the world that hath any authority from Christ to set up any visible form of worship and that the spirits and bodies of men are both mortall both begot together and both of one nature that the spirit is nothing without the body that it is the Spirit alone that walks and works eats and drinks and dies for the spirit is a naturall fire of reason they say also that the bodies or persons of holy men wherein they lived and died shall not appear again any more but when the Saints are glorified they are absolutely of the very same glorious nature both in spirit and body as God is and that believing spirits are of the very same divine nature of God This is the summe of their Divinity and Phylosophie as may be seen in their transcendent spirituall Treatise as they call it which is full of transcendent nonsence and blasphemieâ— for here they lay their axe to the very root of Christianity in giving a new Father to our Saviour Jesus Christ in calling the blessed Trinity a monster in denying the Creation whilst they make earth and water eternall in making angels and mens souls mortall in making weak man Gods protector and author of that divine knowledge which was in Christ in denying the Ministry of the Gospel and the power of the Magistrates and the outward worship of God and making the souls of men corporeall in denying also the Resurrection of the flesh and transforming men into the Divine nature By this and other wicked tenets permitted and countenanced among us at this time we see what Christian religion is come to in this land so famous heretofore for piety and zeal we received Christianity as soon as any Nation in Europe whether by the preaching of Saint Peter or Saint Paul or Simon Zelâ—tes or Ioseph of Arimathea I know not but all agree we received it very early and have continued ever since in the profession thereof neither was there ever any Nation more devout and zealous in the advancement thereof as our goodly Temples Monasteries Hospitals Colledges and Schools can witnesse but alas now Quantum mutamur ab illis Angligenis what is there left among us but the bare Skeliton of Religion the vitall substance thereof being eat up and consumed by heresies and blasphemies worse than any Sarcophagus I may here with Ieremiah complain that from the daughter of Sion all her beauty is departed her Princes are become like Harts c. How is the gold become so dimme and the most fine gold changed and the stones of the Sanctuary are scattered in every corner of the streets c. Q. 13. What are the opinions of the Quakers An. These fanaticall spirits are called Quakers because they use to quake and tremble when they prophesie so did the Heathen soothsayers of old non vultus non color unus non compta mansere 〈◊〉 sed pectus anhelum rabie fera corda tument c. but the spirit of God is the spirit of peace
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
Thunder upon Perjurers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Therefore among the Romans the Herauld or Foecialis in making of Leagues used as he was killing the Hog by which they used to confirm their Covenants to call on Iupiter 5. Dagon from Dag a Fish because from the navel downward he was made in the form of a fish but upward like a man this was a great Idol among the Philistines and is thought to be the same that Neptun or Triton Others who derive the word from Dagan that is corn of which he is said to be the inventer make him all one with Saturn 6. Astaroth or Astarte was Goddesse of the Sidonians the word signifieth a flock of sheep or sheep fold this is thought to be all one with Iuno Venus or Lucina under which names and the form of a sheep they worshipped the Moon as they did the Sun under the name of Iupiter and form of a Ram. She is called also by the Greekes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heaven where her aboad is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from her dominion over the Stars 7. Adâ—ammelech that is the Kings cloak or power Anamelech the Kings Oracle or Answer these two Idols were worshipped at Sepharvaim a Town of the Assyrians 2 Kings 17. these gods were also honoured in Samaria and so were Succoth-Benoth the Tabernacle of Daughters Nergal the light of the grave Ashima a fault Nibhas the fruit of vision Tartak that is Chained All which may be seen in the above named chapter of the Kings 8. The Moabites worshipped Chemosh the Ammonites Milchom 2 Kings 23. Nisroch was Senacharibs Idol 2 Kings 19. Remphan or Repham is the same that Hercules the god of Tyrus from Rephaim that is Giants Moloch or Molech from Molach to reign was a great idol among the Moabites and Ammonites and is thought to be the same that Saturn for their images and sacrifices were much a like to whom the superstitious Gentiles and the Jews also offered their sons and daughters to be burned Thamuz mentioned Ezek. 8. 14. is by Hierom taken for Adonis so called from Adon that is Lord by which they understood the Sun as likewise by Hercules many other idol gods they worshipped but these mentioned are the chief Q. What kind of Discipline was used among the Phoenicians A. By their execrable discipline they were bound to offer yearly Sacrifices to Saturn or the Devil rather of young Infants and in the Temple of Venus to practise not onely Whoredom but Sodomy also the Phoenicians were bound to prostitute their daughters to Venus before they married them In the Temple of Venus were celebrated the annual Rites of Adonis with beatings and howlings to whom they perform solemn Obsequies The next day they say he is alive and then they shave their heads The women that refused to be shaved were tied to prostitute themselves to strangers for one day and by this means money was raised for Venus The fun also is much worshipped amongst them whose Priest is crowned with gold and is cloathed with a long sleeved garment down to the feet They were also tied by their Discipline to worship Astarte in the shape of a sheep and Dagon in the form of a Mermaid This idol was called Atergatis and Dercetis in honour of which the Phoenicians abstained from fish yet her Priests did eat of the fish which they set all day before her She had also offered to her fishes of gold and silver Of these passages see Eusebius in his Preparation Diodorus Siculus Lucian Pliny Athenaeus and others Q. What was the Religion and Discipline of the old Arabians A. They worshipped the Sun and Moon Serpents Trees and other such like Deities The Nabathaeans burned Frankincense to the Sun on his Altar They doe not bury their dead but lay them even their Kings in dunghills Adultery is death among them but Incest Is no sin They are circumcised after the example of Ismael at thirteen years of age Their Priests are cloathed with linnen they wear Myters and Sandals they abhor Swines flesh they pay the tithes of their Frankincense to their god Satis the Priests are not to take it by weight but by measure They are tied by their discipline not to gather Cinnamon till first they sacrifice then they divide it with a consecrated spear and assign to the Sun his portion In Panchaea is a rich and stately Temple adorned with Statues and the Priests houses about it The Priests here rule all both in Politick and Ecclesiastick Affairs They are bound to spend their time in singing Hymns and rehearsing the Acts of their gods It is not lawful for them to go out of the sacred bounds allotted them if they doe they may be killed by Law They hold Mice to be arrant enemies to their gods therefore they kill them Of this subject see Solinus Athenaeus Diodorus Boeinus and others Q. What was the Religious discipline of the antient Persians A. They had neither Temples Altars nor Images holding these improper for their Gods but on the tops of hills offered sacrifices to Heaven and to the Sun Moon Fire Earth Water and Winds The Priest useth neither Musick Vestments nor Libaments bâ—t onely his Tiara or Head attire crowned with Myrtle He prayeth for all Persians chiefly for the King He cuts his sacrifice into smal pieces and puts herbs under One of the Magi is bound to stand by and to sing a Hymn of the Genealogy of their gods for without a Magus the sacrifice is not lawful Every man celebrates his own birth day To lye and to be in debt are heinous crimes with them so it is to spit wash or pisse in a River which with them are hallowed The Magi may with their own hands kill any thing except a man and a dog They leave no part of their sacrifices for their gods but divide it by the direction of their Magus amongst themselves for they hold that God is satisfied with the soul of the sacrificed beast To blow the fire with their breath or to cast any dead thing inâ— to it or dirt was death They sacrificed chiefly to the Fire and Water the fire they cherish with dry sticks without their barks with tallow also and oyl When they sacrifice to the Waters they slay the beasts in a ditch and lay the flesh on Mirtle and Lawrel the Magi burn the same then they pray and sprinkle on the earth Oyl Milk and Honey They used not to slay their sacrifice with a knife but with a mallet or club The Magi keep the sacrifice still burning and pray every day an hour before it They adored the Sun whom they called Mithra at his rising and offered to him white Horses whose sacred Chariot was drawn with white Steeds before the King when he went to sacrifice They had divers festival days the chiefe whereof was that of the Sun The next was that they called the Destruction of Vices when they
killed poysonable creatures and sacrificed Of these Persian Rites see Herodotus Athenaeus Pausanias and others Q What was the Old Scythian Religion A. They worshipped first of all Vesta then Iupiter Apollo Venus Mars and Hercules they had neither Images Altars nor Temples for any of their gods except for Mars whose temples they erected of bundles of twigs heaped up together In stead of his Image they set up an old iron sword to which they offered yearly sacrifices of cattel and horses and of men every hundreth Captive with whose blood they besprinkle Mars his sword Then they cut off the right shoulders of the slain men and sâ—ing them into the air They used to wound first and then to strangle the beast which they sacrificed praying to that god to whom they offered the beast they kindled no fire of wood for the Country yielded none but they burned the bones of the beast to boyl the flesh withal if they want a vessel they boyl the flesh in the beasts paunch they use no Vows nor any other ceremonies Their chiefest sacrifices were Horses But of this see Herodotus and others Q. What Religious discipline had the Tartars or Cathaians A. They worshipped the Sun Stars Fire Earth and Water to whom they offered the first fruits of their meat and drink each morning before they eat and drink themselves They beleeve there is one God maker of all things yet they worship him not nor pray to him They place Idols at their Tent doores â—o preserve their cattel and milk To these silk and felt Idols for of such materials they make them are offered the first fruits of milk meat and drink the hearts also of beasts which they leave before them all night and then eat them in the morning they offer horses to the Emperours Idol which none afterward must ride they do not break but burn the bones of their Sacrifices by their discipline they must not touch the fire with a knife nor meddle with young birds nor pour milke drink or meat on the ground nor break one bone with another nor make water within their Tents and divers other such traditions which if violated are punished with death or else redeemed with much money They believe another world but such as this is When one dieth he hath meat set before him and mares milk his friends eat a horse and burn the bones thereof for his soul they bury also with him a Mare a Colt and a Horse bridled and sadled his gold and silver also and they set upon poles the horse hide that was eat that he may not be without a Tent in the other world they use to purifie every thing by making it passe between two fires When they pray they are injoyned by their Discipline to lift up their hands and smite their teeth three times They use to feed the Ghosts or Spirits with Mares milk cast in the air or poured on the ground They have their religious Votaries and Monasteries amongst which there is an Order called Senscin which eat nothing but bran steeped in hot water They worship not Idols nor do they marry but they hold transanimation and divers other ridiculous opinions as may be seen in Iohannes de Plano Carpini whom Pope Innocent Anno. 1246. sent Embassadour to the Tartarian Court. See also M. Paulus Venetus Vincentius Bellouack in specbist Math. Paris and others There is one thing commendable in their Discipline that they force no man to embrace their Religion But Ortelius mentioneth a strange custom amongst them that their Priests on high trees preach to them and after Sermon besprinkle their auditors with blood milk earth and cow-dung mixed together and no lesse strange it is that they do not bury their dead but hang them on trees Q. Had the Pagans any knowledge of the Creation A. It seems by these Tartars and divers other Gentile Idolaters of which we are to speak that many of them had some knowledge of the beginning of the world which they learned not from the Jewes with whom they had no commerce but from the heathen Philosophers and Poets and these were led to believe this truth by the guide of natural reason for when they considered the continual vicissitudes in the world the alteration generation and corruption of things the nature of motion and of time whereof the one presupposeth a Chief Mover for nothing can move it selfe the other consisteth in Priotity and Posteriority which depends upon motion and suteth not with Eternity when they observed also the Harmony Order and Beauty of things how every motion and mutation aimed at a certain End they concluded that this great Universe could not be ruled or have existence by chance but by providence and wisdom and that therefore this must needs have a beginning otherwise we could not know whether the Egge or the Bird the Seed or the Plant the Day or the Night the Light or the Darknesse were first And seeing the world consisteth of corruptible parts how can the Whole which is made up of such Parts be Eternal They found also that it was repugnant to reason for so many Eternals and infinite Entities to exist actually together for every Entity in the world must be Eternal if it selfe be eternal Besides that it is against the nature of Eternity to admit magis minus degrees auction or diminution which it must needs do if the world be eternal for if there have been infinite annual revolutions of the Sun and infinite monethly revolutions of the Moon there must needs be something greater then Infinity for the revolutions of the Moon are far more then of the Sun by these reasons they were induced to acknowledge a beginning of the world of which Merc. Trismegistus in Poemandra speaketh plainly in saying That God by his word made and perfected the world dividing the Earth from the Heaven and the Sea from the Land c. Orpheus in his Argonaâ—tes singeth How Jupiter hid within his breast the world which he was to bring forth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 into the pleasant light c. this same song is sung by Hesiod Homer AEschilus Sophocles Euripides and other Poets Pythagoras as Plutarch and Laertius testifie taught That the world was made by God Thales Empedocles Anaxagoras and the other ancient Philosophers ascribe a beginning to the world some from one element some from another The Platonists alwayes held the creation of the world and the Aristotelians affirming there is a first mover must conclude that the world which is moved had a beginning they say also that the world doth depend upon God how then can it be Eternal seeing dependance and eternity are incompatible Aristotle in his Book de mundo and in his Metaphysicks saith That God is the cause and Author not onely of living creatures but also of nature it selfe and of the world Cicere in his Books of the nature of the gods confesseth That every thing had a beginning and that