That the lawes whereby their Church is to bee gouerned are onely the Canons of the more ancient Councels and their owne Nationall Decrees and not the Decretals of the Bishops of Rome That the Councell of Constance assembled by Sigismund the Emperour with a concurrent consent of other Christian Princes decreeing a Generall Synode to be superiours vnto the Pope and correcting many enormious abuses in the Roman Church which yet remaine in practise was a true oecumenicall Councell and so likewise the Councell of Basill That the Assembly of Trent was no lawfull Councell and the Canons thereof are rather to be esteemed the Decrees of the Popes who called and continued it then the Decrees of the Councell it selfe because in this Assembly Bishops onely contrary to the practise of the Councell of Basill had decisiue voyces and the greatest parts of Bishops were Italian the Popes vassals and besides nothing was then determined that was not at Rome fore-determined by the Pope That the Sacrament of the Lords Supper ought to be administred vnder both kinds and at the least a great part of diuine seruice is to be performed in their vulgar tongues Thus are the greater number of Lawyers and learned men in France affected and those who are throughly popish are for the most part men of the basest sort wholy leauened with the bitter slanders and calumniations of malicious Friers Now if to all the forenamed kingdomes Principalities Dukedomes States Citties abounding with professors of the trueth we adde the Monarchies of Greate Britannie Denmarke Sweden wholy in a manner Protestant wee shall finde them not much inferiour in number and amplitude to the Romish partie especially if we consider that the very bulke and body hereof Italy and Spaine are by a kinde of violence and necessity rather then out of any free choice and iudgement deteined in their superstition namely by the iealousie crueltie and tyrannous vigilancy of the inquisition and their owne ignorance being a Vide indiceÌ„ libro prohi edâ—t iussu Clem. 8. Et Azou lin 8. Morel Insâ—t cap. 26. by Clement the 8. vtterly debarred from all reading of the Sacred Scriptures whereby they might come to the knowledge of the Truth And if any shall except that the Protestants in diuerse Countries before mentioned cannot bee reputed as one body and of one Church by reason of many differences and hot contentions amongest them let such remember that howsoeuer some priuate men in this holy society rather then of it preferring their nouell and passionate fancies before the peace of the Church purchased with Christs precious bloud and the publicke weale of Christian Monarchies vnnaturall toward their owne deere Mother rending that wombe wherein they were new borne by the lauer of Regeneration forgetfull of their heauenly embassage which is not onely to reconcile men vnto God but men with men so farre neglecting their owne eternall saluation as to be vnmindfull of that most vndoubted truth He that is not in charity is in death trampling vnder foote that glorious legacie of their Lord and Maister My peace I giue vnto you my peace I leaue with you haue in heat of contention and bitternesse of their soules strained and racked their weake vnderstandings to make differences betweene themselues euen in the maine Articles of Faith and branded one another with blasphemy and heresie yet these vnchristian and vncharitable dissensions are not to be imputed to the whole sacred community of Orthodox Churches whose harmony and agreement in necessary points of Faith are onely to be esteemed by their confessions which by publicke authority they haue diuulged vnto the world How many are the differences both in doctrine and discipline betweene the Proctors for the Papall faction touching Discipline some teach their cheefetaine the Pope may erre others that he cannot some that he is subiect vnto a Generall Councell others that hee is aboue it some that all Ecclesiasticall authority is immediately in the Prelates of the Church others that it is onely in the Pope and from him deriued vnto inferiour Bishops some that he hath temporall authorities ouer Princes others not concerning doctrine some at firme that predestination both by grace and glory is meerely from Gods free pleasure others from foreseene desert and merit some that all the bookes or part of them belonging vnto the old Testament which were not in the Canon of the Iewish Church are Apocriphall others canonicall euen in the matters of Faith some that there is no originall sinne inherent in vs but only imputed others that it is both inherent and imputed some that wee are most freely iustified by the meanes of Faith Hope c. others by the value and merit of these vertues some that faith is onely a generall assent vnto diuine truths others that it is a speciall perswasion touching the remission of our sinnes through Christ some that wee appeare righteous in Gods sight partly through imputed partly through inherent righteousnesse others onely by inherent some that eternall life is due vnto our works onely by vertue of Gods free and gratious promise others through the merit of the worke done some that all the morall good works of Infidels and Ethnicks are sinnes others that they are without sinne some that the B. Virgin was conceiued without originall sinne others the contrary and that with such eagernesse that the one condemne the other of heresie yet because these contentions are betweene priuate men and they all in Spaine and Italie but not in France as hath beene hewed accord in the cheefe points of doctrine publiquely established in the Councell of Trent they boast much of their vnity Although then some priuate men vnworthy to take the word of peace and reconciliation into their virulent and contentious mouthes led more by passion and their owne selfe-pleasing conceipt then by the sacred rules of truth and piety haue laboured to sow the tares of dissention in the vineyard of the Lord and heereby haue made crooked some few branches cleauing vnto them yet the generall societies of Orthodox Churches in the publicke confessions of their faith doe so agree that there is a most sacred harmony betweene them in the more substantiall points of Christian Religion necessary to saluation This is manifest out of the confessions themselues which are these the Anglicane the Scotiane French Heluctian former and later the Belgie Polonie Argentine Augustane Saxonicke Wirtenbergicke Palatine Bohemicke or Weldensian confession for there is none of the Churches formerly pointed out in diuers places of Europe which doth not embrace one of these confessions and all of them harmoniously conspire in the principall Articles of Faith and which neerest concerne our eternall saluation as in the infallible verity and full sufficiency of the Scriptures diuine essence and vnitie of the euerlasting Godhead the sacred Trinitie of the three glorious persons the blessed incarnation of Christ the omnipotent prouidence of God the absolute supreame head of the Church Christ iustification by
Macedonians the Epirotes the Bosinates Seruians Russians Bulgarians Moldauians Podolians Russians Muscouites Bohemians Polonians Silesians And in Asia the Circassians Mangrellians and Gazarites Gesner in Mithrid in Ling. Illyrica Boccha in Append de diaâ—â—ct in Illyrica These I say are the principall but they are not all for Gesner and Roccha reckken vp the names of 60. nations that haue the Slauonian tongue for their vulgar language So that it is knowne to bee vulgarly spoken ouer all the East parts of Europe in more then a third part of the whole euen to the vtmost bonds of it the riuers of Droyna and Tanais Greece and Hungary and Walaâ—hia onely excepted Indeed the regions of Seruia Bosina Bulgaria Rascia Moldauia Russia and Moscouia namely all the nations of the Easterne parts which celebrate their diuine seruice after the Greek ceremony and professe ecclesiasticall obedience to the Patriarch of Constantinople write in a diuerse â—oâ—â— of Character from that of the Dalmatians Croatians Istrians Polonians Bohemians Silesians other nations toward the west both which sorts of characters are to bee seene in Postels booke of the Orientall languages of which this last is called the Dalmatian or Illyrian character was of * Posteli â—â— ling. Dalmaâ— Rocch in â—iblioth Vatican pagin 16 alij Hieromes deuising that other bering for the most part much resemblance with the Greek is termed the Seruian character and was of * Roccha lib. citato pag. 168. Cyrils inuention for which cause as Roccha hath remembred they terme the language written in that character * Id. pag. 17â— Chiurilizza But yet notwithstanding the difference of characters in the writing of these nations they speake all of them the difference of dialect excepted the same language But yet is not the Slauonique tongue to answere your question for all this large extent the vulgar language of the Turkish Empire For of the Turks dominion onely Epirus the west part of Macedon Bosina Seruia Bulgaria Rascia and part of Thrace that hee hath in Dalmatia and Croacia beside the Mengrelli in Asia speake vulgarly the Slauonian tongue But no where for the more precise limitation neither in Asia nor in Europe is that language spoken more southward then the north Parallel of 40. degrees some part of Epirus onely excepted I meane it is not spoken as the vulgar language of any nation more southward For else being acceptable and vsuall as it is in the Great Turkes Serrail at Constantinople and familiar with most of the Turkish souldiers by reason of their garrisons and other great imployment in those parts toward the confines of Christian Princes all which parts as before I said Hungarie and Walachia excepted speake that language for these reasons I say it is spoken by diuerse particular men in many places of the Turkish dominion and the Ianizares and officers for the most part can speake it and many others also of the better sort but yet the generall and vulgar language of his dominion excepting those places afore mentioned it is not But in Anatolia although the old languages still remaine being for the most part corrupt Greeke as also in Armenia they haue their peculiar language yet is the Turkish tongue very frequent and preuaileth in them hoth which being originally none other then the Tartarian tongue as Michouius Michou l. 1. de Sarmatia cap. 15. Rocch de dialect in Ling. Turâ—ica and others haue obserued yet partaketh much both of the Armenian and Persian by reason of the Turkes long continuance in both those regions before they setled the seate of their Dominion and themselues among the Grecians for which cause it is not without mixture of Greeke also but chiefely and aboue all other of the Arabique both by reason of their religion written in that language and their training vp in schooles vnto it as their learned tongue And yet although the Turkish be well vnderstood both in Natolia and Armenia yet hath it neither extinguished the vulgar languages of those parts neither obtained to it selfe for ought I can by my reading finde any peculiar prouince at all wherein it is become the sole natiue and vulgar language but is only a common scattered tongue which appeareth to be so much the more euidently true because the very Citties that haue beene successiuely the seates of the Ottaman Sultans namely Iconium now Cogna in Lycaonia then Prusa in Bithynia thirdly Adrianople in Thrace and lastly Constantinople are yet knowne to retaine their old natiue language the Greeke tongue Although the Turkish tongue also bee common in them all as it is likewise in all other Greeke Citties both of Greece and Asia But in the East part of Cilicia beyond the riuer Pyramus as in all Syria also and Mesopotamia and Palestina and Arabia and Aegypt and thence Westward in all that long tract of Afrique that extendeth from Aegypt to the Strait of Gibralter I say in all that lieth betwixt the Mountaine Atlas and the mediterrane sea now termed Barbarie excepting Marocco and here and there some scattered remnants of the old Africans in the Inland parts the Aribique tongue is become the vulgar language although somewhat corrupted and varied in dialect as among so many seuerall nations it is vnpossible but it should bee And although I bee farre from * Postell in praefat Grammat Arabic Ludouic Reg. l. 8. de Vicissitud Rer. ad finem their opinion which write too ouerlashingly that the Arabian tongue is in vse in two third partes of the inhabited world or in more yet I finde that it extendeth verie farre and specially where the religion of Mahumed is professed For which cause ouer and besides the partes aboue mentioned in which it is as I said become the natiue language in all the Northerne part of the Turkish Empire also I meane that part that lieth on the North side of the Mediterrane sea as likewise among the Mahumetane Tartars it is thought not the vulgar tongue yet familiar with verie many both because all their religion is written in that language and for that * Bellon Obseruard 3. c. 12 euery boy that goeth to schoole is taught it as in our schooles they are taught Latin and Greeke Insomuch that all the Turkes write their owne language in Arabique characters So that you see the coÌ„mon languages of the Turkish Empire to be the Slauonish the Greeke the Turkish and Arabique tongues seruing seuerally for the parts that I mentioned before Of the Syriaque and Hebrew tongues CHAP. IX THE Syriaque tongue is certainly * Masius in praeâ—at Grammat Syric Sixt Senen Biblioth Sanctae l. 4 in voce Thargum Canin in praefâ—t Institat Syrâ—c Ar. Montan. de ratione Mazzoreth in Apparat. ad Bibl. Reg. Fabrit in praefat ad Lexic Syrochaldaâ—cum Genebrard l. 2 Chronog ad An. 3690. Bellarmin l. 2. de verbo Dei ca. 14 15. c. Posseum Apporat sacr in Dictione Bi 〈◊〉 thought to haue
the small companie of Mahumetanes inhabiting their Michou de Sarmatia l 2. c 3. peculiar villages about Wilna in Litunia or the scattered Boem de Morib gent l 3. c. 7. Boter Relat. Par. 3. l. 1. Ziegl tr in Schondia c de Lapponia Damian a Goas Tract de Lappijs Michou l. 2. de Sarmatia c. 5. Munster Cosmog l. 4 c. 37. Boter Relation pa 1. l. c. de Bothnia remnants of Idolaters in the same prouince and in Samogitia are not woorthy mentioning But toward the North Lappia Scricfinia Biarmia Corelia and the North part of Finmarke all which together passe commonly vnder the name of Lapland and make a region about 900 miles in circuit are inhabited by Idolaters and toward the East all the Region betwixt Tanais and Borysthenes along Maeotis and the Euxine sea the true natiue Country of the ancient Gothes being more then twise as large as the former and withall much better peopled is inhabited by the Tartars called Crimaei or Precopitae who are all Mahumetans excepting onely a small remainder of Christians in some parts of Taurica But in all the Turks dominion that he hath in Europe inclosed after a peninsular figure betweene Danubius and the Sea and containing in circuit about 2300 miles for Moldauia Walachia and Transiluania I rekon not for parts of his dominioÌ„ namely from aboue Buda on Danubius side and from Ragusa on the sea side Eastward to the vtmost bounds of Europe as also in the Iles of the Aegaean sea Christians are mingled with Mahumetans All which dominion yet of the Turks in Europe though so much in circuit as I said is neuerthelesse measured by squares no greater then Spaine the continent of it being no way answearable to the circumference both because it runneth far out in sharpe angles toward the West and South namely in Hungarie and Moraea and is beside in Greece in many places extraordinarily indented with the sea And in this dominion of the Turks in Europe such is notwithstanding the mixture of Mahumetans with Christians that the Christians * Boter Relat. pa. 2. l. 4. nel Relation del gran Turco Georgeuitz de Affliction Christian. sub Turca l. 1. ca. de Tributis make two third parts at least of the Inhabitants for the Turke so that Christians pay him his yearely tribute which is one fourth part of their increase and a Sultanie for euery poll and speake nothing against the religion and sect of Mahumet permitteth them the libertie of their religion And euen in Greece it selfe although more dissolute then any region of Europe subiect to the Turke as hauing beene anciently more wasted with intestine discord and longest groaned vnder the Turks oppression there remain yet neuerthelesse in ⸫ Chitrae de â—tatu Ecclesiâ—r non longé ab initio Constantinople the very seate of the Turkish Empire aboue 20 Churches of Christians and in the Citie of Salonichi Thessalonica aboue 30 wheras in this later the Mahumetans haue but 3 beside very many Churches abroad in the Prouince vnder suffragan Bishops Gerlach in epist. ad Crus Turcograeciae l. pag. of whom the Metropolitan of Salonichi hath no lesse then 10 beloÌ„ging to his Iurisdiction as there are also recorded yet to remaine vnder the Metropolitans of Philippi 150 Churches of Athens as many of Corinth 100 together with sundry suffragan Bishops vnder each of them But in Afrique all the Regions in a maner that Christian religion had gained from Idolatry Mahumetanisme hath regained from Christianitie Insomuch that not onely the North part of Afrique lying along the Mediterrane sea Concil Carthag 4. CoÌ„cil African seu Carthag 6. namely betwixt it and the Mountaine Atlas euen from Spaine to Aegypt where Christianitie sometime exceedingly flourished as the we reade Synodes of aboue 200 Bishops to haue beene gathered and * Martin Polon Supput An. 475. 300 Catholique Bishops to haue beene there expelled by Gensericus K. of the Wandales And in some one Prouince alone * Victor l 1. de Persecut Vandalec Zengitana by name it is that wherein Carthage stood to haue beene 164 Bishops vnder one Metropolitan Not onely that North part of Afrique I say is at this present vtterly voide of Christians excepting a few Townes belonging to the King of Spaine of which onely Septa and Tanger are Episcopall Cities but euen in all the vast continent of Aphrique being about thrice as large as Europe there is not any Region entierly possessed by Christians but the kingdome of Habassia no nor yet which is more lamentable any other where Christians are mingled either with Mahumetans but onely Aegypt or where with Idolaters but the kingdomes of * Pigafet hist. Regni Congens l. 2. c. 2. Congo and Angola which two about 120 yeares agoe An. 1491 beganne first to receiue Christianity All the rest of Afrique being entirly gouerned and possessed by Pagans or Mahumetans To which if I should adde those few places in Afrique afore mentioned near the Strait of Gibraltar which the KK of Portugall and Castile haue conquered from the Mores with the other few dispersed fortresses which the Portugalles hold in other places on the coast of Afrique altogether euen betwixt Spaine and India are but 11 or 12 I know not where to finde euen among all the natiue Inhabitants of Aphrique any Christians more For as for the large region of Nubia which had from the Apostles time as is thought professed the Christian faith it hath againe aboue 100 yeares since forsaken it and embraced in steade of it partly Mahumetanisme and partly Idolatrie and that by the most miserable occasion that might befall namely famine of the word of God through lacke of Ministers for as Albarez hath recorded Aluarez Hist. Aethiopic ca. 137. at his being in the K. of Habassia his Court there were Embassadours out of Nubia to intreat him for a supply of Ministers to instruct their nation and repaire Christianity gone to ruine among them but were reiected And yet are the Christians of Aegypt namely those of the natiue Inhabitants but very few in respect of that infinitenesse of people wherwith Aegypt doth and euer did abound as being esteemed not to passe * Boter Relat. pa. 1. l. 3. cap. de 1 popoli del Egitto Thom. a Ies. de Conuers gent. l. 7. par 1. c. 5. 50000. And as touching the Kingdome of Habassia neither is it all Christians but a great part of Gentiles namely toward the West and South bounds of it and some part Mahumetans toward the East border neither so large and spatioâ—s as many mens relations haue made it thought to be For although I cannot assent to them who assigne to that great Kingdome but about Boter Relat. pa. 1. l. 3. c. de Abassia 662 leagues of compasse by which reckoning suppose they were Spanish leagues it should be little larger then Germany for I know full well by infallible obseruations that sparing
Indus also the great kingdomes of Cambaia and Bengala for a great part of them and about one fourth part of the inhabitants of Malabar are obserued to be Mahumetans And secondly to consider the inland parts all from the westerly bounds of Asia namely the riuer Tanais with the Euxine Aegaean and Mediterane seas as farre Eastward as the mountaine Imaus which is more then halfe the length of Asia is possessed by them Except first the * Guaguin Descr. Tartar in Kyrgesâ—orum Horda Kirgessi neere Imaus who are Idolaters and secondly the mixture of Christians among them who yet haue very small proportion for their multitude to Mahumetans in any prouince of all the mentioned vast circuit for howsoeuer Burchardus about 320. yeares agoe hath left recorded of those parts of Asia that there were to be found in them 30. Christians for one Mahumetan Descr. ter sanct pa. 2. c. 2. § 9. yet certainely that in these present times the excesse of multitude is growne great on the Mahumetans side in respect of Christians the experience of many putteth out of question And if wee shall proceed yet farther eastward in the inland parts of Asia and passe in our speculation beyond the mountaine Imaus euen there also sundry prouinces are obserued as * Paul Venet. l. 1. c. 41.42.43 Peim Cotam Lop where Mahumetans are the maine and sole inhabitants and many more as * Id. l. 1. ca. 38.40.47.62.63.64 c. Cassar Carcham Chinchintilus Tanguth Ergimul Cerguth Tenduc c. where they are mingled among idolaters which may for a great part counteruaile those regions of Asia which Christians and Idolaters take vp on this side that mountaine So that in my estimation hauing about these points coÌ„ferred history with Geography in the most circumspect considerate manner that I was able about nine parts of 20. of Asia are possessed by Mahumetans Thus then is Mahumetanisme spread ouer the one halfe almost of the firme land of Asia And yet moreouer in the Ilands also that are about Asia that religion hath found large intertainment For not onely a good part of the small * Nicol. de coÌ„â—i Viag nelle Indie Baâ—bos â—p Ramus Vol. 1. de Viaggi p 313 318.319 Boter Relat p. 3. l. 2 de Mahometani Isles of Maldiuia namely those of them that are inhabited for they are aboue 7000. in all and most without habitation are possessed with Mahumetans but moreouer all the ports of the Isle of Ceilan except Colombo which the Portugalls haue the Sea coasts of Sumatra the ports of Iaua with the Isle of Sunda the ports of Banda of Bornéo and of Gilolo with some of the ilands Malucos are in the hands of Mahumetans Of the great spreading inlargement of which religion if the causes were demanded of mee I should make answere that beside the iustice of almighty God punishing by that violent and wicked sect the sinnes of Christians for we see that by the conquests of the Arabians and Turks it hath cheefly seased on those regions where Christianity in ancient time most flourished both in Afrique and Asia and partly in Europe one cause J say of the large spreading of their Religion is the large spreading of their victories For it hath euer beene the condition of the conquered to follow for the most part the religion of the conquerors A secoÌ„d their peremptory restraint euen on the paine of death of all disputation touching their religion and calling any point of it into question A third their suppression of the studie of Philosophy by the light whereof the grosnesse and vanity of many parts of their religion might bee discouered which is inhibited to bee taught in their vniuersities and so hath beene about these 400. yeares whereas till then it greatly flourished among theÌ„ in Cordoua in Fess in Maroccho in Bagded and other cities And yet as Bellonius and * Bellon Obser l. 3. c. 30. Georgeuitz l. 2. de Ritib Turcar. cap. de Scholis others write the Turkes fall now againe to those studies afresh A fourth cause may well bee assigned the sensuall liberty allowed by it namely to haue many wiues and the like promise of sensual pleasures to succeed after this life to the Religious obseruers of it in Paradise wherewith men for the greatest part as being of things wherewith their sense is affected whereof they haue had certaine experience are more allured and perswaded then with promises of spiritual delights presented only to their hopes and for which present and sensible pleasures must in the meane time be forsaken Of the sundrie regions of the world inhabited by Idolaters CHAP. XII NOW touching Idolaters they possesse in Europe a region as I before obserued about 900. miles in circuit although the ordinary Geographical charts represent it but falslie more then twise so large containing Lappia Corelia Biarmia Scricfinia and the north part of Finmarch All which together may by estimation make about one sixtieth part of Europe or a little more more I meane in magnitude rather then in multitude for it is indeed a little greater then so Beside which prouinces there are also to bee found in diuers places of * Beem de Morib gent. l. 3. c. 7. Boter Relat. p. â— l. 1. c. Litunia Lituania and Samagotia some scattered remnants of Idolaters But in Afrique their multitude is very great for from C. Blanco on the coast of Libya the most westerly point of all Afrique being about the north latitude of twenty degrees euen al the coast of Afrique southward to the cape of Buena Esperanza And thence turning by the backe of Afrique as farre as the cape of Mozambique beeing ouer against the middest of Madagascar in the south latitude of fifteene degrees all this coast I say beeing not much lesse then halfe the circumference of Afrique is inhabited by Idolaters Onely on the East side from Mozambique to Cape de Corrientes which is the south latitude of 24 degrees they are mingled with Mahumetans And on the west side in the kingdome of Congo and the north part of Angola with Christians But yet in both these places of their mixture idolaters are the greater multitude But now if wee consider the inland Region of Afrique all betweene the riuer Nilus and the West sea of Aethiopia from about the north parallel of tenne degrees to the south parallel of 6. or 7. degrees but from that parallel of 6. or 7. degrees euen all Aethiopia southward on both the sides of Nilus from the east sea of Aethiopia to the West euen to the most southerly point of all Afrique the cape of Buona Speranza is possessed by idolaters excepting onely some part of Congo and Angola afore mentioned toward the west sea inhabited by Christians and the vtmost shore of the East sea froÌ„ Mozambique northward which is replenished with Mahumetans And yet beside all the regions before mentioned euen all the kingdome of * Leo African l. 7.
the voluntary submission of the Grecians vpon their separation from the latin Church greatly increased it for thereby not onely Greece Macedon â—spirus Candie and the Isles about Greece in all seuen Prouinces came vnder his obedience but also Sicilâ—e and the East point of Italie named Calabria reuolted from the Bishop of Rome and for a long time pertained to the Patriarch of Constantinople Nouell Leon. De ordine Metropolitan in Lib. 2. Toâ—ri Lâ—uris as appeareth in the Nouell of Leo Sophus touching the order and precedence of Metropolitans belonging to that Patriarchie And by the like ordination set downe by Andronicus Paloeologus in Curopalates Orientalis Curopalat de Official Palat. ConstaÌ„tinop prope sinem where wee find the Metropolitans of Syracusa and Catana in Sicilie of Rhegium Seueriana Rosia and Hydruntum in Calabria registred among the Metropolitans of that Iurisdiction Thirdly it was inlarged by the conuersion of the north regions to Christian Religion performed by his Suffragans and ministers euen from Thrace to * Cromer de script Polon L. 1. Herdenst de Bell. Mosc l. 1. Guâ—guin Descriptâ—on Moscou c. 2. Russia and the Scythian Sea the like whereof was the principall cause that so farre inlarged the Bishop of Rome his Iurisdiction in the west parts of Europe And fourthly by the Turks conquests made vpon the Westerne countries subiect before to the Bishop of Rome all which while partly the former Bishops and Pastors fled to auoid the Turks oppression like the hireling that forsaketh the flocke when he seeth the wolfe comming and partly while the Patriarch of Constantinople to supply that default was faine to prouide them of new ministers they haue beene by little and little brought trained to the Greeke religion Now as touching the proper characters of their religion I must for the better designing and remembring of them set before me some instance or patterne to compare it and other sects of Religion withall And that is most fit to be the Romane Church both because their differences with that Church specially are in writers most obserued So that by that meanes my discourse may be the shorter and yet no lesse perspicuous to you that know the opinions of the Romane Church so well The principall characters then of the Grecians religion for none but the principall you require and to mention euery slender difference of ceremonies would be but tedious and fruitlesse and is beside without my compasse are these that follow 1. 1 Concil Florent Sess. 18. sequentib Ierem. Patriarch CoÌ„stant in Resp. 1. ad Germanos cap. 1. That the holy Ghost proceedeth from the father onely not from the sonne 2. 2 CoÌ„cil Florentin prope Initium Respons Graecer ad cardinal Guisan Quest. 9. That there is no purgatory fire 3. 3 Resp. cad Graecor Q. 5. Ierem. Patr. Resp. 1. cap. 1. That they celebrate the Sacrament of the Eucharist in both kinds 4. 4 Ierem. Resp. cad c. 10. 21 And in leauened bread and thinke it cannot be effectually consecrated in bread vnleauened 5. 5 Posseuin de Rebus Mosco uiae pag. 43. That they reiect extreame vnction 6. 6 Id. lib. citat pag. 40. And confirmation 7. 7 Ierem. Respons cap. 21. That they deny the soules of holy men to enioy the blissefull vision of God or the soules of wicked men to be tormented in hel before the day of iudgement Th. a Ies. de Conu gent. l. 6. c. 1. 8. 8 Tom. vnionis inter nouel Constantin Porphyrogen in Tomo 1 Tur. Orientalis lib. 2. Zonar Annal. Tom. 3. in Im pe Leon's philosophi That they admit Priests marriages namely so that they may keepe their wiues married before their ordination but must not marry after ordination 9. 9 Resp. Graecor ad Guisan Quest 8. Posseâ—iâ— de reb Moscou That they prohibite vtterly the fourth marriage as a thing intolerable Insomuch that as we find recorded their Patriarchs haue for that cause excommunicated some of their Emperours although they had no issue left of their three former marriages 10 Posseu lâ—b 〈◊〉 pag. 41 et 2. â—â—llamont on â—oyag l 2. c 21 10. That they reiect the religious vse of massie images or statues admitting yet pictures or plaine images in their Churches 11 Vilâ—am on Voâ—ag l. 2. c. 21 â—t Alij 11. That they solemnize Saturday the old sabbath festiually and eat therin flesh forbidding as vnlawfull to fast any Saturday in the yeare except Easter Eue. 12 Posseuin l. 〈◊〉 p. 42. 12. That they obserue foure lents in the yeare 13 Nâ—lus Episcop Thesâ—al de Primatu Papae Barlaam de primatu Papae et Alij Leo. 9. epist. 1. 〈◊〉 Episcop ConstaÌ„tinop 13. That they eate not of any thing strangled nor of bloud 14 Acrican et in pluribus 〈◊〉 Sâ—â—â—bert in Châ—onico ad An. â—â—5â— Possen de Reb Mosco p 38. 〈…〉 14. And lastly that they deny the Bishop of Romes primacy and reputing him his Church for schismaticks exclude them from their communion And so haue done as I finde in Leo the ninth his Epistles and in Sigebert aboue these 500. years And if you desire to see more differences of the Greeke and Romane Church you may see them but they are of lesse importance then those I haue related in Posseuines booke of the matters of Moscouia Of the Syrians or Melchites CHAP. XVI SYrians are the same that in some Histories are termed Melchites beeing esteemed for their number the * Botar Relat. pa. 3. l. 2. ca. de Melchiti greatest sect of Christians in the Orient The first * Postel in Descript. Syriae pag. 30. being properly the name of their nation And the second noting the property of their religion Surians they were named to let vaine fancies go of the Citty of Tyre which in the ancient language of the Phoenicians Gellius l. 14. c. 6. Festus in Dâ—â—ctione sarra was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and certainelie that Tyre was ancieÌ„tly called Sarra is recorded by the * For Posâ—els phantasie deriuing Suria from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is meerelie vaine beeing neuer so named in the Hebrew tongue but alwaies 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by which name also it seemeth ancieÌ„tly to haue bene knowne euen among the Grecians for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mentioned in Homer are no other as Possidonius in * Strad l. 26. in fine Strabo expounds him then the Syrians Strabo himselfe also recording in other places that the Syrians * Vitria histor Oriental c. 43 Niger in commentaâ— 4. Asiae Postell in descrip Syriae pag. 50. were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in his time And that the * Strad l. 13. non long ante fine naturall inhabitants of Syria so called themselues Yet neuerthelesse they were vulgarly knowne by the name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 among the Grecians because the Citie of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 beeing the maine mart
from their deuotion to S t. George whom they principally honour for their Patron and whose Image they alwayes beare in their military Ensignes But yet as I take it this vulgar opinion is but vulgar errour Mela l. 1. c. 2. Plin. l. 6. c. 13. because I finde mention made of the nation of the Georgians in those parts both in Mela and Plinie afore S t. George was borne whosoeuer hee was Touching the properties of whose religion this may be sufficient to obserue for all That * Paul Venet. lib. 1 ca. 14. it is the same both in substance and ceremonies with that of the Grecians * Chitrae de statu Ecclesiat pag 23 50. Alij who yet are in no sort subiect neither euer were to the Patriarch of Constantinople but all their Bishops being 18 professe absolute obedience to their owne Metropolitan without any other higher dependance or relation Who yet keepeth residence farre off in the Monastry of St. Katherine in the Hill of Sinai Prateo de Haeret. sect verbo Georgiani Bernard Lucemburg in Catalog Haeret. in Georgiani Next these I must speake a little of their next neigbours the Mengrelians and Circassians Colchi and Zychi they were anciently called seated betweene the Georgians and the Riuer Tanais along the Coast of Maeotis and the Euxine sea as being also Christians of the Greeke communion and beside * Bellon Obseru l. 1. c. 35. Michou de Sarmatia l. 1. c. 7. of the Patriarch of Constantinople his obedience and * Bellon Obseru l. 1. c. 35. Michou de Sarmatia l. 1. c. 7. conuerted by his Ministers Cyrillus and Methodius to Christian religion Which religion notwithstanding at this present is exercised among them not without some deprauation and mixture of strange phantasies Interiano della vita de Zychi cap. 1. Anan Fabrica del Mondo Tratt 2. Boter par 3 l. 2. c. for the Circassians baptise not their Children till the eight yeare and enter not into the Church the Gentlemen especially till the sixtieth or as others say till the fortieth yeare but heare diuine seruice standing without the Temple that is to say till through age they grow vnable to continue their rapines and robberies to which sinne that Nation is exceedingly addicted So deuiding their life betwixt sinne and deuotion dedicating their youth to rapine and their old age to repentance 〈◊〉 Metropolitan Russ. in epist. ad Episcop Rom. apud Sigismund de Rebus Muscou pag. 31. Of the Muscouites and Russians CHAP. XVIII THe Muscouites and Russians as they were conuerted to Christianitie by the Grecians Zonar Annal. Tom. 3. Cromer de reb Polon l. 3. so haue they euer since continued of the Greeke communion and religion Guagin descript Muscou c. 2. Sacran de error b. Ruthenor c. 2. 1. Denying the Holy Ghost to proceede from the Sonne 2. 2 Sigism lib. citato pag. 41 Sacran de Relig Ruthenor cap. 2. Scarga Polon l. 3. c. 2. Reiecting Purgatorie but yet praying for the dead 3. 3 Scargas Polon l. 3. c. 2. Guaguin descrip Moscou c. 2. Beleeuing that holy men enioy not the presence of God afore the Resurrection 4. 4 Ioan Metropol Russ vbi supra pag. 32. Guagin descr Muscou ca. 2. Celebrating the sacrament of the Eucharist with leauened bread and requiring warme water to mingle with the wine 5. 5 Sigism loc citato pag. 40. And communicating in both kindes 6. 6 Sigism loc citato pag. 40. Guaguin loc citato But mingling both together in the Chalice and distributing it together with a spoone 7. 7 Guaguin Ibid And receiuing children after 7. years old to the coÌ„munion saying that at that age they begin to sinne against God 8. 8 Ioan. Metropol Russ. vbi supra apud Sigism pag. 31. Guagin loc citato Sacran de errorib Ruthenor c. 2. Omitting Confirmation by the Bishop 9. 9 Sacran loc citato Denying the spirituall efficacie of extreame vnction 10. 10 Sigism lib. alleg pag. 47. Posseuin de Rebus Moscou pag. 2. Excluding the fourth mariage as vtterlie vnlawfull whereas they approoue not the second as perfectly lawfull Guaguin Descript Moscou cap. 2. but onely permit it but tolerate not the third except on very important considerations 11. 11 Sacran de errorib Ruthenor c. 2. Dissoluing mariage by diuorcement vpon euery light occasion or displeasure 12. 12 Sigism lib. citat pag. 28. Scarga de vno pastor l. 3. c. 2. Admitting neither Deacons nor Priests to Orders except they be maried but yet * Possein de Reb. Moscou pag. 1. Guaguin loc citat prohibiting mariage to them being actually in Orders 13 13 Posseu lib. allegato p. 44. Reiecting carued or massie Images but admitting the painted 14. 14 Ioan. Metropol Russ. vbi supr p. 3â— Guaguin loc allegato Reputing it vnlawfull to fast on Saturdayes 15. 15 Posseu â—â— Moscouia pag. 42. Sacran de error Ruthen cap 2. Or to eate of that which is strangled or of bloud 16. 16 Guaguin loc citat Obseruing 4 lents in the yeare 17. 17 Sigism lib. citato pag. 3â— Boter Relat. par 3. l. 1. c. de Moscouia Refusing to communicate with the Roman Church And to conclude excepting the difference in distributing of the Eucharist and exacting of marriage in their Priests and Deacons there is not any materiall difference in points of religion that I find betwixt them and the Grecians With whom they not onely maintaine Communion but were also and that not long since and of right still ought to be of the same Iurisdiction and gouernement for * Posteuin Rer. Moscou Com 1. pag. 1. Guaguin Descrip Moscou cap. 2. their chiefe Metropolitan or Primate who is the Archbishop of Mosco was wont to bee confirmed by the Patriarch of Constantinople but is now and hath beene about some 60 yeares nominated and appointed by the Prince the Emperour of Russia and vpon that nomination consecrated by two or three of his owne Suffragans Of whom euen all sorts together Bishops and Archbishops there are but * Posseâ—â— loco proxime citato Sigism in Moscou pag. 28. eleuen in all that large Dominion of the Emperour of Russia Thus is it with these sorts of Christians hitherto related touching their religion and gouernours All which as you may easily perceaue are of the same communion and in effect of the same religion with the Grecians And beside these some large parts of the King of Polonia his dominion for Podolia and for the most part * Boter Rel. pa. 1. l. 1. c. Russia Guaguâ—n Description Mâ—scou c. 2. Russia Nigra or Rubra as some call it the larger Russia subiect for the greatest part to the Duke of Muscouia they tearme Russia alba are of the Greeke religion And although the Bishops of South Russia subiect namely to the King of Polonia submitted themselues almost 20. yeares agoe An. 1594 to the
Bishop of Rome as Baron Tom. 7. Annal. in fine Posseuin in Apparsacr in Rutheni haue recorded yet was it not without special reseruation of the Greeke religion and rites as is manifest by the articles of condition extant ap Th. a Ies. de Conu gent. l. 6. pa. 3. ca. 1. pag. 328 seq tendered by them to the Church of Rome and accepted before they would accept of the vnion So that it was not any reuolting from the Greeke religion but onely in effect from the iurisdiction of the Greeke Patriarch to the Pope and that also with sundrie limitations And in * Sigism de Reb. Moscou pag. 27 Guaguâ—in in loco iam citato Wilna the Metropolis of Lituania Although the Archbishop professe obedience to the Pope yet are there also in that Citie as Sigismund hath obserued more Temples of the Greeke religion * Sigism de Reb. Moscou pag. 27 Guaguâ—in in loco iam citato there be 30 of them then of the Roman * Sigism de Reb. Moscou pag. 27 Guaguâ—in in loco iam citato Epist. ad Chitrae de Relig. Russor So that if we should collect and put together all the Christian regions hetherto intreated of which are all of the Greeke communion And compare them with the parts pofessing the Roman Religion wee should finde the Greeke farre to exceede if wee except the Romane new and foraine purchases made in the West and East Indias Of the Nestorians CHAP. XIX THe Nestorians who haue purchased that name by their ancient imitation and maintaining of Nestorius his heresie inhabite though euery where mingled with Mahumetans or with Pagans a great part of the Orient for besides the cuntries of Babilon and Assyria and Mesopotamia and Parthia and Media wherein verie manie of them are found that sect is spred and scattered farre and wide in the East both Northerly to Cataya and Southerly to India So that in Marcus Paulus his historie of the East regions and in * Guil. de Rubr. Itâ— Tart. c. Paul Venet. 1 l. 1. c. 38.2 l. eod c. 39.3 c. 40.4 c. 47.5 c. 45. 49.6 c. 48.7 c. 62.8 c 64. l. 2. c. 39. l. eod c. 61 64. c. others we finde mention of them and of no sect of Christians but them in very many parts and prouinces of Tartarie As namely in 1 Cassar 2 Samarchan 3 Carcham 4 Chinchintalas 5 Tanguth 6 Suchuir 7 Ergimul 8 Tenduch 9 Caraiam 10 Mangi c. Insomuch that beyond the riuer Tigris Eastward there is not anie other sect of Christians to be found for ought I can reade except onely the Portugales and the conuerts made by them in India and the late migration of the Armenians into Persia. The reason of which large spreading and preuailing of that sect so farre in the orient if you enquire I finde to that purpose recorded by Paulus Diaconus of Cosrhoes the King of Persia Paul Diacon Histor. Miscel. l. 18 that he for the mortall hatred hee bare the Emperour Heraclâ—us by whom he had beene sore afflicted with a grieuous warre inforced all the Christians of the Persian Empire to Nestorianisme permitting no catholiques to remaine in all his dominions By whose preaching the Christian religion being farre there inlarged and propagated into the East as it seemes both because those of the Persian dominion were more Eastwardly then other Christians and because it is certaine that all of them till this day acknowledge obedience to the Nestorian Patriarch in Mesopotamia which Country was then part of the Persian dominion It is no wonder if sowing their owne tares and Christes wheate together they propagated with the gospell also there owne heresie Shortly after which time the Sarracens of Arabia Mahumetans conquering Persia and bringing their religion together with their victories into all that large dominion there remained but little outward meanes and slender hope of their repaire and reformation from any sound part of the Church from which they were more now then afore diuided except what affliction and time and the grace of God might worke and repaire in them Now touching their ecclesiasticall gouernment The patriarch of the Nestorians to whom all those of the East parts acknowledge obedience a number of whose suffragan Bishops and Metropolitans Sand de Visibil Monarch l. 7. An. 1556. Paul Venet. l. 1. ca. 15. you haue reckoned vp in Sanders booke de Visibili Monarchia and whom they call Iacelich saith Paulus Venetus Brochardus and others but mistake it or else they of the East pronounce it amisse for Catholich Brocard Descript Tert. sanct Leunclau Pand. Histor Turc §. 3. as is obserued by Leunclauius hath his seat in the Cittie of Muzal on the riuer Tygris in Mesopotamia or in the Patriarchall Monasterie of S. Ermes fast by Muzal Th. a Ies. l. 7. pag. 3. c. 4. In which Citie though subiect to Mahumetans it is * Aubret Mâ—rae Notitiae Episcopor Orb. pag. 35. Mas. in Ortel in Thesaur in Seleucia Plin. l. 5. c. 25. Strab. l. 26. longaâ—ite Med. recorded that the Nestorians retaine yet 15. temples being esteemed about 40000 soules Th. a Ies. l. 7. par 1. c. 4. the Iacobits 3. which Citie of Musal I either take with Masius and Ortelius to be the same that anciently was called Selutia and in Plinie Seleutia Parthorum both because Seleutia was as Strabo saith the Metropolis of Assyria euen as * Guiliâ—l Tyrius de Bel. sacâ—o l 21 c. 8. Musal is recorded to be And also because I finde the ecclesiasticall iurisdiction of those parts committed by the fathers of * Concil Nicen Arab. l. 3. c 33 34. the Nicene councell to the bishop of Seleucia assigning him with all the name of Catholique and the next place of Session in councels after the Bishop of Ierusalem which name and authoritie in those parts the Bishop of Mozal now hath Or if Seleucia were some other citie Muzal the patriarchall seate of the Nestorians is either a remainder of the ancient Niniue as Vitriacus and Tyrius who therefore in his historie calleth the Inhabitants of that Citie Niniuites haue recorded Or at least built neere the Ruines of it Namely ouer against it on the other side of the riuer Tigris as by Beniamin who diligently viewed the place is obserued for Niniue which hee noteth to bee dissolued into scattered villages and castles stoode on the East bancke of Tigris on Assyria side whereas Muzal is seated on the West banke on Mesopotamia side being yet both ioyned together by a Bridge made ouer Tigris now distroyed Vitriac histor Oriental c. 3â— Tir. de Bel. sacro l. 21. c. 8. as for certaine reasons I am induced rather to thinke yet at least the Patriarcall seate was froÌ„ Seleucia translated to Muzal for the opinion of Scaliger Scalig. ad Châ—on Eusebij An. M.D. CCXIII. namly that Seleucia was the same that is now called Bagded Beniamin in Itinerar in
or Ponds Concerning which first and last points namely of their circumcision and annuall baptismes I haue somwhat to obserue Namely first touching their circuÌ„cision that they obserue it not so much perhaps of religion as of an auncient custome of their nation For although their circumcising on the eight day seemeth to imply that they receiued it from the Iewes yet their circumcising of both sexes as certainely argueth that they did not so And if the Habassines bee of the race of the ancient Aethiopians the doubt may bee the lesse because Herodotus and others haue recorded it Herodot l 2. par a Mâ—dâ—o for an ancient ceremony of that nation Or if they be not of the Aethiopian race Stephanus Pyâ—ant 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in dictione 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but of the progenie of the Arabians as by Vranius in Stephanus Byzantius it should appeare recording them for a nation of the Arabians neere to the * Which seemeth to bee true both because in the * Liturg. Aethiop in â—om 6 8 blâ—â—thecae Veâ— pat p. 59. Aethiopian Liturgie they terme their owne kingdome the kingdome of Sheba and also because the KK of Habassia * Zag Zabo de Morib Aethâ—op apud Damiâ—â— deduce lineally their discent from the Q. of Sheba that came to see Salomon which Sheba is to the skilfull certainly known to be in Arabia and either the same that wee call Arabia foelix or some part of it And certainely it is obserued by learned men that Arabia foelix in the easterne tongue is named 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Arabia deserta 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Arabia Petraea 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sabaeans euen in this case also the occasion and originall of circumcising among the Abassines will bee discerned well enough namelie because it is specially storied to haue bene a very ancieÌ„t ceremony among the Arabians among whom it might haue beginning by reason of the descent of manie of the Arabians from Ismael and from the other sonnes of Abraham by Keturah planted in Arabia of which Sheba is by name recorded for one Genes 25.3 But yet if the Abassines obserue circumcision not as an ancient nationall custome Shindler iâ— Dâ—ctionar Penâ— â—â—lot in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but in any sort for religion sake then it may bee excused in such manner as * one of their owne Bishops hath professed namely that it is done onely in remembrance and loue and imitation of our Sauiour because he was circumcised and not for any other opinion of holinesse at all And secondly touching their annual baptisings in the feast of the Epiphanie which they with many auncients of the Church suppose to be the day of our Sauiours baptisme it is declared by the * De Religion Aethiop â—ong an t med Aethiopian bishop aboue mentioned to bee practised among them not as any sacrament or any conceate of sanctification to be obtained by it but onely as a memoriall of Christs baptisme because as on that day hee was baptised in Iordan Euen as the * Posseuin de Reb. Moscou pag. 6. Moscouites also doe the like on the same day in riuers and for the same reason which appeareth the more euidently to bee so because this yearely baptising is no auncient ceremonie of the Habassins but a fashion of late taken vp among them as Aluarez that liued long in those parts hath related as being namely the institution of * Aluarez histor Aethiop cap. 95. his grandfather that then reigned in Habassia being about 100 yeares agoe Of the Armenians CHAP. XXIIII THe Armenians for traffique to which they are exceedingly addicted are to bee found in multitudes in most cities of great trade specially in those of the Turkish Empire obtaining more fauour and priuiledge among the Turkes and other Mahumetans * Vid. Postel lib. de re Linguis Tit. de Lingua Armenica by a patent graunted that nation vnder Mahumets owne hand then any other sect of Christians Insomuch that no nation seemeth more giuen to Marchandize nor is for that cause more dispersed abroade then the Armenians except the Iewes But yet the natiue regions of the Armenians and where they are stil fouÌ„d in the greatest multitude their religion is most supported are Armenia the greater named since the Turkes first possession of it Turcomania beyond Euphrates and Armenia the lesse on this side Euphrates and Cilicia now termed Carmania Now the Armenians touching their Ecclesiasticall gouernement were aunciently of the Iurisdiction of the Patriarch of Constantinople as being * Notitia proâ—â—nciar Orient prouinces of the dioces called Pontica which together with the prouinces of the dioces Asiana and of Thrace three of the thirteene dioceses into which the whole Empire was diuided were by the councell of Chalcedon Concil ChalcedoÌ„ Can. 28. assigned or else confirmed to the Patriarch of Constantinople for his iurisdiction But at this day and verie long since euen before Photius his time as is euident by his circular Epistle the Armenians are departed Photij episte encyâ—lica apâ—d Baron Tom. 10. Annal. Anno 863. both from the gouernement of that Patriarch and from the commuon of the Grecians whom at this present they haue in more detestation then any other sect of Christians and that principally for the very same occasion for which the Iacobites of Syria withdrew their obedience from the Patriarch of Antiochia namely the heresie of one onely nature in Christ. And euer since that departure they acknowledge obedience without any further or higher dependence to two Patriarchs of their owne whom they terme Catholiques Namely one of the greater Armenia the families vnder whose iurisdiction exceede the number of 150000 beside verie manie Monasteries Leonard Sidon episc ap Th. a Ies. l. 7. pa. 1 c. 19 who at this present * Mirae Notiâ— Episcop Orb. pag. 36. Boter Relation pa. 3. l. 2 c. de Dioscoriani keepeth residence in the monasterie of Ecmeazin by the citie c. Leonard Si don episc ap Tho. a Ies. loc citato by the citie of Eruan in Persia being translated thether by occasion of the late warres betwixt the Persians and the Turkes but his auncient seate was Sebastia the Metropolis of Armenia the greater And the other Patriarch of Armenia the lesse the families of whose iurisdiction are esteemed about 20000. Leonard Sidon vbi supra who aunciently kept at ** Concil Chalced Action 1 in subscrâ—ption b. Melitene the Metropolis of that prouince but now is resident in the citie of Sis not farre from Tarsus in Cilicia the middle limit on Interstitium of those two Patriarchs Iurisdictions being the riuer Euphrates Such at this present is the state of the Armenian Church and the iurisdiction of their Patriarchs But it should seeme by that I finde recorded by Otho Phrisingensis Otho Phrising l. â— c. 32. vpoÌ„ the report of the Legates of Armenia