have our Lamps ready to meet the Bridgroome The Completory is a fit time for prayer because then Christ prayed and swear Blood in the Garden The song of 〈…〉 then sung for as he immediatly before his death uttered these words so should we before our sleepâ— which is a resemblance of death Four Psalmes 〈◊〉 are then said to expiate the sins of our child-hood youth manhood and old age The Creed is said the first hour and 〈◊〉 to shew that all 〈◊〉 workes must begin and end iâ— saith About mid-night are said the Nocturnals because about that 〈◊〉 the Egyptian first borne were 〈◊〉 then Christ was borne then was he apprehended by the Iewes 〈◊〉 are we in greatest danger then is the prince of darknesse most busie in his workes of darknesse Q. 25. What mâ—y we observe concerning their Processions A. They ground their Processions on the practise of David and Salomon when the oâ—e accompained the Ark in Triumph to the Tabernacle the other to the Temple They have four solemn Processions Namely on the Purification of the Virgin on Palm-Sunday on Easter day and on Holy thursday being the fortieth day after Easter and the day of Christs Asension kept in memory of that Procession which Christ made with his Disciples when they walked to the Noâ—ne of Olives from whence he ascended to Heaven as there is a Procession every Sunday in memory of Christs Resurrection so there was wount to be another every Thursday in remembrance of his Ascension but because of the multitude of Festivals this is kept but once yearly solemnly yet every Sunday it is remembred in that days Procession They hold also that these Processions were typified by the Israelits comming out of Egypt For as Moses delivered them from the Tyranny of Pharâ—â—h so hath Christ freed us from the oppression of Satan The Tables of the Law were received on Sinai and carried before the people so the Gospel is taken down from the Altar and carried in their Procession A fiery pillar went before the Israelites and burning Tapers are carried before the people in these solemnities as every Tribe had their armes and colours carried before them so here are carried Crosses and Banners Their Levites hore the Tabernacle and our Deacons carry the Coffer or Pix Their Priests carried the Ark and our Priests carry the holy Reliques In their Procession Aaron followed in his Ornaments and in ours the Bishop in his Pontificals There was the sounding of Trumpets here the noyse of Bells there was sprinkling of Blood here of holy water c. They carry Banners and Crosses in memory of that Crosse seen in the aire by Constantin and which after he always wore in his Banners Besides these triumphant Processions they have also in times of publick calamity mâ—urnfull Processions which they call Rogatioâ—s and the Greeks Litaniae that is prayers of supplications of which there is the great Letanie kept on Saint Marks Feast and invented by Gregory the first in a great Plague at Rome The lesser Letanie is kept three days before the ascension and was invented at Vienna by Mamertus Bishop there in a time when there were great Earth-quakes and Irruptions of Wolves which in France did great hurt this is called the lesser Rogation because it was found out in a lesser City then Rome and by a lesser Bishop then Gregory Yet the lesser is more ancient by 80. years for it was devised in the time of Zeno the Emperor of Constantinople whereas the other was found out in the time of Mauritius who was contemporary with Gregory the great Pope Liberius appointed there should be Letanies when Wars Plague or Famine do threaten which commonly fall out about that time of the year wherein the memory of Christs Ascension is observed Q. 26. Wherein consisteth the Eighth part of their Worship A. In the Worship of the Saints whom they honour with Temples Chappels Altars Images Holy-days mentioning of their names in the Masse reserving and worshiping of their Reliques praying to them c. They divide them into four ranks namely Apostles Martyrs Confessors and Virgins The Festival days of the Saints kept in memory of their martyrdom are called Natales that is birth-days for then they began truly to live when they died for Christ. In the Kalendar these following Saints have their Holy-days Fabian and Sebastian Agnes the Conversion of S. Paul Iulian Agatha the Purification of Mary this day is a Procession in memory of that Procession which Ioseph and Mary made to the Temple this Feast was instituted in the time of Iustinâ—an upon a great mortality which then hapned and candles this day are carried with great solemnity to shew that our light should shine before men that Christ who was this day presented in the Temple is the true light of the world and that like wise Virgins whereof Mary was the chief we should have our Lamps ready the Feast of S. Peters chair is kept in memory of his advancement first to the Bishoprick of Antioch then of Rome the Feast of the Annunciation is kept in memory of the tidings which the Angel brought to Mary of her conception on the first of May is the Feast of Philip and Iames the lesser the son of Alpheus and Brother of our Lord who was the first Bishop of Ierusalem had seen Christs Transfiguration and for preaching Christ was thrown down from the pinacle of the Temple by the Jewes the other Iames called the greater and of Compostella was the son of Zebedaeus and brother to S. Iohn the Evangelist on the third of May is the invention of finding of the Crosse by Helena Constantines mother the Feast of S. Iohn Baptist is kept the 24. of Iune in which are fires made and Torches carried to shew that he was a shining and a burning Lamp the Feast of Peter and Paul is kept the 29 of Iune in memory that they both suffered in one day under Nero on the 25 of Iuly is the Feast of S. Iames S. Iohns brother who preached the Gospel in Spain and returning to Ierusalem was beheaded by Herod the Feast of the seven Sleepers is on the 27 of Iuly these flying from the persecution of Decius hid themselves in a Cave where they slept about 300 years and being awaked thought they had slept but one night the Feast of S. Peters Chaines is kept August the first in memory of Peters miraculous delivery from Herods prison when the Chaines fell from him of their own accord the Feast of S. Laurence is kept August the tenth in memory of his martyrdom under Valerian he was Arch-Decon of Rome after whom none there have had that title the Assumption of Mary is on the fifteenth of August this is her greatest Feast for it is ushered in with a fast and hath its Octave on this day herbes and flowers are gathered and blessed because she is compared to the Rose and Lilly S. Bartholomews Feast is on the 24 of
in the week to be taught the Law because in the Desart of Sur the people wandred three dayes without water that iâ— say they without the Law And because Moses went up the mountain the second time to renew the Tables of the Law and to pacifie Gods anger for the peoples worshipping the Golden Calf on Thursday and returned thence on Monday therefore the devoted Jews use to fast these two days as the Pharisee did in the Gospel Q. What Ceremonies observe they about the Book of the Law A. In every Synagogue the Book of the Law is kept within a Chest this Book is the Pentareuch written on parchment in great Characters and carried to and fro on two staves fastened at each end of the parchment Before the door of the Ark or Chest hangs a piece of Tapestry on which divers birds are figured because birds were pictuted upon the Ark of the Covenant This book is wrapt in linnen which is covered with Silk Velvet or Tissue The office of carrying the Law is sold to him that gives most and the money is bestowed on the poor The two staves are called the trees of Life When the Praecentor brings the book out of the Ark into the Pulpit then they all sing these words Numb 10. 35. Let God arise and let his enemies be scatrered c. After some Anthymns are sung one comes between the Chasan or Chief Singer and him who bought the Office of carrying the Law and kisses not the parchment for that were too great presumption but the cloaths in which it is wrapped then with a loud voice he blesseth God who hath chosen them before all others and given them a Law Then the chief Singer reads a Chapter and the Book is kissed again with blessing of God for giving the true Law Then it is elevated on high the whole Congregation shouting This is the Law that Moses gave to Israel The Women in the mean time being in a distinct Synagogue by themselves are not permitted to kisse the Book nor to be there with the men to shew what modesty ought to be there but if he who carrieth the Book should by chance stumble with it a long fast must be enjoyned that fall being held ommous and a presage of great calamities When the Book is wrapped up again within all its coverings young and old kiss it touching it only with their two fingers and whilest it is carried back to the Ark they all sing again Return Lord to the many thousands of Israel Num. 10. 36. So prayers being ended as they are going out of the Synagogue they say The Lord preserve my going out and comming in from henceforth and for ever Psal 5. 9. Q. What is their manner of observing the Sabbath at this day A. Because Moses commanded the Israelites to gather as much Manna on the sixth day as might serve them also the seventh therefore all that they eat and drink on the Sabbath is prepared and dressed on the Friday and if the servants work be more then they can perform before the Sabbath their Masters be they never so great and rich must help them that the Sabbath be not broken yet they have three Feasts that day one in the Evening when they begin their Rest the second at Noon and the third in the Evening when they conclude their Sabbath All that day their Tables remain covered If they do not wash their heads hands and feet If they pair not their nailes beginning at the fourth finger on the left hand which pairings must not be trod upon but either burned or buried if they change not their cloaths if the men cut not their beards and the women if they combe not their heads if they sharp not their knives and make every thing clean in their houses on the Friday they esteem the neglect of any of these circumstances a violation of their Sabbath Before the Sun go down the women kindle their Sabbatarian lights which is an ancient custome as may be seen in Persius Satyr 5. Herodis venere dies unctáque senestrae Depositae pinguem nebulam vemuere lucernae Except we understand here by Herods dayes Herods birth-day which was carefully observed by the Herodian Sect. Now the reason why the women kindle the lights is because the first woman extinguished the light and glory of man by her disobedience They also use to hasten their Sabbath and to enlarge it by adâ—ing a part of the work day that the souls in Purgatoâ—y may have the more liberty and refreshing who all that time cocl and refresh themselves in water for which cause the Jews are forbid by their Rabbins to draw all the water out of any place but to leave some for refrigeration of these scorched souls They beleeve that a good and evil Angel stand before their Synagogues observing who pray and hear most diligently These Angels wait upon such to their houses where finding all clean and neat they depart joyfully though the evil Angel be not concerned but is forced to shew a seeming content They do not put out their lights all that day nor must they snuff them least they should thereby break their Sabbath nor must they that day catch a Flea or kill a Louse If a Iew in his journey be overtaken by the Sabbath he must stay though in the midst of a Field or Wood though in danger of theeves storms or hunger he must not budge They begin their feasting on the Sabbath with conse crated Wine and two loaves of Bread in memory of the double portion of Manna they gathered for the Sabbath which day they think is not sufficiently observed except they eat and drink largly in the day time and kiss their Wives often in the night In their Synagogues they have read to them seven of their Chapters by seven several men who come in at one door and go out at another These Lectures are out of Moses and the Prophets Act. 13. 27 15. 21. they pray for the souls of those who have violated the Sabbath who being in Hell have so much ease by their prayers as to turn from one side to the other But their Service lasteth not above the sixth hour which is our noon for by their Law they must neither pray nor fast beyond this hour If any dream of such things as they count ominous such as the burning of the Law the falling of their houses or teeth they must fast till the evening and so they must fast the next day as a punishment for fasting on the Sabbath After dinner the most of their discourse is about their use-money and other worldly businesse In the evening they repair to their Synagogues againe and thence to their third feast They conclude their Sabbath with singing or caterwaling rather which they continue as long as they can for ease of the defunct souls And withal they pray that Elias would hasten his comming even the next Sabbath if he please that he might
changed Lots Wife into a Pillar of Salt and Nebuchadnezzar into a beast Satan hath no power over celestial bodies though he be Prince of the Aire he cannot create nor do these things which God hath reserved for himselfe Therefore when we hear of men transformed into beasts or raised from the dead and such like miracles as exceed the course and activity of nature we may be assured these are not true miracles but Satanical delusions especially if they be done to confirme errour wickednesse and superstition for the end of all true and divine miracles are to establish truth and holinesse Therefore when we read of bringing down the Moon of driving the Stars backward and such like impossibilities beleeved among the Gentiles we must conclude they were meer delusions of Satan Such were those wonders adscribed to Simon Magus of making images to walk of turning stones into bread of being transformed into a Sheep Goat and Serpent of raising souls from the dead and such like stuffe all these were meer jugling tricks and Satanicall deceptions Q. But why are we so afraid of Satans Stratagems seeing the most of them are but illusions A. This fear in us proceeds partly from the guilt of our own conscience for Adams sin brought fear both on himselfe and on his posterity therefore after he had fallen he confesseth that as soon as he heard the voice of God in the Garden he was afraid and so we his children do often times fear where no fear is and are afraid sometimes at our own shadows or at the shaking of a leafe Partly this fear proceeds from want of faith which Christ reproved in his Apostles who when they saw Jesus walking in the night time on the Sea they were afraid thinking they had seen a Spirit Besides the implacable hatred of Satan against mankind his delight he taketh in affrighting and hurting us either in our persons or in our estates that irreconcilable enmity which is between the Serpent and the Womans seed is a great cause of this fear in us Lastly we are naturally fearful in the dark because our imagination worketh upon it self having no outward object to divert it hence Satan who is the Prince of darknesse useth the opportunity of the night to hurt or to delude us thus he affrighteth us in the dark in our houses with strange apparitions motions and sounds whence some houses have blin said to be hanted with Spirits So in the night he affrighteth travellers with ignis fatuus or jack in the candle as we call it which though it be a natural Meteor yet Satan can move it to and fro purposely to draw travellers into precipices or waters So in the night time he affrighteth mariners at Sea by insinuating himself into these fiery Meteors which like candles or balls of fire run up and down the ship these were deified by the old Pagans if one single flame appeared they called it Helena and held it an ominons fign of destruction as she was to Trâ—y if there were two they named them Castor and Pollux and placed their statues in their ships as we read Act. 28. And Sea men use to tell us of many strange sights and apparitions they have seen in the Ocean Satan also useth to affright men in Churches and Church yards in the dark by representing to their phantasie the shape of dead men in their winding sheets in the night also strange voices and sounds are heard neer deep waters or rivers which are taken as presages of some shortly to be drowned there the like I have heard my selfe and have found the event to fall out accordingly for one day travelling before day with some company neere the River Don by Aberden we heard a great noise and voices call to us I was going to answer but was forbid by my company who told me they were spirits which never are heard there but before the death of some body which fell out too true for the next day a gallant Gentleman was drowned with his horse offering to swim over It is strange what Plutarch writeth of the voice which from the shoare called upon Thamus the Egyptian ship-Master who then had cast Anchor at Praxeae telling him that the great god Pan was dead Though the night Mare which is called Incubus and Succubus be a natural disease as Physitians know yet Satan hath often times made use of this infirmitie to abuse the bodies of men and womâ—n in their sleep By all which we see his malice against mankinde and the causes of our fear which hath wrought so powerfully among the ignorant Pagans that they have planted their whole Religion in the worshipping of these evil spirits for their gods were none other as Porphyrie she â—eth l. 2. de abstinen l. 2. de sacrificio For saith he These wicked Spirits delight in shedding of blood in filthy and obscene speeches exhorting men to lust vice wickednesse and flagitious actions c. they perswade men that the supreame God delighteth in such impieties c. Q Since the Stratagems and illusions of Satan are so many what is our duty in this case A. Our duty is 1. To be assured that nothing can come to pasâ—e but by the providence of our Heavenly Father who hath numbred the hairs of our heads and hath Satan in a chain so that without permission he could neither afflict Iob in his person children nor cattel nor durst he enter into the herd of swine without leave from Christ. 2. Let us remember what Christ hath promised to wit that he will be with us to the end of the world and if he be with us who can be against us Christ came to destroy the works of the Devil to cast out the strong man and to tread down Satan under our feet he hath promised not to leave us Orphans he is the good Shepherd that laid down his life for his sheep which he holdeth so fast that no man shall take them out of his hand his name is Emanuel God with us He was amongst his Apostles Luke 24. when they were assembled together and in great fear and so he will be in the midst of two or three gathered together in his name He is the watchman of Israel that neither slumbers nor sleeps therefore with David let us lie down and take our rest for he will make us to live in safety Though we walk through the vally of the shadow of death let us fear no evil because the Lord is with us Let us not be moved because he is at our right hand he is our buckler and our exceeding great reward therefore let us not feare 3. Let us put on the whole Armour of God chiefly the shield of faith that we may quench all the fiery darts of the Devil and let us fight against Satan as Christ did with the sword of the spirit which is the word of God Let us resist the Devil and he will flee from us 4. We must
from Wine and strong drink and women and lie on skins Their Gymnosophists were Philosophers who accustomed their bodies to endure all hardnesse and their eyes to gaze on the Sun from morning to evening Of the Indian Religion see Alexander ab Alexandro Pliny Bâ—emus c. Q. What is the Religion of Siam A. This kingdome of the East-Indies except where the Moors inhabit and some Christians is also idolatrous But especially they worship the four Elements and accordingly there be four differâ—nt Sects Each one desireth to be buried in that element which he worshippeth hence some are buried some burned some hanged in the Ayr and some drowned in the Water They hold that God made all things that the good are rewarded and the wicked punished That each man hath two spirits waiting on him a good and a bad That the world shall stand 8000 yeers and then shall be burned into ashes whence shall come forth two eggs and out of them one man and one woman who shall again replenish the Earth Their religious Orders are so strict that it's death among them to speak to a woman They feed on Rice onely and herbs which they beg from door to door They must not buy nor sell nor take Rents They are tyed to rise at midnight to pray to their Idols They go still bare-footed and in poor cloaths Every King of this Country at his Coronation is bound to erect a Temple with high Steeples and multitudes of Idols Their priests go in yellow being a sacred colour resembling the Suns light They may not nourish any female thing not so much as a hen He that drinks Wine is stoned to death See the discourse of China Boterus Maginus and others Q. What is the Religion of Pegu A. The religious Ceremonies of this kingdom consisted in multitudes of Temples Images and begging preachers who are still preaching and begging Their Alms are brought to them in the Pulpits whilst they are preaching The people when they enter into their Churches at the dore wash their feet and by lifting up their hands to their heads salute the preacher first and and then the Sun When any enters into that Order of Talipâ—n or preacher he is first carried in solemnity about the streets on horse-back with Pipes and Drâ—ms then upon mens shoulders to his house which is without the Town They keep holy day every New-Moon They believe multitudes of gods worlds succeeding each other that this world hath been governed by four gods already who are gone the fift is not yet come after whose death the world shall be burned After this life they hold some shall live in carnal pleasure some in torment and others shall be aunihiarid They hold Transanimation and are bound to fast thirty days every year They know no women for whom they allow Nunneries The People drink the water wherein their Preachers wash themselves coâ—nting it holy They feed the Devil each morning with baskets of rice that he may not hurt them that day When they are sick they build him Altars and pacifâ—e him with flowers meat and musick Their Idols are honoured with divers festivals in which wax lights are burned all night and the gates stand open that all those may see and have accesse to the idol who bring presents with them Q. Of what Religion are the people of Bengala A. They are not content to worship the River â—ahges but to its image also they give divine honours The River is visited by many Pilgrims who think themselves happy if they can wash themselves in it If any can drink of the water thereof at the point of death he thinks presently by the vertue thereof to obtain heaven There is also a Well which they adore in If they wash away all their sins and are all clean both without and within if they wash in it and drink thereof They carry away the sand of this Well as a sacred Relique and in recompence leave flowers behind them in the Well For fear Ieast their idols should saint with too much heat there are some who with fans blow the wind for refrigeration All are bound to enter bareâ—ooted into the idol-Temples The more horrid and ugly the idol looks the more he is worshipped Sick people are brought and laid before the idols which are honoured with lights continually burning before them Their marriages are made in some Water wherein the Priest and the married couple hold a Cow with her Calfe by the taile and poure water upon it then the Priest tieth the maâ—ried persons cloaths together then going round about the Cow aud Calse the Ceremony is ended The Priest hath for his Fee the Cow and Calf the poor some Almes and the idols some Money About Iemena they use to pray naked in the water and to do pennance by lying flat on the ground 〈◊〉 the earth holding up their hands to the Sun and turning themselves about fourty times Who deâ—ire more of this stuff let them read Linschoten R. Fitzh 〈…〉 Q. Of what Religion is the kingdom of Magor A. They are for the most part Pythagoreans holding Transanimation they acknowledge one God but have many fabulous conceits of him as that he hath appeared in the world in divers monstrous shapes to wit of a Fish a Snail a Hog a Monster resembling Woman in the lower part and a Lyon in the upper They worship divers idols one chiefly representing a Woman with two heads and many hands to this image neâ—r the City Tahor repair many Pilgrims The King worshippeth every morning the image of the Sun and of Christ also the Son of righteousnesse which he sets on the crown of his head See Oranus in his Narration of Magor Q. What is the Reiigion of Cambaia A. The people here are so superstitiously Pythagoreans that there are among them some religious orders who are afraid to kill a Gnat or Worm They are much addicted to fasting and almes-giving Their religious persons called Verteus leave no hair on their heads and faces but a little on their crown They will not drink their water cold fearing least thereby they should slay the soul of the water which is quickened by boyling The people here redeem birds and beasts appointed to be slain and if any bird be sick or hurt they carry it to the Hospital They redeem also Malefactors condemned to dye and sell them for slaves For fear least they should tread upon Ants they will rather go out of the way then goe neer their Hills They drink no Wine nor will eat Eggs least there should be blood in them Neither will they eat of Radishes Onyons or any herb that hath red colour in it See Maffaeus Linschoten and Purchas Q. What is the Religion professed in Goa A. Here are Christians Jewes Mahumetans and Pagans who pray to the Sun and Moon and worship divers idols of horrible Aspects but their custome is to pray to the first thing they meet with
many years in learning by heart their precepts in verse They believed the immortality of souls they read Philosophy to their Scholars It is thought by some that Diana's Temple stood where St Pauls Church in London stands now And Minerva had her Temple at Bath and Apollo in Scotland neer Dalkeith The Saxons worshipped the seven Planets among which Thor the same with Iupiter was chiefe from him Thursday was denominated Next was Wodan or Mars Wednesday is so called from him Fred or Frico was Venus to whom Friday was dedicated as Tuesday to Tuisco the founder of the German Nation Q. Vnder what shapes and formes did the old Saxons worship their gods A. They worshipped the Sun under the shape of halfe a naked man set upon a pillar whose head and face was all beset with firie rayes holding on his brest a flaming wheele by which they signified the Suns heat light and motion They worshipped the Moon under the form of a Woman with a short coat and a hood with long eares with the picture of the Moon before her brest they gave her also piked shoes Verstegan cannot find the reason of this habit but perhaps the reason may be this if I may have leave to conjecture they gave her a short coat to shew the swiftnesse of her motionâ— for a long coat signifieth a slow motion therefore they painted Saturne whose motion is the slowest of all the Planets with a long coat The hood or chapron with long eares was to represent her horns or else to shew that sounds are heard a far off in the night which is the time of her dominion Her piked shoes also may resemble her hornes Tuisco their third Idol is set out in the skin of some wild beast with a Scepter in his hand this is thought to be the first and most ancient of that nation from whom the Germans call themselves Tuytshen or as the Flemings pronunce it Duytshen as Verstegan observeth but I think that under this name they worshipped Mars for as Tacitus writes Mars was one of the German gods His hairie garments doth shew the feirce and truculent disposition of that warlike god besides that hairie Sylvanus is thought to be the same that Mars His Scepter may signifie the power and command which Souldiers have in the world But it is more likely by this Idol they meant Mercury for next to the Sun and Moon he was as Tacitus saith the Germans chief god His Scepter and hairie garment may signifie the power and command that eloquence and musick have over the most brutish natures and of these two faculties Mercury was the inventer And we must know that as the Romans next to the Sun and Moon honoured Mars the Patron of their city for which cause they dedicated to him the third day of the week so the Germans for the same cause dedicated to Mercury their chief founder and patron the same day which from his name Tuisco is called Tuesday yet retained among us Their fourth Idol was Woden from whom Wednesday is so called He was the Germans Mars and is called Woden from being wood or mad intimating hereby the firercenesse of Souldiers and furie of Warr. He is painted with a Crown on his head a sword in his hand and in compleat armor Their fift Idol is Thor which was their Iupiter for they made him the god of the aire and commander of winds rain and thunder they painted him sitting in a chaire of state with a Scepter in his right hand a golden Crown on his head encompassed with twelve stars by which they meant he was King of the upper regions and commander of the stars from him Thursday is named as among the Romans Dies Iovis from Iupiter Their sixt Idol was Friga from her our Friday is denominated and was the same that Venus among the Romans she is painted in the habit of a man in armes with a sword in one hand and a bow in the other so among the Romans she was Venus armnata and Barbata armed and bearded she is called by the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the masculin and by Aristophanes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so by Virgil Deus descendo ac ducente Deo flammam inter et hostes Their seventh Idol was Seater whence comes the â—ame Saterday dedicated to him Verstegan will not have this Seater to be the same that Saturne because he was other-ways called Crodo but this is no reason for most of the gods had different names the Sun is called Apollo and Phaebus the Moon Diana Lucina Proserpina The goddesse of wisdom is called Pallas and Minerva c. Doubtlesse then this Idol was Saturn as his picture shewes for he is set out like an old man and so he was painted among the Romans the wheele in his left hand signifieth the revolution of time the pail of water in his right hand wherein were â—lowrs and fruites and the pearch under his feet do shew the dominion Time hath over Sea and Land and all things there in containâ—d for all sublunarie things are subject to time and change His long coat as I shewed before did signifie the slownesse of Saturns motion which is not finished but in 30 yeers Other Idols they worshipped but of lesse note of which see Verstegan Q What was the Religion of the Danes Swedes Moscovites Russians Pomeranians and their neighbours A. The Danes and Swedes worshipped the same gods that the Saxons did They call upon Thor or Iupiter when the Pestilence is among them because he â—uleth in the ayre In the time of war they call upon Wodâ—n or Mars In their marriages they invocate Frico or Venus They had also their Heroes or demi-gods they used to kill nine males of each kind of sensitive creatures and to pacifie their gods with the blood thereof then to hang up their bodies in the Grove next the Temple called Vbsola In some parts of Saxony they worshipped Saturn under the name of Crodo like an old man standing on a fish holding in his hands a wheele and a pitcher Venus they worshipped in the form of a naked woman standing in a Chariot drawn with two Swans and two Doves On her head she wore a Garland of Myrtle in her right hand she had the Globe of the world in the other three Oranges Out of her brest proceeded a burning Tapâ—r The three Graces naked with fruit in their hands waited on her In Westphalia they worshipped an Idol all in armour holding a banner in his right hand with a Rose and in the left a pair of Scales On his Breast was carved a Beare on his Helmet a Lion It seems by the Idol they understood Mars The Rugians neer the Baltick sea worshipped Mars in the form of a Monster with seven faces and seven swords hanging by his side in their Scabberds he held the eighth sword naked in his hand The same Rugians as also the Bohemians worshipped an Idol with four heads two of them
on Friday and in their Lent is punished with disgrace and a pecuniary Mulct 9. In divers ridiculous ceremonies acted by their Priests as pulling off the shooes which all people are tyed to do when they enter into their Temples in stretching out the hands and joyning them together in kissing the ground in lifting up the head in stopping of the ears with their fingers in praying with their faces to the South because Mecca is there in wiping their eyes with their hands in observing a Lenten Fast for one moneth in a yeer changing the moneth every yeer so that they fast one whole yeer in twelve and then they abstain from all meat and drink till the stars appear In plucking off their hairs at the end of their Fast and in painting of their nayls with a red colour 10. In Pilgrimages to Mecca in circumcision of their children in feasting at the Graves of the dead and in other such vain ceremonies Q. What Ceremonies observe they in their Pilgrimage to Mecca A. This journey is undertaken and performed every yeer and it is held so necessary that he who doth not once in his life go this Pilgrimage shall be assuredly damned whereas Paradise and remission of sins is procured to them that go it The way is long and tedious to those of Greece being six moneths journey and dangerous by reason of Arabian theeves mountains of sand with which divers are overwhelmed and want of water in those sandy and barren desarts Their chief care is to be reconciled to each other where there is any difference before they go for if they leave not behind them all grudges and quarels their Pilgrimage will do them no good they begin their journey from Cairo about three weeks after their Easter called Bairam being guarded with 200 Spachi on Dromedaries and 200 Ianizaries on Camels with eight pieces of Ordnance a rich vesture for the Prophet and a green Velvet covering wrought with gold to cover his Tomb which the Bassa delivers to the Captain of the Pilgrims The Camels that carry these Vestures are covered with cloth of gold and many small bels the night before their departure is kept with great Feasting and triumphs No man may hinder his wife from this Pilgrimage and every servant is made free that goeth it The Camel that carrieth the box with the Alcoran is covered with cloth of gold and silk the box with silk onely during the journey but with gold and Jewels at their entring into Mecca Musitians also and singers encompasse the Camel and much vain Pompe is used in this Pilgrimage They use divers washings by the way when they meet with water When they come to Mecca the house of Abraham which they fable was miraculously built receiveth a new covering and a new Gate the old vesture is sold to Pilgrims which hath a vertue in it to pardon sins after many idle Ceremonies performed they go round about Abrahams house seven times then they kisse a black stone which they believe fell down thither from Heaven at first it was white but by the often kissing of sinners it is become black then they wash themselves in the Pond Zunzun without the Gate five paces this pond the Angel shewed to Hagar when she wanted water for Ismael Of this also they drink and pray for pardon of their sins After five days abode at Mecca they go to the Hill of pardâ—ns 15 miles distant and there they leave all their sins behind them after they have heard a Sermon and prayed and offered Sacrifices Upon their return they must not look back to the Hill lest their sins follow them From hence they repair to Medina where Mahomets Sepulchre is thought to be but by the way they run up a certain hill which they call the mount of health they run that they may sweat out all their sins Thence they come pure to the Seducers tombe which notwithstanding they may not see being hanged about with a Silk Curtain which by the Eunuchs being 50. in number to attend on the tombe and to light the Lamps is taken down when the Pilgrims Captain presenteth the new one without each man gives to the Eunuchs handkerchiefs or such like to touch the tombe therewith this they keep as a special Relique When they return to Egypt the Captain presenteth the Alcoran to the Bassa to kisse and then it is laid up again the Captain is Feasted and presented with a Garment of cloth of Gold They used to cut in pieces the Camel with his Furniture which carried the Alcoran and reserve these pieces for holy Reliques The Alcoran also is elevated that all might see and adore it which done every one with joy returns to his one home Q. What Ceremonies use they about their Circumcision A. They are Circumcised about eight years of age the Child is carried on hors-back with a Tullipant on his head to the Temple with a torch before him on a spear deckt with flowers which is left with the Priest as his Fee who first nippeth the end of the skin of the childs yard with pincers to mortifie it then with his sizzers he nimbly cuts it off presently a powder is laid on to ease the pain and afterward salt The childs hands being loosed looketh as he is taught by the Priest towards heaven and lifting up the first finger of his right hand saith these words God is one God and Mahomet in his Prophet Then he is carried home in state after some prayers and offerings at the Church Sometimes the child is circumcised at home and receiveth his name not then but when he is born They feast then commonly three days which ended the child is carried with Pomp to the Bath and from thence home where he is presented with divers gifts from his Parents Friends Women are not circumcised but are tied to make profession of their Mahumetan faith Q. What Rites doe they observe about the sick and dead A. Their Priests and chief friends visit them exhort them to repentance and read Psalms to them When any dieth the Priest compasseth the Corps with a string of beads made of Lignum Aloes praying God to have mercy on him then the Priests carry it into the Garden wash it and cover it with its own garments with flowers also and persumes and his Turband is set on his head Women perform this office to the body of a woman This done the body is carried to the Temple with the head forwards and set down at the Church-door whilst the Priests are performing their service then it is carried to the burial-place without the City the Priests pray for his soul are paid for their pains and feasted at home Some part of their good cheer is set on the grave for the soul to feed on or for alms to the poor They believe there are two Angels who with angry looks and flaming firebrands examine the dead party of his former life whom they whip with
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
his age and after Christ 361. To him succeeded Hilarion the first Eremite in Palestina and Syria Then Paul surnamed the Simple Amen an Egyptian with divers others Q. 3. How did these first Eremites live A. They spent their time in working sometimes in preaching praying fasting and meditating and sometimes in composing differences between Christians in visiting the sick and in such like holy exercises did they place their Religion Paul the Theban was content with a cave in stead of a palace with a piece of dry bread brought to him by a Raven every day in stead of delicate cheer with water in stead of wine and with the leaves of Palmes in stead of rich apparrel And to avoid idlenesse he would work sometiems with his hands Anthony contented himself with bread salt and water his dinner-time was at Sun-setting he used to fast sometimes two dayes together and to watch and pray whole nights he lay on the bare ground disputed often times with the Arâ—iâ—ns and Meletians in defence of Athanasius did intercede many times with the Emperour Constantine for distressed Christians and was alwayes ready to compose their quarrels Hilarion was content to live in a little hovel which he made himself of shells twigs and bulrushes foure foot broad and five foot high spending his time in praying fasting curing of diseases casting out Devils His garment was sack-cloath which he never put off his food roots and herbs which he never â—asted before Sun set six ounces of Barleyâ—bread contented him from 30. years till 35. from that time till 63. he used Oyle to repair his decayed strength From 64. till 80. he abstained from bread That he might not be idle he made him baskets of bulrushes and used to lie on the ground Thus did these Primitive Eremites spend their time Not in chambering and wâ—â—tâ—nnesse surâ—etting and drunkennesse but in temperance sobriety continence hunger thirst heat and cold reading praying preaching and fasting not placing Religion in saying but in suffering not in good words but in good works not in talking of Scripture but in walking by Scripture Q. 4. Wherein did some Eremites exceed in their Religious or rather superstitious kind of living A. As Jealousie is too much Love so is Superstition too much Religion but too much of one thing as we say is good for nothing Ne quid nimis should be in all our actions God will have merey and not sacrifice He will say Who required these things at your hands Such kind of bodily exercise as the Apostle saith availeth little It is not a torn skin nor a macerated body nor a pinched belly that God requires but a broken and contriâ—e spirit a renting of the heart and not of the garment and therefore the excesse of Eremitical penance is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 will-worship and not that which God requireth to wit mercy and justice to relieve the oppressed to comfort the comfortlesse to visit the Fatherlesse and widows and to keep our selves unspotted of the world To place Religion in abstinence from certain meats is against the Apostles rule â— Tim. 4. saying That every Creature of God is good and nothing to be rejected which is received with thanksgiving Altogether to abandon the society of Christians is contrary to Saint Pauls counsel Heb. 10 Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works not forsaking the fellowship that we have among our selves as the manner of some is under pretence of forsaking the world to abandon all care of Friends and Family is condemned by the Apostle 1 Tim. 5. If any man hath not a care of his Family he hath denied the Faith and is worse then an Infidel They that willingly deprive themselves of the means of doing good to their neighbours transgresse the Law of God which commands us to love our neighbours as our selves These subsequent examples will shew how far some men have exceeded the bounds of Christianity and out-run Religion by too much superstitious devotions and excessive pennance One Asepesâ—â—a lived Sixty years together in a Closet all which time he never was seen of any nor did he speake to any The like is recorded of one Didymus who lived ninety years by himselfe One Batthaeus an Eremite of Caelosyria fasted so long till Worms crawled out of his teeth One Martinus tyed his leg with an Iron Chain to a great Stone that he might not remove thence One Alas never tasted bread in eighty years together Iohn Sorâ—â—ny the Egyptian stood praying within the Cliff of a certain Rock three years together so long till his legs and feet with continual standing swelled with putriâ—ied matter which at last broke the skin and run out One Dominicus and Eremit wore continually next his skin an Iron Coat of Male and almost every day used to scourge himself with whips in both hands Some have killed themselvs with hunger some with thirst some with exposing themselvs to excessive heat have been stifâ—ed others by extremity of cold have been frozen to death as if God took delight in self-murther which in him to affect were cruelty and in any to act were the greatest impiety Some again not content with ordinary ways of Eremitisme have spent their days within hollow pillars whence they were named Stylitae neither admitting the speech nor sight of any man or woman O 〈◊〉 hominum O quantum est in rebus inaâ—e What needed all this toil Christ saith that his Yoâ—k is easie and his Burthen light but these men laid heavy burthens on themselves which God never required he made man Animal Politicum a sociable creature therefore said It was not good for man to be alone Wo to him that is alone saith Solomon Besides no place though never so remote and solitary can priviledge a man from sin Lot was righteous among the wicked Sodomites and yet in the solitary Cave committed Incest with his two Daughters what place could be more retired then Paradise and more secure then Heaven yet Adam fell in Paradise and the Angels fell in Heaven Q. 5. Whether is the solitary life in a Desart or the sociable life in a Covent to be preferred A. 1. The sociable life because the end of our creation was not to live apart like wild beasts but together like men 2. Because we are hound to help each other by Counsel Instruction Admonition Exhortation to bear one anothers burthens to comfort the comfortlesse to support the weak to cloath the naked to seed the hungry for as the Orator said we are not born for our selves but our Parents Country and Friends challenge a share in us 3. Because he that liveth alone as he sins against his creation and humane society so he sins against himselfe in that he debars himselfe of those comforts and aid both spiritual and corporal which he hath in a sociable life 4. Because God is more present with many then with one Therefore his Church which he promiseth to
Cloyster but hearing Gods Word read That the Abbot exceed not the proportion of his Monks in eating drinking cloathing sleeping and working and that he be not given to gadding abroad That the servants after the refection of the brothers eat by themselves and that the same Lessons be read to them which were read to the Brothers That Hallelujah be omitted in the Septuagesiâ—a That Novice must neither be shaved nor cloathed with a Monks garment till his time of probation be expired and promise made by him of obedience according to Saint Bennets rule That none be set over Monks but he that is a monk That in Lent the Brothers do work till the nineth houre then repaire to Masse and in the evening let them take their refection These are the chiefe duties to which Saint Bennets Monks are enjoyned by the aforesaid Synod And whereas at first the Monks were Lay-men and had no Priest but such as came from abroad at last they were permitted to have Priests of their owne and that they should receive Tythes First-fruits Oblations Donations as well as other Priests by Gregory the great Boniface and other Popes as may be seen in Gratian. Q. 23. What were the Rites and Institutions of the Monks of Cassmum A. This was the first Monastery of the Benedictins where divers Rites were observed which are not in Bennets Rule The chief are these Fourteen dayes before Easter all the Altars are stript of their ornaments and covered with black the Images are vailed Gloria Patri is not sung Three nights immediatly before Easter the Night Service continueth till the morning and is joyned to the Mattins no hells are rung the lights are put out the Abbot washeth the Monks feet In the Parasceue late a little bread and water is taken On Easter Eve in the night time the Tapers are kindled On Easter day before Masse there is a Procession with Burning Tapers and Holy Water the Priests singing and praying The two next dayes after Crosses Holy Water and Reliques are carried about with the Gospel and burning Tapers with singing and saluting each other with holy kisses the Priests being in their rich Copes Six severall times in the yeare they enter into the Refectory singing namely on Christmasse day on the Epiphany on Palme Sunday on the Holy Sabbath on Easter day and the third day in Easter week Every Lords day they have 12. Lectures and so many on their chief Festivals namely Christs Nativity the Epiphany the Purification of Mary the two Martyrs Faustinus and Iuletta S. Scholastica S. Bennet Ascension day the Festivals of the Apostles S. Laurence S. Mary S. German S. Andrew on these Eves they fast they doe not kneel nor work but on the lesser Festivals they read but eight Lessons and afterward they work Their meat and drink is measured to them according to the discretion of the Abbot When they receive new garments which is about S. Martins day they march singing with Tapers burning in their hands into the Vestry or Wardrobe where this Gospel is read Be not carefull what you shall eat nor what you shall drink nor for your bodies with what they shall be cloathed Then having prayed they lay down their old garments and receive new They begin their Lent on Quâ—â—quagesima Sunday and a few dayes before they receive wax for lights with which they are to read in the night time They confesse to one another twice a day in the morning of their failings by night in the evening of their failings by day They must not walk either within or without the Covent with a staff except they be weak What work soever they are about in the kitchin or else-where they sing Psalms They are shaven all together on certain days namely at Easter Ascension day the first of August the first of September and first of October and at S. Martins day and Christmasse If Easter fall out late they are shaved a little before Septuagesima and in the Quinquagesima Q. 24. What is the manner of electing their Abbots A. Each Monastery is to chuse an Abbot from among themselves either by generall consent or of the better part If there be none among them fit for that place then they may chuse out of some other Monastery when he is chosen it is not in their power to depose him If a Clergy-man be chosen Abbot he must leave off his former Function Two Abbots must not be chosen for one Monastery nor must one Abbot be over two Monasteries they must not meddle with secular affairs If an Abbot do not punish grievous enormities he is to be sent to another Covent where he is to do pennance but not in his own because of the strict subjection and obedience by which the Monks are tyed to their Abbots If the Covent chuse an unfit man for their Abbot the Bishop of the Diocesse with the neighbouring Abbots or the Prince of the place may depose him and choose another Now Princes ordinarily choose such as they please and impose them upon the Monks but the Abbot when he is chosen must be consecrated by the Bishop of the Diocesse who hath power to visit the Monasteries within his jurisdiction and to correct what is amisse If the Abbot shall refuse to submit to the Bishop he is suspended from the Communion till he repent Neither must he alienate any thing that belongs to the Covent without the Bishops consent if he do otherwise he must be degraded and the things alienated restored again by the Bishops command What is conferred by devout persons on the Monastery must not be converted by the Abbot to his own particular use No man must erect a Monastery without the Bishops consent nor must the Abbot travell into a forrein Country without leave from his Diocesan who must not do any thing that may tend to the prejudice of the Monastery which if he doe he is to be excommuncated Neither must he without the consent of the other Abbots depose an Abbot or alienate the things belonging to the Monastery for the Abbots offence In case of injury the Abbot may appeal from the Bishop to the Prince or to a Counel and some Abbots there are who with their Monasteries are onely subject to the Pope as Cassinum The Monastery of S. Maximinus near Trevers is subject onely to the Emperour in temporals and to the Pope in spirituals Anciently the Election of the Abbot was ratified by the Emperour or Prince in whose Dominion the Monastery was but afterwards the Pope extorted this power from the Emperour and drew all investitures to himself to whom the Abbots swear allegeance and fealty The Ceremony used by the Emperour in the Abbots confirmation was the delivering of a Staff and Ferula into his hands to put him in mind of his Pastoral Office Q. 25. What were the Nuns of this Order and what were their Rules A. Scholastica Sister to Bennet erected the Order of
Bishops jurisdiction by Pope Calixtâ—â— the second in the Counsil of Rhemes Anno 1119. and from Tythes by Pope Alexander the third It was excommunication to lay violent hands on any Templar At last this order with their pride and luxury became so odious that having continued 200. years they were utterly rooted out of France by King Philip the faire and likewise out of other Kingdoms by the instigation of Pope Clement 5. In france they were put to death and their estates confiscated to the Pope and King But in Germany their lives were spared and their estates bestowed on the Hospitalers and the Teutonick Knights of Saint Mary Some think they were put to death for worshipping Images covered with mens skins for sacrificing men for burning a Child begot of a Templar and a Nun with the fat of which Child they anointed their Image and for divers other crimes yet doubtfull whether true or false Q. 9. What were the Teutonici or Mariani A. These were a mixt Order of Iohannites and Templars for they both used hospitality to Pilgrims and defended them in the High-ways from Robberi They were called Teutonici from their Country for they were Germans that undertook this Order who living in Ierusalem bestowed all their wealth on the maintenance of Pilgrims and by the Patriarchs leave assigned to them our Ladies Chappel from this Chappel of Saint Mary they were named Mariani The chief promoters of this order were the Lubikers and Bremers with Adolphus Earl of Holstein who with a Fleet of Ships assisted the Christians besieging Ptolemais and provided Tents with all necessaries for the sick and maimed Souldiers This order was erected before Accona or Prolemais by the King of Ierusalem the Patriarch divers Arch-Bishops Bishops and Princes of Germany then present and was confirmed by the Emperor Henry the sixth and Pope Calâ—stâ—ine the third who assigned them a white cloak with a black crosse and added a white target with a black crosse also and gave them leave to wear their beards and granted indulgences with other acts of graces to those that should undertake or promote the order they had power to bestow Knight-hood on such as deserved and are enjoyned to follow the rule of Saint Austin But none must be admitted into this order except he be a Teutonick born and nobly descended Their charge was to be ready on all occasions to oppose the enemies of the crosse and are tied to say 200. Pater-Nosters Creeds and Ave Maâ—ies in 24. hours When the holy land was lost these Knights came into Germany on whom the Pope and Emperor Frederick the second Anno 1226. bestowed the Country of Prussia conditionally that they subdue the Infidels there which they did in the space of 53. years and so got the full possession thereof Upon the River Vistula where they had raised a Fort against the enemy they built their chief City and called it Marieâ—burg they set up three great Masters the one in Germany the second in Livâ—nia and the third in Prâ—ssia this was over the other two they aided the Pâ—â—â—rians against the Lituanians much of whose Country they subdued which caused great Wars between these Teutonicks and the Polonians after that Poland and Lituaniâ— were united under own Prince After many bickrings at last the Polonian forced the great Master to swear-seaâ—ty to him to admit into his order as well Polonians as Germans and make them capable of offices that what land soever the Teutonicks obtain they should hold the same in â—ee of the King This occasioned a War between Albert Marquesse of Brandeburg and the Polander King Sigismund to whom for want of help from the Emperor being then imployed in Wars against France and the Turk in Hungary he was fain to submit and to acknowledge the King for his Lord. Then he obtaines Prussia but changed his title from Master to Duke of Prussia An. 1393. Venceslaus King of the Romans and Bohemians drove all the Teutonick Knights out of Bohemia and seised on their estates The Knights are thus installed The Commendator placeth him that is to be Knighted in the midst of the Knights then asketh every one of them if they find any exception against him either for his body mind or parentage the same is demanded of the party to be Knighted and withall if he be skilful in any usefull Art if in debt if married or if he have any bodily infirmity if he hath he must not enter into that order then he is commanded to kneel and by laying his hand on the Gospel and rule of the order to vow and promise obedience chastity poverty care of the sick and perpetual War with the Infidels which done the Commendator promiseth to him sufficient bread and water and course cloth for his life-life-time then he riseth and having kissed the Master and each one of the Brothers he sitteth down in the place appointed for him Then the Master or Commendator exhorts the brothers to observe their rule carefully after this he is inaugurated his kindred attend on him to the Church with a Torch burning before him in which are fastned 30. pieces of silver and a Gold-Ring Then he kneels before the Altar and riseth again behinde the offertory and so are delivered to him a Sword Target Spurs and a Cloak which were all consecrated before then the Commendator draweth his Sword with which he is girt and with it strikes his Target twise saying Knighthood is better then service and with the same Sword striking him on the back saith Take this blow patiently but no more hereafter then the Responsory being sung the rest of the day is spent in feasting and drinking Q. 10. What were the Knights of Saint Lazarus of Calatrava of Saint James and divers others A. The order of Saint Lazarus was instituted about the year of Christ 1119. and being almost extinct was renewed by Pope Pius 4. they wear a dark-coloured garment with a red Crosse before their breast This order is highly esteemed by the Dukes of Savoy who also were instituted the Knights of the Annunciada in memory of the Anunciation of Mary he ordained fourteen of the prime Nobility to be of this Colledge on each of whom he bestowed a Golden Collar with the Virgins Picture hanging at it within the Links of the Collar are engraven these four Letters F. E. R. T. which was the Motto of Amadeus the great who took Rhodes The meaning is Fortitudo Ejus Rhodum Tenuit the annual solemnity is held on our Lady-day in the Castle of Saint Peter in Turin But this is scarce to be reckoned among the Religious Orders The Knights of Calatrava are so called from that Province in Spain they were instituted Anno 1121. or as some say 1160. by Sanctius others write by Alphonsus King of Spain in the Country of Toledo where the Templars had a Monastery who not being able to resist the Saracens were forced to give place to these new Knights
VVine which are used in the dedication have mystical significations The VVater and VVine represent the two Sacraments of Baptisme and the Eucharist Oyle sheweth our spiritual unction Salt that wisdome which should be in us Ashes our mortification Hysop our purity and sanctification and the Incense our prayers Q. 12. What else is Observable in the dedication of Churches A. 1. They hold that no Church is to be dedicated till it be endowed for he that buildeth a Church is or should be like a Husband that marrieth a Maid on whom he ought to bestow a joynter 2. That the Feast of dedication which from the Greeke they call Encaenia ought to be kept every year for so it was kept among the Jewes which if it had been unlawful Christ would not have honoured it with his presence 3. They say that the dedication of Churches is a terror to evil spirits and incitment to devotion and reverence a meanes to move God to hear our prayers the sooner a testimony of our zeal that Christians are not in this point inferiour to Jewes and Gentiles who would not presume to make use of their Temples for prayer and sacrifice till first by their Priests they had consecrated and dedicated them to their Deities 4. That what is in the dedication of Churches visibly acted ought to be in us invisibly effected namely that if Churches be holy we should not be profane shall they be consecrated to the service of God and not we shall their Churches be filled with hallowed Images and our souls defiled with unhallowed imaginations shall the Church be called the house of prayer and our bodies which ought to be the Temples of the Holy Ghost denns of Theeves we are lively stones but those of Churches are dead we are capable of grace and holinesse so are not Churches for it is confessed on all sides that Temples by consecration are not made capable of actual holinesse but onely made more fit for divine service Is it not a great shame that in their Churches lights continually shine and in the Temples of the holy Ghost there is nothing but darknesse That they should burne incense on their Altars and we be quite destitute of Zeale and Devotion in our hearts They make use of outward unction but we use neither the outward unction of the Church not the inward of the spirit VVhen we see them make use of Salt and Holy VVater we should be careful to have salt within us and that water of the spirit without which we cannot be regenerated 5. They teach that Churches may be rededicated if they are burned down or fallen down and built again or if it be doubtful whither they have been consecrated heretofore but if they be polluted by adultery or such like uncleannesse they are only to be purified with holy water 6. That Churches must not be consecrated without Masse and the Reliques of some Saint and that onely by the Pope or a Bishop not by a Priest or any inferiour order and that gifts or presents which they call Anathemata be given to the new Church after the example of Constantine the Great who endowed with rich presents and ornaments the Church which he built at Ierusalem to the honour of our Saviour Q. 13. How doe they Dedicate or Consecrate their Altars A. The Bishop having blessed the water makes with the same four Crosses on the four Hornes of the Altar to shew that the Crosse of Christ is preached in all the four corners of the earth Then he goeth about the Altar seven times and besprinkleth it seven times with holy water and hysop this is to signifie the seven gifts of the Holy Ghost and the seven-fold shedding of Christs Blood to wit 1. VVhen he was circumcised 2. When he sweat blood in the Garden 3. When he was scourged 4. When he was crowned with thorns 5. When his hands 6. When his feet were nailed to the Crosse. 7. When his side was lanced The Bishop also makes a Crosse in the middle of the Altar to shew that Christ was crucified in the middest of the earth for so Ierusalem is seated At this consecration is used not onely water but salt also wine and ashes to represent four things necessary for Christianity namely Purity Wisdom Spiritual joy and Humility The Altar must not be of wood or any other materiall but of stone to represent Christ the Rock on which the Church is built the Corner Stone which the builders refused the stone of offence at which the Jewes stumbled and the little stone cut out of the mountain without hands this stone Altar is anointed with oyle and chrisme so was Christ with the graces of the spirit and the oyle of gladnesse above his fellowes This anointing also of the stone Altar is in initation of Iacobi anointing the stone on which he sleept So the remainder of the holy water is poured out at the foot of the Altar because the Priests of old used to pour out the blood of the Sacrifice at the foot of their Altar The holy Reliques are layed up in a Coffin with three graines of incense as the Manna of old was layd up in the Ark our hearts should be the Coffins in which the vertuous lives of the Saints with faith in the Trinity or with the three Cardinal vertues Faith Hope and Charity should be carefully kept These Reliques are layed under the Altar because Revel 6. the souls of these who suffered for Christ were seen by Saint Iohn under the Altar It is also to be observed that as the Altar is besprinkled with water so it is anointed in five places with oyle and then with chrisme to signifie the five wounds of Christ which did smell more fragrantly than any Balsame and by which we are healed the five sences also are hereby signified which ought to be sanctified After unction incense is burned to shew that prayers and supplication follow sanctification At last after the Altar and all that belong to it are hallowed the Altar is covered with white Masse is said and Tapers lighted to shew that our holinesse and devotion must be accompanied with good works which must shine before men here if we would shine like stars in the Firmament hereafter Q. 14. What else do they consecrate besides Temples and Altars A. Besides these they consecrate all the ornaments of the Altar the Patinae for making the body of Christ the Corporal for the covering thereof the Chalice for the blood the Linnen with which the Altar is covered the Eucharistial or Pix where Christs body is kept representing Christs sepulchre the Censer Incense and Capsae that is Chests or Coffins wherein the bones of the Saints are kept They consecrate also their Crosses and Images and Easter Tapers their Fonts First-fruits holy Water Salt Church-yards Bells c. Every one of which have their peculiar prayers besides washing crossing anointing incense c. They hold that Bells succeeded the Jewish
holy Ghost appeared in fire in some places white is worn on the Festivities of the Martyrs because it is said Cant. 5. My beloved is white and red VVhite in his Confessors and Virgins Red in his Martyrs these are the Roses and Lillies of the Valley Black is worn upon Good Friday on all fasting days on the Rogation days in Masses for the dead from Advent till the Nativity and from Septuagesima till Easter Eve on Innocents day some wear black because of the mourning in Rama some red because of the blood of those young Martyrs Green which is made up of the three former colours white red and black is used between the 8. of Epiphany and Septuagesima likewise between Pentecost and Advent but in the City of Rome the violet colour is worn sometimes in stead of black and red Q. 19. Wherein consisteth the other parts of the Masse A. The second part begins with the offertory which is sung and so called from the Priests offering of the Hoast to God the Father and the peoples offering of their gifts to the Priest Then the Priest before he offereth the immaculate Hoast washeth his hands the second time in the interim the Deacon casteth over the Altar a fair linnen cloth called Corporale because it covers Christs body and represents his Church the mystical body it 's called also Palla from palliating or covering the mystery above named There is also another Palla or Corporal with which the Chalice is covered Then the Deacon presenteth the Patina with the round Hoast on it to the Priest or Bishop the Deacon alone can offer the Chalice but the Priest consecrates it who also mixeth the Wine and VVater in the Chalice which the Deacon cannot doe the Priest poureth out a little on the ground to shew that out of Christs side water and blood issued out and fell on the ground The water is blessed by the Priest when it is mixed but not the wine because the wine represents Christ who needs no blessing the Hoast is so placed on the Altar that it stands between the Chalice and the Priest to shew that Christ is the Mediator between God who is represented by the Priest and the People which the water in the Chalice resembleth Then the Priest fumeth the Altar and the Sacrifice three times over in manner of a crosse to shew Maries three-fold devotion in annointing Christs feet then his head and at last her intention to annoint his whole body then the Priest boweth himself kisseth the Altar and prayeth but softly to himselfe this prayer is called secreta and secretella but though it be said in silence yet the close of it is uttered with a loud voice per omnia saecula saeculorum then follows the Praefatio which begins with thanksgiving and ends with the confession of Gods majesty the minds of the people are prepared with these words Lift up your hearts the answer whereof is We lift them up unto the Lord then is sung this hymn Holy Holy Holy c. Heaven and Earth is full of thy Glory c. then follows Hosanna and after this the Canon which containeth the Regular making up of that ineffable mystery of the Eucharist it is also called Actio and Secreta because in it is giving of thanks and the Canon is uttered with a low voice The Canon by some is divided into five parts by others into more in it are divers prayers for the Church for the Pope for Bishops Kings all Orthodox Christians for Gentiles also Jewes and Hereticks those in particular are remembred for whom the sacrifice is to be offered whose names are rehearsed for those also that be present at the Masse and assistant and for himselfe likewise then is mention made of the Virgin Mary of the Apostles Evangelists and Martyrs but the Confessors are not named because they shed not their blood for Christ then follows the Consecration after many crossings these words being pronounced For this is my body the people answer Amen then the Hoast is elevated that the people may adore it and that by this might be represented Christs Resurrection and Ascension when the Priest mentioneth Christ Passion he stretcheth out his armes in manner of a crosse the Hoast is crossed by the Priest five times to shew the five wounds that Christ received but indeed in the Canon of the Masse there are seven several crossings of the Hoast and Chalice in the first the signe of the crosse is made three times in the second five times in the third twice in the fourth five times in the fifth twice in the sixth thrice and in the seventh five times so all makes up twenty five crossings prayers are also made for the dead Tâ—e Deacon washeth his hands to shew how Pilate did wash his hands when he delivered Christ to be scourged The third part of the Masse begins with the Pater Noster and some other prayers the Sub-deacon delivereth the Patina covered to the Deacon who uncovereth it and delivers it to the Priest kisseth his right hand and the Priest kisseth the Patina breaks the Hoast over the Chalice being now uncovered by the Deacon and puts a piece of it in the wine to shew that Christs body is not without blood The Hoast is broken into three parts to signifie the Trinity then the Bishop pronounceth a solemn blessing then is sung Agnuâ— Dei c that is O Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world c. and then the kisse of peace is given according to the Apostles command Salute one another with a holy kisse In the fourth part of the Masse the Priest communicates thus he takes the one half of the Hoast for himself the other half he divides into two parts the one for the Deacon the other for the Sub-deacon after these three the Clergy and Monks communicate and after them the people the Priest holdeth the Chalice with both hands and drinks three times to signifie the Trinity the Hoast must not be chewed with the teeth but held in the mouth till it dissolve and after the taking thereof he must not spit but must wash his hands least any of the Hoast should stick to his fingers The three washings of the Priests hands in the Masse doe signifie the three-fold purity that ought to be in us to wit of our Thoughts Words and Works then follows the Post-communion which consisteth in thanksgiving and singing of Antiphones this done the Priest kisseth the Altar and removes again to the right side thereof where having uttered some prayers for the people and blessed them the Deacon with a loud voice saith Ite missa est that is Go in peace the Hoast is sent to God the Father to pacifie â—is anger Q. 20. In what else doth their outward Worship consist A. The fifth part of their Worship consisteth in their divine Service or Office as they call it whereof be two sorts one composed by S. Ambrose for the
passion is read in the Pulpit uncovered the dividing of Christs Garment is represented by the Sub-Deacons much adoration is given to the Crosse. Christs body is carried by two Priests to the Altar which body was consecrated the day before for on this day and on the holy Sabbath the Sacrament is not celebrated because the Apostles those two days were in great fear and sadnesse And so there is no divine office this Sabbath On this day the Agni Dei or Lambs of Wax are consecrated to defend those that carry them from Thunder and Lightning The Paschal Taper is also consecrated and the fire which was put out is renewed by new sparkes out of a flint to represent Christ the true Light of the world and that stone cut out of the mountain on the Taper being lighted are fastned five pieces of frankincense to represent the spices brought by the Women and Christs five wounds The Taper hath three things in it representing Christ. The cotton or week signifieth his Soul the wax his Body and the light his Divinity It also putteth the people in minde of the firie Pillar which went before the Israelites to Canaan The light of the Taper also signifieth both the light of the Gospel here and the light of glory hereafter The Lessons are read without title or tone the Fonts or Baptisteria are also blessed this day to shew that by Baptisme we are buried with Christ the Priest in consecrating the water toucheth it with his hand dips the Taper in it bloweth on it and mixeth the chrisme with it Baptisme is to be administred but twice a year to wit at this time and on the day of Pentecost except in case of necessity besides divers ceremonies used in Baptism the Priest bloweth three times on the Infant gives him chrisme and a white garment Four sorts are excluded from being witnesses in Baptism namely religious Persons Infidels such as are not confirmed a man and his wife together for becoming spiritual parents they are not to know one another carnally any more They say divers Letanies in Baptism Confirmation is done by the Bishop who anoints the child with chrisme on the forehead as the Priest had done on the crown of his head in Baptism The reason why the child is twice anointed with chrisme is because the holy Ghost was given twice to the Apostles once here on earth before Christs ascension and once from heaven in a fuller measure after Christs ascension By the first they received a new birth or regeneration by the second growth strength and perfection Therefore this Sacrament of confirmation is called by the Greek Fathers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 perfection or consummation The chrisme wherewith they are anointed is made and consecrated on the day of the Lords Supper because two days afore Easter Mary Magdalen anointed Christs head and feet The Priest must not confirme except by delegation from the Pope this belongs onely to the Bishop because it is an Apostolical Function and Bishops are the Apostles successors Confirmation is not to be given to those that are not baptized because the character of this Sacrament presupposeth the character of Baptisme Neither must children be confirmed till they be able to give an account of their faith Then the Bishop strikes the childe on the cheek with his hand to shew he must be content to suffer for Christ. On the holy Sabbath the Altars begin to be covered again Gloria in excelsis is sung the Bells are rung as preparatives for the Resurrection but before the Gospel incense is carried instead of light to shew that the light of the world was supposed to be yet in the grave by the women that went to embalme him And the Post-Communion is not sung to shew how the Apostles were silent when Christ was apprehended Q. 22. What be their other holy days which they observe A. The chief is the Feast of Easter in which their Churches Altars Crosses and Priests are cloathed in their best Ornaments nothing this day must be eat or drunk without the Priests benediction and signed with the Crosse. In Easter week the custome was in Salutations to say The Lord is risen and to answer thus Thanks be to God and then to kisse each other which custome is yet observed by the Pope to the Cardinals when he sayeth Masse this day The next Sunday to Easter is called Dominica in albis because they that are baptized on the holy Sabbath lay aside on this day their white Garments The second Sunday is called Expectationis the day of expectation or looking for the comming of the Holy Ghost On Easter day before Masse there is a solemn procession of the Priests cloathed in white singing the Resuâ—rection before whom are carried Tapers burning Crosses and Banners There are also Processions all the week after to the Fonts singing in imitation of the Israelites rejoycing for the drowning of their enemies in the read sea Baptism is the sea and our sins are our enemies every day also this week the Neophytes are led to the Church by their god-fathers and god-mothers with wax Tapers before them which on the next Sunday called in albis they offer to the Priests From the Octaves of Easter till Whitsunday are sung two Halellujahs every Sunday and one every working day to shew that the joyes of heaven are represented which the soul onely participates till the Resurrection and after that soul and body together which is a double Hallelujah every day iâ— Easter week hath its peculiar Epistle and Gospel mentioning the Resurrection of Christ and our happinesse in heaven to this same purpose hath every Sunday after Easter its peculiar Masse and service Rogation Sunday which is the fifth after Easter is so called from praying or asking for being Ascension day is neer and we cannot follow Christ corporally into heaven therefore we are taught to follow him by our prayers three days then before Ascension day are Rogations Letanies or prayers both for spiritual and temporal blessings the Letany used at this time is called the Lesser invented by Mamertus Bishop of Vienna in a time when Wolves and other wild Beasts had broke out of the woods and killed divers people the greater Letany was the invention of Gregory the first when Rome was afflicted with a great Plague caused by the poysonable breath of serpents on these Rogation daies there use to be processions with Crosses Reliques and Banners carried before singing also and praying for divers blessings among the rest for the fruits of the earth the Vigil or Eve of Ascension hath its proper Mass on Ascension day is a soleum procession on the Sunday after promises are read concerning the coming of the holy Ghost on Whitsun Eve Baptisme is celebrated as it was on Easter Eve for as we are dead with Christ iâ— baptisme so we are baptized with the Holy Ghost which was accomplished when he came down on the Apostles the Feast of Pentecost is kept seven
days at which time because of baptisme white is worn this colour signifieth that all who are baptized are made Priests to God the Father for the Priests garment is white it sheweth also the innocency and purity that ought to be among Christians and it puts them in mind of the resurrection and glory of the life to come They pray standing in sign of liberty obtained by the Spirit Hallelujah and Gloria in excelsis are sung often this week from Easter till this time no man is bound to fast this feast is observed seven days to shew the seven gifts of the holy Ghost and every day three Lessons are read because all the seven gifts are included in these three Faith Hope and Charity The next Sunday is kept to the honour of the Trinity for as Christmasse was ordained to be kept in honour of God the Father who sent his son into the world and Easter to Christ the second Person and Whitsunday to the third Person so this Sunday was instituted to the three persons together and from this day are named the other Sundaies till Advâ—â—t whereof are twenty six to each of which is appropriated a peculiar Masse with Lessons and Psalms fit for each day Q. 23. What be their canonical hours of prayer A. Their set hours of prayer are called canonical because they are prescribed by the Canons of the Church and regularly observed by devout people These hours they ground upon the practise of David and Daniel who prayed three times a day These hours are seven because David speaketh of calling upon God seven times a day because the gifts of the holy Ghost are seven and the foul spirit bringeth seven spirits worse then himself there be seven deadly sins the walls of Ierico fell down at the blowing of the seven Ram horn Trumpers there were seven Aspersions in the Levitical Law Levit. 14. 16. We read also of seven Lamps and seven golden Candlesticks These canonical hours are not onely for the day but also for the night after the example of David and Christ who spent some part of the night in prayer and of the Church in the Canticles which sought Christ in the night The Prince of darknesse is most busie in the night to assault us therefore we ought to watch and pray that we may not be slaine with the Egyptian first born in the night The Nocturnals or night praises are said at midnight because at that time Paul and Silas praised God and so did David About that time Christ rose from the grave as the Greek Church believeth but the Latine Church holdeth that he arose in the morning The first hour of the day is dedicate to prayer that whilest the Sun riseth we may call upon the Sun of righteousness who bringeth health under his wings About that hour he was mocked spit upon buffeted and at that hour after his resurrection he was seen by his Disciples standing on the Sea shore To whom the first fruits of the earth were offered in old time to him also should the first fruits of the day be offered The third hour is consecrated to prayer because then Christ was crowned with thorns and condemned by Pilate It was the third hour also that the holy Ghost descended on the Apostles The sixt hour is canonicall because then Christ was crucified at that houre Peter went up to the top of the house to pray acts 10. and then it was that Christ asked water from the woman of Saâ—atia The ninth hour is for prayer because then Christ gave up the ghost so Peter and Iohn went up into the Temple at the ninth hour of prayer acts 3. The evening also is a time for prayer then they have their Vespers because the Iewes had their evening Sacrifice then it was that Christ instituted the Sacrament of the Eucharist at his last Supper And then was his body taken down from the Crosse. The hour of the Completory about the beginning of the night is Canonical also in memory of Christs buriall And because David would not go up into his bed nor suffer his eye-lids to slumber till he had found out a place for the Temple Then is sung the song of old Simeon Nunc dimittis Q. 24. What else may we observe about these Canonical hours A. That all Priests Deacons and Sub-Deacons are bound to observe these hours so are also Monks and Nuns if they be not Novices But the inferiour orders of Clergy that are not beneficed as they are not debarred from Marriage so they are not tied to these Canonical hours They also that are excommunicate and degraded are to observe these hours for the character is indelible but sick persons and such as have any natural impediment are excused Again these Canonical prayers are not to be said everywhere but in the Church because the multitude of petitioners makes prayers the more efficacious otherways they acknowledge that private prayers may be said anywhere The times also order and reverence must be observed in saying of these prayers and diligent attention must be used without wandering thoughts the attention must be â—ixed not onely on the words and sense thereof but chiefly on God the object of our prayers and devotion must be used both outward in prostrating of the body and inward in humility and submission of the minde But on Sundays and all the time between 〈◊〉 and Pentecost they pray standing to shew 〈◊〉 readinesse being risen with Christ in seeking the things that are above Beneficed men who neglect in six moneths time to say the Canonical prayers are to lose their benefices In the first Canonical hour the Kyrie Eleeson is said so is the Lords Prayer and the Creed but with a low voice to shew that prayer and faith consist rather is the heart then in the tongue In the third hour prayers are said for the dead as well as for the living The sixe hour they say Adam fell and was 〈◊〉 out of Paradise therefore they hold it then a fiâ— time by prayer to enter into Gods favour again The ninth hour Christs side was peirced out of which flowed water and blood the two Sacraments of the Church then the Vaile of the Temple rent asunder the graves opened and Christ descended into hell all which do furnish sufficient matter for prayers and praises that hour In the end of the day are said the Vespers or evening service to signifie that Christ came in the end of the world In the evening Christ washed his Disciples feet and was known to the two Disciples in breaking of bread as they were going to Emaus Five Psalmes are then said in reference to Christs five wounds and to expiâ—â—e the sins of our five sences In the evening is sung the Magnificat to shew that in the evening of the world the Virgin brought forth Christ in whom is our cheifest rejoycing And then are Lamps lighted to put us in minde that with the wise Virgins we should
Oyle puts on his â—wle and so receives him into the Fraternity having vowed abstinence from flesh and perpetual chastity The Monks do not onely live upon their rents but they trade also and are great Merchants as for scholarship they have none Sergius is a great Saint â—mongst them to whom the Empress goeth sometimes in Pilgrimage They have divers Nunneries some whereof are onely for Noble mens Widows and Daughters whose stock the Emperor meanes to exâ—iâ—guish They have Eâ—emites also who go stark naked except about the middle they wear long hair and an lâ—on collar about their neck or middle The people esteem them as Saints and Prophets and whatsoever they say is received as Oracles even by the great Duke himselfe He thinks himself in great favour with God who is reproved or robbed of any part of his goods by them But of these Eâ—emites there be very few in that cold country Q. 5. What form of Service have they in their Churches A. They have their Mattiâ—s every morning the Priest attended by his Deacon in the middle of the Church calls on Christ for a blessing in the name of the Trinity and then repeats three times Lord have mercy upon us this done he marcheth into the chancel whither no man may enter but the Priest alone and there at the Altar he sayeth the Lords prayer and twelve times Lord have mercy upon us Then Praised at the Trinity The Deacon and people answer Amen Then he reads the Psalmes for the day and with the people turns to the Images on the wall to which they bow three times knocking their heads to the ground Then he reads the Decalogue and Athanasius his Creed After this the Deacon standing without the Chancel door reads a part of their Legend of Saints lives which is divided into so many parts as there be days in the year then he addeth some collects or prayers This Service lasteth about two hours all which time many Wax Candles burn before their Images some as big as a mans wast such are vowed and enjoyned by peâ—nance They have about nine of the morning another service and on Festival days they have solemn devotion The evening service is begun like the marnings after the Psalmes the Priest singeth the 〈◊〉 in their Language and then all with one voice Lord have mercy upon us thirty times together and the boyes answer thirty times then is read by the Priest and on holy days sung the first Psalme and 〈◊〉 repented ten times Then the Priest reads some part of the Gospel which he ends with three Hallelujahs and withal that evening service with a collect for the day all this while the Priest standeth as the high 〈◊〉 The Deaconâ— stand without the Chancel whither they dare not come during service time The people stand together in the body of the Church for they have no Pews to sit in Q. 6. How do they administer the Sacraments 〈…〉 Eight days after the Child is born he is brought to the Church-porch where the Priest receives him and tells the witnesses their duties in the childs education after baptisme namely to teach him how to know God and Christ and withal what Saints are the chiefe mediators then he conjures the Devil out of the water and so after some prayers he plungeth the child three times over head and ears in a tub of warm water holding it necessary that every part of the child be dipped They use the same words that we do In the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost and not By the Holy Ghost as some Hereticks have used Then the Priest layâ—th oyl and salt mixed together on the Childes forehead on both sides of his face and on his lips praying that God would make him a good Christian c. This done the child being now made a Christian is carried from the Porch into the Church The Priest marching before who layeth him on a cushion before the feet of the chief Image in the Church to which he is recommended as to his Mediator After baptisme the childs hair is cut off wrapped up in wax and reserved as a relique in the Church The Russians use to re-bapbaptise their Proselyte Christians and in some Monasterie to instruct them in their religion first they cloath the new convert with a fresh Russian Garment then they crown him with a Garland anoint his head with oyl put a wax light into his hand and for seven days together pray over him four times a day all which time he is to forbear flesh and white meats After the seventh day he is washed and on the eighth day is brought into the Church and there instructed how to bow knock his head and crosse himself before their images The Russians communicate but once a year in Lent after confession to the Priest who calls them up to the Altar askes them if they be clean from sin if they be they are admitted but never above three at one time Whilest the Priest prayeth the communicants stand with their â—rms folded one within another then he delivereth to them a spoonful of bread and wine tempered together saying Eat this drink this without any pause Then he delivereth bread by it self and wine mingled with warm water to represent the water and blocâ— that issued out of Christ side Then the Communicants follow the Priest thrice about the Altar with their folded arms At last after prayers the Priest chargeth them to make good cheer and be merry for seven days together to fast the next seven days after Q. 7. What is the Doctrine and Ceremonies of the Russian Church at this day A They hold that the Books of Moses except Genesis are not to be read in Churches and are of no use since Christs comming nor the Prophets nor the Revelation 2. They teach that their Church traditions are of equal authority with the word of God 3. That the Greek Church chiefly the Patriarch and his Synod have full authority to interpret the Scriptures and that their interpretation is authentick 4. That the Holy Ghost proceedeth not from the Son 5. They hold Christ to be the onely mediator of redemption but not of intercession this honour they give to the Saints chiefly to the Virgin Mary and Saint Nicholaâ— who they say is attended upon by three hundred of the chief Angels 6. Their doctrine and practise is to adore the Images or Pictures of the Saints whereof their Churches are full and richly adorned 7. They teach that in this life there can be no assurance of salvation 8. And that we are justified not by faith only but by works also which consist in prayers by number on their beads in fasts vows almes crossings offerings to Saints and such like 9. They ascribe great power to auricular confession in doing away sin 10. They hold al to be damned that dye without baptism 11. Extream Unction is with them a Sacrament though not of such
necessity as baptisme yet they hold it a cursed thing to dye without it 12. They re-baptise Christians converted to their Church 13. They esteem some meats more holy then others and are very strictly superstitious in their fasts 14. They disallow marriage in their Clergy yet they permit their Priests to marry once 15. They place such vertue in the cross that they advance it in all their high ways on the tops of their Churches on the doors of their Houses and are upon all occasions signing themselves with it on their foreheads and breasts They adore it they use the signe thereof in stead of prayers and thanksgiving in the morning and evening when they sit down to meat and rise from table when they swear they swear by the Crosse c. 16. Such vertue they place in holy Water that after the Bishops have consecrated the Rivers on the Epâ—pbany as their custome is then every year people strive who shall first plunge their children and themselves therein and think their meat is blessed that is boyled in that water and that the sick shall either recover or be made more fit and holy for God if they drink thereof 17. They have their solemn Processions on the Epipâ—any in which go two Deacons bearing banners in their hands the one of our Lady the other of Saint Michael fighting with the Dragon after them follow the other Deacons and Priests two and two in a rank with copes on their backs and images hanging on their breasts After these march the Bishops in their robes then the Monks and their Abbots and after them the Patriarch in rich attire with a ball on the top of his Mytre as if his head supported the world at last comes the great Duke with his Nobility when they are come to the River a hole is made in the Ice then the Patriarch prayeth and conjureth the Devil out of the water which done he casteth salt and censeth the water with incense and so it becomes holy This is the Procession at Mosco where the people are provident least the Devil bring conjured out of the water should enter into their houses they make crosses with chalk over their doors In their Processions also they carry the image of Christ within a Pix upon a high pole which they adore think this image was made without hands 18. Such holinesse they place in their Priests benediction that when they brew they bring a dish of woâ—t to the Priest within the Church which he consecrates and this makes the whole brewing holy In harvest they do the like by bringing the first fruits of their corn to the Priest to be hallowed 19. On Palm Sunday when the Patriarch rideth through the Mosco the Great Duke holds his horse bridle and the people crie Hosaâ—â—a spreading their upper garments under his horse seet The Duke hath for his service that day a pension from the Patriarch of 200. Rubbels 20. Besides their Wednesdays and Fridays fasts they have four Lents in the year The first and great Lent is as ours before Easter the second about Midsummer the third in Harvest time the fourth about All-Hollow-tide the first week of their great Lent they feed upon bread and salt onely and drink nothing but water in this Lent they have three Vigils in the last whereof which is on good Friday the whole Parish watcheth in the Church from nine a clock in the evening till six in the morning all which time they stand except when they fall down and knock their heads against their Images which must be 1â—0 times in that night 21. They have a Saint for every day of the year which is held the Patron of that day The Image whereof is brought every morning with the crosse into the Great Dukes Chamber by the Priest his Chaplain before which Image the Great Duke prayeth crosseth himself and knocks his head to the ground then is he with his Images be sprinkled by the Priest with holy water On his Chair where he sitteth he hath always the picture of Christ and of his Mother as often as he or his Nobles drink or change their dishes at table they crosse themselves Q. 8 What Ceremonies use they in their 〈◊〉 ariâ—ges funerals A. Their Marriages are performed with such words of contract as are used among us with a Ring also and delivery of the Brides hand into the Bride-groomes by the Priest who stand both at the Altar opposite to each other The Matrimonial knot being tied the Bride comes to the Bride Groome and falleth down at his feet knocking her head upon his shooe in sign of her subjection and he casteth the lap of his upper garment over her in token of cherishing and protection then the Brides friends bow low to the Bride-Groome and his friends likewise to hers in sign of affinity and love and withall the Bride-Groomes Father offers to the Priest a loaf of bread who delivers it to the Brides Father with attestation before God and their pictures that he deliver the Dowry wholy at the appointed day and keep love with one another hereupon they break the loaf and eat it This done the married couple walk hand in hand to the Church porch where the Bride-Groome drinketh to the Bride who pledgeth him then he goeth to his Fathers house and she to hers where either entertain their friends apart In token of plenty and fruitfulnesse corn is flung out of the windows upon the Bride and Brid-groom at their entring into the house In the evening the Bride is brought to the Bride-Groomes Fathers house there she lodgeth that night in silence and obscurity she must not be seen by the Bride-Groome till the next day for three days she must say little or nothing then they depart to their own house and Feast their friends Upon any small dislike the man may enter into a Monastery and so forsake his wife At their Funerals they hire women to mourn who howle over the body in a barbarous manner asking him what he wanted and why he would dye They use to put into the dead parties hand a letter to Saint Nicholas their chief mediator to intercede for him They use both anniversary and monethly commemorations of their dead friends over whose graves the Priest prayeth and hath a penny for his pains They that dye in the winter because the ground then cannot be digged have their bodies piled up together in a place which they call Gods house till the spring what time the bodies and the earth being resolved and softned every one taketh his dead freind and burieth him in the same apparel he used to wear when he lived Q. 9. What is the profession of the Armenians A. They were altogether of the Greek Religion and subject to the Patriarch of Constantinople but now are fallen off in most Tenets and have two Patriarchs of thir own the one resideth in 〈◊〉 the greater called 〈◊〉 the other in Armenia the
perswaded men that if they were not baptized by him and his they must necessarily incurre great danger 〈◊〉 their souls To which he added that those who 〈…〉 with the pâ—crogative of his Baptisme should be the restored people of Israel and that the wicked Cananites should be destroyed by their swords and the God himself should râ—â—eale from heaven the times wherein these things should be fulfilled To visions horrible dreams which he thought procâ—eded to him from God he gave great credit and he affirmed that he saw the preparations of the last day and the Angel going to blow the Trumpet by an indispurable revel 〈…〉 Godâ— Upon the account of which dreams his 〈◊〉 as â—redulous as their Master speâ—r and destroyed all they had fearing the difficulties of the times wherein they should spend them all which being scatter'd and consum'd before the day came they suffer'd a punishment and inconveniences befitting their folly having the lash of poverty perpetually at their backs However they a generation on whom the greatest quantity of black Hellebore would not be much effectuall did still adore this miraculous piece of 〈◊〉 as â— true Prophet even to admiration of which men some not worthy the face or name of mankind do at this day in great numbers live at Merhern in Palaces and Covents upon their accidental contributions and where they get their livelihood with their hands and apply themselves to any handy-craft whereof they are the Masters and Governours who by the commodities gained by them increase the common stock They have at home with them their Cooks their skullions their errand-boyes and their Butlers who have a care and dispose all things as they do in Monasteries and Hospitals They study to maintain mutual peace and concord being all equal These even to this day are commonly known by thâ— name of the Hutsian Fraternity LODOWICK HETZER Polluit ut mentem Sectis deformibus error Corpore sic Hetzer foedus adulter erat THE CONTENTS LOdowick Hetzer a famous Heretick He gaines Proselytes in Austria and Switzerland Anno 1527. at a publick disputation Oecolampadius puts Hetzers Emissaries to their shifts Hetzer denied christ to be co-essentiall with the Father His farewell to his Disciples He is put to death 〈◊〉 Adultrery LOdowick Hetzer famous for his Heresie and Learning was first very inâ—imately acquainted with Nicholos Stork and then with Thomâ— Muntzer yet he agreed not with these in some things as in that opinion of theirs of the overturning and destroying of all the powers of this world which opinion he looking on as malicious and barbarous forlook them and joyning with Iohn Deâ—â— they by their mutual endeavours sent some Prophets into Germany But dissenting also from him in some things be propagated his own sect in Austria and made many Proselytes at Berâ— in Switzerland Which gave occasion that the Reverend Senate appointed a publick disputation at Soning and caused letters of safe conduct to be sent to Hetzer and his followers for which bickering was set apart the first day of February in the year one thousand five hundred twenty seven where he appeared not himself but his emissaries came who were by the most learned but withall stinging Oecolampadius driven unto their shifts and enforced to acknowledge conviction Hetzer was a considerable part and the fire brand of the Anabaptistical sect but he stiffely denied Christ to be co-essential with the Father which the verses made by him upon the carrying of the Cross do more than hint Ipse ego qui propriâ cuncta haec virtute creabam Quaris quot simus Frustra ego solus eram Hîc non tres numero verùm sum solus at isti Haud numero tres sunt nam qui ego solus eram Nescio Personam solus sum rivus ego fons Qui me nescit eum nescio solus ero I who at first did make all things alone Am vainly ask'd my number as being one These three did not the work but only I That in these three made this great Syzygie I know no Person I 'm the only Maine And though they know me not will one remain He was excellent at three tongues he undertook to translate the book of Ecclesiasticus out of the Hebrew into High-Dutch Plauterus hath testified for him in writing that he very honestly and unblameably bid farewell to his Disciples and with most devout prayers commended himself to God even to the astonishment of the beholders He having been kept long in dose prison was on the fourth day of February in the year one thousand five hundred twenty nine senâ—â—nced to die and thinking himself unworthy of the City was led without the walls where he was put to death not for sedition or baptisme as Plauterus sayâ—â— but for Adultery which act be endeavoured to 〈◊〉 by some arguments fetcht from the holy Scriptures MELCHIOR HOFMAN Pellibus a teneris suetus doctissime nôsti Hofmanni teneras excoriare Greges THE CONTENTS HOFMAN a Skinner and Anabaptist Anno 1528. seduced 300 men and women as Embda in West-Friesland His followers accounted him a Prophet At Strasburg he challenged the Ministers to dispute which was agreed upon Jan. 18. 1532. where being mildely dealt with he is neverthelesse obstinate Other Prophets and Prophetesses deluded him He deluded himself and voluntarily pined himself to death IN the year one thousand five hundred twenty eight Melchior Hosman a Skinner of Strasburg a most eloquent and most crafty man at Embda in West Friezland ensnared 300. men and women into his doctrine where he conjured up Anabaptisme out of hell upon pain of damnation whereupon being returned to the lower Provinces who ever addressed themselves to him he entertained them with water baptizing all promiscuously This man upon the prophecy of a certain decrepid old man went to Strasburg it having been foretold him that he should be cast into prison and remain there six moneths â—t which time being set at liberty he should with his fellow-labourers disperse the harvest of the Gospel through all the world He was by his followers acknowledg'd and honour'd as a great Prophet This was the great prop and pillar of the reign of Munster Having therefore made what haste he could possible to Strasburg in order to the fulfilling of the prophecy he there challenges the Ministers of the word to dispute which offerture the Senate engaged with upon the eleventh of Ianuary one thousand five hundred thirty and two at which time the mists and clouds of errors and blindnesse were quite dispersed by the sunne of the Gospel However Hosman stiffely adhered to the foresaid prophecy as also to his own dreams and visions nor would he acknowledge himself overcome but their mildnesse having somewhat appeased him he was thence dismissed as one judged worthy of such a place where Lepers are shut up left others be infâ—cted But 't is
incredible how joyful he was at that newes out of an excessive thanksgiving to God putting off his shoes and casting his hat into the ayâ—e is and calling the living God to witnesse that he would live upon bread and water before he would discover and brand the authour of that opinion In the mean time some Prophets began to rise and keep a stirre hinting that he should be secured for that half year and that afterwards he should go abroad with one hundred forty and four thousand Prophets who should without any resistance reduce and bring the whole world under the subjection of their doctrine There was alsoâ— certain Prophetesse who should prophecy that this Hosman was Eliâ—â— that Cornelius Polterman was Enocâ— and that Strasburg was the new Ierusalem and she 〈◊〉 also dreamed that she had been in a great spacious Halâ— wherein were many brethren and â—â—sters fitting together whereinto a certain young man in shining appareâ— should enter having in his hand a golden Bowâ—e of rich Nectâ—â— which he going about should taste to eâ—â—â—y one to whom having drunk it to the dregges there was none pretended to compare with him but onely Polterman Alas poor Melchior He having nothing yet made Master of a strong Tower did after the example of Esdras signify by letters that his Baptisme should be put off for two years longer untill Africk should bâ—ing forth another monster that should carry haâ— in its horns There were many other dreams and some nocturnal pollutions which they attributed to heaven and thought such as should have been wriâ—â—en in Cedar But it was Melchior's pleasure to think it a miserably happy kind of death to die voluntarily by pining and consuming away with hunger thirst and cold MELCHIOR RINCK Discipulos sic Rincke dooâ— Baptisma negare Sanguine carnifices et scelerare Manus THE CONTENTS MElchior Rinck an Anabaptist He is accounted a notable interpreter of dreamâ—s and visions His disciple Thomas Sâ—â—cker in a waking dream cut off his brother Leonard's head pretending for his murther obedience to the decree of God MELCHIOR RINCK a most wonderfull 〈◊〉 was also a most extraordinary promoter of Anabaptisme and among his followers celebrated the festivals of it He made it 〈◊〉 businesse to extoll Anabaptisme above all others with those commendations which certainly iâ— wanted not Besides he was accounted no ordinary promoter and interpreter of dreames and visions which it was thought he could not performe without the special indulgence of God the Father nay he arrived to that esteem among the chiefest of his opinion and became so absoluteâ—y possessed of their minds that his followers interpreted whatever was scattered abroad concerning dreames and visions to have proceeded from heavenly inspirations from God the Father Accordingly in Switzerland to omit other particulars at Sangall even at a full Concill his disciple Thomas Scucker being rapt into an Enthusiasme his Father and Mother then present and his Brother Leonard having by his command cast himself at his knees before him calls for a sword whereupon the parents and divers others running to know what was the cause and meaning of such an extravagant action he bid them not be troubled at all for that there should happen nothing but what should be according to thâ— will of God Of this waking dream did they all unâ—nimously expect the interpretation The for 〈◊〉 Thomas guilty alas of too much 〈◊〉 did in the presence of all those sleeping-waking â—pectators 〈◊〉 off his own Brothers head and having forgotten the use of water baptized him with his owne blood But what followed The Magistrate having sudden notice of it and thâ— offence bâ—ing fresh and horrid the Malefactor is dragg'd to prison by head and shoulders where he having long conâ—idered his action with himself professed he had therein obeyed the decrees of the Divine power These things did the unfortunate yeare one thousand five hundred twenty and seven see Here men may perceive in a most wicked and unjustifiable â—ction the eminent tracts of an implacable fury and madnesse which God of his infinite goodnesse and mercy avert from these times ADAM PASTOR Nomine qui Pastor tu Impostor moribus audis Qui â recto teneras Tramite ducis oues THE CONTENTS ADam Pastor a derider of Paedobaptisme He revived the Arrian heresie His foolish interpretation of that place Gen. 2. 17. so often confuted ADAM PASTOR a man born at a Village in Westphalâ—â— was one of those who with the middle finger pointed at 〈…〉 that is to say looked upon it with indignation as a thing ridicâ—lous being of the same opinion in that businesse as Menno and Theodorus Philip but as to the incarnation of God he was of a quite contrary judgement For Menno held that Christ was something more worthy and more divine then the seed of a woman but our Adam stood upon it that he was lesse worthy then that of God so that he rowsed up the Arrian heresy which had laiâ— so long asleep as having been but too famous in the year three hundred twenty five For in a certain book of his whose title was OF GODS MERCIE he writ thus The most divine word which is the main considerable in our businesse is written in the second of Gen. v. 17. The day that ye shall eat of the fruit ye shall die the death This is that word which is made flesh John 1. Tea that God which is uncapable of suffering and impassible is made passible and he that was immortal is made mortal for he was crucified and died for our advantage To be brief he held that Christ was not to be accounted any thing but the hand the finger or the voice of God But although the opinion or Religion of this third but most unfaithful Pastor Adam wander out of the limits of divinity that it seem to be an ancient heresie containing nothing in it but what is childish trifâ—ing and meer foppery hath bin confuted brought â—o nothing by the most religious preachers of the word of God notwithstanding the barking of the viperous progeny of Arrius and Servetus yet he hath this in particular that he would have us look narrowly to his â—â—â—lication of the second of Genesis which he so commends where he foolishly and vainly endeavours to prove that the prohibition there is the word mâ—de flesh This monster did not only beget this sect but nursed it here are baites alluâ—ements and all the poisonable charmes imaginable that may cunningly seduce the best and most innocent of men But alas where is the free and indulgent promise of God of the seed of the woman which cuts the very throat of the Devill and tyes him in the strictest chaines where are his often promiseâ— to Abraham to Isaac to Israel and to his old people confirmed by a League so solemnly made In thy seed all the earth shall be blessed And thou shalt be