the Church but that the same so remain and that there be a modest and distinct Song so used in all parts of the Common-Prayers in the Church that the same may be as plainly understood as if it were read without singing And yet nevertheless for the comforting of such as delight in Musick it may be permitted that in the beginning or end of Common-prayers either at Morning or Evening there may be sung an Humn of such like Song to the praise of Almighty God in the best sort of Melody or Musick that may be conveniently devised CHAP. XVI Concerning Swearing THE Form of words which Christ hath laid down in Mat. 5 and the Apostle James taught in his general Epistle Chap. 5 is as followeth Christ said Ye have heard that it hath been said â—f old time Thou shalt not forswear thy self which was the false Oath but perform thy Oaths to the Lord which was the true Oath which were to be taken before the Judges Officers and Magistrates to end Controversies and be performed to the Lord. Put Christ said Now I say unto you Swear not at all but let your yea be yea and nay nay for whatso ver is more then this cometh of evil Therefore this yea yea and nay nay wherein Christ doubles his words to make them of force sets them over and above an Oath And also in James 5.12 the Apostle taught and said Above all things my brethren swear not at all neither by Heaven nor by Earth mark nor by any other Oath but he also sets up that which is above an Oath which is Christs words Let your yea be yea and nay nay which form of sound words the Apostle doubles as Christ did when he said in his repeating over Christs words Ye shall swear no Oath lost ye fall into condemnation These are the Commands of Christ and the Apostle which we are to stand by to wit yea yea and nay nay Some Ex â—â—ples of the Primitiv Christians and Holy Martyrs that kâ—pt the Commands of Christ and the Apostles which spoke the truth an both denied and gave their Testimony against Sâ—earing Folycarpus a Martyr who was as it is said John's Disciple and Bishop of Smyrâ—a being Eighty nine years of Age when he was required by the Proconsul to swear he denied it and said he was a Christian So it appears a that tâ—me Christians did not swear Acts and Mon. fol. 55. Vol. 2. And also Basillides Martyr who was an Officer among the Soldiers being required to swear before a Judg said plainly That it was not lawful to swear Lib. 6. Chap. 6. tage 98. So it appears plainly That it was the mark of a Christian no to swear And the Waldenses whose Names are so famous amongst the Reformed Churches and who are said immediately to succeed the Apostles and were the most ancient and true Protestants professed it to be no wayes lawful for a Christian to swear And Bishop Vsher late of Armagh Primate of Ireland pleaded their Cause against the Jesuits in his Book De Successione chap. 6. The Ploughman in his Complaint saith Lord thou gavest us a Command of truth in bidding us to say yea yea and nay nay and swear nothing but Lord he that calls himself thy Vicar on Earih hath broken thy Commandment for he maketh a Law and compelleth men to swear Book of Martyrs Vol. 1. p. 527 528. And John Wickliff whose Works are so much esteemed by the Protestants his judgment was That all Oaths which be made for any Contract or Civil Bargain betwixt man and man be unlawful and John Hus and Jerom of Prague were burnt for holding his Opinion by the Papists Fol. 653. And Walter Brute who was a Teacher of Gods people saith concerning Swearing I believe and obey the Doctrine of Almighty God and my Master Christ Jesus which teacheth that Christian men in affirming the truth should pass the Righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees of the Old Testament or else he excludes them from the Kingdom of Heaven for he saith Except your righteousness exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharises you cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven and as concerning Oaths he saith It hath been said by them of old time thou shalt of forswear thy self but peâ—form thy Oaths to the Lord but I say to you now Swear not at all bâ—t let your yea be yea and nay nay for whatsoever is moâ—e then thesâ— cometh of avl. And merefore as the perfection of the ancient men in the Old Testament was not to forswear themselves so the perfection of Christian men is not to swear at all because they are so commanded of Christ whose command in no case must be broken Origen saith It behoves a man who lives according to the Gospel not to swear at all And Jerome an ancient Father and Teacher of the Church which the Protestants own saith That the great Evangelical sincerity and truth admits not of an Oath since every true saying is equivolent thereunto Theophilact an ancient Father of the Church whom the Protestants own saith Mat. 5. concerning Oaths Learn hence that under the Law it was no evil for one to swear but since the coming of Christ it is evil as is Circumcision And was it not the principal solution given by Ambrose That a Christian should not swear at all And Bishop Gauden saith A true Christians Oath is needless and an evil mans Oath is worthy of no more credit then a lyar p. 17 41. of his Book concerning Swearing Otho Bishop of Banbergenses in Germany and Basilius of Calcedon refused to swear and afterwards there was an Act granted to tender Christians that their yea and nay might be taken to testifie the truth instead of an Oath and the Essaeans amongst the Jews refused to swear as Josephus witnesseth Likewise Basil commends Chinas a famous Greek who suffered a Fine of three talents rather then he would save it by swearing to the loss of his honour And also in Queen Maries dayes many that suffered Martyrdom refused to swear And in Mat. 18.17 Christ saith in the Gospel-times to the Church that by the mouth of two or three Witnesses every word may be established and not in the mouth of two or three Swearers and this Christ spoke in matter of differences that might happen among Christians but said nothing of an Oath for Oaths he forbad before The Examination of William Thorpe Martyr in the days of King Henry the Fourth Anno Dom. 1407 concerning Swearing The Arch-Bishop said Lo it is certified against thee that thou preachedst openly at Shrewsberry that it is not lawful to Swear in any case Book of Martyrs p. 701. Vol. 11. Thorpe said I preached openly that it is not lawful in any case to swear by any Creature and that by the Authority of the Epistle of St. James Then the Clerk asked me if it were not lawful to a Subject at the bidding of his Prelate to kneel down and touch the Holy
called and ask him by what Name he is called Then the Senior of the Cardinal-Deacons opening a little Window by which the people there waiting may see and be seen faith with a loud voice holding out the cross I show you glad tydings we have a Pope and he chuses his Name to be Innocent the Eighth c. or what Name he liketh Then the Cardinal-Deacons do put off the Popes common Apparel and put him in a white Woolen Gown and in red Hose and red Shooes embroidered with a Golden â—â—oss in a red Girdle with Golden Bucklers in a red cowle also upon his head and above all in a fair white Rochet then they put upon him his upper Garments viz. A long Albe a Girdle and a Stool set full of Pearls hanging down from about his Neck but if he were but a Deacon before he was elected then the Stool must lye on his lest shoulder only and come down with both ends fasâ—ned under his right arm Then after they put upon the Pope a red Cope called a Pluvial and Mitre set and deckâ— with precious stones and they make him sit upon the Altar and then they kiss his feet and then he is consecrated and the Consecrator blesseth a precious Ring to be put on his singer saying O Lord God Creator and Conservator of Mankind giver of spiritual Gifts and Graces and greater of 〈◊〉 health and 〈◊〉 thou O Lord send down thy blessing upon this Ring c. and while this Prayer is said the Pope stands up and in the mean time one of the Colliters holdeth the Ring in his right hand kneeling down at the beginning of the blessing thereof and the Consecrator the Prayer being ended sprinkleth it over with holy Water and then puts it on the Popes singer saying Take this Ring as a sign and token of Faith c. and Oyle being poured upon his Head by the Consecrator the Cardinal-Deacon dryeth it up again with crumbs of Bread and then setteth on the Mitre and then he gives the Cardinals his feet and hands to Rite and so the Consecrator saith forth the Mass and before he is crowned the Cardinals Deacons Sub deacons and Colliters apparel him in a white Amise and long Girdle a Stool and a red Pluvial and a Mitre and being thus decked he goeth down to the place called St. Peters the Cross being carried before him the Cardinals and Deacons on either side bearing up the skirts of his Pluvial and the noblest of the Laity being present though it be the Emperor or a King must bear up the train of the same and next before the Pope goeth the Minister of the Ceremonies with Reeds in his hand upon the one tow and upon the other a burning candle and when the Pope is past the Châ—ppel of St. Gregory so called the aforesaid Minister turning him to the Pope setteth fire on the tow kneeling down and saying with a loud Voice Holy Father so passeth away the glory of the world which he doth three times and then the Gospel-book is laid upon the Popes shoulders and afterwards he goeth up the Altar and the Prior of the Cardinal-Deacons taketh the Robe called Pollium from the Altar and putteth it upon the Pope saying Receive the Pall which is the sacred Plenitude and holy perfection of the Pontificial Office to the honour of Almighty God of the blessed Virgin Mary his Mother of the holy Apostle Peter and Paul and of the holy Church of Rome and then maketh it fast about the Pope with Buckles and Pins And when the Pope first receiveth this Robe he goeth to the Altar and kisseth it and then kisseth the gospel-Gospel-Book and then putteth Incense into the Censers Then they proceed to crown him after this sort The Pope receiving the Gloves and Rings with the other Implements goeth upon a high Stage made for the purpose and when all the Laâ— people are gone out of the Church so called and the Prâ—â—â—â— are câ—me together the Deacon on the left hand taketh off the Popes Miâ—â—◠〈◊〉 Deacon on the right hand taketh the Tiare or Croâ—â— called a Triple Crown and setteth 〈◊〉 on the Popes bead and thâ—n going to the Church of Latte an so called he goeth up into the Gallery or Cloister of the same where the Prior of the Cannons holdeth him the cross to kiss and the triple Crown is taken off and the Mitre put on and then he is had to a place or seat without the Gate on the left hand called Stercoraria which signifies a Dunghil and setting down on the said seat and leanning down so low that he seemeth rather lying then sitting the Cardinals come to him and lift him up saying He lifteth up the needy from the dust and from the dunghil exalteth the poor that he may sit among the Princes and possesss the Throne of Glory Then the Pope rising up taketh so much money in his hand out of the bosome of his Chamberlain as he can griâ—e and casteth among the people saying Argeâ—â—um Aurum non est mihi quod autem habeo hoc tibi do I have neither Gold nor Silver but that that I have that I give thee and at the Popes Feast after he is crowned when he drinketh all the Assistants and Servitors kneel down So great is the pride of this Prelate These things are truly extracted out of the First and Second Sections of the First Book of Ceremonies aforesaid written by a Papist CHAP. XIII The time when the Tythes were first given in England by whom and by whose Authority a Law for payment of Tythes was first established First Whereas it is alledged that Abraham paid the tenth of the spoil that he got by the Sword to Melchisedeck and Melchisedeck made him and his Soldiers a Feast this was not by the command of God nor an example that all Kings and Princes should pay tythes of all their spoil nor the tenth of their Estates For you never read that Abraâ—am paid it afterwards as you may read in Josephus and Genests the twenty third and Jacob saying to the Lord when he went from Esau at his return he would surely give him the tenth of all that he gave unto him when he vowed a vow This is no example for Christians to pay Tythes no more then it is to offer Sacrifice for he ffored Sacrifices And again Whâ—reas it is alledged that Levi took â—ythes and Aaron which was called a Heave-offering or a Shake-offering which tythes was for the Priest Levi and the Widow and the Fatherless and the Stranger that there might not be a Beggar in Isâ—â—ael So you that hold up tythes must hold up the first Priesthood which ordâ—ined to offer Sacrifices and hold up the Shake-offering and the Heave-offering and so deny Christ come in the flesh and to be offered up one Offering once for all For if the Levitical Priesthood be standing which came after the Order of Aaron then your tythes and Offerings is standing for Levi
time not above One hundred and twenty of them refused to take the Oath but turned from their Religion to Protestantism because the Queen set it up notwithstanding they in Queen Maries days had burned some hundreds because they would not bow to Popery And in the first year of her Reign a Book of Injunctions to the Clergy was published some of which are as followeth That every Holy-day throughout the year when the people had no Sermon the Priest should recite the Pater-noster the Creed and ten Commandments to the intent the people might learn the same by heart c. Item That they should keep Holy-dayes Item That the Church-Wardens at the common charge of the parishioners shall provide a comely and honest pulpit to be set in a convenient place and to be there seemly kept Some of the Articles published in the yâ—ar 1610 by the Arch-Dâ—acon of Rochester Whether is your Minister a Preacher Licensed if yea then by whom Whether doth he bid Holy-days and Fasting-days Item Whether have you in your Church or Chappel a seemly Pulpit a decent Communion table with meet Clothes to cover it a Font of Stone set in the old usual place a Communion-Cup of silver with a Cover a large Surplice with Sleeves c. Some of the Articles published in tâ—e year 1636. 1. Whether is your Church or Chappel sufficiently repaired the Walls and Covering thereof strong and close Are the Bells unbroken and their Frames strong and safe and fit for use Are the Windows well glazed and Floors well paved and seats decent without dust in such decent manner as becomes the House of God 2. Have you a Font of stone in the ancient usual place and a decent Pulpit with a decent Cushion and a decent comely Surplice with wide sleeves for your Ministers use 3. Have you a decent Communion-table and a Carpet of silk or other decent stuff for this Table also a fair Linen Cloth And is the said Table covered therewith c. And after Queen Elizabeth in King James his time the Book of Common Prayer was confirmed by the King and then the Bishops and Clergy in England by the Kings Licence set forth Canons and Constitutions in the Church some of which are as followeth That there should be a Font of stone in every Church and Chappel according to former Constitutions Also that in all Churches there should be decent tables and covered in time of Divine Service with a Carpet of silk or other decent stuff and in the time of administration a fair linnen cloth on it and that the ten Commandments should be set up on the East end of every Church and Chappel Also that a comely and decent Pulpit should be provided in every Church and Chappel Also they set forth a Form of Prayer that they should say beâ—ore Sermon And that in Cathedrals and Collegiate Churches he that administred the Communion on principal Feast-dayes should wear a decent Cope And when there was no Communion in Cathedral Churches they should wear Surplices and Hoods Also that the Letany should be said or sung on Wednesdays and Fridayes weekly and that Sundays and all holy-dayes should be observed Also that Ministers according to their degrees should wear decent and comely apparel to have them known to the people thereby to receive honour c. Gowns with standing-Collars and sleeves strait at hands or wide sleeves with Hoods or Tippets of Silk or Sarsenit and square Caps also some Ministers were to wear the like apparel but no tippets Also that they should wear in their Journeys Cloaks with sleeves commonly called Priests cloaks with sleeves welts long buttons or cuts Also that no Ecclesiastical person should wear any Coif or wrought Night-Cap but only plain Caps of black Silk Satin or Velvet Also that in publick they go not in their Doublet and Hose without Coats or Cassocks also that they wear not any light-coloured stockins likewise that poor-beneficed Curates that could not provide themselves long Gowns may go in short Gowns And in the time of the Long-Parliament which was ended in the year 1652. they having denied the Common-Prayer and a Directory for the publick Worship of God being set out in the year 1644 by a Synod of Priests sitting at Westminster the generality of the Prie is rather then they would leave their Benefices conformed to that power likewise and the truth being then broke forth in the people called Quakers the Priests rage was so hot against them that they joyned together and petitioned the Parliament against the spreading of the tâ—uth in the aforesaid people and câ—lled the truth heresie and blâ—sphemy In the year 1653 a Council of State was called by Oliver Cromwell unto whom the Priests cemonstrated their great willingness to conform to and in the same year a Parliament was chosen which was called the Little Paâ—liâ—ment unto whom the Priests in several Counties presented several Petitions against the people called Quakers In the same year was Oliver Cromwell made Protector to whom the Priests were readâ— also to join the Priests of Cumberland eâ—â—tioned that some present course might be prescribed for the enforcing the payment of tythes and other Dâ—es to Munisters to which the people in these parts said they are extreâ—mly averse And Oliver Cromweâ— upheld their interest and made an Order how they might she the people called Quakers for tythes there being no Ecclesiastical Courts to â—efor them in as it had been formerly ordained they should be sued for in no other Courts In the year 1658 Richard Cromwell was made Protector whom the priests flâ—ckt to as their Rock of Defence that he whom they called in their petition their Joshua might lead them into their promised Land which indeed was but a Benefice of tythes or augmentations and they told him that the Gospel was bound up in him and so cleaved to him by flatteries as they did in all ages And on the twelfth of the eighth month 1658 the Independents made a Form of Faith in the Savoy and published it In which Form of Faith they laid down in chap. 13. that they that are united to Christ effectually called and regenerated having a new heart and a new spirit created in them through the virtue of Christs death and resurrection are also further sanctified really and personally through the same virtue by his Word and Spirit dwelling in them the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakned and mortified and that this sanctification is throughout in the whole man Yet in the conclusion of the same article they say That it is imperfect in this life and that there abideth still some remnants of corruption in every part Note sure these peoples Faith is one with the Papists who hold a Puâ—gatâ—ry that is a place to purge from sins after this life for the Scriptures say As the Tree falls so it lyes and as death leaves us so judgment shall
THE Arraignment OF POPERY BEING A Short COLLECTION taken oâ—â— of the CHRONICLES and other Books of the State of the CHURCH in the Primitive Times Also The State of the Papists and how long It waâ— before the Universal POPE and MASS was set up and tâ—â— time of bringing in all their Rudiments and Traditions Beacâ—â—â—â— and Images Purgatory Tythes and Inquisitions Also A Relation of their Cruelties they acted after the Pope got up being worse then the Heathen and Turk New Rome having proved like Old Also What the People of England worshipped before they were Christians With several other things which may be profitable for people to read over wherein they may see the Worship of the Beast and Whore where all that fear God may see read try and give judgment by the Spirit of Truth â—o which is added The Blood of the Martyrs is the Seed of the CHVRCH By G. F. and E. H. LONDON Printed in the Year 1667. The Contents Rulers makes Ministers and none must preach exâ—â—â—â— have a Licence from them Chap. 24. Pagâ—â— Concerning the Priests turning as the Rulers turned to 〈◊〉 Power that came up rather then they would lose their â—â—â—fices and how they petitioned several Parliaments and Fâ—â—lers that they might have their Tythes paid them and that they would suppress the People called Quakers Ch. 2â— Pag. 73. A Relation of some of the Cruelties insticted on the Christians by the Heathen Chap. 26. Pag. 81. An Abstract of the Bloody Massacre in Ireland by the Instigation of the Jesuits Priests and Fryars c. in the year 1642. Chap. 27. Pag. 84. In the History of the Churches of Piedmont collected and compiled by Samuel Morland in the year 1658. Chap. 27. Pag. 96. List of some of the Accusations for which the aforesaid people suffered in the Valleys of Piedmont by the Papists Chap. 28. Pag. 99. Te Doctrines of Christ and Antichrist distinguished Chap. 29. Pag. 103. A Discourse betwixt a Quaker and a Papist Ch. 30. P. 106. THE ARRAIGNMENT OF POPERY CHAP. I. The State of the Church in the Primitive Times and tho Time when the Apostacy from the Truth began Also a Relation of those few that were raised up from time to time to testisie against the Idolatry brought in and set up in every Age since the Apostles dayes From the Year Sixty four to the Year One Hundred and Fifty CHristianity was first brought into England in the Year 64 by Joseph of Aramathea and twelve Disciples sent by the Apostle Philip so that Christianity came into England long before the Universal Pope was Euseb lib. 3. John for preaching the Gospel was banished by Domitian into the Isle of Pathmos about the Year 97 and after the death of the aforesaid Domitian was released again under Peruâ—â— the Emperor and came to Ephesus Anno 100 where he continued until the time of Trajan and lived until he was ninety nine yâ—â—â— of age Between the Years One hundred and One hundred and fifty Ignatius in the Persecution of Trajan the Emperor was for the Christian Faith delivered to wild Beasts to be devoured Euseb lib. 3. chap 35 36. It is written of him That as he passed through Asia being under the most strict Custody of his Guarders he strengthned and confirmed the people every where as he went and admonished them especially and before other things to beware and shun Heresies and vain Superstitions newly risen up and that they should cleave only to the Apostles Doctrine Ex Hierom in Calassanct Eccles The Church at Jerusalem in or about One hundred and ten years after Christ writeth That until that time she was as an uncorrupt Virgin there was no false Doctrine sown there From the Years One hundred and fifty to Two hundred Polycarpus Bishop of Smyrna resisted Annasetus Bishop of Rome â—nd withstood divers Ceremonies then beginning to be set on foot Iraneus Bishop of Lyons in France wrote in the name of his Brethren in France unto Victor Bishop of Rome reproving him for offering to excommunicate the Churches of Asia who withstood his Traditions touching the time of the Celebration of Easter he was reprehended of divers Bishops but sharply of Iraeneus About this time there was six Synods held in Asia touching the Celebration of Easter where the Bishop of Rome had no more Authority then the other Bishops and when he challenged Authority Iraeneus reproved him From the Year two hundred to the Year two hundred and fifty Polycrates Bishop of Antioch was a married Bishop he together with divers other Bishops of Asia withstood Victor Bishop of Rome and opposed certain Constitutions by him urged about observation of Dayes Meats Drinks and Vestures Euseb lib. 5. chap. 26. From the Year Two hundred and fifty to Three hundred Fabian Chanimon of Nilus and Fructuosus of Tarracona were married Bishops Asclepiades a Bishop of Antiochia of whom Alexander Biâ—â—â— Jerusalem being the Prisoner of Christ in Caesaria wroâ—â— the people in Antiochia That it was a comfort unto him 〈◊〉 made his imprisonment the more easie that he heard of the 〈◊〉 constancy of Asclepiades Euseb lib. 6. chap. 11. Note in thâ—â— the true Bishops were no Persecutors but persecuted Narcissus Bishop of Jerusalem was a great Enemy to Super on Euseb lib. 5. cap. 6. From the Year Three hundred to Three hundred and fifty Silvester Bishop of Rome Three hundred and fourteen years 〈◊〉 Christ when Constantine offered him a Golden Scepter he refâ—â— it as a thing not fit for a Priests Function Sabel Euseb Chron And you may see there was a great difference between this Bishop and Popes when they got up And do you think that a Protestant Bishop Priest would refuse to take a Golden Scepter if it were offered him The same Bishop also ordained in the year following That â—â—ry Priest should be the Husband of one Wife according to thâ—â— postles Doctrine This was before the Popes Laws were made agâ—â—â— Marrying The Councils of Ancyra Nice Tyrus Gangra in which condemned the Heresie of Eustatius speaking against Marriâ—â— and eating of flesh c. Eliberis Carthage where the Bishoâ— Rome was stoutly withstood Antioch and Sardica were all suâ—â—ed at the Commandment of the Emperors not of the Pope 〈◊〉 Concil Basilius Magnus Bishop of Caesaria in Cappadocia in his â—â—â—tings he complaineth of the pride of the Western Churches and â—â—â—demneth their seeking of Supremacy Basil Transmarin Epist 〈◊〉 and Epist 10. ad Eusamos Gregorius Nazianzenus testified against the pride of Preâ—â—â— seeking Supremacy over others Zozam lib. 7. cap. 5. Gregorius Nyssenus was a married Bishop Niceph. Chalist Iâ—â—â— cap. 19. Eusebius Caesariensis wrote against the Bishop of Romes â—â—â—â—cy Lib. 2. de vit Const 3 37. He wrote against Images Lib 3. de presp Evang. And 〈◊〉 against Popish Injunctions of Fasting Lib. 5. Eccles Hist cap. 23. Athanasius Bishop of Alexandria whose Name was famous in the Church wrote much against Traditions Epist de Synod Nicen. Decr.
Prince of the Priests or Highest Priest but only the Bishop of the chief See that is Seat A Council held at Hippo Decreed That Bishops and Priests should look well to their Children That the Head-Bishop of the Head See should not be called the chief Priest and that no Scripture should be read in the Church but Canonical that is such as they approved by exact Rule The Council held at Taurinum was for the Reformation of the Clergy which then was corrupted but now much more The Council of Malta condemned the Pelagians and Dâ—â—â—â— and concluded that Infants were to be baptized The Council of Agatha decreed that none should be made Prieâ—â— before they were thirty years old and that the Clergy should 〈…〉 such attire as became their Profession with many other Conâ—â—â—tions The first and second Council held at Vasio decreed that in such Churches where Preachers were not the Deacons should read â—â—milies A Council held at Carpentoracte decreed that the Bishop shâ—â—â—â— not poll the Parishes A Council held at Venice decreed that no Clergy-man should 〈◊〉 at Wedding-Dinners Dancing and hearing of wanton Sonnets 〈◊〉 vain Songs All the Bishops of Africk came together by the commandment of Hororicus the Arrian where his Heresie was confirmed and Four hundred forty four Bishops exiled or banished Anno 490 A Synod of Seventy Bishops were called together at Rome where the Canonical Scriptures were severed from such as rhey counted Apocrypha A Synod met at Epaunis decreed that no Clergy-man should either Hunt or Hawk and that throughout the Province such Divine Service at the Metropolitan or chief City liked of should be retained Euseb Note the Apostles decreed no such things as this that we read of 〈◊〉 Scripture A Council held at Aurelia decreed that Lent should be solemnly kept before Easter the Rogation with the Ember-Dayes about the Ascention A Council held in Gerundia in Spain decreed that every Province should observe one Order of Divine Service that Baptism should be Ministred only at Easter and Whitsuntide and at other times is necessity so required and that the Lords Prayer should be said at Evening and Morning-Prayer Euseb A Council held at Caesar Augusta accursed such as received the Sacrament and eat it not in the Church A General Council was held at Constantinople which decreed that Mary should be called the Mother of God The First and Second Synods were called at Lyons for the removing of Schism raised in the Church Six Synods were held at Rome touching the Election of a Bishop and the Preservation of Church-Goods CHAP. V. Concerning the state and condition of the Church as it was before there was a Vniversal Pope Also what Decrees and Institutions were made by Bishops for the first six hundred years after Christ and how the Apostacy begun to overspread the Church NOvatius a Priest of Rome two hundred fifty four years after Christ abhorred second Marriage he was condemned as an Heretick at a Synod held at Rome the same year Eusâ—b lib. 6. cap. 48. Apostalici were Hereticks in Pisidia who two hundred and fifty five years after Christ condemned Marriage and said the Apostles were unmarried men Which is a lye for several of the Apostles were married men Aug. lib. de Haeres Ephip Haer. 61. Originiani were Hereticks Anno 273 they prohibited Marriage but committed Fornications and all uncleanness and filthiness and rejected some Books of the Old and New-testament which made against them Ephip Haeres 63. About three hundred and ten years after Christ one Lucina a holy Maid of Rome dying made Maâ—cellus Bishop of Rome her heir and gave him all her great Substance From that time forth saith Pollidore Lib. 6. the Bishops of Rome were greatly enrâ—ched and then came to be pust up in pride Which riches the Apostles denyed Pol. lib. de Invent. cap. ult In the year three hundred and ten Macarius was Bishop of Jerusalem he was the means with Helena that the Cross of Christ was found So there was no Cross before among the Apostles Socrat. lib. 1. cap. 6.9 In the year 308 Dioclesian the Empetor of Rome was so puffed up with pride that he would needs be worshipped as God saying 〈◊〉 brother to the Sun and Moon and adorned his shoes with 〈◊〉 and precious stones he commanded the people to kiss his 〈◊〉 which practice the Popes afterwards followed And this Eâ—â—â—â—â—â— caused the Christians to be persecuted in the Tenth Persecution Euseb lib. 7. c. 29. lib. 8. c. 2 3 14 19. Soc. lib. 1. c. 2. In Three hundred and eighty years after Christ the Name Catholick beginneth being instituted by Damacius a Bishop of Rome In the year 391 Set-hours to Prayers instituted by St. Jerome In the year 394 in Bishop Ciricius time the word Massâ—â— was brought first into the Church In the year 398 Anastatius Bishop of Rome decreed That men should stand up at hearing the Gospel read In the year 412 Cirilius succeeded Theophilus in the See of Alexdâ—ia and withall he challenged to himself more Authority than ever any other Bishop before him From that time forth he took to himself also the Government of Temporal Matters and banished all the Jews And this Bishop went contrary to Christs command which saith You are Brethren Foelix Bishop of Rome appointed the Feast of Michael the Arch-Angel called Michaelmas In the year 528 Justinian instituted swearing by the Gospel Hore swearing came in In the year 533 Agapetus Bishop of Rome first commanded the people to go a Procellioning and to follow the Cross Plat. Polid. Deborus c. This is contrary to Christ and the Apostles Philosophy was not taught in Christian Schools before nor in the time of Justinian the Emperor who began to reign in the year of Christ 527. Part. 2. Chap. 26. Pag. 89 90. In the year 560 Gregory Bishop of Rome commanded That neither flesh nor any thing that hath affinity with flesh as Cheese Butter Milk Eggs c. should be eaten on such dayes as are appointed to be fasted on In the year 569 King Conwall had alwayes a silver Cross carried before him and caused Crosses to be first set upon every Steeple in England In the year 578 Pelagâ—us Bishop of Rome decreed That Sub. Deacons should either leave their Wives or else their Offices All this is contrary to the Apostles In the year 590 Gregory Bishop of Rome approved and allowed the Feast of Trinâ—ty Gulielm Durand In the same year he set up Prayers for Saints Sacrifices for the Dead and Purgatory in the Church In the year 595 a certain wicked woman an Emperess requested of Theodore Bishop of Rome that Images might be set up in their Churches and it was agreed that it should be by the said Theodore and his â—ouncil This is contrary to the Primitive Church In the year 600 Benedictus was the first Founder of the Order commonly called St. Benedicts He presumed to invent new wayes which all the godly Fathers
before him never thought of Johannes Patriarch of Constantinople put forth himself and would needs be called the Universal Bishop of the World But the Bishop of Rome in no case would suffer that but put a stop to it but after the Bishop of Rome could take it to himself CHAP. VI. Concerning the several Reliques and Superstitious Practises in the Church of Rome Who were the first Institutors of them and what and how much of their Idolatry is still upheld by the Protestant Professors in England at this day which was set up since there was a Vniversal Pope IN the Year after Christ Six hundred and two Phocas murthered Mauritius his Master the Emperor and slew two of his Sons and put his Daughters and his Wife to death And then this Phocas this Murderer was crowned Emperor and Boniface the third Bishop of Rome he obtained of this Murderer Phocas to be the Universal Bishop over all the Bishops and so that the Bishop of Rome should be called Pope And here got in the Pope by murder Platina Christ Misseus Hen. Panteleon c. Epist lib. 4. Epist 32 33 34. cap. 76 77. See Becon sol 295. And then the Bishop lost the greatest part of Christendom and all the Churches went together by the ears about him and the Emperor lost the greatest part of his Empire And here you may see the Pope was set up six hundred and 〈◊〉 years after Christ And this Pope in the year 605 first decreed That white Linnen Clothes should be laid on the Altar And further in another Author concerning Phocas which murthered Mauritius his Master who was a Noble and Virtuous Mâ—n he obtained through Treason the Empire he also treacherously slew his Children that none of his should claim the Crown 〈◊〉 him This Murdering Tyrant set up the Bishop of Rome contraaâ—◠〈◊〉 Châ—ists command who said You are all Brethren And so the Bishop of Rome Boniface the third Lucifer-like exalted in pride above all his fellow Bishops challenged to himself the Supremacy and Authority that he and his Successors after him for ever should be taken for the chief Bishop and Universal Head of the Church throughout all the world And that from that day forward the Church of Rome should be called the Head Church of all the whole World And that the Church of Rome should be in subject on to no other Church but that all other Churches should be in subjection to it For until that time Constantinople Church was counted the highest where the Emperor dwelt and before that time the Church in Jerusalem was called the highest for Constantine was a Christian but in Rome there was Heathen Emperorâ— a long time after Christ Otho frisin Gen. Chron. lib. 5. cap. 8. Marrian Scot. in Anno 608. Vsperg in Phoca Becon fol. 295. It is before recorded that Joseph of Arimathea first preached the Gospel in England amongst the Britans in the year sixty four and about six hundred and two the Pope sent over to them Augustiâ—â— to spread his Doctrine with his silver Cross his Letany his Procession Images Reliques Canticles and Books of Ceremonies charging the Britans that they did many things contrary to the Custom of the Church of Rome in their preaching Baptism and keeping of Easter c. and that they regarded not mans traditions but the Britans refusing to follow his Commands he threaâ—â—ed them with Warr and to revenge it by death which immediately ensued Read Beda in his Ecclesiastical History of England the second Book and second Chap. Here all people may see that Christianity was planted in 〈◊〉 some hundreds of years before the Popes Rudiments Candâ—◠〈…〉 Letany Procession and Images with the rest of his Trumpery 〈◊〉 into England who lyeth in saying that Christianity came fiâ—st in by them who came in by Murder and the outward Sword and hath held up his outward Tradition by Murder and the outward Sword ever since Chron. Ranulph Chest Bec. fol. 323. In the year 606 Boniface the fourth he instituted the Feast of All-Souls and All-Saints and he got the Temple of Phocas built by Agrippa and consecrated it to the Virgin Mary and all the Martyrs Plat. volat Polydore Bec. fol 355. In the year 645 At Rome where Meletus was present it was ordered that Monasteries should be erected in England in Boniface the fourth's days and this Boniface the fourth instituted the Feast of All-Souls In the year 637 England first divided into Parishes In the year 640 Lent was first set up in England in Pope Severinus's time Carcumbertus King of England commanded the people to keep Lent in England Segeb. in Chron. Pautal In the year 643 Pope Martin the first ordained that a man should not lye with his Wife till the Priest had hallowed or blest his Bed and the same year he ordained Mass to be sung openly with a loud voice and that Churches should be trimmed and dressed on Holy-days Pol. Paulel Bec. fol. 322. In the year 650 Pope Eugenius the first ordained that Monks should be shut up in Cloisters for before that time they did go up and down Euseb Chron. Cantz In the year 603 Pope Sabiniani commanded Lamps should be kept continually burning in the Church he also instituted Bells in the Church and called them Saints Bells Plat. Albert. Crantz de Barns c. He also decreed in the same year That the People should be assembled together to their Servâ—ce by ringing of Bells Plat. Durand de Barns Plantal Bec. fol. 322. In the year 636 the University of Cambridg founded or enlarged by Segebert King of the East-Angles So these things were not set up by the Apostles but by the Pope In the year 622 Honorius decreed That none should keep company with excommunicated persons He also devised the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross Plat. Pant. Bec. fol. 355. In the year 622 About this year being fifteen years after the Pope came Mahomet the Turk In the year 635 the first Cross was set up in England by Oswald King of No thumbeâ—land who fighting against Cadwalda in the same place set up a Cross kneeling and praying there for Victory In the year 653 Pope Vicilianus brought in Organs first into the Church to make the people merry Chron Volat. Plat. c. Eugenius the fourth was the first that appointed Bâ—shops to have Prisons of their own to punish people in In the year 664 a Controversie was in England about the observing of Easter In the year 676 Pope Leo the second devised the Pax and that it should be kissed of the people Plat. festi temp In the year 684 the Election or chusing of Popes without the Emperors approbation was granted by the Emperor Whereby it may be noted that before that time the Emperor had power to chuse the Pope In the year 666 Pope Bennet the second obtained of the Emperor Constantine that the Bishop of Rome for ever after should be taken of all men for Christs true Vicar
on Earth and Saint Peter's lawful Successor Anselmus Rid. Achilles Rerminius Sebastianus Franc. c. Bec. fol. 295. This Pope also brought it to pass that the Bishop of Rome only should be called Pope that is to say the Father of Fathers for before that time all Bishops generally were called Popes In the year 684 Pope Sergius the first invented the Agnies Dei and commanded that it should be sung of the Clergy and People together at the Communion Flat Durand de Barns Bec. fol 341. The same Pope in the same year devâ—sed first the Clothes of the Saints to be kept for Relâ—ques and confirmed the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary Segeb. Pant. Bec. fol. 356. In the year 714 a Council of Pope Gregory the second was against Marriages of Priests and was for the worshipping of Images in England In the year 729 the same Pope confirmed the having of Images in Churches and excommunicated the Emperor for abolishing them and stirred up his Subjects to rebel against him Blondus Chron Bec. fol. 324. In the year 752 Pope Zachary devised Oyl for the Lamps and invented the Priests Apparel Chron. Achil Bee fol. 304. In the year 768 Pope Paul the first devised the Service for Lent The same Pope also commanded that in the time of Lâ—nt the Divine Service should be done before the sixth hour in the Morning Pope Constantine the second decreed That no Lay-man should be Pope Also he condemned the seventh Council of Constantinople as Heretical for condemning the worshipping of Images and wrote a Book of worshipping Images calling them Lay-mens Calendars In the year 769 Pope Constantine he condemned the Emperor for destroying Images and made a Decree to establish them in their Churches Plat. Pol. Bec. fol. 324. In the year 740 Gregory the third commanded Oblations and Sacrifices to be offered by the Priests at their Mass for the dead and made a Law that Images should not only be had in Churches as Lay-mens Books but that they should be worshipped and had in greater Reverence then ever they were and whoever was of the contrary Opinion should be condemned for a Heretick Seg. Bland Plat. Sabel Becon fol. 324. In the year 772 Pope Stephen the third decreed That Images should not only be had in Churches but that they also should be senced Seg. Plat. volat Bee fol. 324. In the year 796 Pope Adrian the first in his time there was a Council held at Frankford in the which it was decreed That whosoever did any Service in the Church he should wear a Surplice upon his back in Service time and no man to go in his common Apparel without a Surplice no not so much as the Sexton Christ Massaeus Becon fol. 323. These things are all contrary to Christ and the Apostles The same Pope about the same time ordained the Impropriation of Benefices and granted Priviledges to Monks Nunns Canons and the Gloisters In the year 817 Pope Leo the third ordained Sencing and a Council held at Rothemage commanded that the Altar should be Senced after the Gospel Lib. Conc. Durand Beo. fol. 338. The same Pope in the same year decreed That all Sundays should be kept holy Volat. Pantal. Sabel Pope Leo the third appointed That when the child is either Christned or Bishopped he should have but one Godfather be it a Man-child or a Woman-child De Consect dist cap. 4. Guil Durand Joan. Stell c. These things are all contrary to the Scriptures In the year 827 there was a Council held in the time of Pope Paschalis at Aquisgranum who ordained that no Ecclesiastical persons should wear any sumptuous Garments or Rings nor Ouches on their fingers but Bishops only when they were saying Mass in their High-Priests Robes Christian Massaeus lib. Concil Becon fol. 303. In the year 834 the Feast of Holy Trinity instituted by Gregory In the year 848 Pope Sergius the second his Name being Osporci that is Swines-snout or Hogs-mouth he changed his Name to Sergius And after that the Popes of Rome took it foâ—â— special priviledg to change their Names So that if he had been a Malefactor before he was a Pope he called himself Boniface which signifies Goodness And if he had been a Coward then he termed himself Leo a Lyon And if he had been a defamed person then he called himself Benedictus which signifies good Name and Fame Chron. Polichron c. Lib. 4. cap. 10. de Inventor Cerum In the year 850 Pope Leo the fourth he ordained that no Lay-man should come near to the Priest in the time of the Mass nor Into the Quire Seg. Plat. Becon fol. 343. This Pope was the first that had the Golden Cross carried before him Which is contrary to the Apostles In the same year in the same Popes time the Monkish Religion of the Camaldinenses was devised their Cowle and Cloak and all that ever they wear from top to toe was white They were to go bare-footed and lye on the ground He also instituted the Heart of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary that it should be kept holy eight dayes Pol. Chron. Lib Germ. Bec. fol. 313. Lib. Concil Seg. â— â—oan Functius In the year 858. this Pope Leo was the first that offered his â—eet to kiss to Princes Volat. Plat. rant Becon fol. 298. In the year 870 Pope Nichelas about this time was the first that decreed That the Popes Laws and Letters should be of equal Authority with the Scriptures He a so decreed that the Service should he in Latin and that Priests should not marry He also decreed that Gloria in Excelsis that is Glory in the Highest should be sung on Maurday Thursday in Lent De Consist dist 1. glor Becon fol. 343. In the year 863 Pope Bennet the third commanded that Priests should wear Apparel meet for their degree He also ordained that the Priests should be present at the Burial of the Bishops and sing prayers for their souls and that Bishops should do the like for them Fascit temp Chron. Becon fol. 304. Chron. Rlat In the year 871 Pope Nicholas made a Law That no Wife should be held lawful except she was first blest with a Priest The same year the same Pope first decreed That no Marriage ought to be in the time of Lent Gret Chron. Bec. fol 331. Which is now observed and is contrary to the Apostles There was also a Decree made in the Council at Illerdonse That from Septuagessima unto the Octaves of Easter and three weeks before John Baptist and again that from Advent to Twelftide after Christmas Marriages was forbidden to be solemnized and if any did marry in those forbidden times they should be separated Quest 23. Chap. 4. non oporte In the year 891 was the University of Oxford sounded by King Alfâ—ed which was before a place Dedicated to the Muses Isaackson Chron. In the year 913 In Pope Sergius the thirds time the Order of Clunasences Monks came up and their clothing
of Fasting and parted married souls asunder he abhorred the Offering of the Married Priests he was condemned by three Councilâ— for his cursed Doctrine And hoâ— cometh this Doctrine now to be blessed after the six hundred years when the Poâ—e got up which before was cursed but it seems the Pope doth bless thâ— Doctrine of the Hereticks now which formerly the Councils cursed In the year 351 Liberius Bishop of Rome yeilded to the Arriaâ—s as Jâ—rom saith in his Chron. and C talog c. and subscribed â—nto their Heresie to save his place It seems he was not infallible In the year 383 Collydrians were Hereticks which worshipped the Virgin Mary as the Papists do now like them Hereticks which 〈◊〉 condemned In the year 401 The Monks of the Deserts of Egypt in their 〈◊〉 Imagination thought that God had a Carnal Body from whom 〈◊〉 crose that invention of painting God the Father like an old man with a grey beard which is still used to this day by the swage-worshippers In the year 404 Pelagius a Heretick said that the Grace of God was given to us according to our merits the Hereticks corrupted the Works of the Ancient Writers A Sect of Hereticks went always bare-foot In the year 47 And Simon Magus the Sorcerer was honoured it Rome with a Picture And wherein do the Papists differ who are worshippers of Images from those that worship the Image of Simon Magus are not they likewise Idolaters CHAP. VIII Something concerning Indulgences Pardons Priviledges and Stations of Rome truly Copied out of two old Books one in Latin the other in English See Becons Works out of which all these things are extracted IN Rome seven of the Steeple-houses called by the Papists Churches are priviledged above all others with great Holiness and Pardons The first is called Saint Peters Church which has twenty nine steps up to it and as oft as a man goeth up and down them stairs he is released of the seventh part of Penance enjoyned This was granted by Pope Alexander And above the door is an Image of Christ and between his feet standeth one of the Pence that God was sold for and as oft as any looks upon that Peny they have fourteen hundred years of pardon and in the same Steeple-house are eleven Altars and at every Altar is forty eight years of Pardon Also the Priests say that as many times as a man goeth through the Crowds at the same Steeple-house he hath four hundred years of Pardon At one of the Altars in the said Steeple-house is five hundred years of Pardon and every high Feast a Soul out of Purgatory And as oft as a man followeth that they call their Sacrament to sick bodies he hath one thousand four hundred years of Pardon for his sins Pope Sylvester granted to all them that daily go to the said Steoplehouse the third part of all his sins relealed And upon the one side of the said Steeple-house lyeth a Yard called Gods Field and there they bury none but poor-Pilgrims In the Chappel at Rome called Jerusalem Women do not enter but only once in the year at which time they have a full Remission granted of their sins none excepted In the Church of Saint Cater is two hundred years of Pardon In the Church of Saint Foelix is forty years of Pardon Unto every one of them called Churches have they ordained a certain number of Pardons to all that come to them and in Lent the Pardons are double Part of their Stations are as followeth In the Circumcision of Christ the Stations are to the Church of their Lady so called On the Epiphany the Stations are to St. Peters On the Sunday called Septuagessima the Stations are to Saint Lawrence without the Walls On the Sunday called Sexagissima the Stations are to Saint Paul the Apostle On Ash-Wednesday the Stations are to Saint Sabine On the first Sunday in Lent the Stations are to Saint John Latrint On Christmas-day the Stations are at the first Mass unto Saint Mary Major in the Chappel in the Manger of their Lord as they call him into the which Women do not enter And for every day called Holy-day they have Stations appointed to what place to go which Stations Pope Gregory Pope Cornelius and divers other Popes of Rome from time to time have invented and devised and that all that come to them and give any thing towards the maintenance of them they have ordained that they shall have Remission and Pardon of sins Also certain did grant Indulgences and Pardons to all such as deâ—â—â—â— said certain Prayers or Ave-Maries which is contrary to Christ and the Apostles Pope Six us granted to all them that should say this Prayer 〈◊〉 the image of our Lady as they called her and her Son one the 〈◊〉 one hundred years of pardon Ave-Sanctissina Maria c. The Bishop of York and Bishop of Canterbury and nine other Bishops in he days of King Henry the seventh granted forty days of pardon for every Ave-Maria and for Gratia Plenâ— one hundred days The Hallowing of Candles Upon Candlemas-day the Priest turning himself to the South desireth his God that his Candles which he had there in his hand might receive such a strength and blessing through the token of the Holy Cross that being lighted the Devil might sly away and tremble for fear and after Even-Song the Priests distributed to the people their portion of Candles which they esteemed highly of and if any Thunder Lightning or Tempest arose then their Candle was lighted with faith that that would quiet the Tempest and drive away bad spirits They also Hallowed Fire and Bowes and Hallowed ashes on Ash-Wednesday and Hallowed Incense Myrthe and other Perfumes and many other things The priests also hallowed Cheese and Butter CHAP IX The manner of the Priests Hallowing the Font. FIrst he makes two Crosses in the Water with his right hand and then says a short Prayer saying Wherefore I bless Cross thee thou Creature of Water by Cross the living God c. And then he makes a Cross in the Water again and says another short prayer as before and then takes a burning Candle and drops it into the Water after the manner of a Cross and then crys'aloud a few words over it That the Holy Ghost would descend into it to make it fruitful that it might have power to regenerate and beget a new This being done he breathes thrice into the Font and then he puts Oyl into the VVater and then Cream and says some few words over them crossing them c. People you read none of this in Scripture in the Primitive Church Of the Papists Hallowing the Marrying Ring For Hallowing of the Womans Ring at her Wedding this Prayer following is appointed to be said by the Priest Hallow thou Cross Lord this Ring which we bless Cross in thy holy Name that what Woman soever shall wear it may stand â—all in thy peace and continue in thy will and live
and grow and was 〈◊〉 in thy love and be multiplied into the length of dayes and 〈…〉 sprinkles holy Water on the Ring The Papists pray for Souls departed The Priest while he sayes his Prayer stands with his face Eastward and looks unto the high Altar and then turns him to the people and sayes Ye shall pray for all Christian souls for all Bishops Clerks Curates and for the souls of all Christian Kings and Queens and especially for the Kings of England and for all souls that to this Church have given Book Bell Chalice or Vestment or any other thing by which the Service of God is the better done Did you ever hear such Trumpery CHAP. X. Concenning Hallowing the Church VVHen any Church is to be hallowed first all the people must depart out of the Church and the Deacon must remain there only having all the Doors shut fast to him the Bishop with the Clergy stand at the door and make holy Water mingled with Salt In the mean season twelve Candles must be set up within the Church burning before twelve Crosses that are appointed upon the Church 〈◊〉 After the Bishop accompanied with the Clergy and people go 〈◊〉 times about the Church without the Bishop having in his hand a 〈◊〉 with a bunch of Hysop on the end with which he casts Holy Water upon the Church-Walls and as the Bishop goes round every time he comes at the door he strikes the Threshold with his Staff and sayes in Latin Lift up your Gates O ye Princes and be ye lift up O ye â—â—â—lusting Gates and the King of Glory shall enter in Then the Deacon rayes who is this King of Glory Then the Bishop answers 〈…〉 Lord 〈◊〉 and Mighty even the Lord Mighty in Battel 〈…〉 the Bishop and the Everlasting Gates 〈…〉 The third time the Deacon opens the door to him and he and the Clergy enters but the people stand without still and then the Bishop sayes the Letany and then a Cross of Ashes and Sand is made on the Pavement whereon the Alphabet or Christ-cros â—ow is written in Greek and Latin and then the Bishop with Salt Ashes and Wine consecrates the Altar and then annoints the aforesaid twelve Crosses on the Wall with Cream and then the people may come in and ring the Bells for joy This is to be noted That if the Wine be frozen in the Chalice thâ— Priest must so long breathe upon it till it be molten and the Ice dissoâ—â—ed and if it cannot be dane so he mâ—y put fine to it CHAP. XI Concerning Hallowing of Beads IN their Prayer to their God they say We beseech thee that thou wilt vouchsafe from the Seat of thy Majesty with thy blessing to sanctifie replenish and fulfil these Bead 〈◊〉 pray on which are apt and meet for devotion of thy Servants to honour that most glorious Virgin Mary Mother of God You read none of this in Scripture Concerning Christining and Hallowing of Bells The Bishop puts upon him a Surplice and having a Cross born before him and accompanied with the Clergy and people they go to the place where the Metal shall be shed which the Bell is made of and while the Bell is casting that it may have right shape The Bishop begins to sing and all the Clergy sings forth aloud and so continue till the Bell is cast and then they sing six Psalms and in the mean time the Bishop washes the. Bell with holy Water and then he goes to prayer and then he wipes it with a Towel People did you ever hear such deceit which is contrary to Scriptures and then sayes a Psalm and then annoints the Bell seven times without and four times within with Oyl and Cream then the Bishop prayes again saying to his God Vouchsafe to replenish this Bell with thy Heavenly 〈…〉 before the mâ—â—â— and sound thereof the fiery darts of the 〈◊〉 the Lightnin's and Tempests may be chased away And then he sprinkles the Bell with Holy Water then the God-fathers and God-mothers draw nigh and lay their hands on the Bell to whom the Bishop sayes Name the Bell who gave the Bell what name they thought good and then the Bishop and the God-fathers and God-mothers put upon the Bell a Linnen Vesture white and large These be the works of the Pope and the Papists who are gotten up since Christ and the Apostles and are not the wâ—rks of Christ as you may read in the Scriptures That the Primitive Christians had no Bells is proved by Vosius in his Commentary upon the two Epistles of Pliny and Trajan and Bernardinus de riâ—u concionandi Guido Pâ—ncirolus saith they were invented by one Paulinus Bishop of Nola and that they were called Nolae in Latin from Nola the place where they were first made and Campanie because invented in Campaniae Hospinian de Orig. temp saith they were not used for certain in the first five Centuries almost of Christianity And who were the first that caused them to be set up in Churches as things appertaining to the Worship of God is before related CHAP. XII A short Relation of some of the Ceremonies of the Pope and his Followers taken out of the Works of Christopher Marcellus Bishop of Corcira Dedicated to Pope Leâ— the Tenth AND first as to the Popes Election All people are shut out of the Election-house saving the Fathers and the Ministers the Senior of the Cardinals exhorteth the other Fathers that they 〈◊〉 mind and consider the highness of the matter whereof theâ— must pâ—â—senâ—ly 〈…〉 then which matter and business nothing 〈…〉 or more excellent for he saith They are about to provide 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 of Christ the Successor of Peter the Pastor 〈…〉 Leader of Christ Flock the Key bearer Pottet and 〈…〉 of 〈◊〉 the Prince of the Apostolick 〈…〉 and the chief Preâ—â—◠〈…〉 Christendom There is four kinds of Election but to make the Work short I will only relate one of them though they are all Wayes which Christ never instituted neither did his Apostles ever practice such things viz. First all the Colledg of the Cardinals agree upon Three Upon one of the Cardinal-Bishops on one of the Cardinal-Priests and upon one of the Cardinal-Deacons Mark people we never read in the Scriptures of Cardinal-Bishops and Cardinal Priests and Deacons to which three they give Pover and Authority to chuse the High Bishop after this sort They let up and light a candle of a certain appointed quantity that it may burn a certain space and their power to chuse lasteth no longer then the piece of candle lasteth for they must chuse him before it be burnt out and the same being so chosen is right Pope Then the Senior of the Cardinals and Colledg do shew their joy and do their duty of reverence to him and putting off his Senate-Robe called Caprea and his little Hood called Capuâ—ium they cause him to set down in his Rochet where the Seniors do put upon his singer the Fisher's Ring so
be accursed without the ground of Gods Word And the man said Sir our Priests say That they curse men thus by Authority of Gods Law And I said Sir I know not where this sentence of Cursing is Authorized now in the Bible and therefore Sir I pray you that you will ask the most cunning Clerk of this Town that ye may know where this sentence of cursing them that tythe not is now writ in Gods Law for if it were written there I would right gladly be learned where and I said to this man in this wise In the old Law which ended not fully till the time that Christ rose up again from death to life God commanded tythes to be given to the Levites for the great business and daily travel that pertained to their Office but Priests because their travel was mekil more easie and light then was the Office of the Levites God ordained the Priest should take for their livelihood to do their office the tenth part of those tythes that were given to the Levites But now I said in the new Law neither Christ nor any of his Apostles took Tythes of the people nor commanded the people to pay Tythes neither to Priests nor Deacons but Christ taught the people to do Alms that is Works of Mercy to poor needy men of surplus that is superfluous of their temporal Goods which they had more then them needed reasonably to their necessary livelihood and thus I said not of tythes but of pure alms to the people But as Cisterniensis telleth in the year 1274 one Pope Gregory the tenth ordained new Tythes first be given to the Priests Now in the new Law the words of the Law are these That it should not from thenceforth be lawful to give their Tythes as their own pleasure where they would as it had been before but pay all their Tythes to the Mother-Church The Judgment of David Pareus of Hidleburgh in the Palatinate concerning Tythes He saith that Tythes or Tenths were free and Arbitrary before the Law as appears by the Example of Abraham and Jacob a man might give them a man might now them or he might not as he pleased under the Law they were commanded by God to be given to the Priest Lev. 27. And the reasons thereof are clear First The tenths were a compensation unto the Levites for the twelfth part of the Land which ought to have fallen otherwise to their shares Moreover they were the Sallaries of Priests and Levites and maintenance of the poor for God instituted three tenths First the tenths of the Levites Lev. 27. Secondly the tenths of tenths or the hundredth to be paid by the Levites to the Priests Numb 18.26 Thirdly the poor mans tenths which was to be paid every three years after the Jubile unto the Poor Strangers Widows and Orphans Deut. 14.28 Therefore saith he when the Levitical Priesthood did cease then did the right of that Priesthood cease and the right of Tythes did revert to the giver of them Laws and Canons for Tythes among the Saxons In the year 786 in the time of Offâ—â— which was in the time of Hepterchy in England there was a great Couned holden in Merciâ— by two Legats sent from Pope Adrian the first wherein as it is reported tythes were first established in England so that the first Law for payment of tythes came from the Pope and decreed by his Agents in Mercia being but a seventh part of England and afterwards as Popery encreased so tythes also were established in other parts of England by the several Kings thereof King Ethelbert King of Kent coming to the Court of Offâ— King of Mercia the said Offa murthered him in or about the year 793 and at length understanding the innocency of the said Ethelbert and to mitigate the hainousness of the Fact gave the tenth part of his Good to the holy Church and to the Church of Hereford in the remembrance of this Ethelbert and after wards went up to Rome for his Poâ—◠〈◊〉 where he gave to Peter's Church so called a penny through every House in his Dominion which is called Peter's pence or Romes shot and there was transformed from a King to a Monk and this was 794 years after Christ so was not set up by Christ and his Apostles See Seldens History of Tythes This Pope Adrian bestowed cost on Altars dead mens Tombs bones and Steeple-houses he attributed more Worship to Images then ever any did and wrote a Book of the honour and profit of them and appointed them instead of Scriptures to be Lay-mens Calenders He condemned in a Council those that detested Images This Adrian clothed the Image of Peter all in silver and covered the Altar of Paul with a Pall of Gold And this Pope set up Tythes 794 year after Christ In the year 797 after Christ Alchwin School-Master to Charles the Great in his Letter to the said Charles who was a Romish Emperor and had ordained Tythes to be paid wrote touching the Exaction of Tythes which he calls Jugum decimarum that is The Yoke of Tenths and Exaction of something from every house of the Huns and Saxons who were but then lately conquered by the said Charles and had newly made profession of the Christian Faith And the said Alchwin further advised in his Letter for the Christian Cause to omit it amongst them and not to put the yoke of Tythes as he said upon the people and not to exact something from every house but to shew that we are the Apostles sent of God and Christ into the world to preach and rather to give to them that ask or want then to exact Tythes for it is better to lose them then to destroy the peoples faith See Seldens History of Tythes King Athelstone King of the West-Saxons about the year 940. to pacifie the Ghost of his murthered Brother Edwin to whose death he is said to have consented did not only undergo seven years pennance but also built certain Monasteries and made a Law that people should pay Tythes viz. himself his Bishops and Officers hoping thereby to expiate his sins These following are the words of the Law Book of Martyrs p. 193. vol. 1. I Athelstone King Charge and Command all my Officers thorough my whole Realm to give Tythes unto God of my proper Goods as well in living Cattel as in Corn and fruits of the ground and that my Bishops likewise of their proper Goods and mine Aldermen and mine Officers and Head-men shall do the same Item This I will That my Bishops and other Head-men do declare the same to those that be in their Subjection and that to be accomplished at the Term of St. John the Baptist This was in the time of Popery Edmund King of England ordained Tythes to be paid for every Christian man in the year 941. Book of Martyrs vol. 1. p. 195. Edgar about the year 959 is said to have confirmed the payment of Tythes upon as bad a ground as Athelstone did See
by Council Papist Those Councils was gathered by Popes Quaker The Councils was gathered some by the Christian Emperors were them Emperors Popes Dost thee believe the Chronicle six hundred years after Christ Papist I do then there was no Universal Bishop until six hundred years after Christ Quaker And one Council was gathered by the Emperess and was she a Pope Nay this was before the Universal Pope was and Christ said to the Apostles that the Gentiles exercise Lordship one over another but it should not be so amongst them for they are all Brethren and the Gentiles were called gracious Lords which titlethe Bishop of Rome and other Bishops had from the Heathen and not from the Apostles for they was not be called of men Master And so Peter was not set over the rest of the Apostles as Head over them and what was said to Peter concerning having the Keys and binding and loosing was said to the rest of the Apostles as you may read in Scriptures And as concerning the Church that the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against the Church of the Papists when Phocas got up to be Emperor did not the Emperor lose most part of his Empire and the Pope most part of Turky and Egypt and Jerusalem and the Land of Canaan Has he not lost England Ireland and Scotland and part of Germany Holland Denmaâ—k and Swerden 〈◊〉 and yet the old man the Pope tells people that the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against his Church Let him look about him and see what he has lest and what he would have had left if he had not set up his Inquisitions to torture Christians in the time of the Council of Trent and when that the Princes of Germany in the time of Luther when they defired that for every tristing businesse they might not be summoned down to Rome was it not the Popes answer If it should not be so their Courts would be made or no authority but would go down And did not the German Princes desire that the Concubinary priests might marry For though by the Law they had Concubines yet they desiled other mens wives did not the ope say If I should suffer the priests to marry then they would not go where I would have them but would sit down with their wives And when the German Princes and others desired a free General Council such a Council as was in the time of Constantine mark that was before the Pope was three hundred years See Council of Trent p. 2. did not the Pope chuse a Council of his own Legates and people contrary to the mind of the Germans and others and then did not many of them fall from the Pope and many in France who got the victory over he Pope and yet he says the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against the Church Consider people see what he has lest And after the Pope got up and had lost most of Christendom and the Emperor had lost most of his Empire for the Emperor's seat was at Constantinople before the Turk got up which was after the Pope and then after a time the Emperors came to be thrust up into Germany and called the Emperors of Germany So here see whether the Pope is not he that loveth and maketh a lye Rev. 22. Papist You speak as if you could tell our principles if you know them what is our principles Quaker I 'le tell thee I 'le begin with one There was a woman in Kent one of your Religion and by her Wisdom and Books she had brought many into your way and upon a time it pleased the Lord to convince this woman to see your way was false and Christ was to be her Way her Teacher and Salvation and so she went and declared this among the Papists And upon a time a Taylor that she had brought to be a Papist came to work at her house and she declared to him how Christ was her Way her Teacher and Salvation and he got betwixt her and the door and drew his knife at her it was askt her why did he draw his Knife she said he would have stabb'd me why would he have stabb'd thee why it is their principle What is it their principle to stab people Yes said she if they turn away from their Religion and the woman said Put up thy Knife I know thy principles Papist VVhat do you declare this abroad Quaker It is declared abroad and the women since dyed in the belief of the truth of God and forsook your way and so the Papist went away and never denyed but that it was his principle Papist The Papists say the Quakers are Antichrist and false Prophets Quaker VVhy are they Antichrist and false Prophets Papist Because they say they do prophesie and say Christ is in you c. Quaker Then thou may say the Apostles were false Prophets which shews thy ignorance for they said Christ is in you except you be Rep obates and we preach Christ in you and I will pour out of my Spirit on all flesh and my sons and my daughters shall prophesie Read Cor. Col. and Acts. POSTSCRIPT AND you Papists that say there hath been a Head of the church and therefore the Pope must be Head of the Church for Aaron was Head and Moses was Head To which I say Moses was a married man and Aaron was a married man and Eleazer and Ithamer and Aaron was a Priest and Eleazer and Eli the Priest was a married man and Samuel was a Priest and was a married man and had Sons 1 Sam. 8. And by the Law of God the Priests were to marry as you may read in the Books of Moses But your Pope whom ye say is Head of the Church makes a Law contrary to Law and Gospel That Priests must not marry and Popes must not marry but the Popes have bastards and by the Law the priests may have Concubines and this is contrary to the Law to have Bastards and contrary to the Gospel to have Concubines for every man must have his own Wife And you Popes and Papists who say that you brought over the Bible first in England and you preserved the Bible think you not that all people sees you in this For you have been them that have kept the Bible from people in an unknown Tongue and though all profess to be believers in Christ yet they must not have the Scriptures in their own Language in this you are contrary to the Apostles shewing you are degenerate from them who judged them that spoke in an unknown Tongue And Christianity was planted many hundred years in England by Joseph of Aramathea before Austin the Monk brought over his trifling Traditions and Ceremonies And whereas you Papists call some Lay-people and some Spiritual which was not the way of the Apostles to do so and such that be under some Oaths Vows or Orders or has the natural Languages which began at Babel these you call spiritual which be in swearing