Chudovodites or their miracle-workers and when they provide them to set up in their Churches in no case they may say that they have bought the image but exchanged money for it 6. For the means of justification they agree with the Papists that it is not by faith onely apprehending Christ but by their works also and that Opus operatum or the work for the work sake must needs please God And therefore they are all in their numbers of prayers fasts vows and offerings to saints alms-deeds crossings and such like and carrie their numbring beads about with them continualy as well the Emperour and his Nobilitie as the common people not onely in the Church but in all other publick places specially at any set or solemn meeting as in their fasts law courts common consultations entertainment of Ambassadours and such like 7. They say with the Papists that no man can be assured of his salvation till the last sentence be passed at the day of judgement 8. They use auricular confession and think that they are purged by the very action from so many sinnes as they confesse by name and in particular to the Priest 9. They hold three Sacraments of Baptisme the Lords supper and the last an oyling or unction Yet concerning their Sacrament of extreme unction they hold it not so necessary to salvation as they do baptisme but think it a great curse and punishment of God if any die without it 10. They think there is a necessitie of baptisme and that all are condemned that die without it 11. They rebaptize as many Christians not being of the Greek church as they convert to their Russe profession because they are divided from the true church which is the Greek as they say 12. They make a difference of meats and drinâ—â— accounting the use of one to be more holy then of another And therefore in their set fasts they forbear to eat flesh and white meats as we call them after the manner of the Popish superstition which they observe so strictly and with such blind devotion as that they will rather die then eat one bit of flesh egges or such like for the health of their bodies in their extreme sicknesse 13. They hold marriage to be unlawfull for all the Clergie men except the priests onely and for them also after the first wife as was said before Neither do they well allow of it in Lay-men after the second marriage Which is a pretence now used against the Emperours onely brother a child of six years old who therefore is not prayed for in their Churches as their manner is otherwise for the Princes bloud because he was born of the sixth marriage and so not legitimate This charge was given to the priests by the Emperour himself by procurement of the Godonoes who make him believe that it is a good pollicie to turn away the liking of the people from the next successour Many other false opinions they have in matter of religion But these are the chief which they hold partly by means of their traditions which they have received from the Greek Church but specially by ignorance of the holy Scriptures Which notwithstanding they have in the Polonian tongue that is all one with theirs some few words excepted yet few of them read them with that godly care which they ought to do neither have they if they would books sufficient of the old and new Testament for the common people but of their Liturgie onely or book of common service whereof there are great numbers All this mischief cometh from the Clergie who being ignorant and godlesse themselves are very wary to keep the people likewise in their ignorance and blindnesse for their living and bellies sake partly also from the manner of government settled among which the Emperours whom it specially behoveth list not to have changed by any innovation but to retain that religion that best agreeth with it Which notwithstanding it is not to be doubted but that having the word of God in some sort though without the ordinary means to attain to a true sense and understanding of it God hath also his number among them As may partly appear by that which a Russe at Mosko said in secret to one of my servants speaking against their images and other superstitions That God had given unto England light to day and might give it to morrow if he pleased to them As for any inquisition or proceeding against men for matter of religion I could hear of none save a few years since against one man and his wife who were kept in a close prison the space of 28. years till they were overgrown into a deformed fashion for their hair nails colour of countenance and such like and in the end were burned at Mosko in a small house set on fire The cause was kept secret but like it was for some part of truth in matter of religion though the people were made to believe by the Priests and Friers that they held some great and damnable heresie CHAP. XXIV Of the manner of solemnizing their Marriages THe manner of making and solemnizing their marriages is different from the manner of other countries The man though he never saw the woman before is not permitted to have any sight of her all the time of his woing which he doth not by himself but by his mother or some other ancient woman of his kinne aswell by the parents as by the parties themselves for without the knowledge and consent of the parents the contract is not lawfull the fathers on both sides or such as are to them in stead of fathers with other chief friends having a meeting and conference about the dowrie which is commonly very large after the abilitie of the parents so that you shall have a market man as they call them give a 1000. rubbels or more with his daughter As for the man it is never required of him nor standeth with their custome to make any joynter in recompence of the dowrie But in case he have a child by his wife she enjoyeth a third deal after his decease If he have two children by her or more she is to have a courtesie more at the discretion of the husband If the husband depart without issue by his wife she is returned home to her friends without any thing at all save onely her dowrie if the husband leave so much behind him in goods When the agreement is made concerning the dowrie they signe bonds one to the other as well for the paiment of the dowrie as the performing of the marriage by a certain day If the woman were never married before her father and friends are bound besides to assure her a maiden Which breedeth many brabbles and quarrels at Law if the man take any conceit concerning the behaviour and honestie of his wife Thus the contract being made the parties begin to send tokens the one to the other the woman first then afterwards the man but yet seâ—
had entred himself this last year into the Russe profession and so was rebaptized living now as much an idolatour as before he was a riotour and unthriftie person Such as thus receive the Russe baptisme are first carried into some Monasterie to be instructed there in the doctrine and ceremonies of the Church Where they use these ceremonies First they put him into a new and fresh suit of apparell made after the Russe fashion and set a coronet or in Summer a garland upon his head Then they anoint his head with oyl and put a wax candle light into his hand and so pray over him foure times a day the space of seven dayes All this while he is to abstain from flesh and white meats The seven dayes being ended he is purified and washed in a bathstove and so the eighth day he is brought into the Church where he is taught by the Friers how to behave himself in presence of their idols by ducking down knocking of the head crossing himself and such like gestures which are the greatest part of the Russe religion The Sacrament of the Lords supper they receive but once a year in their great Lent time a little before Easter Three at the most are admitted at one time and never above The manner of their communicating is thus First they confesse themselves of all their sinnes to the Priest whom they call their ghostly father Then they come to the Church and are called up to the Communion table that standeth like an altar a little removed from the upper end of the Church after the Dutch manner Here first they are asked of the Priest whether they be clean or no that is whether they have never a sinne behind that they left unconfessed If they answer No they are taken to the table Where the Priest beginneth with certain usuall prayers the communicants standing in the meanwhile with their arms folded one within another like penitentiaries or mourners When these prayers are ended the Priest taketh a spoon and filleth it full of claret wine then he putteth into it a small piece of bread and tempereth them both together and so delivereth them in the spoon to the Communicants that stand in order speaking the usuall words of the Sacrament Eat this c. Drink this c. both at one time without any pause After that he delivereth them again bread by it self and then wine carded together with a little warm water to represent bloud more rightly as they they think and the water withall that flowed out of the side of Christ. Whiles this is in doing the communicants unfold their arms and then folding them again follow the Priest thrice round about the communion toble and so return to their places again Where having said certain other prayers he dismisseth the communicants with charge to be merry and chear up themselves for the seven dayes next following which being ended he enjoyneth them to fast for it as long time after which they use to observe with very great devotion eating nothing else but bread and salt except a little cabbage and some other herb or root with water or quasse mead for their drink This is their manner of administring the Sacraments Wherein what they differ from the institution of Christ and what ceremonies they have added of their own or rather borrowed of the Greeks may easily be noted CHAP. XVIII Of the doctrine of the Russe Church and what errours it holdeth THeir chiefest errours in matter of faith I find to be these First concerning the word of God it self they will not read publickly certain books of the Canonicall Scripture as the books of Moses specially the foure last Exodus Leviticus Numeri and Deuteronomie which they say are all made disauthentick and put out of use by the coming of Christ as not able to discern the difference betwixt the morall and the ceremoniall law The books of the prophets they allow of but reade them not publickly in their churches for the same reason because they were but directours unto Christ and proper as they say to the nation of the Jews Onely the book of Psalmes they have in great estimation and sing and say them dayly in their Churches Of the new Testament they allow and read all except the Revelation which therefore they read not though they allow it because they understand it not neither have the like occasion to know the fulfilling of the prophesies contained within it concerning especially the apostasie of the Antichristian church as have the Western Churches Notwithstanding they have had their Antichrists of the Greek Church and may find their own falling off and the punishments for it by the Turkish invasion in the prophecies of that book Secondly which is the fountain of the rest of all their corruptions both in doctrine and ceremonies they hold with the Papists that their Church Traditions are of equall authoritie with the written word of God Wherein they preferre themselves before other Churches affirming that they have the true and right traditions delivered by the Apostles to the Greek Church and so unto them 3. That the Church meaning the Greek and specially the Patriarch and his Synod as the head of the rest have a sovereigne authoritie to interpret the Scripture and that all are bound to hold that interpretation as sound and authentick 4. Concerning the divine nature and the three persons in the one substance of God that the holy Ghost proceedeth from the Father onely and not from the Sonne 5. About the office of Christ they hold many foul errours and the same almost as doth the Popish church namely that he is the sole mediatour of redemption but not of intercession Their chief reason if they be talked withall for defence of this errour is that unapt and foolish comparison betwixt God and a Monarch or Prince of this world that must be sued unto by Mediatours about him wherein they give speciall preferment to some above others as to the blessed Virgin whom they call Precheste or undefiled and S. Nicolas whom they call Scora pomosnick or the Speedy helper and say that he hath 300. angels of the chiefest appointed by God to attend upon him This hath brought them to an horrible excesse of idolatry after the grossest and prophanest manner giving unto their images all religious worship of prayer thanksgiving offerings and adoration with prostrating and knocking their heads to the ground before them as to God himself Which because they do to the picture not to the portraiture of the Saint they say they worship not an idol but the Saint in his image and so offend not God forgetting the commandment of God that forbiddeth to make the image or likenesse of any thing for any religious worship or use whatsoever Their church-walls are very full of them richly hanged and set forth with pearl and stone upon the smooth table Though some also they have embossed that stick from the board almost an inch outwards They call them
of their administring the Sacraments Fourthly what other strange ceremonies and superstitious devotions are used among them Their offices or degrees of Church-men are as many in number and the same in a manner both in name and degree that were in the Western churches First they have their Patriarch then their Metropolites their Archbishops their Uladikey or Bishops their Protopapes or Archpriests their Papes or Priests their Deacons Friers Monks Nunnes and Eremites Their Patriarch or chief directour in matter of religion untill this last year was of the citie of Constantinople whom they called the Patriarch of Sio because being driven by the Turk out of Canstantinople the sâ—at of his Empire he removed to the Isle Sio sometimes called Chio and there placed his Patriarchicall sea So that the Emperours and clergie of Russia were wont yearly to send gifts thither and to acknowledge a spirituall kind of homage and subjection due to him and to that Church Which custome they have held as it seemeth ever since they professed the Christian religion Which how long it hath been I could not well learn for that they have no story or monument of antiquitie that I could hear of to shew what hath been done in times past within their countrey concerning either Church or Common wealth matters Onely I heare a report among them that about three hundred years since there was a marriage betwixt the Emperour of Constantinople and the kings daughter of that countrey who at the first denied to joyn his daughter in marriage with the Greek Emperour because he was of the Christian religion Which agreeth well with that I find in the storie of Laonicus Chalcacondylas concerning Turkish affairs in his fourth book where he speaketh of such a marriage betwixt John the Greek Emperour and the Kings daughter of Sarmatia And this argueth out of their own report that at that time they had not received the Christian religion as also that they were converted to the faith and withall perverted at the very same time receiving the doctrine of the Gospel corrupted with superstitions even at the first when they took it from the Greek Church which it self then was degenerate and corrupted with many superstitions and foul errours both in doctrine and discipline as may appear by the story of Nicephorus Gregoras in his 8. and 9. books But as touching the time of their conversion to the Christian faith I suppose rather that it is mistaken by the Russe for that which I find in the Polonian Storie the second book the third chapter where it is said that about the year 990. â—lodomirus Duke of Russia married one Anne sister to Basilius and Constantiâ—us brothers and Emperours of Constantinople Whereupon the Russe received the faith and profession of Christ. Which though it be somewhat more ancient then the time noted before out of the Russe report yet it falleth out all to one reckoning touching this point viz. in what truth and sinceritie of doctrine the Russe received the first stamp of religion forasmuch as the Greek church at that time also was many wayes infected with errour and superstition At my being there the year 1588. came unto the Mosko the Patriarch of Constantinople or Sio called Hieronymo being banished as some said by the Turk as some other reported by the Greek clergie deprived The Emperour being given altogether to superstitious devotions gave him great entertainment Before his coming to Mosko he had been in Italy with the Pope as was reported then by some of his companie His errand was to consult with the Emperour concerning these points First about a league to passe betwixt him and the king of Spain as the meetest Prince to joyn with him in opposition against the Turk To which purpose also Embassages had passed betwixt the Russe and the Persian Likewise from the Georgians to the Emperour of Russia to joyn league â—ogether for the invading of the Turk â—n all sides of his dominion taking â—…e advantage of the simple qualitie â—f the Turk that now is This treaâ—…e was helped forward by the Emperours Embassadour of Almain â—…nt at the same time to solicite an â—…vasion upon the parts of Polonia â—hat lie towards Rusland and to borâ—…ow money of the Russe Emperour â—…o pursue the warre for his brother â—…aximilian against the Swedens â—onne now king of Poland But this â—onsultation concerning a league beâ—…wixt the Russe and the Spaniard which was in some forwardnesse at â—y coming to Mosko and already â—nâ— appointed for Embassage into â—pain was marred by means of the overthrow given to the Spanish king by her Majestie the Queen of England this last year Which made â—he Russe Emperour and his Counsell â—o give a sadder countenance to the English Embassadour at that time for that they were disappointed of so good a policie as was this conjunction supposed to be betwixt them and â—he Spanish His second purpose whereto the first served as an introduction was in revenge of the Turk and the Greek clergie that had thrust him from his seat to treat with them about the reducing of the Russe Church under the Pope of Rome Wherein it may seem that coming lately from Rome he was set on by the Pope who hath attempted the same many times before though all in vain and namely in the time of the late Emperour Juan Vasilowich by one Anthony his Legate But thought this belike a farre better mean to obtain his purpose by treatie and mediation of their own Patriarch But this not succeeding the Patriarch fell to a third point of treatie concerning the resignation of his Patriarchship and translation of the Sea from Constantinople or Sio to the citie of Mosko Which was so well liked and intertained by the Emperour as a matter of high religion and policie that no other treatie specially of forein Embassages could be heard or regarded till that matter was concluded The reasons wherewith the Patriarch perswaded the translating of his Sea to the citie of Mosko were these in effect First for that the Sea of the Patriarch was under the Turk that is enemie to the faith and therefore to be removed into some other countrey of Christian profession Secondly because the Russe Church was the onely naturall daughter of the Greek at this time and holdeth the same doctrine and ceremonies with it the rest being all subject to the Turk and fallen away from the right profession Wherein the subtill Greek to make the better market of his broken ware advanced the honour that would grow to the Emperour and his countrey to have the Patriarchs seat translated into the â—hief citie and seat of his Empire As for the right of translating the Sea and appointing his successour he made no doubt of it but that it pertained wholly to himself So the Emperour and his Counsell with the principall of his clergie being assembled at the Moâ—ko it was determined that the Metropolite of Mosko should become Patriarch of the whole Greek Church and
About 9. of the clock in the morning they have another service called Obeidna or Compline much after the order of the Popish Service that bare that name If it be some high or Festivall day they furnish their Service beside with Blessed be the Lord God of Israel c. and We praise thee O God c. sung with a more solemn and curious note Their Evening service is called Vecherna where the Priest beginneth with Blaslavey Uladika as he did in the morning and with Psalmes appointed for the Vecherna Which being read he singeth My soul doth magnifie the Lord c. And then the Priest Deacons and people all with one voice sing Aspody pomeluy or Lord have mercy upon us thirty times together Whereunto the boyes that are in the Church answer all with one voice rowling it up so fast as their lips can go Verii Verii Verii Verii or Praise Praise Praise c. thirty times together with a very strange noise Then is read by the Priest and upon the holydayes sung the first Psalm Blessed is the man c. And in the end of it is added Alleluia repeated ten times The next in order is some part of the Gospel read by the Priest which he endeth with Alleluia repeated three times And so having said a collect in remembrance of the Saint of that day he endeth his evening service All this while the Priest standeth above at the altar or high table within the Chancel or Sanctum Sanctorum whence he never moveth all the service time The Deacon or Deacons which are many in their cathedrall Churches stand without the chancel by the Scharsuey dwere or heavenly doore for within they may not be seen all the service time though otherwise their office is to sweep and keep it and to set up the wax candles before their Idols The people stand together the whole service time in the body of the Church and some in the Church porch for pew or seat they have none within their Churches The Sacrament of baptisme they administer after this manner The child is brought unto the Church and this is done within eight dayes after it is born If it be the child of some Nobleman it is brought with great pomp in a rich â—led or wagon with chairs and cushions of cloth of gold and such like sumptuous shew of their best furniture When they are come to the Church the Priest standeth readie to receive the child within the church-porch with his tub of water by him And then beginneth to declare unto them that they have brought a little Infidell to be made a Christian c. This ended he teacheth the witnesses that are two or three in a certain set form out of his book what their dutie is in bringing up the child after he is baptized viz. That he must be taught to know God and Christ the Saviour And because God is of great Majestie and we must not presume to come unto him without Mediatours as the manner is when we make any suit to an Emperour or great Prince therefore they must teach him what Saints are the best and chief mediatours c. This done he commandeth the devil in the name of God after a conjuring manner to come out of the water and so after certain prayers he plungeth the child thrise over head and ears For this they hold to be a point necessary that no part of the child be undipped in the water The words that bear with them the form of baptisme uttered by the Priest when he dippeth in the child are the very same that are prescribed in the Gospel and used by us viz. In the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Ghost For that they should alter the form of the words and say by the holy Ghost as I have heard that they did following certain hereticks of the Greek church I found to be untrue as well by report of them that have been often at their baptismes as by their book of Liturgie it self wherein the order of baptisme is precisely set down When the child is baptized the Priest layeth oyl and salt tempered together upon the forehead and both sides of his face and then upon his mouth drawing it along with his finger over the childs lips as did the Popish priests saying withall certain prayers to this effect that God will make him a good Christian c. all this is done in the Church-porch Then is the child as being now made a Christian and meet to be received within the Church doore carried into the Church the Priest going before and there he is presented to the chief Idol of the Church being laid on a cushion before the feet of the image by it as by the mediatour to be commended unto God If the child be sick or weak specially in the winter they use to make the water lukewarm After baptisme the manner is to cut off the hair from the childs head and having wrapped it within a piece of wax to lay up as a relique or monument in a secret place of the church This is the manner of their baptisme which they account to be the best and perfectest form As they do all other parts of their religion received as they say by tradition from the best Church meaning the Greek And therefore they will take great pains to make a proselyte or convert either of an infidell or of a forein Christian by rebaptizing him after the Russe manner When they take any Tartar prisoner commonly they will offer him life with condition to be baptized And yet they perswade very few of them to redeem their life so because of the naturall hatred the Tartar beareth to the Russe and the opinion he hath of his falshood and injustice The year after Mosko was fired by the Chrim Tartar there was taken a Divoymorsey one of the chief of that exploit with 300. Tartars more who had all their lives offered them if they would be baptized after the Russe manner Which they refused all to do with many reproches against those that perswaded them And so being carried to the river Mosko that runneth through the citie they were all baptized after a violent manner being thrust down with a knock on the head into the water through an hole made in the ice for that purpose Of Lieflanders that are captives there are many that take on them this second Russe baptisme to get more libertie and somewhat besides towards their living which the Emperour ordinarily useth to give them Of Englishmen since they frequented the countrey there was never any found that so much forgot God his faith and countrey as that he would be content to be baptized Russe for any respect of fear preferment or other means whatsoever save onely Richard Relph that following before an ungodly trade by keeping a Caback against the order of the countrey and being put off from that trade and spoiled by the Emperours officers of that which he