Womb 70 years without losing her Virginity he exhorted the Grandees to build Hospitals in all Cities Agreeing much with Chacabout in Doctrine Taver Mahometans I Believe 1. That there is but one God and that there is no number in him 2. That Mahomet is the Messenger of God the most excellent and last of all the Prophets That the Christian Religion was to Cease at his Appearance 3. That Jesus Christ was a great Prophet Inspired by the Spirit of God 4. That God is a Being of great Perfection 5. Angels are Executioners of God's Commands without Sex different in Dignity and appointed to several Offices as well in Heaven as Earth 6. Good and Evil only happen because God hath Fore-ordain'd them having writ on a Table from all Eternity things that are and are to be 7. There shall be a general Resurrection of the Dead But before that 1. Anti Mahomet must come 2. Jesus shall come from Heaven to Kill him and Establish Mahometanism 3. Gog and Magog c. 4. A Beast is to come out of Meccha 5. All Living Creatures shall Die Hills fly into the Air the Heavens melt and drop upon the Earth Then shall God renew the Earth and raise the Dead naked but Saints and Prophets clothed and carried by Angels to the Empyrean Heavens 8. The Bad shall suffer Hunger Thirst painful Sweating c. 9. The Pains of the Wicked shall be proportioned to their Merits but shall not last above 50000 years 10. That at the day of Judgment S. Michael with be a Ballance shall weigh the good and bad Actions of Men. 11. They whose good Deeds out-weigh their Bad shall go to Paradise 12. There is a particular Judgment at Death to distinguish the Mussulman from Unbelievers F. Simon out of a Mahometan Dr. Ancient Heathen I Believe in one Supreme God who presides over all the rest who seeth and Governs all things in all places And in as many more Inferior Gods as our Magistrates and Laws shall require us to believe in That the Law of Nature and Reason is the ordinary Rule of our Manners And the Laws of the Nation Of our Religigious Worship That our Souls are Immortal and shall survive our Bodies That they who have defiled themselves with Vice their Souls at Death shall be secluded from the Society of the Gods and be tossed about the Earth but they who have lived well and honestly and have imitated the Lives of the Gods the Souls of these Men shall go to the Stars or Gods from whence at first they came This is extracted especially out of Cicero and Somn. Scip. Diabolical Their Creed is nothing but a Reverse of the Orthodox Faith an open Profession or secret Practice contrary to the Truth which must needs be so pregnant with Blasphemy that it will not be safe to exhibit a Copy of it to common View The Bannyans I Believe that a God of Immense Power Eternal and Provident in the beginning Created the whole World that he made the first Man by Name Pourous and for his Society Created the first Woman Parconty both so innocent that they would not cut any thing that had a Sensitive Life but fed upon Herbs and Fruits that from them sprung two couple of Boys Bramon Cuttery Shuddery and Wise the first a Priest the second a Warrior the third a Merchant the forth a Peasant which Peopled the four Parts of the World but upon their Impiety the World was Destroyed by a Deluge That afterwards upon Mount Meropurbatea God gave the Shaster to Bremaw in Clouds and Lightning for a rule of Living Mr. Hobbes's I Believe that God is Almighty matter that in him are three Persons he having been thrice represented on Earth that it is to be decided by the Civil Power whether he Created All things else That Angels are not Incorporeal Substances but preternatural Impressions on the Brain of Man that the Soul of Man is the Temperament of his Body that the very Liberty of Will in that Soul is Physically necessary that the Prime Law of Nature in the Soul of Man is Self-Love that the Law of the Civil Soveraign is the only obliging Rule of Just and Unjust that the Books of the Old and New Testament are not made Canon and Law but by the Civil Powers that what is written in these Books may be denied upon Oath in times of Persecution That Hell is a tolerable condition of Life for a few years upon Earth to begin at the general Resurrection and that Heaven is a blessed Estate of good Men like that of Adam before his Fall beginning at the general Resurrection to be from thence-forth Eternal upon Earth in the Holy Land Dr. Tenison Precepts or Commands Mahometan THeir Law is divided into eight Precepts or Commandments 1. There is but one God and his Prophet Mahomet 2. Children must be Dutiful to their Parents 3. Neighbours must Love each other 4. They must Pray five times every day 5. A Lent of thirty days is to be kept every year 6. They must be Charitable and give Alms to the Poor 7. Every one must Marry by twenty five years of Age. 8. They must abstain from Murder Pacquet broke open vol. 2. F. Simon makes Five Articles thus 1. There is one God 2. Mahomet is his Messenger 3. They must be exact in Prayers and Alms-deeds 4. And in the Fast of Ramazan 5. And in their Pilgrimage to Mecha Bannyans Their Moral Law hath eight Commandments most of which agree with the Seven which R. Solomon saith Noah taught the World in his time called Noah-Cady 1. Thou shalt not destroy any living Creature for thou and it are both my Creatures 2. Thou shalt not sin in thy five Senses Eyes not beholding Vanity Ears stopt in hearing Evil Tongue uttering no Filthiness Pallat hating Wine Flesh and all live things Hands abhoring all things defiled 3. Thou shalt duly observe set times of Devotion as Praying Washing Elevation Prostration c. 4. Thou shalt not Lie nor Dissemble 5. Thou shalt not be hard-hearted but helpful to others 6. Thou shalt not Oppress nor Tyrannize 7. Thou shalt observe certain Festivals and Fasting days 8. Thou shalt not Steal Sir Tho. Herb. Trav. into Persia out of their Shaster Persees 1. For Behedens or Lay-men 1. Cherish Modesty 2. Cherish Fear 3. Premeditate what you are to do if bad reject it if good c. 4. Let every day's object move to thankfulness 5. Pray daily to the Sun and nightly to the Moon 2. For the Herboods Daroos or Priests Besides those of the Beheden which they are to observe 1. Be constant to the form of Worship in the Zundavastaw 2. Covet not what is another man's 3. Abhor Lies 4. Be not worldly minded 5. Learn the Zundavastaw by rote 6. Keep your selves free from Pollution 7. Teach the Laity how to Comport themselves in Adoration 8. License Matrimony 9. Be frequent at Church 10. Forgive Injuries 11. Upon pain of Life Eternal
the Alms and this is done every Lord's Day and the Purse laid upon the Communion-Table 7. Then the Minister prays again concluding with the Lord's prayer 8. After which they sing another Psalm and conclude with the Blessing Afternoon-Service 1. At one a clock the Bell rings and calls to Catechism which is begun with a Psalm and prayer and concluded with a prayer also the minister in the rehearsal of it standing before the Communion-Table 2. Then the Bells ring again for the Evening-Service which is much what in the same manner with the Morning-Service Note that in some Churches they have Organs in others none Lutherans of the Palatinate On Week-days they have Prayers every Morning and in some places Morning and Evening their Order thus 1. They sing as on Sundays taking the Psalms before them in order as they go one day the 1st and 2d Psalms the next the 3d and 4th c. 2. The Minister Prays in short 3. He reads a Chapter out of the Old Testament and another out of the New 4. He reads a Form of Common-Prayer one single Prayer for all necessities Emperors Magistrates c. by Book the People all the while lifting up their hands closed together concluding with the Lord's Supper 5. He ends with the Blessing Note 1. In some places they have Prayers on Wednesdays in others on Wednesdays and Fridays 2. Every first Wednesday in the Month is a Prayer-day the Shops being shut and no body daring to work till after Sermon 3. The Lord's Supper is administered in some places monthly in others quarterly The Posture standing notice is given before hand and the Minister goes with the Church-warden from House to House a Fortnight before to examine them of their fitness and the day before he gives a preparation Sermon and puts Interrogatories to the People taking a kind of Confession from them and requiring their Answer Yes 4. At Baptism the Midwife holds the Child the Godfather and Godmother standing by whilst the Minister takes water out of a Bason on the Communion-Table and sprinkles it on the child In the Name of the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost 5. On Whitsunday they sing one of Luther's Hymns to this purpose Now we beseech thee Holy Ghost Through Faith thou wilt us keep That when this world we shall depart In thee Lord we may sleep Kyrie Eleison Thou the true Light enlighten us Let us know thee alone Who in our Father's Countrey hast Thy mercy to us shown Kyrie Elison c. It consists of two such Stanzaes more each concluding with Kyrie Eleison 2. Calvinists 1. Their Doctrines and Discipline They hold absolute Praedestination Ordinatination by Priests appoint Synods at stated times and places are for the assistance of Lay-elders in the use of the Ministry condemn Diocesan Episcopacy and all significant Ceremonies Lent days of Saints the Cross in Baptism together with all unnecessary impositions the use of Godfathers and Godmothers in Baptism and the Government of Bishops without the Assistance of Presbyters Mr. Ric. Baxter 2. Their Worship and Usages 1. In the Canton of Zurick 1. Their Morning Service 1. In the morning on Sundays they begin with Grace Peace and Mercy from Almighty God be at all times with us miserable sinners Amen And then in a certain Form Pray for the Magistrates Burger-master Persecuted Churches sick and afflicted and distracted Persons about which the Minister is allowed to enlarge his Prayers concluding always with the Lords Prayer 2. The Minister kneels down having laid his Book on the Pulpit Prays in silence for himself as the People also do 3. He delivers his Sermon by Heart as they are all enjoyned to do 4. In case of Wedding he publishes the Banns thus These following Honest persons c. but in case of scandalous unchastness the word Honest is left out 5. If any be Dead that week the Minister names them praiseth God for their deliverance out of this Thraldom into everlasting Joy advising them to be watchful c. 6. Next follows a short general confession of sins I poor sinful wretch c. and after that a Prayer for the Sabbath all Kings and Estates of Christendom the Cantons of Switzerland c. concluded with the Lord's Prayer 7. The Minister turning towards the People saith For God's sake remember always the Poor in your Alms Pray constantly one for another Pray to God for me which I also will do for you tho this only the Lord Antistes is used to say and after the Administration of Holy Baptism and the Christian Hymn is finished to the praise of God depart in peace And the grace of God be with you 8. After this the Minister goes down from the Pulpit to the Font to Christen the Children if there be any to be Baptized 9. Then the chief Chanter with his Scholars begins a Psalm taking the Book of Psalms in order before them throughout in the year the whole Congregation of men Women and Children following with distinct Voices and a most Melodious Harmony N. B. Young Ladies and Gentlewomen learn of their Minister to sing and play on Virginals but are forbidden Dancing 2. Their latter Morning-Service begins At Nine a Clock with a short Form much what as in the former Morning-Service and then Sermon and last of all with a short Confession of Sin and Prayer for God's Mercy and the Lord's Prayer and another pretty long Form of Prayer he concludes adding Pray continually c. depart in peace On Sunday-Mornings they always preach on one of the Four Evangelists their Sermons are an hour long or near it Heathen Authors seldom mentioned and the Primitive Fathers but sparingly The Text expounded out of the Hebrew or Greek Originals meer Morality preach'd is sharply censured by the Chapter or Synod 3. Their Noon-Service 1. The Minister useth the same Form of Prayer as he used before the Sermon in the Morning concluding with the Lord's Prayer c. 2. He rehearses the Ten Commandments and the Apostles Creed concluding them with a Collect. 3. Then either continuing in the Pulpit or going from Pew to Pew according to his discretion over against the Font which is placed near the Quire he examines the Children and Youths even 'till they are capable of the Lord's Supper or 'till Marriage in some places out of the Tigurine-Catechism or takes an account of several Lessons out of Holy Scripture which he had assign'd them before 4. Then out of the Pulpit he makes a Paraphrase or Explication of the Questions he ask'd 5. At last he concludes with a Prayer O merciful God who preparest Praises to thy self out of the mouths of Babes and Sucklings c. Concluding with the Lord's Prayer At this Service the Parents are bound to be present under pain of Censure and Rebuke of the Minister or Consistory 4. Their Evening-Service for they have Service four times a day consists 1. Of a Form before the Sermon for themselves for the
lately an account of greater Divisions some of them being charged by others with damnable Heresies and Doctrines of Devils c. in a Book intituled The Plea of the Innocent c. I take them for a Branch of the Old Anabaptists which sprung up in Germany upon the Reformation though they made no appearance in England 'till the time of our Civil Wars about the Year 1644. and then were assisted at least by some Priests of the Popish Seminaries in disguise as were also several other Sects which then sprung up amongst us See Du Moulin's Philan. Angl. c. Mahometans 1. Creed The first Chapter of the Alcoran is as it were the Mahometan's Creed and 't is called the Mother of the Book containing the Words of Mahomet for the rest are all deliver'd as the Word of God he being induced as Speaker Which first Chapter is this Sense In the Name of God gracious and merciful Thanks be unto God the Lord of the World merciful pitiful Judge at the Day of Judgment We pray unto thee we trust in thee Lead us into the right way the way of them whom thou hast chosen not of them with whom Thou art angry and of the Infidels Out of the Alcoran may be collected more of their Faith as thus 1. God is One necessary to all incorporeal neither begetting nor begotten the Creator long-suffering searcher of the Heart true that he hath no Son needs nothing 2. That Christ is the Son of Mary the best of Women the Prophet of God begotten by the Spirit of her in the shape of a Man Christ was not slain by the Jews but one like him 3. Their Law is to be propagated by the Sword Of the twelve Months four are to be consecrated to this warfare they that refuse it lose their Souls The Unbelievers taken in War that will not turn must be killed or made Slaves 'T is not lawful to dispute about the Law 4. God made the World and disposed the seven Heavens and afterwards Man like unto himself and breathed into him his own Soul a portion of it That the Angels being commanded to do reverence to Adam Beelzebub refused and was therefore damned 5. There is a Paradise and Hell but of sensual Pleasures and Torments 6. Mahomet is the Seal and last of the Prophets to whom it was lawful to lie with all Women even Aunts and Kindred c. 7. There shall be a Resurrection proved by the story of the 7 Sleepers who slept 360 Years 2. Moral and Judicial Precepts and Prohibitions 1. Prohibitions 1. Abstain from Swines-flesh Blood that which dies alone and that which hath the Neck cut off 2. From Wine and Women more than their own Wives or Women 3. Working on Friday at Prayer-time 4. Games of Chesse Scails and Tables 5. Marrying with Men or Women of another Law 6. Marrying with Mother Daughter Sister Aunt Niece Nurse c. 7. Swearing rashly and For-swearing 8. Usury Lying Injustice c. 2. Precepts Affirmative 1. Pilgrimage to Mecha 2. Belief in GOD and Mahomet 3. Marry and Fight for the encrease of Religion 4. Giving wealth to the Poor Men Slaves Birds Dogs 5. Praying five times a Day 6. Keeping Lent one Month in the Year 7. Obedience to Parents 8. Keeping Friday Sabbath cum multis aliis Mahometan Sects 1. Turks or Arabians 1. THE Turks pretendc that Abouleker was the Successor of Mahomet making his Genealogy thus Mahomet 1 Abouleker 1 Omar 1 Osman 1 Aly. 2. The Turks are called Sunni because they follow also Counsels of Devotion besides the Commands of their Law M. de Thev 3. They call to Prayers from the tops of Towers 4. In Praying the Turks hold their hands one over another upon their Stomach 5. Among the Turks for a Christian to dispute with them is a Crime punishable by Death 6. The Turks make God the Author both of Good and Evil. 7. The Turks say the Law is Eternal 8. The Turks teach that God shall be visible to blessed Souls in his Essence 9. The Turks say Mahomet when he received his Alcoran was carried by the Angel Gabriel Body and Soul into God's presence 10. The Arabians pray five times a day 2. Persians 1. The Persians leave out of Mahomet's Succession the names of Abouleker Omar and Osman affirming them to be Usurpers only and no rightful Successors to Mahomet that Aly lawfully and actually succeeded him making the Genealogy thus Mahomet 1 Aly. which Aly say they succeeded Mahomet both in his Doctrine and Empire and married also Mahomet's Daughter who was also the first of the twelve Imams and whose Interpretation of the Law they embrace as the Truest and whose Sepulchre they visit as the Turks the other three 2. The Persians call themselves Schiai because they think it enough to follow the Precepts of their Law though sometimes they follow some of the Counsels too 3. In Persia they call to Prayers three times a day from Terrases not Towers 4. The Schiai in Praying hold not their hands on their Stomach but laying down a little gray stone which they always carry about them every time they prostrate lay their Foreheads on that stone made of the Earth of Keebela where Hussein the second Son of Aly was killed M. de Thev 5. The Persians will suffer Christians to dispute with them about matters of Religion 6. The Persians make God Author of Good only 7. The Persians say only God is Eternal 8. The Persians say he is visible only in his Effects and Attributes 9. The Persians that he was carried only in Soul 10. The Persians pray but three times a day Morning Noon and Night no not upon Fridays The Persians have translated the Alcoran into the Persian Tongue with an interlineal Translation word for word for Turk and Persian both believe that that Book cannot be explainted in any other Language but Arabick Subordinate Sects Dervises THey go about begging Alms in the name of Aly. They wear two Sheep-skins dried in the Sun the one hanging on their Back the other on their Breast the rest of their Body naked their whole body shaved Head bare Temples burnt with a hot Iron Rings with precious Stones in their Ears and a knotty Club in their Hand They are desperate Assassinates Robbing and Murdering on occasion They eat of an Herb called Asserad or Matslach which makes them Mad cutting and slashing themselves which makes them more reverenced On Friday after their Devotion they drink of Asserad and Sing and Dance about a Fire like mad c. See more in the sequel of this Book Imailer The Imailers or Religious Brothers of Love have for their Habit a long Coat of a Violet colour without Seam girt about with a golden Girdle at which hang silver Cymbals which jingle as they go These with a Book in their Hand of Love-Songs go about Singing and receive Money for their Songs and are always bare-headed wearing long Hair which they curl They are worse than Beasts
Survey of Christendom and try what they can to comprize within their Creed and Litany and Charitable Communications and Communion all the Subdivisions of the Greek Church and do what in them lies to enlarge the pale and promote the Gospel amongst Jews and Mahometans and Pagans and accomplish the Number of that Holy and Blessed Society that our Saviour Jesus is making provision for in the other World and then Come Lord Jesus Come quickly But especially that they would hasten to Unite among themselves and to that end lay aside their deep Prejudices and Passions and ambitious Emulations to make room for the reception and entertainment of the Gospel of Peace and not suffer those opprobrious Distinctions of Sects and â—chisms which have been now a long time despitefully hit in our Teeth any longer to feed upon Christianity in the Substance It will not surely be very long but the Trumpet will Sound and the World ring of our Master's Coming methinks some of the bright Rays of his Last Advent are darted into our Hemisphere already the World begins to shake and stagger with a variety of Commotions in several material parts of it but how unready are we to meet him when he Appears Reader You will pardon me if you find that I have not in every common place kept close and regular to my Primitive Design and Intention Sometimes my Information fail'd me sometimes my Memory and sometimes my Care and Leisure and to confessing enuously in some cases I could not perswade my self to account the Pagan Superstitions worthy a solid and industrious Remark there is so much Chaos and ridiculous Intermixtures and Nonsense that I thought it would rather Affront than Oblige an Ingenious Reader to present him with much such unprofitable Stuff But I have not willingly passed over any thing without Observation which I thought might serve to any good purpose either of â—â—easure or Profit And let no body object to me the uselesness or easiness of writing Collections 't is much more difficult than Spinning out our own Notions upon the slock of our meer Natural Reason or Mother-Wit but and if this Argument satisfy not I will offer a very fair Proposal to my Adversarys let them candidly pardon me for doing no worse or shew publickly to the World that themselves can do better by either of which ways they shall oblige me but in doing neither they will hardly escape the guilt of becoming obnoxious themselves To conclude I value not the Opinions of those Men whose either Intellectuals are faulty or Minds corrupted and yet which is the mischief and misery of it there is ever and every where the greatest plenty of these I dread only the Censure of Wise and Good Men but yet there are so few of them that I think upon that score also I am pretty safe and the more because they are Men of the greatest Candour and Ingenuity the slowest to pronounce a Censure the easiest to excuse and the readiest to forgive Into the hands of these men I willingly commit my self in the company of these men I am most delighted I wish my Readers may be all such either Antecedently or Consequently which is the hearty desire and prayer of the unworthy Author Your Christian Friend And Humble Servant W. T. Postscript SInce I first engaged in this little Work I made use of one Notion which my Observations in it furnish'd me with as an Argument to Attack the Anabaptists with viz. The general Consent and almost Universal Practice not only of all Christendom but all the World Jews Gentiles Mahometans Christians of all Sects Protestants Papists Greeks Armenians Muscovites Mengrelians Indians of S. Thomas Abissines c. in using time out if mind for hundreds of years in places distant thousands of Miles some solemn initiating Ceremony at the first Admission of Children not yet Adult into the Society and Communion of their Religion I first objected this to several private Members of the Anabaptists Congregation every one of which confessed ingenuously they could not Answer it but referr'd it to one of their Teachers about 20 Miles distance from me To whom at last I wrote very plainly and briefly desiring in humble Terms a Solution of the Argument if it were possible His Answer which was prolix enough was yet very unsatisfactory he offered no reason to solve the Difficulty tho I had urged it with some briskness and backed it with the Authority of Vincentius Lirinensis Quod semper quod ab omnibus quod ubique c. But told me that many other usages were as Universal as that which I would not yet allow to be derived from any Divine Institution to which I Answered in short That if he would name but one and prove it I would retract my Opinion This I wrote and sent to him and have frequently called upon his friends for an answer but have not received one Line from him to this day and tho he hath since that time passed by very near my House yet he did not so much as call upon me This in short by way of Advertisment to shew the usefulness of this Book An INDEX Note That under Each of the following Heads is inserted in distinct Paragraphs the TENENTS of every Religion PART I. 1. OBject of Divine Worship Page 1 2. Places of Divine Worship Page 6 3. Respect to the places Page 12 4. Dedication of the places Page 16 5. Priests and Church-Officers Page 19 6. Qualiflcation of Ch. Officers Page 29 7. Ordination of Ch. Officers Page 33 8. Sacred Vestments Page 37 9. Holiness of Church-Officers Page 42 10. Maintenance and Privileges of Ch. Officers Page 47 11. Persons making up the body of the Assembly Page 52 12. Times of publick Worship Page 56 to 100 1. Weekly or Monthly 2. Vncertain and unfix'd contingent 3. Annual or Yearly 1. In March 2. In April 3. In May 4. In June 5. In July 6. In August 7. In September 8. In October 9. In November 10. In December 11. In January 12. In February 4. More than Annual 13. Peoples Reverence in Divine Service Page 100 14. Rule of Worship Page 103 15. Parts and Order of Divine Worship in general Page 111 to 131 1. Secret and Private 2. Publick 16. Particular parts of Divine Worship Page 131 1. Prayer Page 131 2. Praises Psalms c. Page 136 3. Sacrifices Page 141 4. Washings Purifications Page 146 5. Teaching Instruction Page 150 6. Sacraments Vows Page 154 7. Fasting Mortification Page 163 8. Feasting page 168 17. Church-Discipline Excommunication Page 171 18. Marriage Divorce Page 176 19. Funerals Page 181 20. Courts Ecclesiastical Page 187 21. Sects and Schisms Page 192 to 196 1. In general 2. In particular 22. Jewish 1. Sadduces Page 196 2. Pharisees Page 199 3. Samaritans Page 203 23. Christian 1. Eastern Greeks Page 207 Muscovites Page 210 225 Melchites c. Page 243 2. Western Papists Page 254 Protestants c. Page 273 24. Mahometan 1. Turks c.
over another upon the Navel and say softly some Prayers to themselves 4. They still keep their face to the Keble 5. At the end of every Prayer prostrate themselves on the ground and cry Allah ekber At Sabahnamaz they prostrate 8 times At Noon 20 times At the Quindy 16. At the Akschamnamaz 10. At the Yatzinamaz 24. 6. They never prattle nor talk in their Moschs but carry themselves with great Reverence 7. They turn neither this way nor that way whatever may happen M. de Thevenot Ancient Heathen The people were obliged both among the Ancient Greeks and Romans to a grave Comportment all profane and rude persons being driven away And when any Sacrifice was offered both the Priest and People that offered laid their hands on the Altar to signifie their free consent and heartiness of Devotion Modern Heathen In the Becar a Province of the East Indies when the people come to their Pagods having taken directions from their Bramens they anoint their bodies with Oil and say their Prayers and depart M. de Thov But first they present their Oblations to the Idol Idem The Persians are covered on their Heads all day long with their Shasks not excepting the presence of their King nor their set times of Devotion Sir Tho. Herbert 16. The Rule of Worship Jewish 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Moses The Prophets The Psalms H. Scripture Hammi-kra Reading 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A Secondary Law consisting in Traditions for many Years unwritten or dispersed without Order till after our Saviour's time and then by Rabbi Juda reduced to Aphorisins which afterwards became of great Authority with all the Jews The Book is called Mischna i. e. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Its parts are as followeth 1. Zeraim of Fruits and Seeds c. 2. Moed of Fasts 3. Naschim of Women Divorces Diseases 4. Nezikim of Losses 5. Kodaschim of Sacrifices and sacred things 6. Tahoroth of Purifications Hotting Their Religion is contained in the Old Testament and Talmud M. de Theven For say they Moses was not with God on M. Sinai 40 Days and 40 Nights to keep Geese Purchas Canons also were made by the Sanhedrim and varied in several Generations about the Times of Morning and Evening Service the Number of Prayers to be said daily which at last grew to be 18 c. Dr. Lightfoot To study and read the Bible is a Vertue and not a Vertue i. e. a small Vertue but to learn their mischna or Talmud-Text is a Vertue worthy Reward and to learn Gemaram the Complement of the Talmud is a Vertue so great that none can be greater Purchas ex Tract Banamaziah Ancient Christian 1. H. Scripture Our pious Fathers fetcht their Weapons against the Hereticks out of no other Armory than the Scripture Augustine against Patilianus the Donatist saith Let not these words be heard among us I say or you say but let us rather say Thus saith the Lord Jerome saith whatever things are asserted as delivered from the Apostles without Scripture-Testimony are smitten with the Sword of God Ambrose to Gratian the Emperour Let the Scriptures be asked saith he Let the Apostles be asked Let the Prophets be asked Let Christ be asked Jewel's Apol. I adore the fullness of Scripture Let Hermogenes's School shew that it is writ if not writ let him be afraid Tertul. 2. Traditions Of which Tertullian speaks in these words I will begin with Baptism where coming to the Water we testify before the President That we renounce the Devil his Pomps and his Angels then are we thrice dipt answering somewhat more than Christ commanded in his Gospel The Sacrament of the Eucharist which our Lord instituted after Supper we partake of in our meetings before the Day arise we think it wickedness to fast or to pray kneeling on the Lord's Day we kneel not from Easter till Whitsuntideâ— Whensoever we go forth or come in or whatsoever we are conversant about we sign our foreheads with the sign of the Cross And if you do require a Law of Scripture for these Observations you will find none Tradition will be alledged as the Author and Custome the confirmer of them de Coron Mil. c. 3.4 Vincentius Lirinensis saith he many a time and with much industry and attention enquired of Holy and Learned Men how he might by a certain general and regular way discern the Truth from Falshood c. and he always received this kind of Answer First by the Authority of the Divine Law and secondly by Tradition of the Catholick Church Because saith he tho the Scripture be perfect and more than sufficient for all things yet by reason of its heighth it is diversly interpreted Let us endeavour to hold that which hath been believed every where always by all Vin. Lirin Commonit c. 1 and 3. Mahometan Mahomet distinguisheth the Law into 1. Written viz. The Alcoran so called from Al this and Koran Reading of 124 Azoaras or chapters On the Cover of which they write Let none touch this but he that is clean Their Liturgy is in the Arabian Tongue not understood by many of the common people The Priests never touch their Alcoran without an Expression of much outward Reverence So the people at seeing or hearing of it read shew much attention affection and reverence The Alcoran written in Heaven and sent in the month Ramadan They lift it to their heads before they read it It hath no method or order in it 2. Unwritten viz. the Suna or Assonna Traditions whereof Bochari hath published 7275 Titles or Apothegms Most of the Mahometans do firmly believe them all called therefore Populus Sunae N. B. They receive the Decalogue of Moses and cause it to be observed by all M. de Theven Ancient Heathen 1. Written The Romans had the Books of Sibylla Cumana kept by a College of 8 Pontiffs with a Chief whose Office it was to regulate all the Ceremonies relating to the Worship of the Gods Galtruch What Rites of Sacrifices and Worship were to be observed were not only diligently prescribed in the Laws of Sacrifices but by the Oracle of Apollo enjoyned to be observed with much Accuracy Nat. Com. 2. Unwritten The Druids of Gaul held it not lawful to commit their Verses of which they had a great number containing the mysteries of their Discipline to writing Caesar Comment Modern Heathen 1. The Hindoes or Indians call the book of their Law Shestâ—r or the book of their written word which hath been transcribed in all ages ever since the first delivery of it not long after the Creation as they say by thee Bramins out of the which they deliver Precepts unto the people Viz. 1. Thou shalt not kill any living creature c. 2. To observe times of fasting and hours of watching 3. About Festivals c. 4. To take their food moderately c. 5. Help the poor as far as possible 6. Not to tell false Tales 7. Not to steal 8. Not
cover'd with Silk-Tapistry four Arch-Bishops sitting with their backs to a Pillar at his right hand The Service was solemnly perform'd by an Arch-Bishop with two Bishops on each side 5. When the Arch-Bishop had made certain Prayers he gave the Book wherein he had read the Gospel to the Patriarch Bishop and People to kiss at last many kissed the Patriarch's hand c. In Muscovy all say their Prayers either standing or kneeling for they have neither Seats nor Benches in their Churches The late Great Duke who was much given to Devotion lay all along upon the ground when he said his Prayers D. of Holst Ambassad Trav. p. 102. Note I liked one thing that I saw both at Strasburgh and here viz. at Frankfort that at the end of Prayers a considerable interval of silence was left before the conclusion for all People's private Devotion Dr. Burnet's Letters Mahometan The Turks pray 5 times a day concerning which they have many Traditions some necessary some of counsel and decency e. g. 1. In noon and afternoon prayers to be read with a low voice in the morning and at night with a loud voice if an Imam be present else 't is indifferent 2. The men lift up their hands to the tip of their Ears the women to their Jaws 3. Accompanying the Imam which a low voice in all he doth imitating 4. Prostration touching the ground with forehead Nose c. These things make the Prayer Null 1. Talking laughing or weeping loud at Prayer unless at the mention of Paradise or Hell 2. Scratching 3 times in one place passing before the Imam without prostration turning their face from the Keble advancing the space of two Ranks beginning the Prayer when the Imam begins another a mistake in reading saluting any willingly 3. They may not pray in the habit they commonly work in 4. Nor before the fire yet they may by a Candle or Lamp The Expiation for a fault of Inadvertency is Prostration Ancient Heathen 1. The persons praying viz. Priests and others c. 2. Times and Seasons At Sacrifices publickly 3. The place At the Altar and in the Temples 4. The Form A verse out of a Book Theag. lib. de diis v. Nat. Com. The Gentiles read their Prayers out of a Book before their Sacrifices Ne quid praepostere dicatur Alex. ab Al. l. 4. c. 17. They often began thus Dii Deaeque omnes c. i.e. O all ye Gods and Goddesses c. 5. Gesture They Prayed standing to the Superior Gods sitting to the Inferior 6. The Matter At public Sacrifices they Prayed that the God would accept their Offering and be bountiful and pleasant c. At other times they put up odd Petitions as Juno Verenda concede Fratrem occidere c. Eurip in Phaen. Da mihi fallere da justum sanctumque videri Horat. Plato Advised That whatsoever Hymns or Prayers the Poets composed should be first shewed to the Priests lest they should err Modern Heathen In Slam the Religious Orders are tied to rise at Midnight to pray to their Idols Rosse In Goa they pray to the Sun and Moon c. and to the first thing they meet with in the morning tho a Goose or an Ass and all the day after they Pray to it But a Crow they cannot abide Idem About Jemena in Bengala they use to Pray naked in the Water and to do Pennance by lying flat on the ground kissing the Earth holding up their hands to the Sun and turning themselves about 40 times Idem See more of this in the Second Part of this book under the Title of Prayer Magical Ad illum viz. Cacodaemonem complicatis genibus supplices accessistis Mart. Delrio Sebast Michael in Pneumalog refer exemplar sententiae latae Avinioni Anno. 1582. Glanvil saith they call the Devil sometimes Robin and pray to him O Satan give me my purpose Dr. d ee in all his Actions with Spirits tells us that he always went to prayer not to the Devil professedly but to God Oravimus ad Deum ejus implorabamus auxilium And in the end of his Action he concludes with a short Thanksgiving to God Omnis Spiritus laudet Deum nostrum unum trinum Amen Nay the very occasion of his falling into this Magical Delusion next to his Mathematical Studies is supposed to be his earnest Prayer to God for Wisdom such Wisdom as he was ambitious of Dr. Casaubon 2. Praises Psalms Hymns Jewish THere were 3 kinds of Musical Persons among the Jews 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that plaid upon Musical Instruments 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that sung with the Voice 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that joyned Vocal and Instrumental Musick together Alsted Encycl N. 2630. The Song of Miriam was uttered 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with alternate Melodies saith Philo Jud. de vit Mosi l. 3. The President of the Essenes standing up sung an Hymn composed in praise of God and after him did others 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in their Orders in convenient manner and when they came unto the Close of the Hymns 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Id. de vit contempl The Hallel was sung over at the Passover from Ps 113 to Ps 118. The 92d Psalm on the Sabbath-day Psalm 9.4 every Wednesday Dr. Light Templ Serv. p. 59 139. Ancient Christian Hymns and Psalms were accounted a considerable part of Divine Worship Dr. Cave vid. Plin. l. 10. Ep. 97. They were either Extempore or set The Council of Laodicea ordered That no Psalms of private composition should be recited in the Church Can. 59. also that a Lesson should be interposed between every Psalm In this Duty all the Congregation bore a part joining together Afterward the custom was to sing Alternatim course by course answering one another Theod. Hist Eccl. l. 2. c. 24. who saith it was first brought in by Flavianus and Diodorus in the Ch. of Antioch in the Reign of Constantine but Socrates saith by Ignatius who in a vision had heard c. Socr. Eccl. H. l. 6. c. 8. Pliny saith the Christians did secum invicem canere Theodosius Junior rising early every morning with his Sisters did together interchangeably sing Psalms of Praise De Orig. They Sung Hymns and Psalms at Dinner a custom which Clem. Al. commends Paedag. l. 2. c. 4. Chrysostom greatly pleads for it to be used at ordinary works at meals after meals as an excellent Antidote against Temptations in Ps 41. Tom. 3. Cypr. Ep. 1. p. 7. S. Augustine saith we have the precept and example of our Saviour Christ and his Apostles for singing in our Assemblies Orig. Brit. Also he saith the Customs of Churches were very different about these matters In the Churches of Asric he saith they confin'd themselves to the Prophetical Hymns for which they were upbraided by the Donatists as too grave and formal but he allows singing for one of the solemn parts of Divine Service with which he joyns
Yet their Dervices do undergo voluntary Penances far exceeding the Romanists herein putting such massy Fetters of Iron upon their Legs as that they could scarce stir with them and then covered with blew Mantles the Colour of Mourners going as fast as they are able bare-foot many miles together upon the hot parching ground in Pilgrimage to visit the Sepulchers of their Saints suffering and waiting for their Recompence in that better life to come Once in their lives they are obliged by their Law to go one Pilgrimage to Mecha Which is thus All the way they sing Verses of the Alcoran bestow Charity c. Two days before they arrive at Mecha they strip naked and continue so 8 days and go round the Kiaabe 7 times Praying with an Imam before them Ancient Heathen Corn. Cethegus and Qu. Sulpitius Roman Priests were put out of Office the one because he let fall the Apex which the Priests carried in Sacrificing from his Head the others because he did not place the Entrals of the Victim aright The Druids if any person private or publick engaged in Controversy will not stand to their determination they forbid them the Sacrifices Caesar de Bell. Gall. They sit in a Consecrated place whither all come for the hearing of Controversies The persons thus suspended were accounted impious and execrable All men shun'd their company The Unclean were driven away from Sacrifices by the Herald crying Procul este profani Vestal Virgins becoming incontinent were bound alive carried on a Bier through the Forum with great silence and horrour set on a Ladder by which she descended into a Cave where was prepared a Bed a burning Light a little Bread Water and Milk the Ladder drawn up the Cave's Mouth was filled up with earth either that such an offender might not be honour'd with burning or that being a Consecrate Virgin she might dye as it were of her own accord saith Plutar. Modern Heathen In the East-Indies when a Man or Woman hath committed a sin that makes them be expelled the Caste as if a Woman had lain with a Mahometan she must in order to be re-admitted live upon no nothing else for a certain time but the grain that is found amongst Cow-dung M. de Thev 10. Marriage and Divorce Jewish 1. MArriage Concerning the Marriage of the Ancient Jews I refer my Reader to Sacred Scripture The Barbary-Jews admit not any unmarried Sect among them Concerning their Marriages observe 1. Whom they marry One of their own Tribe 2. When. Their Daughters often are betrothed at ten Years of Age and if Rich married when young 3. How 1. The first visit is short to prevent disparagement if it succeed not 2. In case of liking Presents are sent 3. Articles are drawn up particularly even 'till it come to the Night-dress 4. A Dowry is made by the Man 5. The Woman is affianced i. e. given to the Man by some near Relation 6. For eight Days the Woman useth Bathing 7. On the Marriage-Eve she is put by two Matrons into Tabila a Cistern of cold Water not a Hair above Water when she comes out her Hair is neatly dressed up 8. On the Marriage-Day they put on their Wedding-Robes retire to their private Devotions and then to the Synagogue-Service 9. Then returns he to his Bride sitting in a Chair having a Virgin on each hand puts the Kedusim or Wedding-Ring on her Thumb or any Finger of her right Hand calling Witnesses 10. The Rabbi saith a Prayer 11. After Prayer having blessed and tasted a Glass of Wine he gives it to the Bridegroom who breaks it in remembrance of the destruction of the Temple 12. The Bridegroom takes off the Bride's Veil gives her the right hand sits down by her discourses a while retire into the Lodging-Room wherein are two Beds on the Floor to one of which the Bridegroom betakes himself after the Tokens received Deut. 22. and a certain short Mystical Prayer used 13. For eight days they Feast Neighbours come and pray with the Man the Woman being allowed these eight Days for Purification the Man sees her not but at meal-meal-times 14. At a woman's first meeting her husband she walks thrice about him and the man once about the woman 2. Divorce concerning which and more concerning Marriage see in the Second Book Ancient Christian None could lawfully Marry till they had first advised with the Bishop and Clergy and obtained their leave probably to secure them from Marrying with Gentiles v. Tertull. de Monog c. 11. c ad Vx l. 2. c. 2.9 Pope Calixtus first Prohibited Matrimony between those that were near a-kin consanguineos of the same Blood such as the Laws of God of the Emperors Greek and Roman admitted to the Inherirance Carrauz in Decr. Calixti Pa. Christians were forbid to Marry with Infidels Idem Sum. Elibert Conc. c. 15.16 17. S. Jerome speaks of sponsalitius annulus upon Job c. 8. and on Isa 3. and Beda calls it sincera fidei signaculum on Luk. c. 5. Hom. 40. Pope Euristus in his first Epistle to the African Bishops shews in what manner Christian Matrimony ought to be Celebrated Viz. 1. Let a Wife be sought and betrothed by the Parents that are next to her a Parentibns Propinquioribus i. e. I suppose Father Grand-father c. 2. Let her be blessed in a Priestly manner as the custom is with Prayers and Orations by the Priest 3. Let her be kept and attended by the Brideman and Bride-maid and for two or three days let them be at leisure for Prayers and preserve their Chastity that good Children may be generated and they may please the Lord in their Actions otherwise saith he account them rather Adulteries Lewdness or Fornication than Wedlock Carrauz in Decr. Eucaristi Pa. Mahometan The Turks may have three sorts of Wives lawful Wives Wives of Kebin and Slaves 1. The first are thus Married 1. The Man agrees with the Maid's Parents for her Dowry 2. The Cady with two Witnesses writs down the agreement 3. Before the Celebration the Imam blesses the Marriage 4. On the day the Bride muffled up is led to the Bride-groom's House to Feasting and Musick c. They may have four Wives For Wives of Kebin less ceremony serves Divorces are thus The Husband goes before a Cady and saith I part with her for three times allowing her a Dowry if he Divorce her wrongfully nor may she Marry again till after four Months Ancient Heathen A Soothsayer and Witnesses were present at Marriages the one to give token of good luck e. g. a Crow because one dying the other lives without a Mate the others Signatores to Seal the form of the Contract They gave the Bride Golden Coin in a Charger which some think was stampt with the Resemblance of the Bride-groom or Bride or both Dr. Holy-day on Juv. p 114. They betrothed with a Ring Et digito pignus fortasse dedisti Juv. Pliny saith the Ring was of Iron Tertullian and Marcell Donatus of
nor any writ by such as they call Hereticks Bells in all Monasteries The Kaloirs here commonly of good simple godly Lives Greeks out of F. Simon 1. The Church-men accused of Simony 2. They observe not the age required for Episcopacy and Priesthood 3. They take several Orders at one time 4. He is commonly chosen Patriarch that gives most to the Grand Seignior Besides the Patriarch buys the Voices of the Bishops that Elect him The Patriarch makes himself amends when he makes Bishops and they again when they make a Papas selling Orders and Cures and they again the poor people 5. Monks abstain strictly from Flesh tho engaged by no Vow but Custom They sleep not above 4 hours some but two They go to prayers in the Church thrice a day 1. Some Monks called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who eat in the same Refectory use the same Exercise have nothing singular in their Habit yet some are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who profess a more perfect way of living many in number Others are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who lead not so perfect a Life 2. Some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who live as themselves please 1. They buy a Cell and necessaries for a Monastery 2. The Yeoman of the Cell provides Bread and Wine 3. They betake to business are bound to no duty 4. At Death they leave all to their companion 3. Some Anchorites who cannot work nor discharge the duties of the Monastery yet have a mind to live in Solitude and these 1. Buy a Cell with a piece of Land c. 2. Go to the Monastery only on Holy-days having no hours appointed them for Prayer 3. Some with leave of the Abbot leave the Monastery and retire for Meditation and Prayer the Monastery sending them once a Month provisions to live upon 4. Some hire a Vine-yard near the Cell and feed on the Grapes Some on Cherries on Beans some Transcribe Books 6. Nuns They 1. Are of S. Basil's Order under an Abbess 2. As strict as the Monks in Fasting Praying c. 3. Their Confessor some old Vertuous Neighbour Monk who says Mass c. 4. Their Habit a Cloak of plain Woollen-Cloth Arms and Hands covered to the Fingers ends 5. Their Head shaven a several Cell and Lodging for each 6. The Rich have a Maid or young Girl which they bring up in Devotion 7. They work with their Needles make Girdles which they sell to the Turks N. B. Some say these at C. P. are Widows aged under no Vow all their customs consisting in wearing a black Veil on their Head declaring that they will Marry no more living commonly at home minding their Huswifery Children c. having more Liberty than before 5. Confession Confession is enjoyn'd 4 times a year to persons of leisure Once a month to the Priests and Religious Once a year to labouring people viz. before their Great Lent To sick people as an ease for spiritual Diseases Repentance is defin'd a sorrow of heart for sin of which a man accuseth himself before a Priest with a firm Resolution to correct the Errors of his past Life by that which is to come and with intention to perform what shall be enjoyn'd him by his Pastor for his Penance Their Argument for Confession The Priest cannot release unless he know what to release Their Penances are Prayers extraordinary Alms Fastings Visiting Holy Places c. The Priest exhorts thus Behold the Angel of the Lord is at hand to take thy Confession see that thou conceal no sin for fear of shame for I also am a man and sinner as thou art To Penitents guilty of mortal sin is administred the Sacrament of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the Oyl of Prayer done by the Bp. and 7 Priests by pure Oil and Prayer viz. The Priest dips some Cotton on the End of a stick anoints the Penitents in form of a Cross on the Forehead Chin each Cheek Back and Palms of the Hands and then recites a Prayer The same with the Papists Eztream Vnction 6. Marriage is forbidden after the burial of the Third Husband or Wife because say they it comes under the Notion of Polygamy Divorces are easily granted and the man allowed to take another Wife and perhaps afterward recalled and the man enjoyned to re-assume his former Wife About C.P. and Smyrna and great Cities in imitation of the Turks in Retirement and suffer them not to be seen by the Bridegroom till unveil'd after they are married The Islander Greeks of the Archipelago dancing promiscuously men and women together often make Protestations of Marriages together and then break them which if they do the Old Mothers by Witchcraft 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tie the man from marrying with any other till an agreement be made In Romania or Ramali the Turks have frequently married with Greek women Christians till 1672 when the Patriarch of C. P. complain'd to the Mufti and put a stop to it The Priest marries them with a Ring they have also a Godfather and Godmother who present themselves before the Papa's and hold a Garland of flowers interlaced with Orpine over the heads of the couple pray turn round drink together c. break the glass saying so may the Bridegroom break the Virginity of the Bride M. de Thevenot Muscovites 1. Eight Days after the Child is born he is brought to the Church-Porch where the Priest receives the Child 2. Tells the Witnesses their Duties namely To teach him how to know God and Christ c. 3. After some Prayer plungeth the Child three times over head and ears in a tub of warm Water holding it necessary that every part of the Child be dipped using these Words In the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost N. They hold all to be damned that die without Baptism They Re-baptize Apostates The Duke of Holstein's Ambassador faith 1. The Child is cross'd on the Fore-head 2. Blessed thus The Lord preserve thy coming in and going out 3. Nine Wax-Candles are lighted cross the Font which is in the middle of the Church 4. The God-fathers are Incensed and the Water Consecrated 5. A Procession is made about the Font three times 6. The Child is Named the God-fathers interrogated the Devil exorcised and the Child baptized See more in the Second Book Georgians 1. A Priest reads many Prayers over the Child going on to the end without Baptizing the Child 2. After reading the Child is stript and the God-father Baptizeth the Child without saying any other Words than what was said by the Priest 3. With Baptism they also administer to Children Consumation And the Eucharist 4. The Priest alone is accounted the true Minister of Baptism without him 't is null If the Child dieth before Baptism the Mother's Baptism is sufficient to save the Child 5. They are not very pressing to receive Baptism 6. They Re-baptize such as return after Apostasie F. Simon M. Tavernier saith Virgins brought up in Nunneries to study after some time
of Homilies for Explication of the Gospel and that is instead of Preaching F. Simon out of Vansleb Most of these Ceremonies are common to other Orientals Maronites 1. They go to Church at midnight to sing their Matins 2. At break of day they say their Lauds 3. Before Mass they say their Teiree after their Sixth 4. Their Nones they sing after Dinner 5. Vespers at Sun-set 6. Their Compline after Supper before bed Every Office is composed of a Preface of two three or more Prayers with a like number of Hymns betwixt them They have proper Offices for Holidays Lent Moveable Feasts c. F. Simon Melchites They have Translated their Greek Euchology or Ritual into Arabic They Paraphrase in their Translations Hence their supposititious Canons of the Council of Nice Muscovites On Sundays and their Festivals they go 3 times to Church Morning Noon and Night and are standing and uncovered at the time of Divine Service They hold no Adultery but Marrying another man's Wife Armenians Their Office is performed in the Armenian Tongue a rough Language and but little known The People have much ado to understand their Liturgy They have the whole Bible Translated into Armenian from the Septuagint since the time of S. John Chrysost F. Simon They have a service-Service-Book and besides that the chief books amongst them are of Gregorio of Stat used instead of Homilies P. Ric. Esq Christians of S. John Hold Women to be unclean that it is not available for them to go to Church Tavernier Cophties An Appendix When they sing the Passion and come to the mention of Judas all the People cry Arsat i. e. Horned Beast Cuckold When they read of Peter cutting off Malchus's Ear they say Asia boutros i. e. well fare Peter as applauding him for the Act M. de Thev Greeks 2. Fasting THo Greeks have Four Fasts stated and solemn 1. Forty days before Christmas 2. The great Lent before Easter 3. The week after Pentecost grounded on Acts. 13.3 4. The fourth begins Aug. 1. and is a preparatory to the Grand Festival the Assumption of our Lady Besides which Lesser Fasts in keeping of which with distinction of Diets they are very strict and are much offended at the English and others because they neither use Fasting nor reverence the sign of the Cross If a person be sick to Death who with Broth or an Egg might recover they say 't is better to Die than eat and Sin P. Ricaut Esq They abstain from Flesh Butter Cheese Fish eating only Fruits Pulse with a little Wine and Oyl The Monks never taste Wine or Oyl unless on Saturdays or Sundays Wednesdays and Fridays they abstain from Flesh Butter Cheese but eat Flesh I say nothing of their Private Fasts or Lent F. Simon Muscovites They differ little from the Greeks herein having four Lents Yearly during which they eat no Butter Eggs or Milk only the first week serves as Carnaval afterward they eat no Fish but on Sundays Armenians They have many Fasts published on Sundays kept most strictly Account it a sin to eat Hare's Flesh as being an unwholsom unlucky and melancholick creature and the Female Monthly unclean and menstruous P. Ric. Esq They abstain from Blood and the Strangled So scrupulously addicted to Fasts that to hear them speak one would think their whole Religion consisted in Fasting F. Simon They end their Lent on Holy Saturday by eating Butter Cheese Eggs but eat on Flesh till Easter-day M. de Thev Abissins Fasting Days are by none more exactly observ'd Not that they abstain from some meats and gluttonize upon others for that they look upon that as a mockery of Fasting They keep themselves whole days together without either Food or Drink even till Sun-set of the third Evening Others abstain the two Holy-days of the Passion-week The Monks use greater extremities by which means they not only mortify but destroy Besides they Fast twice a Week on the fourth and sixth day Ludolph l. 3. They make their Lent fifty days long Maronites Their Fasts differ much from ours 1. In Lent they eat not till two or three hours before Sun-set 2. Fast not in Ember-week nor Vigils of Saints 3. Eat no Flesh Eggs or Milk on Wednesdays Fridays till Noon Afterward they eat freely 4. Fast 20 days before Christmass Monks longer 5. At the Feast of S. Peter and Paul and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin they Fast a Fortnight F. Simon Cophties They have four great Fasts 24 Days at Christmass 60 at Lent 31 at Pentecost 15 in August F. Simon Christians of S. Thomas They eat Flesh on Saturdays and if they failed one Day in Lent and Advent they Fasted no more F. Simon Christians of S. John They neither Fast nor do any Penance Taver Greeks 3. Feasting and Rejoycing c. THey begin their Year in September with great Jollity Take a chearful Spirit for a good Omen 1. Easter which is their grand Feast at which time if they meet with their Acquaintance within three days of the Feast they Salute them with these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Christ is risen The Answer is made 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He is risen indeed And so they kiss three times once on each Cheek and on the Mouth and so depart P. Ricaut Upon Easter-Eve the Abyssins Jacobites Georgians Maronites and Greeks at Jerusalem all except the Latines conjoyn in the Celebration of that Imposture of fetching Fire from the Sepulchre the Turks deride yet throng to behold it All the Lamps in Church are extinguish'd when they often compassing the Sepulchre in a joint Procession are fore-run and followed with Savage clamours of the People the Women whistling and frantick behaviours fitter for the Feasts of Bacchus extending their bare Arms with unlighted Tapers At length the chief Bishops approach the Door of the Sepulchre but the Ethiopian Priest first enters without whom they say the Miracle will not fadge who after a long stay returns with the Sacred Fire supposed at his Prayers to burst out of the Sepulchre At this confusedly they fire their Lights and snatching them one from another strive who should convey it into their particular Chapels thrusting the Flame into their Cloaths and Bosoms kindling therewith all their Lamps unlighted with other Fire 'till that Day Twelve-month G. Sandys's Trav. l. 3. The Holy Fire of the Greeks Armenians c. is performed with so much confusion that you would think certainly you were in Hell with a Legion of Devils M. de Thev 2. Of S. John the Abstemious kept only by the Kaloirs and Religious 3. Of S. John the Evangelist's Translation into Heaven grounded upon that Text If I will that he stay c. They tell very fond Stories of their Saints especially Cosma Damianus and S. George For Canonizing of Saints they have testification by 1000 Witnesses and Examination in a full Synod They are very excessive in their Feasts P. Ricaut Armenians The Eve of Holy Cross they go to the
our Sins at least once a Year 4. To receive the blessed Sacrament at least once a Year and that at Easter or thereabouts 5. To pay Tithes to our Pastors 6. Not to celebrate Marriage on times prohibited viz. from the first Sunday of Advent 'till Twelfth-day be past nor from Ash-Wednesday 'till Low-Sunday de past N. B. 'T is a mortal Sin to break any of these Commandments 12. There be Seven Sacraments 1. Baptism in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost c. Observ 1. The Minister 1. The Priest ordinarily 2. A Lay-man or Woman in case of necessity 2. The Effects 1. Remission of Sin Original and Actual 2. A Spiritual Character in the Soul for ever 3. Sponsors One God-father and one God-mother since Trent C. 4. Ceremonies 1. The Priest breaths on the Child's face 2. Sign of the Cross on the Breast and Forehead 3. Putting Salt in the Child's mouth 4. Spittle laid on the Ears and Nostrils 5. Anointing on the Head Shoulders Breast 6. White Chrism given to the Child 7. A hallowed Light given to it 2. Confirmation Observe 1. The Form I sign thee with the sign of the Cross I confirm thee with the Chrism of Salvation in the Name of the Father c. 2. The Matter Oil mingled with Balsn blessed by a Bishop 3. It Seals or gives a Character 4. The Time at seven years old 5. The Ceremonies 1. A blow on the Cheek 2. One God-father or God-mother 3. Eucharist Cons 1. The Matter wheaten Bread and Wine of the Grape with a little Water 2. Disposition in the Receiver Confession of Sin being in a State of Grace 3. The Laity Communicate in one kind 4. Penance Consider 1. The Form I absolve thee from thy sins in the Name of the Father c. 2. The Parts 1. Contrition 2. Confession 3. Satisfaction 1. Contrition is a hearty sorrow for our Sins proceeding immediately from the Love of God and joyned with a firm purpose of Amendment 2. Attrition from the fear of Hell or punishment or filthiness of sin or spiritual damage from sin This with Sacramental Confession and Absolution will remit sin A dying Man in mortal sin if he cannot have a Priest must have Contrition 3. Confession must be Short Diligent Humble Confounding Sincere Entire 4. Satisfaction is the Sacramental Penance enjoyned by the Priest at Confession Also Voluntary Prayers Fasting Good Works Sufferings By which Satisfaction is made for temporal punishments due sometimes to sin after forgiveness Indulgencies viz. The superabundant Merits of Christ and his Saints applied to our Souls by the grant of the Church 5. Extream Vnction 1. The matter of it is Oil blessed by a Bishop 2. The Form By this anointing and his own most pious Mercy let our Lord pardon thee whatsoever thou hast sinned by thy seeing c. 3. The Effects 1. Spiritual Comfort 2. Remission of venial sin and the relicks of sin 3. Corporal Health if expedient 6. Holy Order Concerning which observe To whom it belongs viz. Bishops Priests Deacons Sub-Deacons Inferiour Orders are Acolyte Lector Exorcist and Porter 7. Matrimony Concerning which observe 1. Who may Marry 1. Only the Laity 2. Persons not a-kin by collateral Consanguinity or Affinity to the fourth degree or at all in the right Line but the Church can dispense with all except Brothers and Sisters 13. There are four Cardinal Vertues Prudence Justice Fortitude and Temperance 14. Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost Wisdom Understanding Counsel Fortitude Knowledge Piety and the Fear of our Lord. 15. Twelve Fruits of the Holy Ghost Charity Joy Peace Patience Longanimity Goodness Benignity Mildness Fidelity Modesty Continency Chastity 16. Seven works of Mercy To feed the Hungry give drink to the Thirsty cloath the Naked to harbour the Harbourless to visit the Sick to visit the Imprisoned 17. Seven works of Mercy spiritual To give Counsel to the Doubtful to Instruct the Ignorant to Admonish Sinners to Comfort the Afflicted to forgive Offences to bear patiently the Troublesome to pray for the Quick and Dead 18. Ceremonies of the Mass 1. Ornaments of the Priest 1. Amis or Linnen Veil representing the Veil on our Saviour's Face 2. The Albe signifying the white Garment which Herod put on 3. The Girdle signifying the Cord by which he was bound in the Garden 4. The Maniple the Cord which bound him to the Pillar 5. The Stole the Cord by which he was led to be Crucified 6. The Upper Vestment the seamless Coat of Christ and also the Purple Garment 2. The Altar representing the Cross with its Appurtenances 1. The Chalice the Sepulchre of Christ 2. The Patine the Stone rowled to the Door of the Sepulchre 3. The Altar-cloaths Corporal and Pall the Linnen in which the Body of Christ was shrowded 4. The Candles on the Altar the Light which Christ brought into the World 3. Gestures 1. Coming back three steps from the Altar and humbling himself before he begins again the prostration of Christ in the Garden 2. Bowing again at the Confiteor to provoke Humility and Contrition in the People 3. Beating his Breast at mea culpa to teach Humiliation 4. Ascending to the Altar the Priest kisseth the middle of it because the Altar signifies the Church kissing Peace and Unity 4. Parts 1. Introite the entrance into the Office after the Priest's coming to the Altar which is repeated twice 2. Gloria Patri added to it 3. Kyrie Eleison 4. Gloria in excebsis 5. Oremus 6. The Collect viz. a Sum of the Epistle and Gospel 7. The Gradual the holy degrees of Penance 8. The Tract viz. two or three Versicles betwixt the Epistle and Gospel sung with a slow long protracted Tone between Septuagesima and Easter in place of the Gradual because a time of penance and mourning 9. The Gospel read at the North-end of the Altar to signifie that Satan's Kingdom seated in the North Jer. 1.14 is destroyed 4. Gestures again 1. Signing the Book with the Sign of the Cross 2. Priest and People sign themselves with the Cross in three places viz. Fore-head Mouth and Breast 3. The first Offertory of Bread and Wine mingled with Water 4. The Priest washing the ends of his Fingers 5. Silence a while 6. Elevating the Voice in saying the Preface 7. The Canon the most sacred essential part of the Mass read with a low Voice signifying the sadness of Christ's Passion 8. Beginning the Canon with bowing of the Head 9. In the midst of it kissing the Altar and signing the Host and Chalice thrice with the sign of the Cross 10. Signing the Offerings again five times 11. After Consecration kneeling and adoring 12. Elevation of the Host and Chalice 13. Signing again the Offerings five times to signifie Christ's five Wounds 14. A nomination of the Dead to whom the Sacrifice is applied 15. Elevation of the Voice again in saying Nobis quoque peccatoribus 16. Signing the Host and Chalice three times again to signifie the
Embassies and Arts Threats and Promises of the Church of Rome their Pastors were prevailed with to make Retractations and submit themselves for a while to the Papal Yoke But they soon started back again and the whole body of the people were never entirely reduced to this day Yet bitterly reproached and spitefully represented to the World and confounded with the Manichees Cathari and the worst of Hereticks on purpose to derive the greater Odium and stroke of Persecution upon them 2. Their Names At first they were called Patarines from a place called Patria or Pataria where upon a difference with their Neighbours they were feign to say Mass by themselves afterwards Subalpini from the Countrey Waldenses from Valles Waldenses from Waldo being an Eminent Man and one that had translated the Scriptures into a Known Tongue and probably many of his disciples joyning themselves to this Church Lions the place of their abode gave them the Name of Poor People of Lions c. Albigenses 3. Their Countrey First Italy and the Countrey of Piedmont Lombardy France and Bohemia whither they fled for shelter in the times of persecution about A. C. 1200. England c. 4. Their Doctrines 1. The Church of Rome is an Assembly of ungodly men not the Church of Christ but the Whore in the Revelation 2. All sins reign in that Church 3. That themselves are the true poor in Spirit who suffer for the Faith c. The True Church of Christ 4. That the Eastern Church doth not value the Church of Rome 5. They despise all Ordinances and Statutes of the Church as being too many and burdensom 6. The Prelates are the Scribes and Pharisees 7. None in the Church ought to be greater than other 8. None ought to kneel to a Priest See thou do it not Rev. 9. Tythes are not to be given to Priests nor the Clergy ought not to enjoy any Temporal Possessions Prebends Regalia c. 10. Neither Land nor People ought to be divided into Parishes 11. They condemn Monasteries all the Sacraments of the Church of Rome 12. They were against Swearing c. But these are accounted to us by Authors of the Roman Church with so much malice and confusion that 't is not easie to believe any of their Reports They had indeed a mixture of Error with their substantial Truths which is capable of Apology 5. Their Conduct of Life They were orderly and modest in their manners and behaviour avoiding all Pride in their Habits wearing neither very rich Cloaths nor over mean and ragged ones they kept up no Trade to avoid Lies Swearing and Deceit but only lived by the Labour of their hands as Handy-crafts men and Day-labourers and their Teachers were Weavers and Tailors they did not heap up Riches but were content with Necessaries they were also very Chast sparing and very temperate in Eating and Drinking not frequenting Taverns or Ale-houses nor going to Balls or other Vanities abstaining from Anger when they workt they either Learned or Taught and therefore Prayed but little They Hypocritically went to Church Offered Confessed Communicated and heard Sermons to catch the Preacher in his Words Observe this Character is given them by an Adversary an Inquisitor who wrote in the 14th Century In like manner their Women were very modest avoiding Back-biting Foolish Jesting and levity of Words and abstaining especially from lies and swearing not so much as making use of the common Asseverations In truth for certain c. 6. Their Worship and Behaviour from the afore-said Anthor They kneel down upon the ground before a bench or the like and continue thus in all their Prayers in silence as long as one might repeat a Pater-Noster 30 or 40 times and conclude their Prayers by repeating the word Amen several times and this they do every day very Reverently amongst those of their own Perswasion without the company of any Strangers before noon after noon and at night when they go to bed besides some other times as well in the day morning and at night they say teach nor have any other Prayer besides Our Father They do not look on the Salutation of the Angel to be a Prayer nor the Apostle's Creed and say that these were introduced by the Church of Rome not by Christ However they have drawn up a short draught of the seven Articles concerning the Godhead and as many concerning the Human Nature the Ten Commandmants and the seven Works of Mercy which they say and teach and boast much of them and readily offer themselves to Answer to any one that demands of them a reason of their Faith Before they set themselves down to Table they bless it saying Bless the Lord. Lord have mercy upon us Christ have mercy upon us Lord have mercy upon us Our Father c. After which the Eldest of the Company saith in the Vulgar Tongue God who blessed the 5 barley Loaves and 2 Fishes in the Desart before his Disciples bless this Table and that which is upon it and then make the sign of the Cross in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost Amen And when they rise from Table after Dinner or Supper they give Thanks thus the Eldest in the Vulgar Tongue repeating the Doxology set down in the Revelation Blessing and Glory and Wisdom and Thanksgiving Honour Power and Might be ascribed to God alone for ever and ever Amen And then adds God render a good reward and a plentiful return to all those who are our Benefactors and the God who hath given us Corporal food vouchsafe us also the Life of his Spirit and God be with us and we with him always Amen Also when they bless the Table and when they return Thanks they fold their Hands together and lift them up towards Heaven And after Dinner and they have returned Thanks and Prayed as before they Preach Teach and Exhort according to their way and Doctrine They who would know more may read Archbishop Vsher Morland Dr. Allix out of whom I have in great hast Extracted this short Account rather to give an edg than satisfy the Appetite of my Readers Place these Two Leaves before the 2d Part. THE HISTORY OF ALL RELIGIONS In the World c. PART II. 1. Knowledge of God Jewish MAimonides acknowledges God to be incorporeal and incomprehensible Dr. Tenison Esdras appointed the People to meet three times a week to be taught the Law because in the desart of Sur they wandered three days without water i. e. the Law Ross Christians S. Augustine was inflamed with a desire of Wisdom by reading Ciccro's Hortensius That Book saith he changed my Affections and turned my Prayers to thy self O Lord and made an alteration in my wishes and desires All vain hope grew low in my esteem on a suddain and I long'd for the Immortality of Wisdom with an incredible heat of mind How did I burn my God how did I burn with a desire to fly from Earthly things to thee and I knew
not what thou wouldst do with me for with thee is Wisdom I was delighted with this alone in that Exhortation that he did mightily excite me with that Discourse and inflame me that I should love seek after and attain and hold fast and embrace not this or that Sect but Wisdom it self whatever it was And I did burn and this only cooled me in so great a heat that the Name of Christ was not there For this Name through thy Mercy O Lord I had suck'd into my tender Heart with my Mother's Milk and whatsoever was without this Name tho Learned and Polite and True did not wholly Ravish me August l. 3. Conf. c. 4. Felix Africanus Bishop and his Associates chose rather to give up their own Lives in the Dioclesian Persecution that the Copies of the New Testament Origen when a Child was very inquisitive into the hidden meaning of the Scriptures and even tired his Father with asking questions and afterwards never went to Meals never to Sleep without some part of the Scripture read Dr. Cave John an Egyptian Confessor whom Eusebius saw and heard tho his Eyes were out and his Body mangled would repeat any passages out of the Old and New Testament whom I supposed saith he to be reading in a Book till coming near I was struck with great Admiration Idem Theodosius the younger could exactly repeat the Holy Scripture in any part Idem Nazianzen ptofesseth he had willingly renounced all other things for the sake of this Book Idem Gildas hath scarce one Paragraph in his Epistles unstored with Texts of Scripture T. Jones K. Alphonsus read over the Bible 14 times with Commentaries such as his Age afforded Mr Bradford never went to bed without his Book Fox Martyrol Heathens The more I study the Nature of God and inquire what he is the less I find The Saying of Simonides to Hiero of Syracuse Know that it is the greatest Point of Religion about the Immortal Gods to have right Opinions of them that you may know that they are and that they govern all things well and righteously and that we ought to obey them and acquiesce in all things that they do c. Epict. c. 38. Muscovites There are a great number of Monasteries both for men and women in Muscovy of S. Basil's order but they have this common with all the Muscovites that they can hardly write and read Not one in ten can say the Lord's Prayer much fewer the Creed and Commandments D. of Holstein's Emb. Travels p. 105. Persians The Audience being over The King of Persia again sent for Lalin Mariage and Father Raphael and after a short discourse having dismissed all but F. Raphael he fell into a Dispute with him touching the Unity of the Divine Nature the necessity of one Prophet and how Mahomet was the Seal and Crown of all the Prophets He seemed to admire that the Franks who had the reputation of being People of Wit and Discretion could think that Jesus Christ was a God Tavernier's Collection of several Relations c. p. 28. Papists The Venetians are generally ignorant of the matters of Religion to a scandal and they are as unconcerned in them as strangers to them Dr. Burnet's Letters The great Libertinage that is so undecently practised by most sorts of People at Venice extends it self to the Clergy to such a degree that tho Ignorance and Vice seem the only indelible Characters that they carry generally over all Italy yet those appear here in a more conspicuous manner than elsewhere Idem One of the chief Ornaments of Venice was the famous Young Woman that spoke five tongues well of which the Latin and Greek were two she passed Dr. of Physick at Padua was a person of such extraordinary Vertue and Piety that she is spoken of as a Saint she was of the Noble Family of the Cornaro's Idem 2. Love to God Christian ¶ From Syria even to Rome I fight with Beasts by Land by Sea Night and Day bound with 10 Leopards a guard of Souldiers would to God I might enjoy the Beasts prepar'd for me who I wish may make quick dispatch with me whom I will allure to devour me speedily and if they will not I will even force them Pardon me I know what is best for me Now I begin to be a Disciple of Christ Let Fire Cross and Troops of violent Beasts and all the torments of the Devil come on me that I may enjoy Christ Ignatius in his Journey to Rome My Love is crucified The saying of Ignat. Two Loves make two Cities the Love of God makes Jerusalem the love of the World makes Babylon Let every on ask himself what he Loves and he will find of what place he is a Citizen Aug. on Psalm 64. He loves thee less O Lord who loves any thing with thee which he doth not love for thee Idem in Conf. l. He that Loves not doth not labour for all labour is difficult to them who do not love Only Love is ashamed of the name of Difficulty Ibid. The Love of God is never idle Operatur enim magna Greg. in Ho. Our Soul is not more present where it lives than where it loves Vbi animat quà m ubi amat unless you suppoe it to be more there where 't is bound by necessity than were it is carried freely Bern. de Praecep Love of God Prior Deus dilexit nos Tantus tantum gratis tantillos tales Bern. If you would be presently cleansed from Vices enkindle in your self the Fire of Divine Love if you have perfectly tasted the sweetness of the Divine Love you will not care for temporal sweetness Rabanus in quod Serm. Wretched I how much ought I to love my God who made me when I was not Redeemed me when I was miserable For I was not and he made me of nothing not a Stone not a Tree not a Brute but he would have me to be a Man he gave me Life Sense Discretion brought me out of Exile Redeemed me out of Bondage called me by his Name that his Memorial might be always with me he anointed me with the Oil of Gladness with which himself was anointed that I might be anointed from the Anointed and called a Christian from Christ August de Sp. An. I have loved thee O lord not with a doubtful but certain Conscience Thou hast smitten my Heart with thy Word and I have loved Thee The Heavens and the Earth and all things therein cry unto me that I should love thee Neither do they cease to speak unto All Men that they may be inexcusable Idem in l. Conf. If Souls please thee let them be loved in God for they also are Mutable but fixed in Him they are established otherwise they would go and perish therefore let them be loved in Him and draw them with thy self to Him as many as thou canst and say to them Let us love Him let us love Him He made these things and He is
to Church Mr. Hales Let. from Dort to Sir D. Carleton Helvetia One of the Helvetian Deputies declared That with them all Persons before Marriage were to be Examined by the Minister else their Marriage was to be deferr'd Idem A Catechism answering in bare Texts of Scripture was desired by the Remonstrants at the Synod of Dort to gain Anabaptists c. Idem Palatinate In the Palatinate in Sundays at one a Clock the Bell rings duly to Assemble the young People together at Church in order to be Catechised where Persons grown up to Men and Women submit themselves willingly to Catechetical Instruction and aged Persons disdain not to give their Presence The Ordinance is attended with Psalms and Prayers Protestants of France The Protestants of France have a large Catechism which they expound on Sundays Afternoon Papists The Papists have their Catechism likewise and Catechising used amongst them See afterwards under the Title of Discipline Frequency and Devotion at the Sacrament Jews THey embrace Circumcision for a Sacrament of Divine Institution and a Sign and Seal of the Covenant seldom deferring it longer than the eighth day doing it sometimes at home the Richer in the Synagogue The chief Officer or Circumciser is Mohel the God-father is called Baal-berith who receives the Child at the Synagogue-Door with this Acclamation Blessed is he the Child or Elias that comes and holds the Child to the Mohel who gives GOD thanks for this Sacrament given to Abraham Whilest the Fore-skin is taking away the Father thanks the Lord that he gave Abraham a heart to fulfill the Law of Circumcision and preserv'd him to see this his Son circumcised When he hath done the Mohel prays that the Child may live to see his Sons thus initiated may keep the Law and do good Works Then he taking a Cup of Wine and blessing God for creating the Vine and giving it an exhilarating Vertue dips the little Finger of his left Hand thrice in the Wine and lets it drop in the Child's mouth and having tasted it himself reaches it to the Congregation After which the Mohel gives GOD thanks that he hath Sanctified the Child in the Womb and hath brought it to the Foederal-Sacrament c. Then he takes the Infant from the Baal-berith and delivering it to the Father gives it a Name praying for him c. Dr. Addison I forgot to tell that at the Baal-berth's giving the Child to the Mohel is sung Deut. 15. They are not peremptory about the precise time of eight Days I knew one Jacob Israel Balgara born in Spain Circumcised in Barbary in the fortieth Year of his Age. They are careful not to delay the first occasion of being Circumcised The negligence of Parents herein is liable to Excommunication If a Child die before the eighth day 't is Circumcised at the place of Burial with only giving it a Name c. In the celebration of the Passeover they run home from the Synagogues at Even where they have in one Dish three Cakes in another a rosted Leg of Lamb with an hard Egg in another Pap and spiced Wine and divers Fruits in another Lettice Parsley c. Rosse Christians Serapion having lapsed and on his Death-bed desiring Reconciliation and the Sacrament and none being willing to communicate with him he sent his Boy to the Pastor who being also sick sent the Eucharist by the Boy after he had re-received the Sop he immediately died Dr. Cave Calvinists A Gentleman of no mean rank being a Candidate of Divinity and assisting at the Administration of the Sacrament while he was holding the Cup fixed his Eyes upon a Gentlewoman who was betrothed to him She some days after at her Father's House ask'd him the Reason He told her because he had almost a fancy to drink her Health Whereupon she began to hate and utterly detest him and the Matter being spread abroad he was taken Prisoner and some Weeks after Condemned and Beheaded Werndley in his Liturgia Tigurina Heathens Gaurs The Gaurs in Persia at the Birth of their Children practise something like our Baptism for some days after the Child is born they wash it with Water wherein certain Flowers are first boyl'd and during that dipping the Priest who is present makes certain Prayers If the Child dye without that washing they do not believe but that it goes to Paradise but the Parents shall give an account for their neglect because the washing encreases his Favour in the sight of GOD. M. Tavern l. 4. Armenians The Armenians always Communicate at their Marriage and during the Administration they Sing and play on certain great Cymbals D. of H. Emb. Trav. Those aged Persons that Communicate not once a Year and Children dying unbaptized are not buried in the Church-yard Idem p. 208. Muscovites Those Muscovites who receive the Sacrament prepare themselves by extraordinary Mortifications for eight days eating nothing but a hard kind of Bread and drinking nothing but Water and Quas which is so sowre that it wrings the Belly and brings to Death's door and make their Confession Such as have taken an Oath lately in any Law-suit or committed Murder or any heinous Sin are debarr'd 'till death There are but few that neglect to receive the Sacrament at Easter Sacraments Muscovites THE Muscovites think Baptism the only Door through which a Man must enter into Christ and so into Paradise They Baptize their Children as soon as born if weak at home if well at Church The way thus 1. The Priest receives the Child at the Church-Door from the God-father and God-mother crosses and blesses him saying The Lord preserve thy going out and coming in receives Wax-Candles uses Incense c. 2. Makes a Procession about the Font 3 times with the God-father c. the Clerk going before with the Picture of S. John the Priest reading in the interim c. 3. The God-fathers give the Child's Name in Writing which the Priest puts on an Image upon the Child's breast saying over certain Prayers 4. He asks the God-fathers if the Child believe in God the Father Son and H. Ghost 5. All turn their Backs upon the Font to shew their horrour for those three Questions that are to be ask'd afterwards viz. If he renounced the Devil his Angels and his Works To which the God-fathers answer three times and spit so often on the ground 6. Then they face about and the Priest asks If they will bring up the Child in the true Greek Religion 7. He Exorcises the Child by putting his hand on him and blowing three times cross and saying Get out of this Child thou unclean Spirit 8. He cuts off a little of the Child's hair puts it in a Book dips the naked Child three times in the Water In the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost 9. Puts a corn of Salt in the Child's mouth crosses it on the Fore-head Hands Breast Back with Oil puts a clean Shirt on him saying Thou art as clean as this
Shirt hangs a Cross about his Neck to be kept 'till Death D. of Holst Emb. Trav. Modern Heathens The Baptism of the Persees in East-India is thus So soon as one is born the Daroo is called upon who delays not but being instructed in the precise time of his Nativity calculates his Fortune the Daroo gives the Name the Mother assenting to it This done they haste together to the Eggaree where the Priest puts a little Water into the Bark of a Tree the Name of which is Holme the place it grows in Yezd not far from Spahawn a Tree that Zertoost blessed a Tree which they say yields no shadow The Water out of this hallowed Rind being pured upon the Infant a Prayer is then made that it may be cleansed from all impurity At 7 years of Age the Child is Confirmed by the Daroo and taught to say his Prayers over the Fire but with his Mouth and Nostrils cover'd lest his sinful Breath offend the Deity after which he drinks a little cold Water chaws a Pomegranate-Leaf washes in a Tank cloaths his Body with a fine Shuddero reaching to his Waste ties a Zone of Cushee about his Loins woven with Inkle of the Herboods making which he wears ever after and after a short Prayer that he may never prove an Apostate but continue a Fire-Worshipper that he may eat no Man's Meat nor drink any Man's Drink but his own he is ever after reputed a Believer Sir Tho. Herb. Trav. into Persia Concerning the Bannyans see in the First Book Ch. Sacram. Amboyna In Amboyna though Worshippers of the Devil they Circumcise at Twelve or Thirteen Years of Age c. Mandelslo Sachion In Sachion the Tartars dedicate their Children to their Idols and on Festival-Days Sacrifice Rams for their Childrens Preservation Rosse Guinea In Guinea the Priests besprinkle their Infants after Sermon with Water wherein a Newt doth swim Rosse Loango In Loango Circumcision is used Idem And in Madagascar also and Jucatan Armenians The Armenians thus Consecrate and Administer the Sacrament 1. They set the Consecrated Bread on the Altar 2. The Arch-Bishop reads the Mass for the Ceremony 3. At reading the Gospel they light abundance of Wax-tapers 4. After the Gospel several of the Noviciates take Sticks in their hands about 5 Foot long at the end whereof are Latten Plates with little Bells hanging about them which when they are shaked sound like Cymbals 5. Other Noviciates hold a Copper Plate in their hands hung about with Bells which they strike one against another and at the same time the Ecclesiasticks and Laity sing together indifferent harmoniously 6. All this while the Arch-bishop hath two Bishops on each side of him who are in the room of a Dean and a Sub-dean 7. By and by he goes and unlocks a Window in the Wall on the Gospel side and takes out the Chalice where the Wine is 8. Then with all his Musick he takes a turn about the Altar on which he at length sets down the Chalice saying certain Prayers 9. With the Chalice in his hand and the Bread upon the Chalice he turns towards the People who presently Prostrate themselves upon the ground beat their Breasts and kiss the Earth while the Arch-bishop pronounces This is the Lord who gave his Body and Blood for you 10. Then he turns towards the Altar and eats the Bread dipt in the Wine For they never drink the Wine 11. He turns towards the People with the Bread and Chalice in his hand and they that will receive come one after another to the bottom of the Choir to whom he gives the Bread dipt as before The bread is without Leaven flat and round about as thick as a Crown and as big as the Host of the Mass being Consecrated the day before by the Priest whose Office it is M. Tavernier l. 4. c. 9. They never put Water in their Wine When they come to the Communion the Arch-bishop or Priest says these words I confess and believe that this is the Body and Blood of the Son of God who takes away the sins of the World who is not only ours but the Salvation of all mankind He repeats these words three times the people saying after him word for word ibid. They give the Communion to Children of two or three Months old which the Mothers bring in their Arms tho many times the Children put it out of their Mouths again ibid. They never administer in Lent for then they never say Mass but on Sunday noon which they call Low Mass at which time they never see the Priest who hath a Curtain drawn before the Altar and only reads the Gospel and Creed aloud The Armenians Baptize infants on Sunday except in danger of Life the Midwife carrying the Infant to Church where the Bishop or Priest plunges it naked in the water and returns it to the Godfather going on with his Prayers and twists a double string one of white Cotton another of red silk signifying the Blood and Water which flowed from the Body of Christ about the Child's neck then he anoints the Child and crosseth it in the several places where the Oyl dropped saying I Baptize thee in the Name of Father Son and Holy Ghost The Forehead Chin Stomach Arm-holes Hands and Feet are anointed The Patriarch makes this Oyl every year on the Eve of our Lady in September after a small Lent of eight days of several fragrant Flowers and Aromatical Drugs but the principal is called Balassau-Jague or flower of paradise When 't is made two bottles are sent to all the Convents of Asia Europe and Africa When the Ceremony of baptism is over the Godfather returns home with the Infant in his arms and a Taper of white wax in each hand attended with trumpets drums haut-boys which go before to the parents house where the Godfather delivers the child to the mother she prostrating her self before the Godfather and kissing his feet he her head the minister names the child according to the Name of the Saint of that day in their Almanack Afterwards they Feast The poorer sort carry the Child to Church on the Week-days without any Ceremony with Tears in their Eyes pretending it to be sickly and like to die and so make no Feasts at all If Women lye in 15 or 20 days before Christmas they often defer till the Festival then in all the Cities and Villages where the Armenians live if there be any river or pond they spread 2 or 3 Flat-bottom'd Boats with carpets to walk upon and in one of them set up an Altar and in the Morning by Sun-rising all the Armenian Clergy of that Town or City and Parts adjoyning get into the Boats in their Habits with the Cross and Banner dip the Cross in the Water 3 times and every time drop the Holy Oyl upon it then plunge the Infant and anoint him 3 times saying I Baptize c. The King of Persia is many times present at the Ceremony when
for the Master's Offence alone but for his own Rosse Self-denial Jews IN nothing scarce did the Pedagogy of the Mosaick Law approve it self to be an excellent Institution more than in this that the whole drift and tendency of it was to break the Jewish Nation off from their own Wills and bring them to an humble dependency upon the will of God And accordingly we find the Devout Persons that were among them deny themselves mightily in the Observations of the Mosaick Rites in the distinction of Meats of Days of Garments in their Solemnities of the Ordinances of Circumcision Passover Purifications Sacrifices c. And to this day they are superstitiously Zealous and Obstinate in bearing the reproach of an accursed People and adhereing still to their old Religion in despite of all the Evidences that are produced in the World to prove all the Shadowy part of it null and void Papists At the Inauguration of the Roman Popes the Master of the Ceremonies leads the way into S. Gregory's Chappel and burns some straws over a Candle repeating 3 times Sic transit gloria mundi Camerar Daniel Arch-bishop and Elector of Mentz in a little peculiar Book of Prayers which he had wrote Life is short Beauty deceitful Mony fluent Government hateful War destructive Victory doubtful friendship deceitful Old Age miserable Death happiness the fame of wisdom Eternal Idem Mahometans When they pray to God for any thing they are to resign themselves to his will and say O my God I beg of thee not to grant what I ask if it be not for my Good F. Simon Calvinists He that hath learned to displease himself much hath made a good proficiency in Christianity Calvin The Marquess of Vicum in Italy that for his Religion relinquished his Native Soyl the Wife of his Bosom his dear Children his great Riches and took upon him a voluntary Exile at Geneva to serve his God according to his Faith and Conscience that he might die in Peace and save his Soul was a very remarkable instance of Self-denial Indians Some of the Indian Faquirs live in little pitiful Huts near their Pagods where they have once in 24 hours Victuals bestowed upon them for God's sake Some will retire into Huts near their Pagods where there is but one hole to let in the light and will stay there according to the height of their Devotion sometimes 9 or 10 days together without either eating or drinking a thing which I could not have believed had I not seen it My Curiosity carried me to see one of them with the president of the Dutch Company who sent a Spy to watch night and day whether any body brought him any Victuals but he could not discover any relief the Faquir had all the while sitting upon his Bum like our Tailors never changing his posture above 7 days together not being able to hold out any longer by reason that the Heat and stench of the Lamp was ready to stifle him There are other sorts of Penance out-doing this which might be thought incredible were there not so many thousand witnesses thereof e.g. One over whose head several years have passed yet he never slept day nor night When he finds himself sleepy he hangs the weight of the upper part of his Body upon a double Rope fastened to the Bough of a Tree and by the continuance of this posture which is very strange and painful there falls a humor into their Legs which swells them very much Another night and day Summer and Winter carries his Arms above his Head which causes certain Carnosities to breed in his Joynts that he can never bring them down again His hair grows down to his waste his Nails are as long as his Fingers his nakedness is all the year long exposed to heat and rain and stinging of Flies For he hath no use of his hands to rid himself Another stands on one foot for several hours in a day with a Chafing-Dish in his hand offering Incense to his God and all the while fixing his Eyes upon the Sun Another sleeps without ever resting his Arms a great torment certainly Others have their arms flagging down upon their Shoulders through weakness being dried up for want of Nourishment Some in a posture quite contrary to the motion and frame of Nature keep their Eyes always turned toward the Sun Others fix their Eyes perpetually on the ground never so much as speaking one word or looking any person in the Face c. There is an infinite variety of them In City and Countrey they go all as naked as they came out of their Mothers Womb And tho the Women approach them to take them by the Fingers ends and to kiss those parts which modesty forbids to name yet shall you not observe in them any motion to Sensuality at all rather quite contrary seeing them never to look upon any person but rowling their Eyes in a most frightful manner you would believe them in an Ecstasy Tavernier Par. 2. l. 2. c. 6. Justice and Honesty See Care of the Bodies of others Jews THE Jews in case of Meum and Tuum have a cheap and compendious way of proceeding and determining what is Right and Wrong by a Juncto of Sabios or Masters Dr. Addison Ancient Christians Nazianzen reports of his Father That though he went through great Offices of State yet he made not one Farthing's addition to his own Revenue though he saw some before his Eyes that with Briarius laid hold on the publick Treasures and therewith filled their own Coffers St. Austine saith He knew a Man probably himself who having a Book offered him to be sold by one that understood not the Price of it at a very small Under-rate took the Book but gave him the full price according to its just rate a great deal more than the Seller asked De Trin. l. 13. It was Pliny's Testimony to Trajan l. 10. Ep. 97. The greatest Fault that they the Christians are guilty of is that they use harmlesly to meet to worship Christ and at those Meetings to bind themselves by a Sacrament or Oath that they would not do any Wickedness that they might be firmlier obliged not to commit Theft Robberies Adulteries not to falsifie their words or to deny any thing wherewith they are entrusted when it was required of them A Woman that industriously made her self to Miscarry was adjudged to ten years Pennance Infant-killing by a Law of Valentinian Emperor was made subject to the same Penalty with killing an adult Person The Punishment of Willful Murder by St. Basil's Rule was twenty years Pennance In Tertullian's time perpetual Pennance not to be absolved by Death Dr. Cave 's Prim. Christian. Georgians In Georgia a Thief is acquitted paying Seven-fold what he hath stole two parts to the Party robbed one to the Judges and four to the King If he hath not wherewith to satisfie he is sold if the Product do not yet equal the Sum his Wife is sold
But I was pleased to see many Turks to salute Seignior Gabriel the Emperour's Courier in our Company and to take his hand and put it to their foreheads Dr. Edw. Brown 's Travels Persians A Mile nearer Spahawn the Visier the Sultan of Spahawn Meloyembeg and Hodgenazar the Armenian Prince in a Cavalcade of about 4000 Horse and innumerable Foot came out to meet us the High-way for two Miles full of Men Women Children and Banyans who all saluted us with Hoshomody Soflowardy the better sort with Hosh-galdom Sottogaldom i.e. Welcom welcom Heartily welcom Sir Tho. Herb. Mogul's Countrey Indolstan 1. The Meaner sort to their Superiors put their right hand to the Earth 2. Their Familiars in intimate Salutation take one another by the Chin and cry Father or Brother using good Wishes as God give you health Ans The same health God give you I wish you the Prayers of the Poor I wish one good after another to come to you every quarter of an Hour 3. The Better sort when they entertain you rise up to you bow their Bodies and then entreat you to sit with them The Goeghy a Sect of Banyans never speak to such as pass by them nor give them the time of the day nay they will not answer those that speak to them out of a Perswasion that being consecrated to their God Bruin they should defile themselves by speaking to other Men. Mandelslo's Travels into the Indies p. 56. Chinese Above all the Chinese exceed in this Point The first thing they teach their Youth is Salutation and have whole Books writ upon it If a Man hath but once seen a Person he is obliged to salute him and this is not done with the Hat but closing the left hand and putting it into the right and both to the Breast with a low inclination of the Head with Protestations to confirm what is expressed by Gestures c. Idem Tunquin Among the Tunquinese it is not the Custom to ask one another How they do but How many Measures of Rice he ate far his Dinner and whether he ate with an Appetite This is a general Custom among all the Idolatrous Indians unless in the Dominions of the Great Mogul where they â—at not Rice only but Bread and there they ask in Civility How much Rice they boiled and How much Meal they baked for Bread Tavernier 's Collect. of Relat. Fidelity Treachery Jews THE Treachery of the Jews hath been one great Reason of the unkind Usage they have met with from Christians and their frequent Expulsions from Country to Country as at Trent for crucifying a Child and poisoning Wells so likewise in Hungary c. for the like Misdemeanours In Curland for a Murrain as was suspected raised by Jewish Exorcisms among the Cattle but intended as was said a Plague to the People c. Christians The Christian Principle and the Practice of good Christians is well known in this respect Yet sometimes we have instances of gross Perfidiousness as in the case of Vladislaus K. of Hungary who by instigation of the Pope's Legate had broken League with Amurath the Turkish Emperour who upon his crying out Are these O Christ the Leagues which thy Servants have Sworn to by thy Name If thou art a God Avenge the Injury got the Victory over him and carried the King's Head on a Spear c. Alsted Papists Henry 7th Emperour was so Devout that he would pray and weep whole Nights before a Crucifix which he carried with him and received the Sacrament daily upon which occasion he died by a Minorite of Florence that gave him the Host Poisoned Alsted Hist. John Husse and Jerome of Prague were burnt alive after a Promise of Safe-Conduct granted by the Emperour and the Axiom enacted That Faith is not to be kept with Hereticks Russians The Muscovites are generally false and perfidious not regarding their words but studying to over-reach or cozen all they can insomuch that being in other Countries they strive to dissemble their own S. Clark Romans I love Treachery but hate Traytors said Augustus Emperour to one that boasted of his Merits Rhymitacles King of Thrace who had revolted from Antony to him Camerar Heathens Brennus King of France over-whelmed a Maid that had betrayed Ephesus to him with Bracelets and Necklaces the Reward of her Treachery Idem The Julian Law assigned the same Punishment to Sacrilege and Treachery placing the one the very next step to the other Vlpian l. 7. de Offic. Procons Mohometans Solyman The Turkish Emperour contrary to his Promise commanded the Betrayers of Buda to be slain Camerar The same Solyman promised his Daughter for a Reward to him that would betray the Isle of Rhodes but when the Christian Traitor challenged his Promise with a large Portion for Matrimony the King brought his Daughter out in very costly Attire with a Vides me stetisse promissis you see I am as good as my word but withal commanded him to be flead and put on a Bed of Salt or his Daughter would not be a fit Match except for a Mussulman whose Skin was Circumcised and clean from Baptism Idem One of the Dervises pretending to ask an Alms of Bajazet the Second desperately assailed him with a short Scimiter hid under his hypocritical habit Knolles p. 463. The like they had attempted against his Father in his Youth c. and in our days Mahomet the Great Vizier Passa was murthered by one of these Dervises Idem The Mahometans but especially the Hindoes are very faithful to all their Engagements insomuch that if they be assaulted at any time they will rather die in defence of their Trust than forsake it and those that intrust them in time of their need Marriage and Divorce Jews THE manner of proceeding in Marriage is set down Methodically in the first Book what was omitted there is to be related here After the Dowry made by the Bridegroom upon the Bride of which but half the Sum is usually given to Widows as to Virgins follows Affiancing in these words Behold take her after the Law of Moses The Man replies Be thou unto me a Wife according to the Law of Moses and Israel Their Dowry-bill according to the usage of the Jews in Barbary is thus Upon the Sixth of the Week the Fourth of the Month in the Year of the Creation of the World according to the Computation which we use here at Arzila a Town scituate on the Sea-shore of Barbary the Bridegroom Rabbi the Son of R. said unto the Bride-wife Daugter of R. Merchant in Alcazar Be unto me a Wife according to the Law of Moses and Israel and I according to the Word of God will worship honour maintain and govern thee according to the manner of Husbands among the Jews who do faithfully worship honour maintain and govern their Wives I also bestow upon thee the Dowry of thy Virginity amounting to 50 Shekels which belong unto thee by the Law and moreover thy food raiment and
then all the rest by reason of the innumerable number of Nations which are cherished within the bowels of so large a Continent Job Ludolph Hist. of Ethiop chap. 16. I went to a Church at Bitchka where the minister prayed and preached and tho there were a very good linguist with me who spake Sclavonian German Turkish Vulgar Greek and Italian yet could he make nothing of it or find any affinity in it with any other language he knew A specimen hereof is set down by Megiserus of the Lords prayer in that language Mi attyanck by vagy as meniegbe megh Szentel Tesseck az te newed c. Quaere whether this were not the Jazygian In the like manner we were confounded with the Language of Albania on the North of Epirus and West of Macedonia Dr. Brown's Travels Graces at Meat Jews THat Graces or Benedictions were used at meat among the Jews is plain from 1 Sam. 9.13 where it is said That the people did not eat until he came because he was to bless the Sacrifice And also from the Example of our Saviour Christ Mat. 14.19 He blessed and brake c. Mat. 26.26 Mar. 6.41 Luke 9.16 c. Besides the Essaeans before they eat always give Thanks and no Man may eat any Meat till this Prayer be made unto God likewise when dinner is ended they pray again for both before and after they give Thanks to God the Giver of all Joseph of the Wars of the Jews Book 2. Chap. 7. Christians If you please I will rehearse to you a Hymn which S. Chrysostom sets out with wonderful Praises in a certain Homily not disdaining also to interpret it Bessed God who feedest me from my Youth who gives Meat to all Flesh fill our Hearts with Joy and Gladness that having plentifully what is sufficient we may abound in every good Work thro' Jesus Christ our Lord to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be Glory Honour and Empire for ever Erasm Conviv Religios A Grace after Meat Glory be to thee O Lord Glory to thee O Holy One Glory to thee O King because thou hast given us Meat fill us with Joy and Gladness in the Holy Ghost that we may be found acceptable in thy Sight and not be ashamed when thou shalt render to every one according to their Works Amen Erasmus in Relig. Conv. ex Chrys in Matt. Hom. 56. Thou that givest Food to all Flesh grant that we may receive this Food with thy Blessing thou Lord hast said that if we drink any thing that is deadly if we call upon thy Name it shall not hurt us Thou therefore who art Lord of all Power and Glory turn away all evil and malignant quality from our Food and what-ever Pernicious Influence it may have upon us Dr. Cave out of Tertullian In Switzerland the Children are obliged to rehearse the Lord's Prayer before and after Meat Conrad Werndly The French Protestants bless their Meat in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost Abissines They always read Prayers both before and after Meals a thing that some of our Courtiers are in a manner ashamed of who will hardly tarry to hear a short Grace Here in Abissinia you shall have the whole Psalter repeated at their great Feasts without any incovenience to the Guests for he whose office it is distributes to every one a part The King and they that are accustomed to it know their proper time the larger Psalms are divided among more the short ones to only one and thus by several the whole Psalter is read as it were in a Moment for the Psalter is made use of by all neither have they any other Book for daily Prayer Job Ludolph l. 2. c. 12. Armenians They were all the Dishes set down upon the Ground before the Patriarch who then prayed and gave thanks Mons Tavernier l. 1. c. 3. Mahometans They say always before Meat their Bismillah i. e. In the Name of God After Meat They give thanks by a Handillah i. e. God be praised and afterwards they wash their Hands M. de Thevenot Eat nothing which hath not before been blessed Purchas out of the Alcoran Heathens In Guinea and the East-Indies at their Eating they Consecrate their first bit and draught to their Fetisso wherewith they besprinkle it View of the Engl. Acquis in Guinea and the East-Indies The old Heathens when their Mensae Secundae were brought in had their Boni Eventûs i. e. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 poculum a Cup by way of Sacrifice or Oblation to their good Genius Pontanus and Dr. Holyday out of Camerarius So in the beginning they had their Libatio Persians We sat at dinner viz. at the King of Persia's Court about an hour and a half and then the Cloth being taken away there was warm Water brought to wash their Hands which done the Lord Chamberlain cried aloud Suffre Hakine Scahe douletine Kasiler Kuwetine Alla Dielum i.e. Make us thankful for this repast prosper the King's Affairs give his Souldiers and Servants Courage this we pray thee O God whereto all the rest answer their Alla Alla. Grace being thus said they rose up and went out of the room one after another without speaking a word according to the custom of the Country Our Mehemander came also to tell us that we might withdraw when we pleased as we immediately did making a low reverence to the King Duke of Holstein 's Embassad Trav. into Muscovy c. p. 204. Malabar The King of Calecut eats no Meat till it be first offered by his Priest to the Idol Rosse Virginia The Pagans in Virgina instead of saying Grace at Meat used to fling the first bit into the Fire Idem By West-Virginia and Florida when they eat drink or sacrifice they used to throw up into the Air towards the Sun their Idol some part of their Food Idem The like is reported of New Spain Chinese The Chinese burn Amber at the end of their Feasts by way of Incense Tavernier par 2. l. 3. The Indians drink of the Water of Ganges out of Devotion at the end of their Feasts accounting it sacred Idem par 2. l. 3. c. 14. Tunquin The Tuquinese wash their Hands their Mouths their Face before they sit down Tavernier's Collect of Relations c. Ancient Heathens By way of Appendix to what was said before It was usual for both Ancient Greeks and Romans at every Feast to make their Libations or Offerrings to their Gods as Lovers to Venus Soldiers to Mars c. and also to Men especially such as they were obliged by Princes c. So in the times of Augustus his Preferments it was decreed by the Senate That the People should usually swear by his Genius and in all their Banquets should sacrifice for his Safety Alsted Encyclop l. 16. p. 2173. Lutherans Amongst the Lutherans the Woman of the House doth ordinarily say Grace instead of the Men. Dr. Brown 's Trav. p. 169. Magicians and Witches Mr.
Glanvil tells us from the Confession of some Witches that at their Night-Meetings when the Cloth is laid and the Devil set down at the upper end of the Table he useth some words before Meat Jews The Jews spreading their Hands over the Bread say Blessed art thou O Lord God King of the World who bringest Bread out of the Earth then over a Cup of Wine Blessed c. who hast made the Fruit of the Vine over Water no Blessing the 23d Psalm is set before them at Meal time and they have Multitudes of new Graces if any better Dainties be set before them Purchas Forms of Excommunication Jews The Degrees or Kinds of Excommunication are 1. THE Niddui the lowest sort as some think a separation or casting out of the Synagogue for about thirty Days during which time the Party was not to come within four Cubits either of Man or Woman nor to dress or trim himself as at other times yet admitted to instruction and divine Service Might be more severely punished his Son might be denied Circumcision his Dead not buried according to the Contumacy of the Person Excommunicated The Form was this N. Let him be excommunicated 2. The Shammatha the same with Maranatha as some think Mr. Selden thinks 't is the same with Niddui This was a total Exclusion from the Church a blotting them out of the Book of Life and not permitting them the least Communion in things of publick Religion and the word Shammatha they interpret the Coming of the Lord to take Vengeance on the Excommunicate It was never pronounced but when the Offender became desperate 3. The Cherem when the Offender within 30 days gave no sign of Amendment This was so dreadful and direful in our Saviour's time that many principal Jews who believed on Christ durst not confess him for fear of it See the Form By the Decrees of Cities and Command of the Holy we Anathematize adjure exterminate excommunicate curse and execrate God being willing and his Church by the Book of the Law by the 600 Precepts therein written by the Anathema with which Joshua anathematized Jericho by the Curse wherewith Elisha cursed the Young Man by the Curse wherewith Gehezi cursed his Boy and by the Excommunication with which Baruch excommunicated Merozi and by the Excommunication which R. Jehuda Son of Jehezkiel used in this matter and by all the Anathemata Imprecations Curses Excommunications and Exterminations which have been made from the time of our Master Moses and since by the name of Acetheriel Jah the Lord of Hosts Michael the great Prince by the name of Mittatron whose name is as the name of his Master by the name of Sandalipon who ties the bands of the Lord by the name of the 42 Letters by his name who appeared to Moses in the Bush by the name with which Moses divided the Sea by the name I am what I am by the mystery of the name Tetragrammaton by the Scripture that was written upon the Tables by the name of the Lord of Armies Sabath the God of Israel sitting upon the Cherubim By the name of the Spheres and Circles and Living Creatures Saints and Ministring Angels By the name of all the Angels which wait on the most High God Every Israelite and Israelitess who willingly and knowingly violates any of those laws which are now denounced to be observed Let him be Cursed of the God of Israel who sits upon Cherubim Let him be Cursed by the Bright and Glorious name which the High Priest in the day of expiation expresseth with his mouth Let him be Cursed by Heaven and Earth Cursed from Almighty God Cursed of Michael the great Prince Cursed of Mittatron whose name is as the name of his Master Cursed of Acetheriel Jah the Lord of Hosts of the Seraphim and of the Orbs of the Holy Animals and Angels who wait before the most High God of Israel in Holiness and Purity If he was born in the month Nisan which the Angel Vriel as the Prince of the Classes under which it is governs Let him be Cursed of him and all his Order and if in the month Ijar which the Angel Tzephaniel governs let him be Cursed of him and all his order c. Let him be Cursed of the 7 Angels set over the 7 weeks and of all their order and helping power Let him be Cursed of the 4 Angels which govern the 4 Seasons of the year Cursed of the 7 Palaces Cursed of the Princes of the Law by the name of the Crown and the name of the Seal Let him be Cursed of the great God strong and Bright Let him receive Confusion for his embraces Let him fall with swift Ruin Let God the God of Spirits put him under all Flesh Let God the God of Spirits lay him prostrate to all flesh Let the wrath of the Lord and Violent whirlwind fall upon the head of the wicked Let the Destroying Angels run upon him Let him be Cursed in every thing that he puts his hand to Let his Soul depart in Terrour Let him dye of the Quinsey Let not his breath come or go Let him be smitten with a feaver Dryness the Sword Rottenness the Jaundise Neither Let him be deliver'd from them before Destruction Let his sword enter into his own heart And let his Bows be broken Let him be as the dust before the wind and the Angel of the Lord scattering them Upon him shall rest all the Maledictions written in the Book of this Law and the Lord shall blot out his name from under Heaven Also the Lord shall separate him for mischeif out of all the Tribes of Israel to all the Curses of the Covenant written in the book of this Law But you who adhere to the Lord your God are all alive this day He that blessed Abraham Isaac Jacob and Moses and Aaron David and Solomon and the Prophets of Israel and those who are Pious among the Nations let him bless all this Holy Congregation except the man that hath violated this Anathema and so let it be his will and Decree Amen Dr. Addison Prsent state of the Jews in Barbary N. B. Samaritans were Excommunicated by sound of Trumpet and Singing of the Levites Ross Christians Greek A Form of the Greek Excommunication If they restore not to him that which is his own and possess him peaceably of it but suffer him to remain injured and damnifyed Let him be separated from the Lord God Creator and be Accursed and Unpardoned and Undissolvable after Death in this World and in the World to come Let Wood stones and iron be dissolved but not They. May they inherit the Leprosy of Gehazi and the Confusion of Judas may the Earth be divided and devour them like Dathan and Abiram may they Sigh and Tremble on Earth like Cain and the wrath of God be upon their Countenances may they see nothing of that for which they labour and beg their bread all their days may their works possessions and