his hands together the rest sigh ioyning their hands but speaking no word Then they departe euery one to his worke They haue no other preaching nor other kinde of prayer They celebrate their Supper twice in the yeare and men and women sit at it pell mell inuiting one another to eate with great modesty They vse also great temperance in their houses for sitting downe at table they remayne almost a quarter of an houre with their hands ioyned against their mouth not speaking a word but doe meditate and pray by hart whilst they eate they haue an old Archimandrite which marketh them without speaking any word when they haue eaten they returne in great silence to their labours At worke you shall see thirty or forty together and neuer speake word one to another In all their doings they greatly obserue cleanlynesse and silence To be briefe they liue much like vnto well ordered religious persons They obserue no feast dayes they haue their Bible curtaild at their pleasure and are very skilfull in the Text expounding it most commonly after the Letter and their own braine They will not dispute nor reason of Religion There are other Anabaptists termed pure which say they are without sinne and therefore put out of our Lords prayer forgiue vs our sinnes and holde that Christians after baptisme cannot committe sinne There are besides these the free anabaptists which will not pay tribute nor obey Princes These affirme marriage to be spirituall and haue their woemen in common and say it is the motion of Gods spirit Feliciatus Capitonus recordeth howe one of these bretheren entring into his friendes howse tolde him that the holy spirit commaunded him to lie with his wife to which he accorded but afterwardes seing his daughter faire and young no said he to the wife the spirit saith I must lie with thy daughter the husband returning in the morning and finding him in bed with his daughter how now quoth he is the holie spirit a deceauer the same spirit commaundeth me to punish thee for it presently he stabbed him to death with his dagger many such tragedies haue bin seene amongst them issuing out of their doctrine There be many moe diuersities among them which here to recount would be ouer tedious let these suffice for this briefe treatise Behould the third brother with no beard at all CHAP. VII Of Anglianisme SEctes of Religion are diuersly tearmed some take their names of the authors as Arianisme of Arius Lutheranisme of Luther c. Some of the matter as Anabaptisme of repaptizing or not baptizing infants some of the country where it is or of the people thereof as Turcisme of the Turks Ethnicisme of the Heathens Anglianisme of England or of the English who professe the same Religion being not precisely in any country but in England and in Lands belonging to that Crowne Euery one knoweth howe from the christening of this people they were still of the Catholike Religion vntil King Henry the eight his latter dayes in which vpon displeasure taken against the Pope because he would not diuorce him from his wise Lady Katherine and permit him to marry Lady Anne Balleine he renounced the Pope and called himselfe head of the Church in his Dominions and supreame gouernour in Eeclesiasticall causes He was emboldened so to doe by Luthers reuolte which was in his time albeit Luther would alow of no visible headship neither did he regard Luther nor his doctrine He tooke vpon him this title first of all Kings christened yet did he not chaunge Religion but in few points but put downe Abbeis and Religious howses In the dayes of his sonne King Edward being a childe the Kingdome vvas gouerned by his vncle the Lord protector who to make himselfe great put downe Catholike Religion and brought in a religion composed by his preachers partly of Luthers and partly of Caluins Sect but the childe King dying within fewe yeares Catholike Religion was restored againe by Queene Marie who liued not long To her succeeded Ladie Elizabeth her sister who beginning her raigne in Nouember suffered the Catholike Religion vntill midsomes after because they had nothing yet framed to put in place thereof for shee would not allowe of her brothers Religion in all points nor of the Bible Shee could not endure the Caluinists nor shee had no liking of Luthers Religion Shee deemed with a french Hugonot of Gascony that Caluins Religion was too leane and the Catholike Religion too fatte because the one had many ceremonies the other none Shee would haue the Churches still to stand and the names of Archbishops Bishops Deanes Archdeacons Cannons Parsons Vicars Curates c. Shee appointed her Bishops and made them by her letters Patents and confirmed them in that calling by the authority of the Parliament The manner of their ordering is this The Prince nominateth them then an Archbishop with two more Bishops consecrateth them as they tearme it with prayers and imposition Their habit is something Priest like with a corner-cap and a rochet all the clergy mengoe ordinarily in blacke but the most part of them weare ruffes much like merchants but not altogether so large as for jerkins dublets breeches and such like many of the Ministers make them after the newest fashion taken vp as the lay men doe They be al married except very few which may marry also if they will Bishops Deanes Archedeacons yet the Archbishop of Canterbury the Metropolitan of England liueth vnmarried but that is voluntary and not by any bondage These Bishoppes make Deacons and Ministers with imposition of hands and with few other ceremonies The Bishops haue the same Bishopriks which were in Chtholike time and the same places and titles but not so large reuenues The Ministers haue parsonages vicarages and other benefices as in olde time but many of them are curtaild These clergy men are bound to no offices nor prayers more then the lay men be but if they haue benefices or cures they must reade their seruice in the Church or preach vpon sondaies and holidaies their Iniunctions appointe them to read somthing in the Church vpon wednesdaies fridaies and vpon vigils and euens in manner of an euensong but that custom is litle obserued and in few places as also their holydaies grow out of vse and are litle regarded They use churches which were in Gatholike time but nothing is left within them but a table for the Communion and a pulpit or seate to reade prayer in In place where the Crucifixe was behinde the high Aultar there are the Kings armes but no picture or image of Saint is seene therein no scarcely in the glasse windowes They haue a forme of prayer which they call diuine seruice consisting of a kind of general confession with a kinde of inuitatory three psalmes two chapters of the Bible some collects a kinde of litanies ten commaundements epistle and gospell a fewe collects againe and then the peace of God which passeth all vnderstanding But of this many
Tessaradelphus OR The foure Brothers The qualities of whom are contayned in this old Riddle Foure bretheren were bred at once Without flesh bloud or bones One with a beard but two had none The fourth had but halfe one Collected and translated By THOMAS HARRAR permissu superiorum 1616. To the Reader REader I hauing trauailed in diuers parts of the Christian world chiefelie to take a diligent viewe of the sundry sectes which some call Relgions vvhich are nowe in these parts thereof and finding that to one obiecting their disagreements one with another they presently answere that they agree all in fundamentall pointes although they dissent in some matters which they say appertaine not to faith Knowing by experience this answere to be most false I thought it worth the labour to sette before thine eyes very briefly yet plainly the foure Principall Sects which are eyther allowed or permitted in some countries here in Europe out of which the multitude of petite Sects issue to the end thou mayest see the irreconciliable differences amongst them And when thou hast dilligently considered them I hope thou wilt say of them that recitasse est confutasse the rehearsing of them is the confuting of them They are obscurely comprehended in the Ridle aforesaide for they were all bredde with Martin Luther although they came forth some of them after as thou shalt see in this litle Treatise I call them brothers as they partly forced by Catholikes and partely to deceaue the ignorant doe sometimes stile themselues although in their writings they condemne one another to the pit of Hell Thou wouldest know who these foure be Marry Lutheranisine Caluinisme Anabaptisme and Anglianisme Some wil perhaps say that Religions or Sects should rather be termed sisters because they are in the latine tongue of the feminine gender but I answere that Sects and Schismes taking their denomination of their Authours who were men may be well of the masculine gender I call the religion of England Anglianisme because it among the rest hath no one especiall Authour but is sette forch by the Prince and Parliament The same Religion is now receaued in Scotland because the King is one and the same of both Kingdomes as also of Ireland and other Isles These foure brothers as I terme them are without flesh bloud or bone because indeed there is no substance at all or sappe of religion but certaine shadowes and shewes in them as thou mayest see in the sequell One of them hath a beard that is some seemley face of a man I meane ceremonies of Religion as Lutheranisme hath and two to wit Caluinisme and Anabaptisme no beardes at all except here and there a fewling haire that is no ceremonies to accoumpt of but some fewe remnants not worth the reckoning Anglianisme hath after a fashion halfe a beard for that it retayneth yet some ceremonies of auncient Religion although dayli decreasing In reading this litle booke thou mayest take a view of them all and consider well with thy selfe whether there be any hope of saluation in any of them which are opposite to the vniuersall Catholik Church so renoumed ouer the world for so many ages together Farewell in Christ CHAP. I. Of Martin Luther MArtin Luther the Author of this first Sect was borne at Isleb in the County of Mansfield Anno 1483. the two and twentith day of October his father was called Iohn Ludder and his mothers name was Margaret people of meane degree some say that his mother conceaued him of an Incubus but whether that be true or no I wil not heere dispute Many write that the Deuil and he were very familiar one with another and that they did eate a bushel of salt together And howe on a time when the Gospel was read at Masse erat Iesus eijciens demonium Luther threw himselfe to the ground crying that is not I that is not I he chaunged his name from Ludder which signifieth in their tongue Mocker Theese or Filth into Luther which betokeneth a pure man So the Manichees chaunged their masters name Manes that is madde into Manichee which signifieth to powre downe Manna Lib. de here c. 42. After that Luther had bestowed his young yeares in humane letters and had beene brought vp in the colledges of Magdeburge and Senach in Turing he gaue himselfe to the studie of ciuil Lawe but presently after one of his companions walking with him out of the towne was strocken starke dead with a thunder-bolte Luther not hurt but all on a smoake with this chaunce he was so frighted that incontinently he left the world and put himselfe into a Monastery of Augustin Friars in the towne of Erford Anno. 1504. his companions wondren at this chaunge in him hauing neuer seene so much as one sparke of religion or piety in him but rather plaine signes of debanchements and disorders He had scarce ended his yeare of probation but he grewe prowd and haughty hauing indeed some more learning then his fellowes ouer whome he would dominiere and play the Master For which cause as an vnruly fellow he was sent from thence to Wittenberge to a Couent of the same order Anno 1508. And at the same time there being a diuision betweene certaine howses of that order for seauen Monasteries banded against their Generall Luther took part with the reuolted and was sent to Rome as an aduocate of their cause After this Pope Leo the tenth hauing sette forth Indulgences for such as would contribute to the wars against the Turks the promulgation whereof was assigned to the Iacobin Faiars and not to the Austenes as they desired Stambitius Generall of the said Austenes tooke it in euil parte because such charge had beene accustomed to be committed to his Order which was matter of no smal credit And for very spite sette vp Luther whome he knew to be fitte for seditious exployts and tongued at will as also bolde and venterous to preach against the abuse of Preachers and Collectors of Indulgences This Stambitius was emboldened so to doe by the countenance of Fredericke Duke of Saxony who was soare offended with the Pope because he had not the Bishopricke of Magdeburge but it was giuen to the Arche-Bishoppe of Ments who vnder the Pope had the assigning of the preaching of the Pardons Luther then mounting into the pulpit thundred against the Collectors and Preachers of Pardons more vehemently indeede then Stambitius would haue had him to haue done flouting mocking and scoffing at them and now and then girding at the Pope himselfe insomuch as it irked Stambitius that he had sette him on worke but now it was past his helpe For many grew colde in deuotion towards this contribution by reason of Luther his preaching against it and sent the Collectors backe not only empty handed but loaded also with contumelies and reproaches He growing more malapert for that the people gaue eare vnto him was so audacious as he wrote to the Arch-Bishoppe of Ments and to him of Brandeburg against
the Collectors who made no reckoning of him nor of his letters He sette forth also certaine Theses or propositions against the foresaide taxing Eccliasticall persons of negligence and ignorance Tekell superior of the Iacobins set forth contrary propositions answering his and calleth Luther Heretike At this time in very truth there was great corruption in manners and the Clergy was nothing so vigilant and carefull as aforetime which thinges facilitated Luther his proceedings All the Christian world was Catholike and for many hundred yeares together had no Heretical enemies to reckon of Not any Protestant or Puritane had euer beene heard of which made Church-men to grow leffe watchfull and to liue at their ease wallowing in wealth and pleasures Pope Leo hearing of these tumults wrote to the Duke of Saxony to send Luther to his Legat Caietan who was with the Emperour Maximilian or else to send him to Rome where the cause might be heard but the Duke excused the matter and Luther wrote most humbly vnto the Pope and offered to be silent hereafter so that his aduersaries would surcease Neuerthelesse the matter grew worse for Siluester Prierias a Iacobin Master of the Popes pallace buckled with Luther and extolled the Popes authority aboue all Councels and powers on the earth in such sort as Luther enraged with his assertions abased the same more then euer Diuers Iacobins tooke Siluester his part and many Augustines defended Luther And the broyles grewe so hoate that at length Luther his complices called in question the power of the Pope about Indulgences and questioned workes meritorious and satisfactory and sundry other matters not doubted of before but Luther himselfe would not seeme to doubt thereof for in his first tome he auoucheth the same affirming that the Pope the immediate Vicar of Iesus Christ hath authority to distrubute Indulgences After all this he humbled himselfe againe to the Pope and confessed his faultes and was sent to Cardinall Caietan before whome he confeffed the Catholike faith and with great protestations submitted himselfe He was yet once againe cited to Rome but he appealed to the future general Councell protesting that he would not deminish the authority of the Pope so that he be of a sound opinion for that was his clause He wrote vnto the Pope also praysing him and dispraysing his Legate and officers and laid all faults on others Many giddy-headed people at this time ranne headlong after Luther stared on him flattered him and encouraged him to higher matters He writeth to the Emperour to Knges and to Princes crying vpon them to reforme the Church which phrase of speech pleased many protesting that he would change nothing for he liued as yet within his Couent and saide Masse The people applauded him on each side which made him more proude and arrogant insomuch as he would say turne thine eyes towardes me Germany I am sent to saue thee The first Clergie-man that euer followed Luther was Carolastade Archdeacon of Wittenberg This man and Luther disputed with D. Eckius a Prebend of Ingolstade at Lipse before Duke George brother to Fredericke Duke of Saxony and they both submitted their opinions to the Diuines of Erfor and Paris but still reuolted againe In this hoate conference Luther burst forth into these speeches This quarrell was not begunne for the honor of God neyther shall it be ended by him The Pope wrote againe to the Duke of Saxony blaming him for protecting of Luther but he sent him a milde answere saying that his holines his Nuncio was of opinion that Luther should not goe out of that coaste for feare of scattering of Heresies else where But indeed Luther had resolued if he had beene driuen out of Saxony to retire himselfe into Bohemia yet feared he the Hussites because he had affirmed them to be Heretikes In fine the Pope seing him so rebellious and so turning in and out excommunicated him by name in Bulla Caena Domini Who presently when he heard of it growing desperate vomited out all his poyson calling the Pope Ante-christ and vnderstanding that his bookes were burned as hereticall he in a rage at Wittenberge burned the bookes of the common Law with the Bull of Leo. He cried out to the people let vs wash our handes in the bloud of the Pope of the Cardinals and of al the Romish filth So in the dsputation at Lipse when he was admonished to vse modesty in speech and writings I will write said he other kinde of stuffe if I knew that it would displease the Sea of Rome Whilst they triumph ouer some heresie of mine I will inuent new saith he in Praf cap. Bab. He vsed still in speaking and writing most filthy wordes and tearmes of ribaudry and caused the Pope and Cardinals to be pictured and sette forth in diuers places in most filthy and vgly shapes He resolued forthwith to build a Religion of liberty and to abandon Austerities Celibates or single liues Fastings Chastities and such like and to giue euery man leaue to beloeue what him list And so it should be most pleasing to flesh and bloud and consequently be easilie receaued of many To this end he wrote that it was lawful to beleeue what he would that we were either predestinated or reprobated so as we could not doe withall That euery Christian was a priest and might preach the word of God The Emperor Charles came into Germany before whom Luther was conuented with letters of safe conduct this was at Worms where he behauing himselfe heretically yet with great dissimulation he was sent backe and condemned by the Emperor for an Heretike he retired himself into a castle called Alstat belonging to the Duke of Saxony yet with commandement that he should keep himselfe secret for feare of the Emperor This he tearmed his Pathmos here he wrote bookes sarsed with all manner of contumelies and opprobrious speeches he called the vniuersity of Paris which had condemned his doctrine the vttermost hall of Ante-Christ the back-dore of Hell At this time at Wittenberge they beganne to assault the Masse for Luther was yet in Friars habit and said Masse still and to breake downe Images which Luther vnderstanding was very much offended with them He did forbidde that eyther Aristotle or Plato should be taught in their vniuersities or any thing but the Bible Catolastade and Melancton his followers were now become the one a ploughman the other a Baker for that they would liue by the sweat of their browes but Luther called them backe and rebuked Carolastade for breaking Images affirming that no Image was forbidden in the Scriptures but only of God he translated the Bible into the German tongue which was presently burned in most places There were noted only in the new Testament 1400 places corrupted and falsified yet notwithstanding a Lutheran minister in Wittenberge instituted a feastiuall day and called it the translation of the Bible being the first Lutheran feastiuall day that euer was And for al this Luther altered the