of Christ upon the Earth 51. That none are damned but for rejecting the Gospel 52. That now many Christians have more knowledge then the Apostles had 53. That miracles necessarily attend the Ministry 54 That there ought to be no Churches built nor should men worship in consecrated places 55. That the Apostles were ignorant of the salvation to be revealed in the last days 56. That all men ought to have liberty of conscience and of prophesying even women also 57. That circumcision and the old covenant was onely of things temporal 58. That Paedobaptisme is unlawful and impious and that others besides Ministers may baptise and that a man may be baptised often 59. That the people should receive the Lords Supper with their hats on but the Ministers in giving it should be uncovered 60. That the Church of England is Antichristian 61. That there is no divine right to call or make Ministers that Ministers should work for their living and that Tythes are Antichristian 62 â—hat Christians are not bound to observe the Lordâ— day and that we should observe still the old Sabbath 63. That humane learning and premeditation is uselesse to preaching and that preaching should onely confist in disputing reasoning and conferring 64. That the Saints must not joyn in prayer with wicked men not receive the Sacrament with them nor with any member of the Church of England 65. That â—ublick prayers are not to be used but by such as have an inâ—allible Spirit as the Apostles had 66. That set hours of prayer are needlesse 67 That singing of Davids Psalmes or other holy songs except they be of their own making are unlawful 68. That wicked men ought not to pray at all 69. That all government in the Church ought to be civil not Ecclesiastical 70 That the power of the keyes is as well in six or seven gathered together as in the greatest congregation 71. That neither miracles nor visions nor anointing the sick with oyl are ceased 72. That in these days many are with Paul rapt up into the third Heaven 73 That the Magistrate is not to meddle with matters of Religion nor forms of Church government which if they do they are not to be obeyed 74. That there ought to be a community of Goods seeing all the Earth is the Saints 75. That a man upon slight causes may put away his wife and that one man may have two wives 76. That children ought not at all to obey their parents if wicked 77. That parents should not instruct their children but leave them to God 78. That Christians ought not to maintain Religion by the sword nor to fight for their lives and liberties noâ— to fight at all nor to kil any thing nay not a chicken for our use 79. That it stands not with Gods goodness to damn his own creatures eternally 80. That i'ts unlawful for a Christian to be a Magistrate 81. That man lost no more by Adams fall then the rest of the whole creation 82 That Christ hath not purchased eternal life for man more then for the rest of the creation and that he offered up himselfe a full and perfect sacrifice not only for man but for all that man kept even the whole creation 83. None are sent to hell before the last judgment 84. It is not the Law but the Gospel which threatens us with Hell fire 85. If God shew not mercy to all he is not infinite 86. Christians are not bound to meet one day in seven for publick worship 87. The Saints are justified not by Christs obedience but by the essential righteousness of God 88. A woman committeth not adultery in lying with another man if her husband be a sleep 89. That the Saints may put away their unbeleeving wives or husbands 90. There is no other seale but the Spirit the Sacraments are no seales at all 91. The Magistrate may not put to death a murtherer being a member of the Church till first he be cast out of the Church 92. The promises belong to sinners as sinners and not as repenting sinners 93. Apocrypha books are canonical Scripture 94. To use set forms of prayer even the Lords prayer is Idolatry 95. Bells Churches and Church-yards preaching in Pulpits in Gowns by an hour-glasse the names of our months and days are all idolatry 96. That the Apostles Creed is to be rejected as erroneous 97. That there ought to be no other laws among Christians but the judicial Law of Moses and that the Magistrate hath no legislative power at all 98. That all Learning Schools Universities Arts Degrees are to be rejected as pernicious 99. That Angels and Devils are not substances but meer qualities and that mens soules are but terrestrial vapours perishing with the bodies 100. That some in this life are perfect without all sin and need not pray for pardon 101. That in God there is some composition and corporiety and mutability also 102. That Christ took not his flesh of the Virgin Mary but that his body was created without all consanguinity with the first Adam 103. That God doth personally subsist in every creature 104. That the world is eternal 105. That the Lords Supper may be celebrated in Inns rather then Churches and that in the end of a feast 106. That the Devils have no sinne But I will leave these Divels though I could mention many more but that it delights not my selfe nor can it the Reader to be raking in such filthy mire and dirt These are some of the poysonous weeds which have too much of late infested our English Garden I mean the Church once admired both at home and abroad for the beauty of her Doctrine and Disciplin and envied of none but ignorants or men of perverse minds The Poet bewailing the ruins of Troy said Seges ubi Troi a fuit Corn grows where Troy stood but I may sadly complain that in stead of corn that is sound and wholsom doctrine which should be the food of our souls now grows Tares and Weeds that choak the good word with which we were formerly fed and might have been unto a life of glory everlasting if we had therein abode But least I should bring thee into danger by giving thee onely a fight of these Rocks and Precepices to prevent that I shall commend to thy serious perusal Master Wollebius his Abridgement of Christian Divinity which for the good of my country men I Englished Enlarged and cleared in obscure places and have now fitted for a second impression A book worthy to be written in Letters of gold and imprinted in the heart of every good Christian The knowledge therein contained by prayer and through the assistance of Gods spirit will root and establish the in every good word and work to the comming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ which God of his infiniâ—e mercy grant The Contents of the Thirteenth Section The Doctrine of the Church of Rome concerning the Scriptures 2. Their tenets concerning predestination
authority that is an immediate call from heaven the same infallibility of judgement or power of giving the Holy Ghost that the Apostles had nor was their Doctrine otherwise anthenticall than as it was conformable to the Doctrine of the Apostles Q. But was not the Church after the Apostles decease left an Orphan being destitute of these extraordinary Apostolicall graces A. No for though she was deprived of the personall presence of the Apostles yet she is not destitute of their infallible judgement left in their writings with her which supply the Apostles absence till the end of the World Q. Coâ—ld one man at the same time â—e both an Apostle and a Bishop or Presbyter A. Yes in case of necessity for Iames was an Apostle and Bishop of Ierusalem too because that was the Mother-Church to which resorted Jews of all Nations for instruction and knowledge therefore it was fitting that none lesse than an Apostle should reside there for the greater authority and satisfaction Q. Can Episcopacy be proved by the Canons of the Apostles and Councel of Antioch A. Those Canons are much doubted if they be the Apostles or not however it is probable to me that the parochian not the Diocesan Bishop is there meant for there is no superiority there given but of order and respect partly because of the eminency of the place or City where he lived partly by reason of his own worth and learning without whose advice matters of moment should not be done by the other Bishops or Presbyters nor should he do anything without them but should together ordain Presbyters and Deacons for that is a matter of moment yet he is onely named there because he being as it were the head the rest are understood Q. Was Acrius an Heretick for affirming there was no difference between a Bishop and a Presbyter A. No Though for this opinion Epiphanius and out of him Austin place him among the hereticks for the Scripture puts no difference between these The Church of Alexandria was the first that put difference between them as Epiphanius seems to affirm when he saith Haeres 68. that the Church of Alexandria doth not admit of two Bishops But though Aerius was not in this an Heretick yet he was in an error if he thought that there was no difference at all among Bishops or Presbyteâ—s for one is above another in gifts in honour in order though perhaps not in Jurisdiction authority and pastorall Function Quest. Is the Church to be ruled by the Civill Magistrate A. No for the Church being christs spiritual Kingdome and not of this world is to be guided by her own spirituall Officers as the State is ruled by temporall Officers Caesar must have what is Caesar's and God that which is Gods's And for this cause the Church and State have their different Lawes and punishments Neither had the Apostles choseâ— Elders and other Officers in the Church if the Civil Magistrate had been to rule it and had the Church of Ierusâ—lem been all one with the State thereof or the church of Crete all one with the Kingdome of Crete the Apostles had incroached upon the temporall Government had been guilty of Rebellion and proved enemies to Casar when they set up Elders and other Church-Officers in those and other places besides VVomen sometimes and Children are Magistrates and Princes but the one must not speak in the Church 1. Cor. 14. 34. The others are not fit to be made Bishops 1. Tim. 3. Quest. Are Church Governours â—y Divine Institution A. Yes for Christ appointed Apostles Prophets Evangelists Teachers and other helps of Government 1 Cor. 12. 28 Paul left Titus in Creâ—e to ordain Elders in every City Tit. 1. 5. The Apostles ordained Elders in every Church Asts 14. 23. which Officers were in the Church before there was any christian State or christian Magistrate And as Christ appointed Rulers for his Church so he gave them the Keyes of heaven or power to bind and loose Mat. 16. 19. 18. 17. 18 and to remit and retain sins Iohn 20. 23. these are said to have the rule over us Heb. 13. 17. 24. this ruling power was exercised by Paul against Hymeneus and Alexander 1. Tim. 1. 20. and injoyned to the Elders of Corinth 1. Cor. 5. 3. 12 13. and was practised before them by the Priests upon Vâ—ziah 2. Chron. 26. 17 18. 21. by Phineâ—as the Priest Num. 25. by Christ himself in whipping the buyers and sellers out of the Temple Q. Have we any president for appeals from the Classicall to the higher assemblies A. Yes for then was an appeal from the Church of Antioch concerning some Jewish ceremonies to the assembly of the Apostles and Elders at Ierusalem Acts 15. 1 2 6. Q. Who are to judge of scandals A. The Ministers 1. Cor. 5. 12. for they succeeded the Priests and Levites in the old Law but these were appointed Judges by God in such cases Deut. 17. 8 9. Q. Is the Church-Government by Elders or Bishops Deacons Doctors and Teachers alâ—erable A. Not in the substance or essentialls thereof but In the circumstances or adjuncts it is alterable as in the manner time place and other circumstances of Election So the Government by Elders and Deacons is not to be changed but that they should be elected by all the people and that there should be the strict number of seven Deacons in each parish is not needfull though at first as Acts 6. 5. there were but seven chosen and that by the multitude Q. Wherein is moderate Episcopacy different from Presbytery A. Presbytery is Episcopacy dilated and Episcopacy is Presbytery contracted so the government is in effect the same differing onely as the fist or hand contracted from the same hand expanded or dilated onely Episcopacy is more subject to error and corruption than Presbytery and this more subject to disorder and confusion by reason of parity than Episcopacy the peace of the Church the suppressing of schisme and heresie the dignity of the Clergy are more consistent with Episcopacy than with Presbytery but this again is lesse obnoxious to pride and tyranny than Episcopacy by which we see that no Government is perfectly exempted from corruption in this life nihil est ex omni parte beatum But I find that as the Romans in their greatest dangers betook themselves to the Dictatorship so hath the Church in her extremities had recourse to Episcopacy Q. May the Civil Magistrate change the Church-Government A. He may alter the outward form thereof as it depends upon the circumstances of time place and persons but the substance of it he cannot change he can also by his Laws force the observation of the Government and punish the disturbers of the Churches peace Q. May the same man be both a Magistrate and a Minister A. Though among the Gentiles it was lawfull as we see in Anius that was both King and Priest Rex hominum Phoebique
the Circumcellions so called from their Cells and Cottages in which they lived to shew their austerity these made no bones to murther all they met that were not of their Religion so that they were more dangerous then High-way Robbers The Donatists were named also Parmenianists from Parmenianus one of Donatus his disciples At Rome they were named Campates from the Camp or Field and Montenses from the Hill where they used to hide themselves The Priscillianists were so named from Priscillianus a Spaniard who under Gratian the Emperor spread his heresie first in Spain 348. years after Christ. From thence like a canker it run through all the West his heresie was made up of former heresies for with the Manicnes he held that the world was made by an evil god With the Sabellians he confounded the persons of the Trinity with the Origenists he taught that mens souls were made before their bodies in some receptacle of Heaven and with the Manichees that they were parcels of the Divine Essence With Astrologers they held that all humane events depended on the Stars and with the Stoicks that we sin necessarily and coactively With the Gnosticks they condemned marriage with the Encratites the eating of flesh with the Audians they allowed lying and perjury in matters of Religion and with the Gâ—osticks they rejected the ancient Prophets as fanatical and ignorant of the will of God The Rhetorians so called from one Rhetorius held the same Tenet which the Mahumetans do at this day namely that every man shall be saved by the Religion he professeth and that therefore no Religion should be forced but men should be left to their own choice and will The Feri or wild Hereticks were such as held it unlawful to eat or converse with men therefore they held none should be saved but such as lived alone They taught also that the holy Ghost was a creature Q. 33. What were the Theopaschitae Tritheiâ—ae Aqueiâ— Melâ—â—onii Ophei Tertullii Liberatores and Nativitarii A. The Theopaschites held that the divinity of Christ suffered as if there had been in him but one nature because one person The Tritheits divided the Essence of God into three parts the one they called the Father the other the Son and the third the Holy Ghost as though either of the persons had not bin perfectly God The Aquei held that the water was not created but coeternal with God this heresie was culled out of the Hermagenian and Audian Tenets The Melitonii so named from one Melito taught that not the soul but the body of man was made after Gods Image and so with the Anthropomorphites they made God corporeal The Ophei so called from one Opheus held there were innumerable worlds The Tertullii from one Tertullus taught that the souls of wicked men should be converted into Devils and Savage Beasts Liâ—eratores are those who taught that Christ by his descending into Hell did set at liberty all wicked that then beâ—eved in him Nativitarji were such as taught that Christs Divine Nativity had a beginning because it is written Psal. 2. Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee so they acknowledged the Eternity of his Essence but not of his Filiation These were but branches of former Heresies broached by obscure or unknown authors and of short continuance Q. 34. What were the Luciferians Jovinianists and Arbicks A. Luciferians so called from Lucifer Bishop of Caralitanum in Sardinia who lived under Iulâ—an the Apostate 333. years after Christ taught with the Cerinthians and Marcionites that this world was made by the Devil That mens souls were corporeal and had their being by propagation or traduction They denyed to the Clergy that fell any place for repentance or reconciliation neither did they restore Bishops or inferious Clerks to their Dignities if they fel into Heresie though they afterward repented This was the Doctrine of the old Novaâ—ians and Meletians these Luciferians were named also Homonymians for using the word flesh ambiguously in their dispurations The Iovinianists were so called from Iovinian a Roman who lived under Jovinian the Emperour 335. years after Christ. These held with the Stoicks that all sins were equal that after baptisme we could not sin that fasting was needlesse that Virginity was not better then the married life and that the blessed Virgin in bearing Christ lost her Virginity The Arabicks were so named from Arabia the countrey where this heresie was broached and maintained under Philip the Emperour 217. years after Christ they held that mens soules died with their bodies and that both in the last day should rise again From this heresie they were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is mortal soules not much different from them are the Psychopanuychitae of this age who make the soul sleep in the Grave with the body till the Resurrection Q. 35. What were the Collyridians Paterniani Tertullianists and Abelonitae A. The Collyridians were hatched also in Arabia and so named from a kinde of Cakes or Buns which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 these Cakes they presented every year with great ceremony to a certain Maid fitâ—ng in a chair of State and covered with a vail â—n honour of the Virgin Maâ—y these flourished under Theoâ—osius the great 357. years after Christ. Paterniani so called from one Paternus an obscure fellow were named also Venuâ—iani from Venus which by their venereal actions they honoured more then God These held that all the lower parts of mans body from the Navel downward were made by the Devil and therefore they gave themselves to all lasciviousnesse and uncleannesse therefore they were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 deriders of good manners and honesty The Tertullianists were so called from that famous Lawyer and Divine Terâ—ullian who lived under Severus the Emperour about 170 years after Christ. He being excommunicated by the Roman Clergy for a Montanist fell unto these heretical opinioâ—s to wit that God was corporeal but without delineation of members that mens souls were not onely corporeal but also distinguished into members and had corporeal dimensions and did encrease and decrease with the body and that the soul had its Original by propagation or traduction He held also that the souls of wicked men after death were converted into Devils that the Virgin Mary â— after Christs birth did marry once and with the Catapâ—rygian he bragged much of the Paraclet or Spirit which they said was poured on them in a greater measure then on the Apostles He condemned all use of arms and wars among Christians and with the Mâ—ntanists rejected second marriages as no better then adultery The Abelonitae were so called from Abeo Adams Son these taught that Abel was married but had no carnal commerce with his Wife because there is no mention made of his Children as there is of Cains and Seths For
from the Father and the Son not by way of Generation or Conception but of Eternal and Spiritual dilection he also taught that it was injustice to punish any man for opinions in Religion or Heresie The Whippers taught that whipping of themselves with rods full of knots and sharp pricks did more expâ—â—te and abolish sin then confession that this their voluntary whipping was before Martyrdom which was inflicted by outward force that now there was no use of the Gospel nor of the Baptisme of Water sith the Baptisme of Blood was better that holy water was â—â—â—iesâ—e that no man could be saved who did 〈…〉 himselfe They also held perjury lawful The 〈◊〉 whose author was one Hermannus Italus held community of Wives lawful which Doctrine they put in practise at their meetings to pray then putting out their lâ—ghts â—hey used promiscâ—ous copnlation and the children born of such commixtion they put to death They taught that all things amongst Christians should be in common that Magistracy did not consist with Christianity and that the Saints did not see God till the day of judgement Gerardus Sagarellus of Parma whose Disciples were named Pseudâ—-apostoli that is false Apostles because they bragged that they did imitâ—te the Apostles poverty therefore they would not take or keep money or reserve any thing for the next day he taught that to make vows or to swear at all was unlawful that marriages might be dissolved by such as would embrace their Religion and that they were the onely Christians they were enemies to Tythes and to Churches which for prayer they accounted no better then Hogs Styes Q. 7 What were the opinions in Religion the feurteenth Century A. The Beguardi who professed a Monastical life taught that we might attaine to as much perfection and beatitude in this life as in Heaven that all intellectual natures were blessed in themselves not in God that it was a sin to kisse a Woman but not to lie with her because nature inclined to this but not to that That perfect and spiritual men were freed from obedience to superiours from fasting praying and good works and that such men could not sin nor encrease in grace being perfect already They would have no reverence to be used in the Eucharist nor at all to receive it for that did argue imperfection The Beguinae professed the same Tenets and withal were against vows and voluntary poverty The Beguini taught that wealth consisted not with Evangelical perfection and therefore blamed Pope Iohn 22 for permitting the Franciscans to have corn in their barns and wine in their cellars They held that the state of Minorites was more perfect then that of Bishops that they were not bound to give an account of their faith when they were demanded by the Inquisitors and that the Pope had no power to dispense with Vows The Lolhards so called from Walter Lolhard their author held that Lucifer was injuriously thrust out of Heaven that Michael and the blessed Angels should be punished eternally that Lucifer should be saved that the blessed Virgin lost her Virginity after Christs birth and that God did neither see nor would punish sins committed under ground therefore they gave themselves to all uncleannesse in their vaults and caves Richardus Armacanus taught that voluntary poverty was unlawful and that priests could blesse and confer orders as well as Bishops One Ianovesiâ—s taught that in the year â—â—60 on Whitsunday Antichrist would come who should pervert all Christians and should mark them in their Hands and Foreheads and then should be damned eternally and that all Iewes Saracens and Infidels who were seduced by Antichrist should after his destruction be converted to Christ but not the Christians that fell off from Christ. The Turelupini taught that we should not be ashamed of those members we have from nature and so like the Cynicks they gave themselves openly to all uncleannesse they held also that we were not to pray with our voice but with the heart onely Q. 8. What were the Tenets of the Wicklevits who lived in this Centurie A. They were so called from Iohn Wickliffe an Englishman and taught that the substance of bread and wine remained in the Sacrament that neither Priest nor Bishop remaining in any mortal sin could consecrate or ordain that the Mass had no ground in Scripture that outward confession was needlesse where there was true contrition that a wicked Pope had no power over the faithful that Clergy-men should have no possessions that none should be excommunicate by the Church but he who is first excommunicate by God that the Prelate who excommunicates a Clerk appealing to the King is a traitorâ— and so is he that being excommunicate refuseth to hear or to preach that Deacons and Priests may preach without authority of the Bishop that the King might invade the Churches Revenues that the people may punish their Kings that the Laity may detain or take away the Tytâ—es that special prayers for any man were of no more force then general that religious orders were unlawful and that such should labour with their hands that it was a sin in Constantine and others to enrich the Church that the Church of Rome was Satans Synâ—gogue they rejected also the Popes election by Cardinals Indulgences decretal Epistles the Popes excommunications and his supremacy they held also that Austin Benet and Bernard were damned for instituting religious orders that God ought to obey the Devil that he who gives almes to Monasteries should be excommunicate that they are Simoniacks who pray for their Parents or Benefactors that Bishops reserved to themselves the power of Ordination Confirmation and Consecration for lucres sake that Universities Degrees and Schools of Learning were hurtfull to the Church These and such like Tenets of Wickliff are let down in the Councel of Constance where they were condemned Other opinions are fathered upon him to wit that man had no free will that the sins of the Predestinate were venial but of the Reprobate all mortal that the Saints were not to be invocated nor their reliques kept nor the Crosse to be worshipped nor images to be placed in Churches they rejected also Vows Canonical hours Church-Musick Fasting Baptizing of Infants Benedictions Chrism and Episcopacy He held also that the Brother and sister might marry that every creaâ—ure may â—e called God because its perfection is in God Q. 9. What opinions were taught the fifteenth Century A. Iohn Hus of Bohemia publickly maintained the Doctrine of Waldus and Wickliffe and withal taught that Saint Peter was never head of the Church that the Church is onely of the predestinate that Saint Paul when he was a persecutor was not a member of Satan that the Divinity and the Humanity made up one Christ whereas the personal union consisted indeed not between the two Natures but between the Person of the Word and the Humane Nature That the Pope was subject to Cesar that the Pope
his age and after Christ 361. To him succeeded Hilarion the first Eremite in Palestina and Syria Then Paul surnamed the Simple Amen an Egyptian with divers others Q. 3. How did these first Eremites live A. They spent their time in working sometimes in preaching praying fasting and meditating and sometimes in composing differences between Christians in visiting the sick and in such like holy exercises did they place their Religion Paul the Theban was content with a cave in stead of a palace with a piece of dry bread brought to him by a Raven every day in stead of delicate cheer with water in stead of wine and with the leaves of Palmes in stead of rich apparrel And to avoid idlenesse he would work sometiems with his hands Anthony contented himself with bread salt and water his dinner-time was at Sun-setting he used to fast sometimes two dayes together and to watch and pray whole nights he lay on the bare ground disputed often times with the Arâ—iâ—ns and Meletians in defence of Athanasius did intercede many times with the Emperour Constantine for distressed Christians and was alwayes ready to compose their quarrels Hilarion was content to live in a little hovel which he made himself of shells twigs and bulrushes foure foot broad and five foot high spending his time in praying fasting curing of diseases casting out Devils His garment was sack-cloath which he never put off his food roots and herbs which he never â—asted before Sun set six ounces of Barleyâ—bread contented him from 30. years till 35. from that time till 63. he used Oyle to repair his decayed strength From 64. till 80. he abstained from bread That he might not be idle he made him baskets of bulrushes and used to lie on the ground Thus did these Primitive Eremites spend their time Not in chambering and wâ—â—tâ—nnesse surâ—etting and drunkennesse but in temperance sobriety continence hunger thirst heat and cold reading praying preaching and fasting not placing Religion in saying but in suffering not in good words but in good works not in talking of Scripture but in walking by Scripture Q. 4. Wherein did some Eremites exceed in their Religious or rather superstitious kind of living A. As Jealousie is too much Love so is Superstition too much Religion but too much of one thing as we say is good for nothing Ne quid nimis should be in all our actions God will have merey and not sacrifice He will say Who required these things at your hands Such kind of bodily exercise as the Apostle saith availeth little It is not a torn skin nor a macerated body nor a pinched belly that God requires but a broken and contriâ—e spirit a renting of the heart and not of the garment and therefore the excesse of Eremitical penance is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 will-worship and not that which God requireth to wit mercy and justice to relieve the oppressed to comfort the comfortlesse to visit the Fatherlesse and widows and to keep our selves unspotted of the world To place Religion in abstinence from certain meats is against the Apostles rule â— Tim. 4. saying That every Creature of God is good and nothing to be rejected which is received with thanksgiving Altogether to abandon the society of Christians is contrary to Saint Pauls counsel Heb. 10 Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works not forsaking the fellowship that we have among our selves as the manner of some is under pretence of forsaking the world to abandon all care of Friends and Family is condemned by the Apostle 1 Tim. 5. If any man hath not a care of his Family he hath denied the Faith and is worse then an Infidel They that willingly deprive themselves of the means of doing good to their neighbours transgresse the Law of God which commands us to love our neighbours as our selves These subsequent examples will shew how far some men have exceeded the bounds of Christianity and out-run Religion by too much superstitious devotions and excessive pennance One Asepesâ—â—a lived Sixty years together in a Closet all which time he never was seen of any nor did he speake to any The like is recorded of one Didymus who lived ninety years by himselfe One Batthaeus an Eremite of Caelosyria fasted so long till Worms crawled out of his teeth One Martinus tyed his leg with an Iron Chain to a great Stone that he might not remove thence One Alas never tasted bread in eighty years together Iohn Sorâ—â—ny the Egyptian stood praying within the Cliff of a certain Rock three years together so long till his legs and feet with continual standing swelled with putriâ—ied matter which at last broke the skin and run out One Dominicus and Eremit wore continually next his skin an Iron Coat of Male and almost every day used to scourge himself with whips in both hands Some have killed themselvs with hunger some with thirst some with exposing themselvs to excessive heat have been stifâ—ed others by extremity of cold have been frozen to death as if God took delight in self-murther which in him to affect were cruelty and in any to act were the greatest impiety Some again not content with ordinary ways of Eremitisme have spent their days within hollow pillars whence they were named Stylitae neither admitting the speech nor sight of any man or woman O 〈◊〉 hominum O quantum est in rebus inaâ—e What needed all this toil Christ saith that his Yoâ—k is easie and his Burthen light but these men laid heavy burthens on themselves which God never required he made man Animal Politicum a sociable creature therefore said It was not good for man to be alone Wo to him that is alone saith Solomon Besides no place though never so remote and solitary can priviledge a man from sin Lot was righteous among the wicked Sodomites and yet in the solitary Cave committed Incest with his two Daughters what place could be more retired then Paradise and more secure then Heaven yet Adam fell in Paradise and the Angels fell in Heaven Q. 5. Whether is the solitary life in a Desart or the sociable life in a Covent to be preferred A. 1. The sociable life because the end of our creation was not to live apart like wild beasts but together like men 2. Because we are hound to help each other by Counsel Instruction Admonition Exhortation to bear one anothers burthens to comfort the comfortlesse to support the weak to cloath the naked to seed the hungry for as the Orator said we are not born for our selves but our Parents Country and Friends challenge a share in us 3. Because he that liveth alone as he sins against his creation and humane society so he sins against himselfe in that he debars himselfe of those comforts and aid both spiritual and corporal which he hath in a sociable life 4. Because God is more present with many then with one Therefore his Church which he promiseth to
that their office of preaching and administring the Sacraments was the same out of 1 Pet. 5. 2. the power also of ordination they prove to have been in the Presbytery 1 Tim. 4. 14. which Hierom calls the Ecclesiasticall Scnat Isa. 3. and Ignatius Epist. ad Magnes the Apostolicall Senat. And that in ruling there is no difference they prove out of Hebr. 13. 17. and 1 Thâ—ss 5. 12. but because much hath been written in defence of this opinion by the Presbyterians of England France Scotland Netherlands and divers parts of Germany I have therefore out of their writings reduced the whole sum of their Doctrine and Discipline into 95. Questions or a short Catechisme by way of Question and Answer Quest. What is the Ministery of the Gospel Answ. It is the dispensation of Divine mysteries manifested by Christs coming in the flesh Q. How many parts hath this Ministery A. Three to wit the preaching of the Gospel the administration of the Sacraments and the exercise of Church Discipline commonly called the power of the Keys and of binding and loosing Q. wherein consisteth Church Discipline A. In two things to wit in Imposition of hands and in correction of manners Q. Are all Church Ministers properly Ministers of the Gospel An. No for they are properly Ministers of the Gospel who preach and give the Sacraments but Deacons who look to the poor and Deaconisses are onely Ministers of the Church not of the Gospel Q. Are Prophets in the New Testament and Ministers of the Gospel the same A. No for Philip's four daughters were Prophetesses yet not Ministers of the Gospel Many of the Laity had the gift of Prophesie which were not Ministers of the Gospel Q. Are Presbyters and Priests all one A. No for he is a Priest that offers Sacrifice but Presbyter is an Elder which sometimes is called a Bishop as Act. 20. mention is made of many Bishops that is many Elders or Presbyters The Apostles also are called Elders 1 Pet. 3. Presbyter Bishop and Pasâ—our are taken for the same office Act 20. we read also of many Bishops in Philippi Phil. 1. which is meant of many Elders the Apostle useth promiscuously the word Bishop and Presbyter Tit. 1. for indeed Bishops or Pastors ought to be Elders that is excell others both in years and knowledge Q. were the 70. Disciples subject or subordinate to the 12. Apostles A. No for though they were called later than the Apostles yet I find not that their power in working miracles in preaching in administring the Sacraments in ecclesiastick discipline was lesse or subordinate to the Apostles for both were immediately called by Christ and equally subject to him without subordination or subjection to the Apostles no more than of old the Prophets were subject to the High Priests Q. Is the Ordinatioâ— of the Church of Rome lawfull A. Yes for neither Husse Wickliff Luther and other worthy men who forsook the errors of the Romish Church did ever reject her ordination no more than they did her Baptisme She retains the faith of the Trinity the two Testaments the Sacraments or Seals of the Covenant the two Tables of the Law therefore though she be a wife of fornieations as the Church of Iuda sometime was yet she may bring forth sons to God Q In what things did the Apostles differ from their successors A. 1. The Apostles were immediately called by Christ but their successors by men 2. The Apostles were sent abroad into all the world but their successors were confined to peculiar places 3. The Apostles Doctrine was the rule and Canon by which their successors must frame their Sermons 4. The Apostles were the first that gave the Holy Ghost by imposition of hands as for preaching administring the Sacraments and discipline in these they agreed with their Successors Quest. Who founded the first Christian Churches A. The Apostles either immediately as Peter and Iohn founded the Church of Samaria Acts 8. 5 6. Peter the Church of Caesarea Acts 10. 44 45 Paul the Church of Corinth 1. Cor. 3. 6. and 4. 15. and the Church of the Galathians Gal. 4. 19. or else immediately by their Deputies or Evangelists as Banabas founded the Church of Antioch Acts 11. 22. Q. Had any Apostle power or jurisdiction over the rest A. No but they were all of equal power and authority whence it follows that neither the Pope should usurp any power over other Patriarches nor Bishops lord it over their fellow Bishops or Presbyters for these I take here for one except by consent for a time a superintendency be given for quieting of troubles in the Church which perhaps was given to one of the Apostles it may be to Peter whilest they lived together at Ierusalem before their dispertion but if so it was onely temporary and by consent Q. Was it the chief office of the Deacons iâ— the Primitive Church to preaâ—h the word A. No but to take care of the poore of Widows and Orphans and to attend on the Tables that is on their Love Feasts called Agapa of which burthen they desired to be eased who preached the Word as not being able to do both yet we read that Stephen Acts 6. 6. 8. 10. did preach but indeed in that place it is more likely that he disputed in the Iewish Synagogues than preached in the Temple and if he had preached it will not follow that the Deacons office is to preach for this act of Stephens was extraordinary as having an extrorpinary measure of the spirit and so we read that Philip another Deacon of those seven-preached in Samaria Acts 8. 5. but this he did as being an Evangelist in Caesarea Acts 21. 8. not a Deacon in Ierâ—salem Q. Doth the â—are then of the poore rely upon the Deacon A. The care of collecting the charitable benevolence for the poore and distributing of the same relyes upon the Deacon but the care of exhorting to benevolence of recommending the poore of inspection into the Deacons fidelity and industry relies upon the Presbyter from which the Apostles exempted not themselves Q. Did the Apostles in all the Churches which they planted appoint Presbyters and Deacons A. Yes otherwise they had left these Churches as sheep without shepheards or ships without Pilots to be devoured by wolves and to be swallowed by the waves of confusion Heresies and Schismes therefore Paul having preached the Gospel in Crete and having setled some Presbyters there he gives order to Titus to set up Presbyters in every Town and it is unlikely that Paul who had continued at Corinth a year and six months Acts 18. 11. would leave that Church destitute of Presbyters and Deacons seeing the Lord testified to Paul in a Vision that he had much people in that City vâ—r 10. and writing to the Philippians he salutes the Bishops and Deacons there Q. Why did he not salute the Presbyters there also A. Because in that place a Presbyter is all one in effect with
The Penitents being received into the Church cut their Haire and Beards and lay aside their penitentiall garments and put on clean cloathes after the example of Ioseph when he was delivered out of prisâ—n This casting off their old cloathes puts them in minde of putting off the old man In Extream Vnction the Priest first besprinkleth the sick person and the whole roome with holy water then he anointeth the organs of the five senses because by them sin infecteth the soul the reines also and feet are anointed to expiate the sins that are in the concupiscible and motive faculties They onely must be anointed of whom there is no hope of recovery Of the Ceremonies used in Sacred Orders we will speak hereafter In Matrimony the Priest blesseth the married couple with prayers and oblations if they were never married before but they are not to blesse the second marriage The Woman is covered with a vaile after the example of Rebecca and to shew her subjection to the man she is united to the man by a Lace or Ribband tied in a knot by a Ring also put on the fourth finger of the left hand because of the veine that reacheth from thence to the heart signifying the mutual love that ought to be between them but marriages are not to be celebrated in Lent and other times of humiliation Q. 7. What are their Tenets concerning the Saints in Heaven A. They register their names in their Calendars after the Pope hath canonised them or given a testimony of their Sanctity and decreed honours for them namely publick Invocation dedication of Altars and Temples to them oblation of Sacrifices celebration of Festival days setting up of their Images and reservation of their Reliques The honour they give to God is called by them Latria that of the Saints is Dulia but the honour which they give to Christs humanity and the Virgin Mary is Hyperdulia 2. They say that the Saints make intercession for us not immediately to God but through Christ they obtain their requests 3. That we ought to invocate both Saints and Angels 4. That their Images are to be worshipped that the Images of Christ and of the Saints are not Idols because Idols are representations of that which is not and in Scripture the word Idol is spoken onely of Heathen Images that it is not unlawful to represent God by such Images as he hath described himself therefore they painâ— God in the form of an old man the Holy Ghost in the form of a Dove That though the Images of Christ and the Apostles are to be honoured in relation to the persons which they represent yet we must not think there is any Divinity in them or that they can help us or that we ought to aske any thing of them 5. That the Images of Christ and the Saints should be placed in Churches because the Images of the Cherubims were placed in Salomons Temple and before in the Tabernacle 6. That the Reliques of Christ and of the Saints are to be honoured and kissed as holy pledges of our Patrons yet not to be adored as God nor invocated as Saints 7. That the true Crosse of Christ the Nailes the Thornes c. by way of of analogy and reduction are to be worshipped with the same kind of worship or Latria that Christ is that the signe of the Crosse in the forehead or in the aire is a Sacred and venerable signe powerful to drive away evil spirits 8. That Pilgrimages ought to be undertaken to those holy places where the Images and Reliques of Christ and of the Saints are kept 9. That days should be kept holy in memory of the Saints the observation of which is a part of divine worship Q. 8. What is their Doctrine concerning the Church A. They teach that the government of the Church is Monarchical as being the most excellent form of government That the government of the Church was founded on the Person of Saint Peter That Peter was Bishop of Rome and so continued till his death That the Pope is Peters Successor and Christs Vicar by whom he is made head of the Church Militant That the Pope is not Antichrist but that the great Antichrist shall be a particular man of the Tribe of Dan who shall reign in Ierusalem three years and a half and shall be acknowleged by the Iewes as their Messiah whom he will make believe that he is of the Tribe of Iuda and descended of David 2. They hold that the Pope is the supream Judge in controversies of Faith and manners that his judgement is certain and infallible that he can erre in particular controversies of fact depending upon mans testimony and that he may erre as a private Doctor in questions of right as well of faith as of manners but that he cannot erre when with a General Council he makes decrees of faith or general precepts of manners and that the Pope is to be obeyed though either by himself or by a particular Councilâ— he erre in some doubtful matters but they generally now believe that though the Pope were an Heretick yet he cannot prescribe or define any Heretical Doctrine to be believed by the whole Church That the Pope hath a spiritual coactive jurisdiction in making Laws to bind the conscience by his sole authority without the consent of Priests or people and that he can judge and punish the transgressors of his Laws That as the Apostles had their immediate authority from Christ so the Bishops have the same immediately from the Pope That the Pope hath a supream power over the temporal estates of Christians to depose Kings and dispose of their Kingdoms in order to spiritual things and so far as it is necessary to the salvation of souls That it is not repugnant to Gods word for the same man to be both a Political and Ecclesiastical Prince seeing Melchisedech Moses Eli Samuel and the Macchabees exercised both powers 3. They believe that the true Church of Christ is onely that Society which acknowledgeth the Pope to be head thereof and Christs Vicar upon earth That they which are not baptized and the Catechumeni are not properly and actually members of the Church but onely in possibility That Hereticks Schismaticks and excommunicate persons are not members of the Church That reprobates are members of the militant Church Because in Noah's Ark were unclean beasts in the same Net are good and bad fishes at the same Wedding-feast many were called but few chosen in the same Sheep-fold are same Goats in the same house are vessels of dishonour Judas was one of the Apostles c. That the true Catholike Church is always visible for it is compared to a Mountain to a Candle to a City on a Hill c. That the true visible Church can never fail totally Because it is built on a Rock against which Hell Gates cannot prevaile c. That the true Church cannot fall into errour Because it is the Pillar
lesser but now the one sits in Persia the other to wiâ— the lesser in Ciliciâ— They are in some sort 〈◊〉 holding a coalition of Christs two natures into one compounded nature but by their late confession ìt seems they have renounced this opinion Their Patriarch they call Catholikes they administer the Sacrament with unleavened bread and will not have Christs body to be really in the Sacrament under the species of bread and wine nor do they mingle water with wine With the Greeks they deny the procession of the Holy Ghost from the Son They give the Eucharist to Infants presently after Baptism they pray for the dead yet deny Purgatory they re-baptise converts from the Latine Church They fast the 25. of December and keep Christmasse day on the Epiphany or rather Christs baptisme They keep the feast of Annunciation the sixt day of April the Purification the fourteenth of February They eat flesh on Fridays betwen Easter and Ascention day In Lent they feed onely on Herbs Rootes Fruits and Pulse they abstain from such beasts they account unclean they hold that the souls of good men obtain not felicity till the Resurrection They admit none to be secular Priests till they are married but must not marry the second time They will not have the Sacraments to confer grace They administer the cup to all and celebrate no Masse without distributing the Sacrament They invocate Saints and insert divers words into the Creed which are neither Greek nor Latine Q. 10. What other Sects are there of the Greek Religion A. The Melchites so called from Melech a King because they have always followed the faith of the Emperors of Constantinople according as it was established by the Councel of Chalcedon against Eutyches and Dioscorus They are also called Syrians from the country where they inhabit These are altogether of the Greek Religion and Communion but not of the jurisdiction of the Patriarch of Constantinople but of the Arch-Bishop of Damascus under the title of Patriarch of Antiochia for this City where Christianity had its first residence and name and where Peter sat seven years Bishop being wasted and forsaken the Patriarchs seat was translated to Damascus where it remaineth 2. The Georgians are also of the Greek Religion but are not subâ—ect to the Patriarch of Constantinople having a Metropolitan of their own whose residence is in the Monastery of Saint Katharine in Mount Sinâ—i a great way from Iberia lying between the Euxin and Caspian Seas where the 〈◊〉 inhabit who are so called from Saint George as some think who converted them to Christianity and whose picture they carry yet in 〈…〉 but doubtlesse they were called 〈◊〉 before Saint George was born for Mela speake of them in the first Book of his Geography who lived in the time of Claudius the Emperor and Vadianus on that place thinks they were called Georgians from their Husbandry to which they were much addicted 3. The Georgians next Neighbours to wit the Mengrelians called of old Colchi and the ancient Zychi now called Circassians whence the Sultan had his 〈◊〉 are also of the Greek Communion and subject to the Patriarch of Constantinople but they baptise not their Children till they be eight years old In other points they are of the Greek Religion being converted to Christianity by Cyrillus and Methedius the Apostles or Ministers of the Patriarch of Constantinople Q. 11. What is the Religion of the Nestorians Christians of Saint Thomas and Jacobites A. 1. The Nestorians so called from Nestorius the Heretick whose opinion concerning two Persons in Christ they held a long time and spread themselves through a great part of Asia by reason of Cosroes the Persian King who in hatred to Heraâ—â—ius the Emperor caused all Christians within his Dominions to become Nestorians these were subject to the Patriarch of Musal which some think to be Bagded or Babyloâ— others Seleucia and others a part of old 〈◊〉 but at this day most of them are subject to the Pope both in jurisdiction and partly in Religion and have renounced their old errors concerning the two 〈◊〉 in Christ that Mary should not be called the 〈◊〉 of God that the Councel of Ephesus and all other Councels after it are to be rejected these errors I say they have renounced but they administer the 〈◊〉 with leavened bread and in both kindes 〈◊〉 permit their Priests to marry the third or fourth 〈◊〉 they have Crosses but not 〈◊〉 nor Crucifixes nor 〈◊〉 confession 2. The Christians 〈…〉 or of Saint 〈◊〉 so called because converted by him They were heretofore Nestorians and subject to the 〈◊〉 of Masal but now are subordinate to the Pope both in profession and jurisdiction They did use to give the Eucharist in both kindes to season the bread with salt instead of Wine to drink the â—oyce of Raisons to baptise their children when fourty days old to reject all Images except the cross the Popes supremacy extream â—uction and second marriages of their Priests but now they are of the Roman Religion 3. The Iacobites so called from Iacobus the Syrian a great Eucychian are spread through many Kingdomes in the East They are named also Dioscorians from Dioscorus Patriarch of Alexandria a great Patron of Eutyches They belonged anciently before the Councel of Chalcedon to the jurisdiction of Antiochia but since they yeild obedience to a Patriarch of their own whose residence is in Caramit the Old Metropolis of Mesopotamia but yet retains the name of Patriarch of Antiochia They held there was in Christ but one nature will and operation and therefore in signing with the Crosse they used but one singer whereas the other Eastern Christians used two Before baptisme they imprinted on their children the sign of the Crosse with a hot Iron They deny Purgatory and prayers for the dead and say that the Angels are made of fire and light They hold that just mens souls remain in the earth till the Resurrection their Priests are married they deny 〈◊〉 confession give the Eucharist in both kindes and the bread 〈◊〉 They circumcise both Sexes they condemn Eutyches as an Heretick and yet honour Dioscorus and Iacob the Syrâ—an as Saints but now they have utterly rejected the Heresie of one nature in Christ and with the Latine Church acknowledge two distinct natures with their distinct properties as may be seen by the Iacobites confessions Q. 12. What is the Religion of the Maronites A. The Maronites are so called from Maron a holy man their chiefe residence is in Mount Libanus though some inhabit Aleppo Damascus Tripoli of Syria and Cyprus Their Patriarch is a Monk of Saint Anthony having nine Bishops under him he is alwayes called Peter and will be stiled Patriarch of Antiochia which title is claimed by the Iacobite Patriarch who is alwayes named Ignatius The Maronites were Monothelites and with the Greeks denyed the Procession of the holy Ghost
Obedience for God himself prescribed multitudes of ceremonies to the Jews And since the first establishing of the Christian Church she hath alwayes made use of some decent Ceremonies which do not argue any defect or want in Religion but the weaknesse onely of those that are children in Relâ—gion who must sometimes be fed with such milk Râ—ligious Ceremonies are like the Priests ornaments which are not parts of his essence and yet procure him reverence which Iaddus knew when in his robes he presented himself to Alexander who doubtlesse had he appeared without them had gone without either reverence or benevolence so that Ierusalem did owne her safety and deliverance to the high Priests vestments Religion without Ceremonies is like solid meat without sauce Though in the Church of God some are so strong that they need no sauce of Ceremonies to the solid meat of Religion yet most stomacks are so weak that they cannot digest the one without the other Christ deals not so niggardly with his Church as to afford her cloaths onely to cover her nakedâ—esse he is content to see her in rings bracâ—lets jewels and other ornaments Thus he dealt with his first spouse of the Jewish Church I cloathed thee saith he with beoydered work and shod thee with badgers skin c. I girded thee about with fine linnen and I covered thee with silk I decked thee also with ornaments and put bracelets upon thine â—ands and a chain on thy neck and a frontlet upon thy face and ear-rings in thine ears and a beautifull crown upon thine head Ezek. 16. 10. c. If God was so bountifull to his first Wife why should he be so sparing to his second as to afford her no outward Ornaments at all Is she so rich that she needeth not any I wish it were so but I find it otherwise for she stands in as much need of some outward decent and significant Ceremonies to help her knowledge and devotion as the Jews did though not of so many not of the like nature I observe that where are no Ceremonies there is small reverence and devotion and where some cost is bestowed even on the outside of Religion there some love is manifested as our Saviour proves that Mary Magdleâ—â—â— had more love to him than Peter had because she had washed his feet wiped them with her hairs kissed them and anointed his head with pretious ointment which Peter had not done This cost was not pleasing to Iudas yet Christ commends her for it I know the Kings daughter is glorious within yet heâ— cloathing is of wrought gold and her rayment is of needle-work Thiâ— I write not to commend either superfluous needlesse or too costly and frivolous Rites but to shew how requisite it is to have some decent significant and such as may further knowledge and devotion Q. 9. What else may we observe in the view of all these Religionâ— A. That some of them are meerly Heathenish somâ— Iewish some meerly Christian some mixed either of all or some of these Mahumetanisme is mixed of Iudaisme Gentiâ—isme and Arrianisme the Moscovite Religion is partly Christian partly Heathenish In the East are many Sects partly Christian partly Iewish observing Circumcision with Baptisme and the Sabbath with the Lords day Among the Corinthians some professed Christianity and yet with the Gentiles denyed the Resurrection but God alwayes abhorred such mixed Religions as joyn with Micah the Ephod and Teraphim and halt between God and Baal who are Hebrews and yet with the Gentiles round the corners of their heads and cut their flesh c. Levit. 19. 27. God will not have any mixture in the ointment flour mirrhe or incense that is offerd to him but will have all pure he would not have the Oxe and Asse yoaked together therefore the Apostle reproveth sharply the Galathians for using their Iewish Ceremonies with Christianity The Samaritans are condemned for worshipping the Lord and Idols Christ haâ—ed the works of the Nicolaitans who were partly Christians and partly Gentiles and punished the Gergasites by drowning their Swine in the Sea For being Iews they rejected Circumcision and eat swines flesh with the Gentiles For this cause That the Jews might not learn the Religion of the Gentiles God would have them dwell apart by themselves and not mix with other Nations nor dwell near the Sea-side and yet we see how prone they were to Idolatry by the Golden Calf the Bâ—azen Serpent the Ephod Teraphim and Graven Image taken out of the house of Micah and set up in Dan. Iudges â—â—20 The Chariot and horses of the 〈◊〉 set up in the Temple as we may read in Ezeâ—hiel The Golden Calves set up by Jeroboam The Idolatry of Solomon Manasse and other Kings and the falling away of the Ten Tribes from God The reason of this pronenesse in them to Idols was their education in â—gypt the mother of strange Religions where they had been seasoned with idolatry and so pleasing is idolatry to flesh and blood that they will spare no cost nor time nor pains nor their own lives and childrens to please their Idols thus the Hebrews could rise early in the morning and parâ— with their golden-Ear-rings to make a Calf The Baalites could cut their flesh with knives and lanceâ—s till the blood gushed out and could cry from morning till evening Yea many Idolaters did not spare to offer their children to Mâ—loch but there is no sin more hatefull to God than Idolatry which the Scripture calls abomination and Idols lying vanities and sorrows And Idolaters are named Fornicators and Adulterers and God will have the very places of Idolatry to be destroyed Deut. 12. 2 3. The Iews must not eat of things offered to Idols nor marry with the Heathen who having forsaken the true God made gods of their Forefathers and Benefactors by setting up their images at first in memoriall onely and then fell to adoration of them and because they could not see God who is invisible they would have his visible presence in some outward Image or representation thinking they could not but bâ— in safety so long as they had his image with them This made the Trojans so careful of their Palladium the Tyrians of their Apollo other places of their tutelar gods Q. 10. Which of all the Religioâ—s we have viewed seems to be most consonant to naturall Reason A. The barbarous and butcherly Religions of the Gentiles in sacrificing men in worshipping stocks stones c. Divers Tenets also in Mahumetanisme Iudaisme and many opinions in hereticall sects among Christians are against reason The doctrine of the true Orthodox Christian is above naturall â—eason for the natural man saith the Apostle understandeth not the things of the Spirit But the Religion of those Gentiles who worshipped the Sun seemed to be most consonant to their naturall reason because they could not conceive what God was being a Spirit incomprehensible for all knowledge comes by the sences and
in points of Religion but let us maintain the Unity of the Spirit in the bond of love and know that Religion is not in words but in works not in opinions but in assurance not in speculation but in practice Pure Religion and undefiled before God is to visit 〈◊〉 Fatherlesse and widows c. to do good and to communicate for with such Sacrifice God is well pleased that not the bearers of the Law but the doers shall be justified that not they that cry Lord Lord shall enter into heaven but they who do the will of our Father that without peace and holinesse no man shall see the Lord that they who seed the hungâ—y and cloath the naked c. shall inherit the Kingdome prepared for them from the beginning of the world And God grant that we may run the wayes of Gods Commandements walk in love tread in the paths of righteousnesse â—ight the good fight run the race set before us with patience looking unto Iesus the Authour and Finisher of our faith that having finished our course and wrought out our salvation with 〈◊〉 and trembling may at last receive the Crown of righteousnesse In the mean while let us not forget our Saviours Legacy which is Love one another and my peace I leave with you Are we not all the members of one body the sheep of one fold the children of one Father Do we not all eat of the same bread drink of the same cup live by the same Spirit hope for the same inheritance are we not all washed with the same Baptisme and redeemed by the same saviour why then should we not be of the same heart and mind with the Apostles why is there such strugling in the womb of Rebecca such a noise of hammers in building Christs mysticall Temple such clashing of arms under the Prince of peace is this Christianity Alas we are Mahuâ—etanes or Gentiles in practise and Christians in name Now the God of peace that brought again our Lord Iesus from the dead give us the peace of God that passeth all understanding that we may all think and do the same thing That as there is but one shepherd so theâ—e may be but one sheepfold The Church of God is a little flock beset with many Wolves of Iews Turks Pagans Atheists why then should we not be carefull to preserve peace love and unity among our selves the onely thing to make us formidable to our enemies Concordia res parvae crescunt A bundle of Arrows cannot be broken except they be separated and disjoyned nor could the horse tail be plucked off as Sertorius shewed his Romans so long as the hairs were twisted together as hard a matter it will be to overcome us so long as we are united in love but let this band be broken and we are a prey to every enemy imbelles damae quid nisi praeda sumus If we will needs fight let us buckle with our profest and common enemies with the Devil the world and the Flâ—sh with Principalites and Powers with spirituall darknesse and chiefly with our selves Nec tonge scilicet hostes quaerendi nobis circumstant undique muros We have a Trojan horse full of armed enemies in the Citadel of our hearts we have Iebusites within us which we may subjugate but can never exterminate and such is our condition that we are pestered with enemies whom we can neither fly from nor put to flight Nec fugere possumus nec sugare If we did exercise our selves oftner in this spiritual Militia we should not quarrel so much as we do nor raise such tragedies every where in the Church of Christ about controversies opinions quarrelling about the shell of Religion being carelesse what become of the kernel With Martha we busie our selves about many things but neglect that Vnum necessarium playing Philosophers in our disputes but Epicures in our lives I wil end in the words of Lactantius Instit. 6. c. 1. 2. Innecentiam sâ—lam 〈◊〉 quis obtulerit Deo satis pie religioseque litavit He is the most religious man who offers to God the best giâ—t which is innocency For Christian Religion consisteth not in words but in gifts and sacrifices our gifts are perpetual our sacrifices but temporary our gifts are sincere hearts our sacrifices are praises and thanksgivings No Religion can be true but what is grounded on goodnesse and justice FINIS The Alphabetical TABLE of the chief things conteined in the severall Sections of The View of all Religions c. A. ABbots how elected 275. c. how consecrated 343. c. Abraxas the Sun 519. c. Abyssins their religion 494. c. Adamites 366. Adonis the Sun 517. Africa the religion thereof 94. c. African Islands their religions 102. Albati 318. etc. Albigenses and their opinions 223 c. America the religion thereof 102 c. Southern America the religion thereof 112. etc. Americans their superstitious fear and tyranny thereof 116 etc. Anabaptists 229 c. of Moravia 230 etc. their opinions and names 361 c. Angola its religion 100 c. Antinomians 366. Apis the Sun 518 c. Apollo the Sun 516. Apostles and their office 396. Arabians their religion and discipline 67 c. Armenians their religion 489 c. Arminians their tenets 367 c. Asia the religions thereof 1.2 c. Atys the Sun 518. S Austins girdle 257 c. B. Babylonians their ancient religion 58 c. Bel and Belenus the Sun 520. Bengala its religion 83. Bishops 399. 405. c. Bisnagar its religion 87 c. Brasil its religion 113 c. S. Bridgets Order 313 c. Brownists their kinds and tenets 363 c. Buildings first erected for divine service 4. Burial of the dead an Act of justice and mercy 131 c. C. Calvins doctrine 236 c. Camaldulenses 283. Cambaia its religion 84. Canons of S. Saviour 318. of S. George 319 c. of Lateran 320. Carmelites 300 c. Carthusians 284 c. Cerberus the Sun 527. Ceremonies in religion 513 c. Charom the Sun 526 c. Chinois their religion 79 c. Christianity its beginning 181 c. It yeelds to Mahumetanisme 182 c. Its excellency 538 c. Christian duties urged 542 c. Churches from the beginningâ— 1 2. etc 1 2. c. set Day Sacrifices and Church-Government from the beginning 5 c. Under Moses 6. After Moses 7. Under David and Solomon 8 c. After Solomon 9 c. Among the ten Tribes 11. In and after the Captivity of Babylon 28 c. Among the Iewes at this day 29 c. Church Offices sold among the Iewes 49 c. Church how to be governed 409. Church-Governours ibid. c. Alterable 410. Church of Arnhem vide Millenaries Church of England deplored and Remedy against her growing errours 427. Of Protestant Churches 496 c. Church of Rome wherein different from other Churches 429 c. Cluniacenses 282. Colours of the Sun worn
passion is read in the Pulpit uncovered the dividing of Christs Garment is represented by the Sub-Deacons much adoration is given to the Crosse. Christs body is carried by two Priests to the Altar which body was consecrated the day before for on this day and on the holy Sabbath the Sacrament is not celebrated because the Apostles those two days were in great fear and sadnesse And so there is no divine office this Sabbath On this day the Agni Dei or Lambs of Wax are consecrated to defend those that carry them from Thunder and Lightning The Paschal Taper is also consecrated and the fire which was put out is renewed by new sparkes out of a flint to represent Christ the true Light of the world and that stone cut out of the mountain on the Taper being lighted are fastned five pieces of frankincense to represent the spices brought by the Women and Christs five wounds The Taper hath three things in it representing Christ. The cotton or week signifieth his Soul the wax his Body and the light his Divinity It also putteth the people in minde of the firie Pillar which went before the Israelites to Canaan The light of the Taper also signifieth both the light of the Gospel here and the light of glory hereafter The Lessons are read without title or tone the Fonts or Baptisteria are also blessed this day to shew that by Baptisme we are buried with Christ the Priest in consecrating the water toucheth it with his hand dips the Taper in it bloweth on it and mixeth the chrisme with it Baptisme is to be administred but twice a year to wit at this time and on the day of Pentecost except in case of necessity besides divers ceremonies used in Baptism the Priest bloweth three times on the Infant gives him chrisme and a white garment Four sorts are excluded from being witnesses in Baptism namely religious Persons Infidels such as are not confirmed a man and his wife together for becoming spiritual parents they are not to know one another carnally any more They say divers Letanies in Baptism Confirmation is done by the Bishop who anoints the child with chrisme on the forehead as the Priest had done on the crown of his head in Baptism The reason why the child is twice anointed with chrisme is because the holy Ghost was given twice to the Apostles once here on earth before Christs ascension and once from heaven in a fuller measure after Christs ascension By the first they received a new birth or regeneration by the second growth strength and perfection Therefore this Sacrament of confirmation is called by the Greek Fathers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 perfection or consummation The chrisme wherewith they are anointed is made and consecrated on the day of the Lords Supper because two days afore Easter Mary Magdalen anointed Christs head and feet The Priest must not confirme except by delegation from the Pope this belongs onely to the Bishop because it is an Apostolical Function and Bishops are the Apostles successors Confirmation is not to be given to those that are not baptized because the character of this Sacrament presupposeth the character of Baptisme Neither must children be confirmed till they be able to give an account of their faith Then the Bishop strikes the childe on the cheek with his hand to shew he must be content to suffer for Christ. On the holy Sabbath the Altars begin to be covered again Gloria in excelsis is sung the Bells are rung as preparatives for the Resurrection but before the Gospel incense is carried instead of light to shew that the light of the world was supposed to be yet in the grave by the women that went to embalme him And the Post-Communion is not sung to shew how the Apostles were silent when Christ was apprehended Q. 22. What be their other holy days which they observe A. The chief is the Feast of Easter in which their Churches Altars Crosses and Priests are cloathed in their best Ornaments nothing this day must be eat or drunk without the Priests benediction and signed with the Crosse. In Easter week the custome was in Salutations to say The Lord is risen and to answer thus Thanks be to God and then to kisse each other which custome is yet observed by the Pope to the Cardinals when he sayeth Masse this day The next Sunday to Easter is called Dominica in albis because they that are baptized on the holy Sabbath lay aside on this day their white Garments The second Sunday is called Expectationis the day of expectation or looking for the comming of the Holy Ghost On Easter day before Masse there is a solemn procession of the Priests cloathed in white singing the Resuâ—rection before whom are carried Tapers burning Crosses and Banners There are also Processions all the week after to the Fonts singing in imitation of the Israelites rejoycing for the drowning of their enemies in the read sea Baptism is the sea and our sins are our enemies every day also this week the Neophytes are led to the Church by their god-fathers and god-mothers with wax Tapers before them which on the next Sunday called in albis they offer to the Priests From the Octaves of Easter till Whitsunday are sung two Halellujahs every Sunday and one every working day to shew that the joyes of heaven are represented which the soul onely participates till the Resurrection and after that soul and body together which is a double Hallelujah every day iâ— Easter week hath its peculiar Epistle and Gospel mentioning the Resurrection of Christ and our happinesse in heaven to this same purpose hath every Sunday after Easter its peculiar Masse and service Rogation Sunday which is the fifth after Easter is so called from praying or asking for being Ascension day is neer and we cannot follow Christ corporally into heaven therefore we are taught to follow him by our prayers three days then before Ascension day are Rogations Letanies or prayers both for spiritual and temporal blessings the Letany used at this time is called the Lesser invented by Mamertus Bishop of Vienna in a time when Wolves and other wild Beasts had broke out of the woods and killed divers people the greater Letany was the invention of Gregory the first when Rome was afflicted with a great Plague caused by the poysonable breath of serpents on these Rogation daies there use to be processions with Crosses Reliques and Banners carried before singing also and praying for divers blessings among the rest for the fruits of the earth the Vigil or Eve of Ascension hath its proper Mass on Ascension day is a soleum procession on the Sunday after promises are read concerning the coming of the holy Ghost on Whitsun Eve Baptisme is celebrated as it was on Easter Eve for as we are dead with Christ iâ— baptisme so we are baptized with the Holy Ghost which was accomplished when he came down on the Apostles the Feast of Pentecost is kept seven
days at which time because of baptisme white is worn this colour signifieth that all who are baptized are made Priests to God the Father for the Priests garment is white it sheweth also the innocency and purity that ought to be among Christians and it puts them in mind of the resurrection and glory of the life to come They pray standing in sign of liberty obtained by the Spirit Hallelujah and Gloria in excelsis are sung often this week from Easter till this time no man is bound to fast this feast is observed seven days to shew the seven gifts of the holy Ghost and every day three Lessons are read because all the seven gifts are included in these three Faith Hope and Charity The next Sunday is kept to the honour of the Trinity for as Christmasse was ordained to be kept in honour of God the Father who sent his son into the world and Easter to Christ the second Person and Whitsunday to the third Person so this Sunday was instituted to the three persons together and from this day are named the other Sundaies till Advâ—â—t whereof are twenty six to each of which is appropriated a peculiar Masse with Lessons and Psalms fit for each day Q. 23. What be their canonical hours of prayer A. Their set hours of prayer are called canonical because they are prescribed by the Canons of the Church and regularly observed by devout people These hours they ground upon the practise of David and Daniel who prayed three times a day These hours are seven because David speaketh of calling upon God seven times a day because the gifts of the holy Ghost are seven and the foul spirit bringeth seven spirits worse then himself there be seven deadly sins the walls of Ierico fell down at the blowing of the seven Ram horn Trumpers there were seven Aspersions in the Levitical Law Levit. 14. 16. We read also of seven Lamps and seven golden Candlesticks These canonical hours are not onely for the day but also for the night after the example of David and Christ who spent some part of the night in prayer and of the Church in the Canticles which sought Christ in the night The Prince of darknesse is most busie in the night to assault us therefore we ought to watch and pray that we may not be slaine with the Egyptian first born in the night The Nocturnals or night praises are said at midnight because at that time Paul and Silas praised God and so did David About that time Christ rose from the grave as the Greek Church believeth but the Latine Church holdeth that he arose in the morning The first hour of the day is dedicate to prayer that whilest the Sun riseth we may call upon the Sun of righteousness who bringeth health under his wings About that hour he was mocked spit upon buffeted and at that hour after his resurrection he was seen by his Disciples standing on the Sea shore To whom the first fruits of the earth were offered in old time to him also should the first fruits of the day be offered The third hour is consecrated to prayer because then Christ was crowned with thorns and condemned by Pilate It was the third hour also that the holy Ghost descended on the Apostles The sixt hour is canonicall because then Christ was crucified at that houre Peter went up to the top of the house to pray acts 10. and then it was that Christ asked water from the woman of Saâ—atia The ninth hour is for prayer because then Christ gave up the ghost so Peter and Iohn went up into the Temple at the ninth hour of prayer acts 3. The evening also is a time for prayer then they have their Vespers because the Iewes had their evening Sacrifice then it was that Christ instituted the Sacrament of the Eucharist at his last Supper And then was his body taken down from the Crosse. The hour of the Completory about the beginning of the night is Canonical also in memory of Christs buriall And because David would not go up into his bed nor suffer his eye-lids to slumber till he had found out a place for the Temple Then is sung the song of old Simeon Nunc dimittis Q. 24. What else may we observe about these Canonical hours A. That all Priests Deacons and Sub-Deacons are bound to observe these hours so are also Monks and Nuns if they be not Novices But the inferiour orders of Clergy that are not beneficed as they are not debarred from Marriage so they are not tied to these Canonical hours They also that are excommunicate and degraded are to observe these hours for the character is indelible but sick persons and such as have any natural impediment are excused Again these Canonical prayers are not to be said everywhere but in the Church because the multitude of petitioners makes prayers the more efficacious otherways they acknowledge that private prayers may be said anywhere The times also order and reverence must be observed in saying of these prayers and diligent attention must be used without wandering thoughts the attention must be â—ixed not onely on the words and sense thereof but chiefly on God the object of our prayers and devotion must be used both outward in prostrating of the body and inward in humility and submission of the minde But on Sundays and all the time between 〈◊〉 and Pentecost they pray standing to shew 〈◊〉 readinesse being risen with Christ in seeking the things that are above Beneficed men who neglect in six moneths time to say the Canonical prayers are to lose their benefices In the first Canonical hour the Kyrie Eleeson is said so is the Lords Prayer and the Creed but with a low voice to shew that prayer and faith consist rather is the heart then in the tongue In the third hour prayers are said for the dead as well as for the living The sixe hour they say Adam fell and was 〈◊〉 out of Paradise therefore they hold it then a fiâ— time by prayer to enter into Gods favour again The ninth hour Christs side was peirced out of which flowed water and blood the two Sacraments of the Church then the Vaile of the Temple rent asunder the graves opened and Christ descended into hell all which do furnish sufficient matter for prayers and praises that hour In the end of the day are said the Vespers or evening service to signifie that Christ came in the end of the world In the evening Christ washed his Disciples feet and was known to the two Disciples in breaking of bread as they were going to Emaus Five Psalmes are then said in reference to Christs five wounds and to expiâ—â—e the sins of our five sences In the evening is sung the Magnificat to shew that in the evening of the world the Virgin brought forth Christ in whom is our cheifest rejoycing And then are Lamps lighted to put us in minde that with the wise Virgins we should