Bishops jurisdiction by Pope Calixtâ—â— the second in the Counsil of Rhemes Anno 1119. and from Tythes by Pope Alexander the third It was excommunication to lay violent hands on any Templar At last this order with their pride and luxury became so odious that having continued 200. years they were utterly rooted out of France by King Philip the faire and likewise out of other Kingdoms by the instigation of Pope Clement 5. In france they were put to death and their estates confiscated to the Pope and King But in Germany their lives were spared and their estates bestowed on the Hospitalers and the Teutonick Knights of Saint Mary Some think they were put to death for worshipping Images covered with mens skins for sacrificing men for burning a Child begot of a Templar and a Nun with the fat of which Child they anointed their Image and for divers other crimes yet doubtfull whether true or false Q. 9. What were the Teutonici or Mariani A. These were a mixt Order of Iohannites and Templars for they both used hospitality to Pilgrims and defended them in the High-ways from Robberi They were called Teutonici from their Country for they were Germans that undertook this Order who living in Ierusalem bestowed all their wealth on the maintenance of Pilgrims and by the Patriarchs leave assigned to them our Ladies Chappel from this Chappel of Saint Mary they were named Mariani The chief promoters of this order were the Lubikers and Bremers with Adolphus Earl of Holstein who with a Fleet of Ships assisted the Christians besieging Ptolemais and provided Tents with all necessaries for the sick and maimed Souldiers This order was erected before Accona or Prolemais by the King of Ierusalem the Patriarch divers Arch-Bishops Bishops and Princes of Germany then present and was confirmed by the Emperor Henry the sixth and Pope Calâ—stâ—ine the third who assigned them a white cloak with a black crosse and added a white target with a black crosse also and gave them leave to wear their beards and granted indulgences with other acts of graces to those that should undertake or promote the order they had power to bestow Knight-hood on such as deserved and are enjoyned to follow the rule of Saint Austin But none must be admitted into this order except he be a Teutonick born and nobly descended Their charge was to be ready on all occasions to oppose the enemies of the crosse and are tied to say 200. Pater-Nosters Creeds and Ave Maâ—ies in 24. hours When the holy land was lost these Knights came into Germany on whom the Pope and Emperor Frederick the second Anno 1226. bestowed the Country of Prussia conditionally that they subdue the Infidels there which they did in the space of 53. years and so got the full possession thereof Upon the River Vistula where they had raised a Fort against the enemy they built their chief City and called it Marieâ—burg they set up three great Masters the one in Germany the second in Livâ—nia and the third in Prâ—ssia this was over the other two they aided the Pâ—â—â—rians against the Lituanians much of whose Country they subdued which caused great Wars between these Teutonicks and the Polonians after that Poland and Lituaniâ— were united under own Prince After many bickrings at last the Polonian forced the great Master to swear-seaâ—ty to him to admit into his order as well Polonians as Germans and make them capable of offices that what land soever the Teutonicks obtain they should hold the same in â—ee of the King This occasioned a War between Albert Marquesse of Brandeburg and the Polander King Sigismund to whom for want of help from the Emperor being then imployed in Wars against France and the Turk in Hungary he was fain to submit and to acknowledge the King for his Lord. Then he obtaines Prussia but changed his title from Master to Duke of Prussia An. 1393. Venceslaus King of the Romans and Bohemians drove all the Teutonick Knights out of Bohemia and seised on their estates The Knights are thus installed The Commendator placeth him that is to be Knighted in the midst of the Knights then asketh every one of them if they find any exception against him either for his body mind or parentage the same is demanded of the party to be Knighted and withall if he be skilful in any usefull Art if in debt if married or if he have any bodily infirmity if he hath he must not enter into that order then he is commanded to kneel and by laying his hand on the Gospel and rule of the order to vow and promise obedience chastity poverty care of the sick and perpetual War with the Infidels which done the Commendator promiseth to him sufficient bread and water and course cloth for his life-time then he riseth and having kissed the Master and each one of the Brothers he sitteth down in the place appointed for him Then the Master or Commendator exhorts the brothers to observe their rule carefully after this he is inaugurated his kindred attend on him to the Church with a Torch burning before him in which are fastned 30. pieces of silver and a Gold-Ring Then he kneels before the Altar and riseth again behinde the offertory and so are delivered to him a Sword Target Spurs and a Cloak which were all consecrated before then the Commendator draweth his Sword with which he is girt and with it strikes his Target twise saying Knighthood is better then service and with the same Sword striking him on the back saith Take this blow patiently but no more hereafter then the Responsory being sung the rest of the day is spent in feasting and drinking Q. 10. What were the Knights of Saint Lazarus of Calatrava of Saint James and divers others A. The order of Saint Lazarus was instituted about the year of Christ 1119. and being almost extinct was renewed by Pope Pius 4. they wear a dark-coloured garment with a red Crosse before their breast This order is highly esteemed by the Dukes of Savoy who also were instituted the Knights of the Annunciada in memory of the Anunciation of Mary he ordained fourteen of the prime Nobility to be of this Colledge on each of whom he bestowed a Golden Collar with the Virgins Picture hanging at it within the Links of the Collar are engraven these four Letters F. E. R. T. which was the Motto of Amadeus the great who took Rhodes The meaning is Fortitudo Ejus Rhodum Tenuit the annual solemnity is held on our Lady-day in the Castle of Saint Peter in Turin But this is scarce to be reckoned among the Religious Orders The Knights of Calatrava are so called from that Province in Spain they were instituted Anno 1121. or as some say 1160. by Sanctius others write by Alphonsus King of Spain in the Country of Toledo where the Templars had a Monastery who not being able to resist the Saracens were forced to give place to these new Knights
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
upon it therefore the high Priest among the Jewes albeit he was not to be present at any funeral yet if by chance he found a dead corps he was to bury it himselfe And so careful were the Iewes in this duty that the bodies of Malefactors were to be buried after Sun set Horacâ— brings in the dead corps promising a reward from Iupiter to him that should cast some earth upon it Multaque â—nerces unde potest tibi defluat aequo Ab Iove Neptunoque but if he refuse to do this work of humanity piacula nulla resolvent no sacrifice should be able to expiate his crime And to make men the more careful of this last duty to the defunct the Poets faigned that the soules of those dead bodies which lay unburied did wander up and down a 100. years without any rest neither were they admiâ—ted into 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Homer speaks that is the gates of Pluto nor were they received by Charon over the River Styx as Virgil sings till the bodies be interr'd Nec ripas datur horrendas nec rauca fluenta Transportare prius quà m sedibus ossa quierunt Hence it is that Patroclus in Homer doth so earnestly sollicit Achilles to bury him The like earnest suit doth Palinurus in Virgil put up to Aenaeas for the same favour and because want of burial was counted one of the greatest disgraces and punishments that could be inflicted on the dead therefore selfe murtherers were debarred from the honour of interment which as the Poet saith Est solus honos Acheronte subimo Q. Of what religion were the Grecians A. They and the Romans differed little in their Superstitions The Romans worshipped twenty principal gods the Grecians but twelve of them to wit Iupiter Saturn Bacchus Apollo Mars Minerva Diana Venus and Iuno Ceres Mercurius Vulcan their Altar was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Altar of the twelve gods but indeed Neptune Hercules Proserpina and others were in no lesse esteem among them By these gods they were wont to swear and as the Romans so did they make Deities of the creatures of passions of accidents and of their own ignorance in erecting an Altar to the unknown God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Act. 17. Their chief god was Iupiter whom they call the Father and King of gods so Homer often Him they acknowledged their Deliverer their Counsellor their Law-giver and Defender of their Towns hence these Epithets of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is a Counsellor often in Homer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the chief Commander or Ruler of the World so Virgil Qui res hominúmque deúmque Aeternis regit imperiis But yet Homer is permitted to abuse this supream God with the titles of an Adulterer and of an impotent god who was subject to the Fates and bound by the other gods till Thetis loosed him He makes him also false in his promises to Agamemnon a laughing stock to Iuno and Minerva a slave to Love subject to sleep a make-bate among the other gods So that albeit both the Greeks and Romans worshipped the same Iupiter yet the Romans being a wiser people spake alwayes reverently of him as may be seen in the Prince of Poets Virgil triumphant who in this respect as in many other cases is to be preferred before Homer as I have shewed elsewere Their next god was Apollo or the Sun whom they made the chief god of Shepherds as they armed Iupiter with thunder so they did Apollo with his silver bow therefore called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by Homer They made him the Author of Divination Hence his Oracles were famous everywhere They that died suddenly were said to be killed by him they made him also the god of Musick and Physick He was called Alexicacus and Apotropaius that is a Deliverer from or a turner away of evil The mysteries of these things we have unfolded elsewhere in Mystagogo Poetico He had a rich Temple at Delphos beautified with much gold therefore called by Pindarus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and he from his golden bow 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He invented the Cythron and Mercury the Harp they were therefore worshipped both upon one Altar Apollo from his sight and knowledge of all things was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mercury was worshipped as the god of musick also and of merchandising He had the charge of Wrestlers therefore was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and because with his rod he used to conduct the souls to and from Hell he was named 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He was also the Messenger and Herauld of the gods and because he had the charge of doors to keep them from theeves he was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and from the invention of four useful Arts to wit Letters Musick Wrestling and Geometry he was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 four square and so was his statue Homer calls him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the angel of the gods And the Greek Epigrammatist names him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the servant of the gods and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Bishop of Wrestlers But this god was a notable thief for he stole from Iupiter his Scepter from Neptune his Trident from Mars his Sword from Venus her Girdle from Vulcan his Tongs Q. What were their other chief gods whom they worshipped A. Saturn a cruel god who both devoured his own children and could not be pacified but by the sacrificing of Infants In honour of him they kept the feast called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Saturnals and afterwards the Romans they worshipped him bare-headed but the other gods with their head covered He was bound by Iupiter for his injustice and thrust down to hell and yet they hold his government most happy and under him the golden Age. He found out the use of the Sithe or Pruning-hook with which he is painted and taught the Italians husbandry for which he was highly honoured by them From him not only the Capitol was called Saturnius but also the whole Country of Italy Saturnie Tellus Bacchus or Liber by the Greeks called Lyaeus Dionysius Bromius was a great god amongst them and worshipped with Ceres upon the same Altar therefore Pindarus calls him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the assessor of Ceres He was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from his Night-sacrifices 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from his beauty and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from his different shapes for sometimes he was a goat sometimes a man and sometimes a bull to shew the different disposition of drunkards They called him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because twice born first of Semele then of Iupiter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 crowned with Ivy and a multitude more of such Epithers they gave him as may be seen in the Greek Epigrammatist His feasts or Bacchanals were so full of disorder riot immodesty and madnesse that the Senate ordered this Greek Feast should not be used in Rome or Italy Mars for his hard armour and hard heart and
brazen face was called by the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and by Pindarus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 carried in a brazen Chariot Homer calls him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the swiftest of all the gods Yet was over-reached by Vulcan the slowest to let us see that strength is overcome many times by policy he was married to Venus for souldiery and venery are seldom separate He is by Homer joyned with Minerva Arts and Armes doe meet together he was a great god among the Grecians but greater among the Romans to whom they dedicated Priests Feasts and divers Temples not onely for being their tutelar god but also because he was Romulus his Father this mad god for so he is called by Homer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was wounded by Diomedes and he is termed their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 constant mutable false and treacherous A brave god miserable is that Country where this god domineers whose greatest enemies are Iupiter and Minerva that is peaceable Princes and wise Councellours Q. What were Minerva Diana and Venus A. These were also Grecian deities Minerva was the Athenian chief goddesse from whom they were named Athenians Her Festivals were called Panathenaea and her chiefe Temple Parthenium for she from her perpetual coelibate was stiled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 She hath the next place in heaven among the gods to Iupiter and wears his armes and target called Aegis to shew that Kings should never be without wise and learned men next to them When she came out of Iupiters brain she made a noise brandishing with her Speare at which mortals were affrighted therefore she is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Pallas the wisdom of a Governour being expressed either by his words or actions keeps the people in awe she had her Palladium at Athens as well as at Troy and at Rome had divers Temples called Minervia Diana the sister of Apollo was worshipped by the Greeks in the habit of a woman armed with a Bow and arrows So she was afterward by the Romans to whom they erected divers Temples the chiefest whereof was upon hill Aventine She is called by Pindarus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a horse-driver for by her they understood the Moon to which they assigned horses to signifie her motion and antiently a golden Chariot drawn by white hindes from her delight she took in arrows she is called by the same Poet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by which are meant her beams she was painted also with a Torch in her hand as Hecate is always to shew that she and Hecate was all one and by this Torch was meant her light she was also the same with Proserpine and is called Triformis from the Moons three different shapes but she was a cruel goddess who would not be satisfied without humane sacrifices in Arcadia she was worshipped in the form of a Virgin covered with a Hindes skin having a Torch in one hand two Serpents in the other and on her shoulders her Bow and quiver Of these mysteries I have written sufficiently in Myst. Poet. Venus was worshipped in armour by the Lacedemonians because she overcame Mars her worship cousisted in Flowers and Frankincense She was somtimes placed upon the same Altar with Mercury to shew how well Beauty and Eloquence agree She was had in honour more in Rome then in Greece because from her as being the mother of Aenaeas the Romans deduced their Original therefore she was honoured with many Temples at Rome she was the chief deity that was worshipped by the women Harlots honoured her for gain honest Virgins for Beauty Matrons for concord with their husbands Widdows for new Husbands and all for Fecundity she being held the author of all these She was painted in a Chariot drawn sometimes with Doves sometimes with white Swans she was crowned with Mirtle and Roses she was begot of the Sea froth All which expresse to us the qualities of love Q. How were Juno Ceres and Vulcan worshipped by the Greeks A. At Corinth Iuno was worshipped in the habit of a Queen with a Crown on her head on which were carved the Graces and the hours sitting in a throne of gold and white Ivory having in one hand a Pomgranate and in the other a Scepter with an Owle on the top thereof By Iuno they mean the Moon therefore her Statue and Throne were of white materials Hence Homer calls her 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 having white armes The Moon is Queen of the night therefore she hath her Crown Throne and Scepter the Owle being a night bird was fitly dedicated to her that was Lady of the night She was the goddess of riches and Fecundity and the same with Lucina therefore she hath the Pomegranate a Symbol of plenty as she is the Moon the hours attend her as the giver of riches the Graces for bounty and good turns require thanks In some Graecian Temples her Image is drawn by Peacocks to shew that pride and wealth go together and that rich people delight in gaudy and glorious apparel At Argos she was worshipped with Vine branches about her treading on a Lions skin in contempt of Bacchus and Hercules Iupiters two bastards the one glorying for finding the use of Wine the other for killing the Lion Iuno was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 perfection because she had the charge of marriage in which mans perfection consisteth and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as being Iupiters wife and sister her sacrifices in Greece were Hecatombaea ◠100 beasts at Rome she was honoured with divers names Temples and Sacrifices the Calends of every moneth were dedicated to her and her solemnities were kept in February Ceres was worshipped in a Chariot drawn by two Dragons with Poppy heads in one hand and a burning Torch in the other with a sheaf of Corn on her head What all these meant we have shewed elsewhere The secret or mystical sacrifices of Ceres Eleusina were not to be divulged for no prosane person was to be admitted to them for the Priest going before uttered these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Roman Priests proclaiming the same in their tongue Procul procul este profani The Arcadians did so honour Ceres and Proserpina that in their Temples they kept fires perpetually burning In her sacrifices Hogs were offered but no Wine The Priests of Ceres were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Bees to shew both their diligence purity and chastity she was worshipped also at Rome where she had her Priests and Temples and great solemnities in April called Ludi Cereales In Vulcanes Sacrifices a Torch was lighted and delivered from one to another to signifie that the Torch of our life is imparted from the father to the son by generation He was worshipped in the forme of a lame man with a blew cap to shew us the nature of the fire whereof he was god At Rome he was also worshipped but his Temple was built by Romulus without the City because Mars his
their Graves believing that the departed soules would in the night time eat and drink there The like superstition is used by the Livonians So the Lapponians are at this day for the most part idolatrous they hold that no marriage which is not consecrated by fire and a flint is lawful therfore by striking of the flint with iron they shew that as the hid sparks of fire flie out by that union so children are propagated by the conjunction of male and female Many parts also of Moscovia at this day continue in their Gentilisme Q. What other gods did the Geâ—tiles worship beside those above named A. It were tedious to mention all I will only name some of them Aeolus was god of the Winds Portunus god of Harbours Agonius god of Action Angerona goddess of Squinzees Laverna or Furina goddess of Theeves Aucula goddesse of maid servants Carna goddesse of hinges Aristaeâ—s god of hony Diverra goddesse of sweeping Feronia goddesse of Woods Dice goddesse of Law-suites Fidius of Faith Aruncus of diverting hurt from Corn Hebe of youth Meditrina of Medicines Menâ— of womens monthly flowers Myodes or Miagrus the same with Belzebub the god of Flies Limentinus of thresholds Peitho goddesse of Eloquence Aius of speech Pecunia of mony Thalassius of marriage Vacuna goddesse of leasure or idlenesse Vitula goddesse of youthful wantonnesse Sentinus of sense Tutanus of defence Vallonia of Vallies Vitunus of life Collina of hills Iugatinus of the tops of mountains We cannot meet with any creature action passion or accident of mans life which had not its peculiar deity Q. How did they rank and arme their gods A. Some of them they called Supernal as Saturn Iupiter Apollo Mercurius Mars Vulcan Bacchus Hercules Cybele Venus Minerva Iuno Ceres Diana Themis Some they named infernal as Pluto Charon Cerberus Rhadamanthus Minos Aeicus Proserpina Alecto Tisiphone Megaera Chimera Clotho Lachesis Atropos Some were deities of the Sea as Oceanus Neptune Triton Glaucus Palemon Proteus Nereus Castor Pollux Phorbus Melicerta Amphitrite Thetis Doris Galataea and the other Sea-Nymphs called Nereides The Country gods and of the Woods were Pan Sylvanus Faunus Pales the Satyres c. There were three deities called Graces or Charites to wit Aegle Thalia Exphrosyne Three Fatal Sisters called Parcae to wit Clâ—tho Lachests Atropos Three Furies called Euâ—â—enides to wit Alecto Megaera Tisiphone The chiefest of their gods they did thus arm namely Saturn with the Sithe Iupiter with Thunder Mars with the Sword Apollo and Diana with Bows an arrows Mercury with his Caduceuâ— or Rod. Neptune with the Trident or three-forked Scepter Bacchus with the Thyrsus or Spear woven about with Vine-leaves Hercules with his Clave or Club. Minerva with her Lance and Aegis or Target having on it Medusa's head Vulcan with his Tongs c. Q With what creatures weretheir Chariots drawn A. Iupiter Sol Mars and Neptune had their Chariots drawn by Horses Saturn by Dragons Thetis Triton Leucothoe by Dolphins Bacchus by Lynces and Tygers Diana by Stags Luna or the Moon by Oxen Oceanus by Whales Venus by Swans Doves and Sparrows Cybele by Lions Iuno by Peacocks Ceres by Serpents Pluto by four black Horses Mercury in stead of a Chariot had wings on his head and heels The mystical meanings of these things we have opened Q. In what peculiar places were some gods peculiarly worshipped A. Though Apollo was worshipped in many places as in the wood Grynaeum in Ionia on Phaselis a hill in Lycia in Tenedos an Isle of the Aegean Sea in Delos and Claros two of the Cyclad Islands on hill Cynthus in Cyrâ—ha a Town of Phocis at Rhodes on hill Soracte on Parnassus and other places yet he was chiefly worshipped at Delphi a Town of Phocis So Venus was honoured in Cyprus and in Paphos a Town of the same Isle and in the Isle Amathus in the Aegean Sea on hill Eryx and in Sicilie and elsewhere yet her chief worship was at Paphos So Iuno was worshipped at Samos an Iâ—le of the Icarian Sea at Argos and Mycenae Towns of Aâ—haia and in other places yet she was principally honoured at Carthage in Africa Minerva was worshipped in Aracynthus a hill of Aeâ—olia in Pyreus a hill of Attica and elsewhere yet She was chiefly honoured at Athens Bacchus was worshipped at Nysa a Town of Arabia at Naxos one of the Cyclades but chiefly at Thebis in Boeotia Diana was worshipped at Delos on hill Cynthus at Ephesus and elsewhere Hercules was honoured at Gades at Tybur a Town near Rome at Tyrintha near Argi at Thebis in Boeotia c. Iupiters worship was maintained at Rome in Lybia on hill Ida in Crete and elsewhere Mars was adoted at Thermodon in Scythia on Rhoâ—â—pe a hill in Thracia among the Getes and other Nations Vulcan was chiefly honoured at Lemnos Quitinus at Rome Faunus in Latium Isis in Egypt Aesculapius in Epidaurus a Town in Peloponnesus Cybele in Phrygia chiefly on the hills Ida Berecynthus and Dindymus Fortune was honoured in Aâ—tium and Praeâ—este Towns of Italy c. Who would know more of these let them consult wiâ— the Poets Q. What were the Greek chief festivals A. The Greek were these Anacalypteria kept by the Rusticks to Ceres and Bacchus upon the taking in of their fruits but I finde that the feast of Prâ—serpâ—na's wedding with Pluto called Theogamia was called Anacalypteria and so was the third day of each marriage from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to disclose or discover because then the Bride who before had been shut up in her fathers house came abroad to her Husbands house and so the Presents that were given her by her husband that day were called Anacalypteria 2. Anthesteria were Feasts kept to Bacchus so called from Anthesterion the moneth of February in which they were kept But some will have this to be the moneth of November others of August which is most likely because then grapes are ripe and the Athenian children were crowned with Garlands of flowers This feast also was called Dionysia 3. Aletis was a feast at Athens kept to Icarus and Erigone 4. Anthesphoria kept to the honour of Proserpina who was carried away by Pluto as she was gathering of flowers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is a flower It was called also Theogamia a divine marriage 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was an Athenian feast kept four days Erasmus mentions only three 6. Ascolia were Attick feasts kept to Bacchus from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a bladder because in the middle of the Theatre they used then to dance upon bladders that were blown and oyled onely with one foot that by falling they might excite laughter this dancing was called Ascoliasmus of which Virgil speaks Mollibus in pratis unctos saliere per utres 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were Athenian feasts in the month of September called by them Boedromion this feast was kept with vociâ—eration and running 8. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were
love-feasts in which kinsfolks entertained each other with good cheer and gifts 9. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were feasts at Athens wherein all kinds of seeds were boiled to Bacchus and Mercury in a pot called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this feast was kept about the midst of November 10. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was the scourging feast among the Lacedemonians in which the prime youth were whipt in the presence of their friends at the altar of Diana 11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the feasts of Iupiter they were called also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Here they were not very jovial but sad and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of sower countenance 12. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were feasts kept to Diana in February called Eâ—aphetolion wherein Stags were sacrificed to Diana 13. Ephestia at Thebes were feasts kept to the honour of Tyresias the Prophet who had been both man woman therefore that day they cloathed him first in mans apparel and then in a womans habit 14. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 marriage this was Iunos feast kept in Ianuary called Gamelion and she having the charge of marriages was called Gamelia 15. Hecatâ—mbe to Iuno in which 100 sacrifices were offered and divers shews of sports exhibited to the people He that overcame was rewarded with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a brazen Target and a Myrtle garland This feast was called also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from Iunoâ— name and the moneth of Iuly in which this feast was kept is named 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 16. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Athenian â—easts in which certain holy Reliques were carried about in a chest called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the Priests called Helenophori 17. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were Lacedemonian feasts kept to the honour of Apollo and his Boy â—yacinthus whom he lost therefore Lycander calls him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 much lamented 18. Hypocaustria were feasts to Minerva for avoiding the dangers that come by firing from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to kindle or burn 19. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was a feast at Argos so called from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Sow because by them then this beast was sacrificed to Venus 20. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so called from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Torch or Lamp This feast was kept to Bacchus into whose Temple in the night they used to carry burning Torches and to place goblets full of Wine in all parts of the City 21 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were the feasts of Cybele called Magna Mater in which were exhibited divers spectacles to the people in the moneth of April 22. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was Apollo's festival who was called Metageitnius and the moneth in which it was kept was named 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which some say is May others Iuly 23. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was a feast among the Aegeans in which it seems they eat all of one dish or else but once a day or else each man apart These are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 24. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the feast of Minerva kept in the harbour of Athens called Munichium The moneth of March was also called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 25. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were sober sacrifices without wine therefore called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 at Athens these sacrifices were performed to Venus Vrania likewise to Mnemosyne Aurora Sol Luna the Muses and the Nymphs and even to Bacchus himself Sometimes they offered in stead of Wine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 water mingled with honey 26. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were the night sacrifices of Bacchus whence he was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 27. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were Athenian feasts so called from the great cup of the same name which being filled with wine beardlesse youths 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith Athenaeus being to cut their long hair offered to Hercules 28. Ornea the festivals of Priapus who was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from Ornis a Town of Peloponnesus 29. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Athenian feast in which the noble youth carried 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vine branches into Minerva's Temple This feast was instituted when The seus returned mourning from Crete upon the report of his fathers death Aegeus 30. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the chief Athenian feast to the honour of Minerva it was celebrated every fifth year In this were divers shews the youth then used to dance in armour called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from Pyrâ—hus the inventer The Image of Pallas was then carried in a Ship called Panathenaica in which the sail called Peplus was spread and on this was woven the Giant Enceladus slain by Pallas In this feast they used to run with lamps or torches and so they did in the Feasts called Ephestia and Promethea He that overcame had for his reward 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Olive fruit that is a pot of Oyl whereof Pallas was the Inventer and none but he could by the law carry any Oyle out of the Aâ—tick Countrey 31. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were feasts dedicate to Apollo in the moneth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which some take for October others for Iuly This feast was so called from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from beanes or other kind of legumina consecrated to Apollo 32. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Athenian feast to Minerva the moneth in which it was kept was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from bearing about in procession 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Fan to make a shadow from the Suns heat The Fan was carried by Minerva's Priest accompanied with the Gentry of Athens out of the Tower from this they called Minerva Sâ—irada The moneth of this feast was thought to be March 33. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this feast was dedicated to Apollo and Diana at Athens in the moneth of April which was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In it the first fruits of the earth were offered to these gods and boiled in the pot called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 34. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were feasts to Bacchus the god of Wine who was therefore 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and his Temple 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 commonly called this was an Athenian feast 35. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were feasts dedicated to all the gods together This feast by the Latines is called dies pandiculaâ—is and communicarius Theoxenia also were games exhibited to Apollo who was called Theoxenius and this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 common feast was at Delphi consecrated peculiarly to Apollo This feast was so called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because all the gods were entertained at a feast Castor and Pollux were the authors of this feast for when Hercules was deified he committed to these Diâ—scuri the care of the Olympick games but they devised this new feast of Theoxenia It was chiefly observed by the Athenians in honour of forreign gods
Father of Christ and author of the Gospel but Moses Law they rejected and the old Testament as proceeding from the other god to wit of justice The Cerdonians also denyed the Resurrection of the flesh and Humanity of Christ Affirming that he was not born of a Virgin nor suffered but in shew Marcion by birth a Paphlagonian neer the Euxin Sea was Cerdons Scholar whose opinions he preferred to the Orthodox Religion out of spleen because his Father Bishop Marcion excommunicated him for Whoredom and because he could not without true repentance be received again into the Church therefore he professed and maintained Cerdons Heresies at Rome in the time of M. Antoninus Philosophus 133. years after Christ but he refined some points and added to them some of his own phansies With Cerdon he held two contrary gods and denied Christs Incarnation of the Virgin and therefore blotted his Genealogy out of the Gospel affirming his body to be from heaven not from the Virgin He denied that this world by reason of the Ataxie and Disorder in it could be the work of the good god He rejected the Old Testament and the Law as repugnant to the Gospel which is false for their is no repugnancy He denied the Resurrection and taught that Christ by descending into hell delivered from thence the souls of Cain Esau the Sodomites and other reprobates translating them into heaven He condemned the eating of flesh and the married life and renewed baptism upon every grievous fall into sin If any of the Catechumeni died some in their name were baptised by the Marcionites They also baptised and administred the Eucharist in presence of the Catechumeni against the custom of the Church They permitted Women also to baptize They condemned all Wars as unlawfull and held transanimation with the Pythagoreans Q. 15. What was the Religion of Apelles Severus and Tatianus A. Apelles whose scholars were called Apellitae was Marcions Disciple and a Syrian by birth He flourished under Commodus the Empâ—ror about 150. years after Christ. He taught that there was but one chief God to whom was subordinat a fierie God who appeared to Moses in the bush who made the world and gave the Law to the Israelites and was their God He gave to Christ a body compacted of the Stary and Elementary substance and appeared in the shape onely of man This body when he ascended he left behind him every part thereof returning to their former principles and that Christs spirit is onely in heaven He rejected the Law and Prophets and denied the Resurrection Severus author of the Severians was contemporarie with Apelles under Commodus 156. years after Christ. He used the company of one Philumena a Strumpet and Witch He taught his disciples to abstain from Wine as being poyson begot of Satan in the form of a Serpent with the Earth The world he said was made by certain Powers of Angels which he called by divers barbarous names He hated Women and Marriage denied the Resurrection the Old Testament and Prophets using in stead of them certain Apocryphall Books Tatianus a bad Scholar of a good Master Iustin Martyr was a Mesopotamian by birth and lived under M. Antoninus Philosophus 143. years after Christ his disciples were called Tatiani from him and Encratitae from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 temperance or continence for they abstain from Wine Flesh and Marriage They were called also Hydro-Paristatae users of Water for in stead of Wine they made use of Water in the Sacrament They held that Adam was never restored to mercy after his fall And that all men the sons of Adam are damned without hope of salvation except the Tatiani They condemned the Law of Moses the eating of flesh and the use of wine and held Procreation of Children to be the work of Satan yet they permitted though unwilingly Monogamy or the marrying once but never again they denied that God made male and female and that Christ was the seed of David Q. 16. Of what Religion were the Cataphrygians A. Montanus disciple to Tatianus who was his contemporary was author of this Sect who for a while were from him called Montanists but being ashamed of his wicked life and unhappy end they were afterward from the Country where he was born and which was first infected with his heresie called Cataphrygians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they were named also Tascodragitae because they used in praying to thrust their forefingers into their Nostrills to shew their devotion and anger for sin Tascus in their Language signifieth a long slick or slaff and Druggus their Nose as if you would say Perticonasati as the interpreter of Epiphanius translates it They loved to be called Spirituales because they bragged much of the gifts of the Spirit others that were not of their opinion they called naturual men This Heresie began about 145. years after Christ and lasted above 500. years He had two Strumpets which followed him to wit Prisca and Maximilla these forsook their Husbands pretending zeal to follow Montanus whereas indeed they were notorious Whoors they took upon them to prophesie and their dictates were held by Montanns as divine oracles but at last he and they for company hanged themselves He blasphemously held himself not onely to be in a higher measure inspired by the Holy Ghost then the Apostles were but also said that he was the very Spirit of God which in some small measure descended on the Apostles he condemned second marriages and yet allowed Incest He trusted altogether to Revelations and Enthusiasmes and not to the Scripture In the Eucharist these wretches mingled the Bread with Infants Blood they confounded the persons of the Trinity affirming the Father suffered Q. 17. What was the Religion of the Pepuzians Quintilians and Artotyrites A. These were disciples of the Cataphrygians Pepuzians were so called from Pepuza a town between Galatia and Cappadocia where Montanus dwelt and Quintillians from Quintilla another whorish Prophetesse and companion to Prisca and Maximilla They held Peprza to be that new Ierusalem fore told by the Prophets and mentioned in the Epistle to the Hebrews and in the Revelatien In this they said we should enjoy life eternal They perferred Women before Men affirming that Christ assumed the form of a Women not of a Man And that he was the author of their wicked Tenets They commended Eve for eating the forbidden fruit saying that by so doing she was the author of much happinesse to man They admitted Woman to Ecclesiastical functions making Bishops and Priests of them to preach and administer the Sacraments They mingled also the Sacramental Bread with humane Blood The Artotyritae were so called from offering Bread and Cheefe in the Sacrament in stead of Wine because our first Parents offered the fruits of the Earth and of sheep and because God excepted Abels sacrifice which was the fruits of his sheep of which Cheese cometh therefore they held cheese
be that soweth Spiritual things should reap Temporal I deny not also but there were Lazarus the two blinde men in the Gospel the cripple in the Acts who did beg but theâ— the Jewish government was much altered from its first purity and their Laws much neglected or corrupted by their subjection to the Romans Again that Christ and his disciples needed not to beg is plaine by the common purse among them whereof Judas was the carrier Now Christ assumed voluntary poverty though he did not begge to shew that he came to suffer want and that his Kingdome was not of this world and to sanctifie our poverty to us and to â—each the rich of this world that they trust not in uncertain riches and that the poor should not be dejected seeing Christ himself was poor God also to humble us doth suffer us sometimes to be in â—ant So he dealt with Elias when he asked â—read of the Widow and David when he desired bread of Abimelech and Lazarus when he begged at the rich mans door but this is seldom and to let us see that on earth we have not true happinesse Again I deny not but a single man who hath no charge of Wife Children and Family may renounce his wealth that he may be the lesse burthened with the cares of this life and the more apt for prayer and contemplation but this is not lawful in him who hath the charge of Wife and Family for whom he ought to provide If he be not worse then 〈◊〉 Infidel To be brief these Monks who can work or preach and will not ought not to beg for wages are due to those that work not so much out of charity as out of justice Q. 11. Was that Leathreâ— Girdle ever worne by S. Augustin with which the Monks of this order used to cure Diseases and ease Paines in the body A. â— That Saint Austin ever wore this Girdle is not known to me nor can it be proved but by their own traditions 2. That this Girdle hath miâ—â—culously cured Diseases and asswaged Paines is believed by divers lay-people even by some Princes who have for this end wore the same 3. That wonderfull cures have been wrought by this Girdle is aâ—â—evered by divers but how truly I know not 4. God sometimes by weak means produceth strange cures as by Christs Spittle Saint Peters Shadow Sâ—int pauls Handkerchieff the Hem of Christs Garment â— God permits Satan sometimes to do strange things that they who will not believe the truth may be deluded 6. Many strange cures are to be ascribed to the force of imagination rather then to such weak outward means 7. To deny all miracles which have been written is too much temeritiâ—â— and to believe all is too much credulitie 8. We read of miracles not onely done by Moses Christ and his Apostles but also by the Sorcerers of Egypt Simom Magus Antichrist Apollonius and others 9. As Scriptures at first were proved by miracles so miracles are now to be proved by Scriptures for such miracles as are not consonant to Gods word are not true 10. Divers of the Roman Church doubt the truth of many of their miracles Canus Loc. 1. 11. c. 6. calls the Author of the Golden Legend a man of a brazen Face and a Leaden Heart Espencaeus upon 2. Tim. 4. saith That the Legends are full of fables Caietan Digr 21. Opusc. de concep Virg. C. 1. tells us That it cannot be known infallibly that the miracles on which the Church groundeth the Canonisation of Saints be true because the credit thereof depends on mens reports who may deceive others and be deceived themselves Q. 12. What were the Institutions and Exercises of the first Monks A. At first they used to work when occasion served to eat and drink soberly to go decent in their apparel to fast and pray often to possesse all thingâ— in common to Read Meditate Preach and hear the Word of God to study Temperance Continency Modesty Obedience Silence and other Vertues They were divided into tens and hundreds every nine had their Decurio or tenth man to overlook them and every hundred had their Centurio to whom the ten Decurions were subject they had their distinct beds at the ninth hour they met to sing and hear Sermons at Table they fit silent and content themselves with Bread Herbs and Salt the old men onely drink Wine in the night they had their hoâ—â— of prayer in the Summer they dine but 〈◊〉 not Their chief Governour they called Father in Syriack Abbot who for his learning was eminent and for his life exemplary These ancient Monks used to wear Hoods and Girdles they went also with staves and scrips of Goat skins But in Egypt they wore no shoos because of the heat of that Country The affairs of the Covent was committed to some Brother till he grew weary of it but in Mesopotamia Palestine and Cappadocia the Brothers did serve by turns weekly at the end of the week the servant did wash the feet of his Brothers and so resigned up his office to the next In most places they observed the third sixth and ninth hours for prayer none were admitted into the Monastery till they were 〈◊〉 tried by waiting ten days together without the Gate and patiently enduring all the opprobrious speeches that should be uttered against them then did the Abbot receive them with a long exhortation admonishing them of their duties and chiefly exhorting them to Mortification Humility Silence Obedience Meeknesse Patience Sobriety Submission Confession of their infirmities and such like duties Then are these Probationers stript of their own Garments and cloathed in Monks habit and are tried one whole year under strict discipline if there be dislike on either side they receive their own clothes again from the Steward are dismissed the Monastery Small offences among these Monks were punished with publike humiliation and acknowledgment the offender lying flat on the ground till the Abbot bid him rise but great faults were punished with stripes or expulsion during their sitting at Table they were to hearken to what was read out of the Scripture to the end they might be taken off from idle talk and that their mindes might be sed as well as their bodies seeing not by bread â—lone man doth live but by every word that caâ—neth out if the mouth of God These primitive Monasteries also were subject to the Bishops of the Diocesse without whose leave they were not to go abroad from their Covents I do not finde that in these Primitive Monasteries they were tyed to set Fasts â—â— the three Vows of Chastity Poverty and Obedience or to different cloathes and colours or to stay longer in the Monastery then their own liking Q. 13 Why did Religious Persons cut their Hair and Beards A. Because long Hair was abused among the Gentiles to Pride Luxury and Superstition It did argue also Effeminatnesse Childishnesse or Slavishnesse for in some places slaves used
the evening and completory and at midnight Particular Psalmes are appointed for each of these canonical hours that they must pray with all reverence That their be Deanes chosen in each Monastery to ease the Abbot That every Monk have his own bed to sleep in that a candle burn by them till the morning That they sleep in their cloathes girt that at the ringing of the bell they may be the more ready for prayer divers degrees of Pennance are injoyned according to the degrees of offences That the Abbot use all the means he can to reclaim the excommunicate persons that the lost sheep may be brought home with joy That if no correction will prevail the obstinate person be expelled the covent who upon repentance may be received three times but never after the third time That the Steward of the Monastery be a man of discretion government and trust That the Abbot keep an inventory of all utensils belonging to the Covent That all things be common among the Brothers That there be no grudging or murmuring That every one serve in the kitching and in other places when his turn is That a special care be had of the sick and infirme so likewise of the aged and children That their be chosen a weekly Reader to read in time of refection That each man be content with a pound of bread for a day and that onely the sick be permitted to eat flesh That wine be drunk sparingly That from Easter to Pentecost the Brothers may have their refection at the sixth hour and their supper in the evening in the Summer let them fast every fourth and sixth day in the week till the ninth hour The other days let them dine at the sixth hour From the midist of September till Lent let them have their refection at the ninth hour but in the Lent time at the evening so it be by day light That after the Completory there be no speaking at all if any come late to prayers or to the table he is to stand apart by himself and to be last served and shortned in his victuals if any for some great offence be excommunicated out of the Oratory he shall make satisfaction by prostrating himself before the Oratory that they shall not onely give themselves to prayer and meditation at the appointed hours but shall also labour some part of the day with their hands to keep them from idlenesse That they observe Lent with all strictnesse that they use strangers with all reverence and cheerfulnesse and that the Abbot salute them with a holy kisse and wash their feet that none receive letters or tokens from their Parents without the Abbots leave That the Abbot cloath his Monks as he findeth the seasons of the year requireth That no Novice be admitted into the Monastery without sufficient trial of his constancy and patience That if a Priest desireth to enter into a Monastery he submit himself to the Laws thereof and that he have the next place to the Abbot That Noble men who offer their Children to God in the Monastery swear they will never give them any part of their Estate but that it be conferred on the Covent That if a stranger Monk desire to continue in the Monastery he be not denied so his life be not scandalous If the Abbot desire to have a Priest or Deacon ordained let him choose one of his own Covent That he shall be Abbot whom the whole Covent or the greater and better part shall choose That the Provost or Praepositus be chosen by the Abbot to whom he must be subject That the Porter be an ancient and discreet man who may receive give answers that the Monastery be provided with Water and a Mil and other necessaries within it self left the Brothers should wander abroad If the Abbot enjoyn to any Monk impossibilities he must with reverence and submission excuse his inability if the Abbot urge it he must obey and trust to Gods assistance That in the Monastery none presume to defend or strike or excommunicate another But that they be obedient and loving to each other That they be zealous for Gods Glory and when they are working to be still singing of Psalmes Q. 21. What habit and dyet do the Benedictines use A. Their habit is a round coat a hood called Cuculla Cappa and Melos from Melis a brock gray or badger because it was wont to be made anciently of the skin of that beast Scapulate is so called from Scapulis the shoulders which this covereth In winter their hoods are lined They were not wont to wear breeches but when they travelled into the countrey The colour of their upper garment is black under which they wear a white wollen coat with sack-cloath and they go booted The ancient Benedictines were wont after they were Bishops to wear the habit of their former profession and to this they were enjoyned by the eighth General Council held at Constantinople they were also tyed by their rule to lie in their coats and hoods and to wear course cloth but now the case is altered and so it was in Saint Bernards time who complains against the Monks luxury in apparrel wearing Non quod utilius sed quod subtilius Silk garments to shew their pride but not of cloth to keep them warm Their simple and course Dyet as it was prescribed by Benet is changed into dainty fare they now eat Flesh and drink Wine plentifully of this Hugo de Sancto Victorâ— complaineth Q. 22. What Religious Rules did the Second Council of Aquisgran or Aix prescribe to be observed by the Monks A. This Council being held the eight hundred and sixteenth yeare after Christ ordered that no Lay-man or Secular Priest be received into a Monastery except he become a Monk that the Monks do not swear that in the Parasceve they use nothing but bread and water That before they goe to sleep the Prior besprinkle them with holy water thaâ— the tenth part of their almes be given to the poor That they hath not without the Priors leave That particular Psalmes be sung for the dead That they how not their knees in Whitsun-week nor fast but they must fast the Ember-weeks and on the Eves of the Apostles that in case of necessity the Brothers walk with slaves That in uncertaine theft there be a suspending from supper till the guilty party confesse That at Christmasse and Easter for eight dayes together they that will may eat the flesh of birds That all Monks if they can learne their rules by heart that in the Kitchin Mill and other such places they work with their owne hands That the delinquent cast himselfe on the ground before his Abboâ— or Prior That they kisse no Women That in Lent they wash each others feet At the Lords Supper let the Abbot wash and kisse the feet of his brethren In Easter and Whitsun-week and on Christmasse and other festival dayes let there be no speaking in the
Saint Austins Monks and of his Eremites He as we said before wore on his naked body a Coat of Males his bed was a hard board without either straw or coverlid with often kneeling kissing of the ground and beating it with his forehead and nose he made his hands and knees hard like a Callus or Corn and his nose crooked This order at first was ruled by a Prior afterward Pope Iohn 22. gave them an Abbot The Carthusians or Charter Friers were instituted by Bruno born in Collen and professor of Philosophy in Paris about the year of Christ 1080. upon this occasion being present at the singing of the office for his fellow Professor now dead a man highly reputed for his holy life the dead corps suddenly sitteth up in the Beer and crieth out I am in Gods just judgements condemned these words it uttered three several days at which Bruno was so affrighted that a man held so pious was damned what would become of himself and many more therefore concluded there was no safety for him but by forsaking the world hereupon he with six of his scholars betook themselves to a hideous place for dark woods high hills rocks and wilde beasts in the Province of Dolphinie neer Grenoble the place was called Carthusia whence his Monks took their name and there built a Monastery having obtained the ground of Hugo Bishop of Grenoble who also became a Monk of that order By their rule these Monks should wear sack-cloth or a hair shirt next their skin a long white cloth-coat loose with a hood and a black cloak over when they walke abroad The Lay-Brothers wear a short coat to their knees They eat no flesh at all they buy no fish but eat them when offered they eat branny bread and drink wine mingled with water On the Lords day and fifth day of the week they feed onely upon cheese and egges On the third day or Saturday on pulse or pot-herbs on the second fourth and sixth upon bread and water onely Every one dresseth his own meat they eat apart and but once a day Yet on the chief Festivals of Christmasse Easter Whitsuntide Epiphany Purification the twelve Apostles Iohn Baptist Michael Martin and all-Saints they eat twice a day and together at one Table and then may talk together at other times they must keep silence every one hath his own cell wherein they pray read meditate and write books and in these cells they observe the Canonical hours but their Mattins and Vespers they keep in their Churches and have Masse on these days wherein they eat twice They are not suffered to go abroad except the Prior and Procurator and that upon the affairs of the Covent They are limited to enjoy a certain quantity of land a certain number of sheep goats and asses which they must not exceed They must admit no women into their Churches nor were they to have in one Covent above twelve Religious meâ— besides the Prior and eighteen Converts or Lay-Brothers with a few servants who are not to come into the Quire where the Prior and his brothers sit but these are in a lower Quire by themselves They never admit any again into their society who once leaves them These were the ancient rules to which they were tyed but in some things are fallen off now the Monks of this order have a meeting or chapter yearly at Carthusia about their own affairs hither two Monks out of every Cloyster do repaire where they stay fourteen days this order was confirmed by Pope Alexander the third An. 1178. they came into England An. 1180. and seated themselves at Witham neer Bath Q. 4. What were the Monks of Saint Anthony of Vienna the Cistertians Bernardins and Humiliati A. About the year of Christ 1095. Saint Anthonies Monks of Vienna were set up by Gastho and Gerondus two Noble men of that place and were to live according to Saint Austins rule of which we have already said The Cistertians began about the year 1098. by one Robert Abbot of Molismenia who as we have said taking offence at the loose lives of the Benedictines by the perswasion of Steven Harding an Englishman forsook that society and being accompanied with one and twenty other Monks came to Cistertium in Burgundy where they erected their Covent Here they resolved to stick close to the rule of Saint Bennet and to cut off all the superfluities of apparrel and dyer introduced by the loose Monks of that order and because they did not find that Saint Bennet ever possessed Churches Altars Oblations Tythes and Sepultures or that he had Mills Farmes or that he ever suffered Women to enter into his Covent or that he buried there any except his own Sister therefore they meant to abandon all these things and to professe poverty with Christ they would not suffer their Monks to meddle with Husbandry or any secular affairs and with Saint Bennet they ordered that their Monastery should consist but of twelve Monks and an Abbot They must keep silence except it be to the Abbot or Prior. If any Monk run away from his Monastery he must be forced back again by the Bishop The Cistertiant must be contented with two coats and two hoods they must work with their hands and observe strictly their fasts they must salute strangers by bowing their head and body and in imitation of Christ must wash their feet No Fugitive is to be received into the Covent after the third time The Abbots Table must be furnished for strangers This order was confirmed by Pope Vrban the second An. 1100. and came into England An. 1132. Their colour was gray whence in the beginning they were named Grisei The Bernardines so called from Saint Bernard Abbot of Clarivallis were the same with the Cistertians but that as we said before they wear a black coat over a white cloak Yet on festivals they wear the Cistertian habit to shew whence they came The Bernardines and Cistertians are not subject to Advocats or Bishops And Pope Alexander the third ordered that if the Bishop refused to blesse the Abbot he may receive benediction from his own Monks The Humiliati arose in Germany about the year of Christ 1164. in the time of Frederick Barbarâ—ssa who in his Wars against Lambardie brought captive thence into Germany multitudes of men with their Wives and Children these growing weary of their long exile cloath themselves in white and approaching to the Emperour fall down at his feet begging pardon for their delinquency from this posture they were called Humiliati the Emperour being moved with their tears and habit gave them leave to return home into their Country who being returned resolved to live a Monastical life therefore they built Monasteries in which they gave themselves to prayer fasting meditation and making of cloth Innocent the third did first ratifie this order and then their succeeding Popes They wear a plain coat a Scopular and a white
ease of poor pilgrims built an Hospital to receive them in and withal a Chappel or Oratory to the honour of Saint Iohn Baptist or as some think to Iohn Eleemosynarius so called from his bounteous almes to the poor he in the time of Phoâ—â— was Patriarch of Alexandria this Hospital was maintained by the Amalphitans The Hospitalers Anno 1099. when Ierusalem was taken by the Christians began to grow rich potent and in great esteem both with King Godefrid and his Successor Baldwin their Order was confirmed by Pope Honorius the second so having obtained much wealth they binde themselves by Vowes to be Hospitable to all the Latine pilgrims and to defend with their arms Christianity against all Infidels They follow the rule of Saint Austin and instead of canonical hours say so many Pater-Nâ—sters They goe armed having a belt with a white cross over which they wear a black cloak with a white cross many of them in time of peace wear a black cross but in time of war a red one they have a Master over them whom they chuse themselves Their first Master was Gerard the next Raymundus de Podio a Florentine chosen in the year 1103. In every Province they have also a Prior. Every one that enters into this order voweth to God the Virgin Mary and Saint Iohn Baptist obedience poverty and chastity they are tyed three times yearly to wit at Christmas Easter and Whitsuntide to receive the Eucharist they must not use merchandizing nor be usurers noâ— make wills or make any their heirs or alienate any thing without consent of their Masters noâ—e borne of Inâ—â—dels Iews Saracent Arabians and Tâ—rks must be admitted into this order nor murdereâ—â— nor married men nor bastards except they be of Earls or Princes they must have special care of strangers and of the sick to lodge them they must admit onely such as are sound and strong of body nobly descended and at least eighteen years old They are distinguished into three ranks to wit Priests or Chaplains 2. Serving men 3. Knights these last must be of noble extraction When Christian Princes fall at variance these Knights must side with neither but stand neutrals and endeavour to reconcile them Pope Hadrian the fourth exempted them from paying of Tythes to the Patriarch of Ierusalem who claimed them as his due Pope Alexander the third for their brave exploits against the Infidels exempted them also from tythes and the jurisdiction of Bishops At length about the year 1299. when the Western Princes by reason of their domestick Wars could afford these Knights no help they were forced by the Governour of Damascus called Capcapus to quit all their Castles Lands and Garrisons they had in Syria and totally to abandon that Country in the year 1300. after almost 300. years possession and so having got a Fleet of Ships they invade and take the Isle of Rhodes from the Turks An. 1308. and possessed it against all opposition 214. yeares From this they were called the Knights of Rhodes and had eight several Families in eight Provinces of Europe to wit in Gallia Avernia Francia Italy Arragon England Germany and Castile Each of these provinces hath a Prior these Priors chose the great Master they have also their Marshal Hospitaler Baily Treasurer and Chancellor these send out of their Provinces to the great Master young men nobly born who gives them their oath to be chast poor and obedient and to promote the well-fare of Christendome against the Infidels and so he is admitted Knight of the Order Here they stay five years and have fifty ducars yearly pension for their service then they are sent home into their Country and by the great Master are set over some house If in the election of the great Master there be equal suffrages one chief Knight is chosen for Umpire who by his sâ—â—frage ends the controversie The great Master in spiritualities is onely subject to the Pope in his temporalties to secular Princes After these Knights had possessed Rhodes 〈◊〉 years and had indured a siege of six moneths for want of help from the Western Princes were forced to deliver up the Island to the Turk Anno 1523. From thence they sailed to Candy where they were entertained a while by the Venetians at last they resolved to seat their great Master in Nicea a Town under Charls Duke of Savoy upon the Ligustick Sea in Brovinoâ— between Marsiles and Genua being a fit place to descry and suppresse Pirates But when Buda in Hungary was taken by the Turk fearing least Solyman would assault Italy they fortifie Nicea and from thence remove to Syracuse in Sicily which then with the Kingdom of Naples belonged to Charls the Emperor there they stoutly defended the Christian Coasts from Turks and Pirates but Charls the Emperor perceiving they might do more good if they were seated in Malta gives them that Island which they accept Anno 1529. promising to defend Tripolis to suppresse the Pirates and to acknowledge the Kings of Spain and both Sicilies for their Protectors to whom every year they should present a Falcon. This Island they stoutly defended against Soylman for five moneths Anno 1565 who was forced to leave it The great Masters revenue is ten thousand Duckats yearly besides some thousands of Crowns out of the eommon Treasury and the tenth of all goods taken at Sea They have for the most part six Gallies every one being able to contain five hundred men and sixteen great Canons Q. 8. What were the Templars A. About the year of Christ 1123. not long after the institution of the Iohannites or Hospitalers Hugo de Paganis and Gaufrid de S. Aldemaâ—o with seven other prime men vowed to secure the High-ways and to defend from Robbers all Pilgrims that came to visit the holy Sepulchre And because these had no habitation Baldwin King of Ierusalem assigned them a place in his own Palace neer the Temple to dwell in whence they were called Templarii they lived after the manner of the Canon Regulars possessing nothing in propriety but were sustained by the bounty of the Patriarch and Christian Pilgrims Thus they continued nine years till the year 1122. then did Honorius the second Bishop of Rome with the Partiarch erect them into an Order assigning a white cloak to be worn by them afterward Pope Eugenius added a red Crosse These in few years by their valour and care of Pilgrims grew mighty numerous and rich so that sometimes in publike meetings three hundred Knights have been together besides infinite numbers of brothers they had above nine thousand mannors in Christendom whereas the Hospitalers had but nineteen They had the same rule prescribed them that other Monks had to wit obedience poverty chastity gravity piety charity patience vigilance fortitude devotion and such like vertues When any of them were taken prisoners by the Infidels they were to be redeemed only with a girdle and a knife They were exempted from the
and ground of truth c. That the true notes of the Church are Universality Antiquity Continuance Multitude Succession of Bishops from the Apostles Ordination Unity in Doctrine Unity among the members themselves and with their head soundnesse of doctrine power and efficacy of doctrine holinesse of life miracles the light of prophesie the testimony of her enemies the unhappy end of those who oppresse the Church and the temporal felicity of such as have defended her Q. 9. What do they hold concerning Councils Monks Magistrates and Purgatory A. They teach that Diocesan Councils are to be convocated by the Bishops Provincial by Arch-Bishops National by Patriarchs or Primates but General Councils by the Pope alone and not by the Emperor without the Popes approbation except it be when the Pope is either imprisoned or dead or mad in such cases the Cardinals may call a Council That ordinarily Bishops have the power of decisive suffrages but by custome and priviledge Cardinals Abbots and Generals of orders have the same power though they be not Bishops That in a General Council should be present all Bishops at least of the greater Provinces except any be excommunicate That the Pope and the four Patriarchs of Constantinople Alexandria Antioch and Ierusalem or their Deputies be also present and at least some of the greater part of Provinces That the Pope is the supream President and Judge of Councils That Christians are bound to obey the decrees of Councils That General and particular Councils confirmed by the Pope cannot erre That the Scripture is above Councils as it is the infallible word of God but in respect of interpretation it is dependent from Councils That the Pope is above Councils and not to be judged by any 2. Concerning Monks they teach that their original is of Divine right That their institution is grounded upon Evangelical Counsel not precept That Counsels are not commanded but commended to us that commands are of things easie to be performed and taken out of the principles of nature Counsels are of things difficult and above nature and of things better then those of commands By precepts we are tied to obedience by Counsels we are left to our Free-will Precepts have their rewards and punishments but Counsels have no punishments but great rewards Hence arise the works of Supererogation That children if they be come to years of puberty may enter into a Monastery without their Parents consent if so be their Parents need not their help And so may Wives without their Husbands consent That Vowes though of things not commanded are a part of Gods worship That the promise made in baptisme to renounce the Devil the VVorld and the Flesh is not properly a Vow That the Vows of poverty obedience and continency are lawful That the Pope may dispense with Vows That the habits and shaving of Monks are of great use and antiquity 3. Concerning Magistrates they teach that their Laws doe no lesse bind the conscience then Divine or Ecclesiastick Laws That Magistrates are subject and inferiour to the Clergy in matters of Religion That Magistrates may inflict death on Hereticks 4. Concerning Purgatory they say that it is one of these four contignations or Roomes under ground the lowermost is hell where the pain of losse and sence is eternal The next above that is Purgatory where pain of losse sence is temporary Above that is the Receptacle of Infants where onely is the pain of losse eternal The uppermost was that of the Fathers where was onely temporal pain of losse now it is empty since Christs descent thither That in Purgatory are those souls which depart hence with venial sins or whose sins are pardoned but not the punishment That the suffâ—ages of the living are beneficial to the dead namely Masses Prayer and satisfactory works as almes pilgrimages fasts c. To which may be added indulgences Q. 10. Wherein doth the outward worship of the Church Rome consist and the first part of their Masse A. 1. In Churches Church yards Bels Altars Pictures â—rucifixes Images Curtains and other Church Ornaâ—ents as Tâ—pestry Candlesticks c. In dedication also of Churches consecration of Altars Anoyntings Sacraments c. 2. In Ministers Ecclesiastical Orders and their Functions such are Singers Psalmists Door-keepers Lectors or Readers Exorcists Acolyths who are to light the Tapers and hold them whilest the Gospel is read and to furnish wine for the Chalice c. Sub-Deacons Deacons Priests and Bishops c. The office also of the Acholyths is to make Agnus Dei of consecrated wax mixed with chrisme destributed by the Pope in the Church These Agni or Lambs represent the Lamb of God who taketh away the 〈◊〉 of the World for as the wax is begot of the Bee without libidinous copulation so was Christ of the B. Virgin as the honey is hid within the wax so was the divinity hid under the humanity The oyl or chrisme mixed with the wax signifieth that mercy and gentlenesse which was in Christ. They say that these Lambs are preservatives against lightning and tempests by vertue of their consecration O Catholicks great is your faith be it to you as you believe 3. In the Garments or Ornaments of Bishops Priests and other Church Ministers such are the Amictus which like the Ephod covers the head and shoulders of the Priest or Bishop therefore it 's called Superhumerale Alba or Camisâ—a is the Surplice of Linnen the Girdle or Belt with which the Priests loyns are girt The Stola is worn in form of a Chain about the Priests neck it covereth both his sides hangs down to the knee it is called Orarium because it is the habit of Orators that preach to or pray for the people Manipulus or Sudarium or Mappula or Phanon for all these names it hath is a Towel or Hâ—ndkerchieff carried by the Minister or Priest in his left hand or on his left arme Casula or Cappa or Pianon is an upper garment which covereth all the Body as it were a little Cottage called in Latine Casa These six Ornaments are common to Priests and Bishops there be nine Ornaments peculiar to Bishops namely Caligae which are long hose or stockings Sandalia a kind of slippers or shooes Succinctorium a kind of girdle Orale a linnen vaile cast over his head Tunica a long coat down to the heeles therefore called Talaris Dalmatica so called from Dalmatia the country where it was first woven is a garment with long and large sleeves representing the Crosse Chiroâ—hecae are white gloves of Kids skins Mitra is the Mytre or Ornament of the head Annulus is the Ring which the Bishop wears to shew he is betrothed to Christ Baculus Pastoralis is the Bishops crosier staff Pallium or the Pall is the Ornament of Arch-Bishops and Patriarchs The Pall is not to be worn but in the Church and in time of Masse yet Pope Gregory permitted it to be worn in solemn
from the Son abstained from blood and strangled things observed the Sabbath with the Lords day condemned the fourth marriage as utterly unlawful rejected confirmation administred the Sacrament in leavened bread and in both kindes and excluded the blessed souls from heaven till the Resurrection they did besides hold that all mens souls were created together in the beginning that Hereticks are to be rebaptized that the child is not to be baptized till the mother be purified which is fourty dayes after a Male childe and eighty after a Female that children should receive the Eucharist as soon as baptized that the Father may dissolve the Matrimony of his child if he dislike it that the Eucharist is not to be reserved nor to be carried to sick persons in danger of death that Priests and Deacons must be married that children of five or six years old may be made Subdeacons that women during their monthly purgations are not to be admitted into the Church nor to the Eucharist But these opinions the Maronites renounced when the Christians had the command of Syria and Palestine but when Saladine recovered those 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 fell off from the Roman Church and embraced their former Teners but in the 〈◊〉 of Gregory the 〈◊〉 and Clement the eighth they reconciled themselves again to the Roman Church Q. 13. What are the Cophti A. The 〈◊〉 are the Iacobites of Egypt for the Egyptians were anciently named 〈◊〉 we call them Cophti that is Egyptian Christians as the Iacobâ—res of Syria are named Syrians and in no country were these Euâ—ychians more patronised then in Syria and Egypt yet these Iacobites differ from Eutyches in this that He taught the two natures in Christ to be one by confusion or commixtion whereas They say that they are one by co-adunation but so that the properties oh each nature remain distinct so that in effect they 〈…〉 but dare not say to for fear of 〈…〉 persons not being able to 〈…〉 the Nature and the Person These 〈…〉 to the Patriarch of Alexandria whose 〈…〉 is now in the City of Caire They used heretofore to be circumcised but by the Popes perswasion have left it They baptize not children till the 〈◊〉 day to whom they give the Euceharist immediately after baptism and then also confer on them all sacred orders under Priesthood their parents promising for them and performing what they promise till they be sixteen years old chastity fasting on Wednesdayes Fridays and in the four Lents They administer the Eucharist in leavened bread and in both kinds With the Greeks they leave out the words of the 〈◊〉 creed and from the Son they deny the Sacrament and extream Unction to the sick reject Purgatory and prayer for the dead and all General Councils chiehly Chalcedon after that of Ephesus They keep no Lords day nor Feasts except in Cities They marry within the second degree of consanguinity without dispensation they account the Romane Church heretical and in their Liturgies use to read the Gospel of Nicodeâ—â—â— Q. 14. What are the Abyssin Christians A. These be they which in habit the Mid-land 〈◊〉 under Presbyter or Preâ—ious 〈◊〉 they have a 〈◊〉 of their own whom they call Abunna whose 〈◊〉 is white his upper Vestimeâ—t is like a Cardinals cloak 〈…〉 before When he rides abroad on his Mule he is attended on with a great train three crosses or staâ—es are carried about him and holdeth a crosse in his own hand They have many 〈◊〉 Priests or Bishops and great store of Monasteriâ—s All their Patriarchs and Bishops are of S. Anthonies order as are the Patriarcks of Alexandria to whose jurisdiction anciently Aethiopia did belong and yet at this day they are tied to chuse their Abunna whom they call Catholike of the juriâ—diction of 〈◊〉 by the 〈◊〉 of which place he is confirmed consecrated and invested in his Ecclesiastical Rights In their Liturgy also they pray particularly for the Patriarch of Alexandria The 〈◊〉 Religion consisteth in circumcising Male and Female whether out of Religion or the ancient custom of their Nation as being descended from the ancient Aethiopians or Arabians Ismaels posterity who used to be circumcised is uncertain But most likely they are circumcised in memory and imitation of Christ who was also circumcised They use also every year to baptise themselves in Lakes and Rivers 〈◊〉 Epiphany day in remembrance of Christs baptisme who was baptized on that day in Iordan The other points of their Religion be these they abstain from such beasts as the old Law accounteth unclean they keep the Sabbath and Sunday together The Thursday before Easter they administer the Sacrament is unlearened bread but ordinarily in leavened bread all communicate standing in both kindes The Wine they receive from the Deâ—con in a spâ—on and that in the Church onely The day they receive in they must not spit till 〈…〉 After sorty days the Males are baptized the 〈◊〉 after eighty except in case of necessity and then also they give them the Eucharist they think their Children dying without baptisme shall be saved by the â—aith of their parents They confesse after every sin committed and then receive 〈…〉 They are Iacobites in acknowledging 〈…〉 and will in Christ therefore they 〈…〉 of Chalcedan for condemning Dioscorus the 〈◊〉 So they deny Confirmation Extream and 〈◊〉 They hold tradâ—ction of souls admit of painâ—ed not 〈◊〉 Images they usually excommunicate are none but 〈◊〉 and this onely belongs to the 〈◊〉 Priests and 〈◊〉 have neither Tythes nor Almes by begging but live by their labour They permit not their Bishops and Priests to marry twice Flesh is eat every Friday betwixt Easter and Whitsunday The King conferreth all Ecclesiastick promotions except the Patriarchship Of these passages see the above named Authors and 〈◊〉 the Aethiopian Liturgy in Bibliâ—thâ—ca 〈◊〉 tom 6. Alvares the King of Portugals Chaplain who lived in Aethiopia 6 years wrote the Aethiopian History Zega Zabo an Aethiopian Bishop sent into Portugal by King David the Abyssin who set out the confession of the Aethiopian faith translated by Damianus a Goes c. Q. 15 Wherein doth the Protestant Church agree with 〈◊〉 dissent from other Christian Churches A. They agree with the Greek Church in giving the Sacrament in both kindes in admitting Priests to marry in rejecting images purgatory and extreame unction and in denying the Popes supremacy in the same points also they agree with the Melchites or Syrians with the Georgians Mengrelians and Gircassians and with the Moscovites or Russians who are all of the Greek profession though in some things they differ The Protestants agree with the Nestorians in rejecting auâ—â—cular confession in permitting Priests to marry in communicating in both kinds and in rejecting Crucifixes With the Christians of Saint Thomas they agree in administring the Sacrament in both kinds in rejecting images and extream Unction and permitting Priests to marry and denying the Pope supremacy They agree with the Iacobites