the Levites also was to help the Priests in gathering of tiths and to carry water and wood for the Tabernacle Q. Wherein did the high Priest differ from other Priests A. The high Priest only had power to enter into the Sanctuary he only wore a blew robe with bells a golden Ephod a breast-plate a linnen Myter a plate of Gold on his head by the Crown or plate was signified Christs Kingly office by the breast-plate his Priestly and by the bells his Prophetical office the high Priest also was only anointed after the order of Priesthood was setled but before this every Priest was anointed he also wore about his paps a broydred girdle to signifie that his heart should be girt and restrained from the love of earthly things They that took Sanctuary were not to be set at liberty till the death of the high Priest to signifie that by the death of our High Priest Jesus Christ we are made free The high Priesthood was tied to the line of Aarons first born the other Priests were of Aarons other children the Levites were of Levies other posterity the high Priest might marry none but a Maide other Priests migh marry a Widow Levit. 21. The high Priest might not miourn for the death of his kindred other Priests might mourn for their Father Mother Son Daughter Brother and husbandlesse Sister in other things they agreed For all Priests must be without blemish all must be presented to the Lord at the door of the Tabernacle all must be washed all must be consecrated by offering certaine Sacrifices all must have the blood of the Ram put on the tip of the right eare the thumb of the right hand and great toe of the right foot Exod. 29 Q. What Church government was there after Moses A. In the Desart Eleazer succeeded his Father Aaron and substituted under him Phinees to be chief of the Levites After the Israelites entred the Land the Tabernacle staied some years at Silo then did Ioshuah divide the Land and designed certain Cities of refuge which with some other Cities he assigned to the Priests and Levites The Priesthood did not continue long in the house of Aaron but after the death of Eleazer and three Priests his Successors this office devolved to Eli of the family of Ithamar who being carelesse suffered divers abuses to creep into the Ecclesiastical Government till God raised Samuel who reformed both the State and Church by appointing Schools of Prophets and Consistories of Levites From Silo the Tabernacle was translated to Nob from thence to Gibeon when Nob was destroyed by Ioab and at last it rested in Ierusalem So that all this time there could be no setled Church discipline among the Jewes The Ark also was oftentimes removed to wit from Canaan to the Philistines from thence to the Bethshemites afterward it stayed twenty years at Kiriathjeharim after this it remained three moneths with Obed-Edom and at last it was brought by David into Ierusalem All this time neither Tabernacle nor Ark nor Priesthood were setled till David assembled the Levites and out of them chose Abiathar for High Priest and Tsadoc for chief of the inferiour Priests who were to deliver the Ark to the Levites to be carried on their shoulders and withal appointed Singers and other Musitians in all 68. of the Levites He appointed also for the service of the Tabeâ—â—acle in Gibeon Tsadoc and his Brethren At last David being assured by Nathan that his Son Solomon should build the Temple he ordered that 24000. Levites should be set apart for the service of the Temple to wit 4000. door-keepers and as many Singers and 6000. Judges and Governors and the rest for other Offices Abiathar is made high Priest to wait on the Ark at Ierusalem Tsadoc is chief of the inferior Priests to serve in the Tabernacle at Silo. Tsadoc was Sauls high Priest descended from Eleazer Aarons first born Abiathar of the stock of Ithamar and Eli fled to David who entertained him for his high Priest after the death of Saul David retained them both thinking it did not stand with his honour and piety to reject Sauls high Priest This Tsadoc under Soloman was anointed the second time Priest as Solomon was the second time anointed King 1 Chron. 29. 22. and Abiathar is deposed for the sins of Eli and his Sons and so in Tsadoc the Priesthood is translated from the house of Ithamar to Aarons family again There were also Treasurers ordained some for the first fruits and tenths and others for the moneys that were given to the Temple towards the redemption of vows first born and sins The Priests and Levites were maintained out of the first fruits and tithes the other treasure was for maintaining the daily sacrifices and other charges of the Temple the Gibeonites with others appointed by David and Solomon did help the Levites in their Ministration the Priests and in their absence the Levites did administer justice both in Ierusalem and in the Cities of Refuge and ordered Ecclesiastick affairs There were also sometimes Extraordinary Prophets besides the Ordinary It s probable that the ordinary Prophets were of the Tribe of Levi because the administration and care of holy things belonged to them but extraordinary Prophets were of other Tribes these medled not with sacraments and sacrifices which was the Priests office nor had they their calling by succession as the Priests nor was the gift of Prophecy only tied to the man as the Priesthood was for we read of Miriam Hulda and divers other women Prophets and in the Primitive Church though women must not speak in the Church by preaching praying or exhorting in an ordinary way as the Ministers use yet they were not debarred to utter their extraordinary prophesies if so be their heads were covered in sign of modesty but otherwise the Apostle will not have women to speak in the Church because they must be in subjection to their Husbands and this punishment is laid on them for being deceived in Eve and harkning to the counsel of Satan For if women did preach they might be suspected to speak by that Spirit that deluded Eve Q. What was the Ecclesiastick Government after Solomon A. The renting of the ten Tribes from the other two under Roboam did much impair the beauty and magnificence of the Ecclesiastick state Besides that it was much defaced by idolatry but reformed by Hezekias Iosias and Iehosaphat who took away the high places Under Athaliah it was almost extinguished had not Iehojada the high Priest anointed Ioash who again reformed Religion He being denied all aid from the Levites out of their treasure towards the repairing of the Temple caused a Chest to be made into which mony given in that kinde should be put and imployed by the high Priest or by the chief of the inferior Priests and the Kings Scribe or Secretary towards the reparations of the Temple whereas before it was collected by the Levites King Vzziah
death troubled his disciples His doctrine questioned by the Magistrates eleven of the Sectaries secured XI Articles extractâ—â— out of the writings of David George Some of the imprisoned Sectaries acknowledged David George to have been the cause of the tumults in the lower parts of Germany but disowned his doctrine Conditions whereupon the imprisoned are set at liberty The Senate vote the doctrine of D. G. impious and declare him unworthy of Christian burial and that his body and books should be burned which was accordingly effected DAVID GEORGE a man born at Delph in Holland the miracle of the Anabaptistical Religion having lived in the lower Provinces forty years did in the year one thousand five hundred forty and four with some of his kindred and companions in the beginning of April begin his journey for Basil into the state and condition of which place he had before very diligently enquired Whereof having sufficiently informed himself he pretended that he had been driven out of his Countrey for the Gospels sake and that he had been hitherto tost both on the land and sea of the miseries of this world and therefore he humbly intreated that now at length he might be received into some place of Rest. Some being by the representation of his misfortunes and his teares melted into compassion towards him he presum'd to intreat the Magistrate that in tendernesse to Christ and his holy Gospel he might be made capable of the priviledges of the City which if it were granted he bid them be confident of Gods most particular protection towards their City and that for the preservation of it he engaged for him and his that they should be ready to lay down their lives The Magistrate being moved with these just remonstrances and desires received the viper as a Citizen gave him the right hand of welcom and fellowship and made him and his free of the City What should the Magistrate do Behold he hath to do with a man of a grave countenance free in his behaviour having a very long beard and that yellowish sky-coloured and sparkling eyes milde and affable in the midst of his gravity neaâ— in his apparel Finally one that seemed to have in him all the ingredients of honesty modesty and truth to be short one if you examine his countenance carriage discourse and the cause he is embarqu'd in all things without him are within the limits of mediocrity and modesty if you look within him he is nothing but deceit fraud and dissimulation in a word an ingenouous Anabaptist Having already felt the pulses of the Senate and divers of the Citizens coming with his whole family to Basil he and his are entertained by a certain Citizen Having nested a while in Basil he purchased certain houses in the City as also a Farm in the countrey and some other things thereto appertenant married his children and by his good offices procured to himself many friends For as long as he remained at Basil he so much studied Religion was so great an Alms-giver and gave himself so much to other exercises of devotion that suspicion it self had not what to say against him By these cunning insinuations this is beyond a young fox and smells more of the Lybian wilde beast many being surprised came easily over to his party so that he arrived to that esteem and reputation in matters of Religion he pleased himself This perswasion thus craftily gotten was heightened by his great wealth and his riches in jewels whereof he brought some with him some were daily brought from other places in the Low countries was yet further encreased by his sumptuous and rich plate and houshold-stuffe which though they were gorgeous and majestical yet were they not made to look beyond sobriety clean linesse and inediocrity These people sojourning thus in common houses desiring as yet to suppresse the pernicâ—ous inâ—ection of their sect very religiously enacted three things First that no man should profane or speak idly of the name of David George Secondly that no man should rashly or unadvisedly divulge any thing concerning his country or manner of life whence it was that some thought him to be a person of some quality some that he was some very rich Factor or Merchant whence it came that he was so excessively rich others had other imaginary opinions and conceits of him for as much as they themselves being strangers lived in a countrey where they could not be ascertained of any thing Thirdly he was very cautious that none of the Basileans should be carâ—lesly admitted into his requaintance society or correspondence imitating therein the policy of the Ferrets and Weesels which as is reported never assault any bird of supremacy in the place where they frequent And thâ—s did he by letters writings and emissaries plant and water the venemous seed of his sect through the lower Proviâ—ces yet kept the wayes by which he wrought unsuspected and undiscovered For although he had lived two years among them there was not so much as one man infected or had privately caught the itch of his Religion What transcendent Mysteries are these This man though he feared neither deceit nor treachery from strangers yet the fire kindled out of the deceitful embers of his own houshold For behold one of his is own Râ—tinue doubting of the certainty of the new Religion he caused him to be brought before him and asked him whether he did not acknowledge him to be the true David sent from heaven upon earth and to be the Horn Redeemer and Builder up of the Tabernacle of Israel to which the other answered roundly and peremptorily that the restauration of the kingdom of Israel and other things foretold by the Prophets were fulfilled in Christ the true Messias and that consequently there was no other to be expected Which he hearing not without great astonishment did with much commotion of mind and bitter â—menaces thrust him though his sonne in Law out of dores and which is heavy to think on excommunicated him These things being thus managed Davids wife fell sick of a disease which afterwards visited him and many more thâ—e dispatch'd her into the other world What a miracle is this He that declared himself to be greater than Christ and 〈◊〉 himself immortal upon the second of August one thousand five hundred fifty and six did die the death and was honourably huried according to the ceremonies of the Parish Church and his funerals were celebrated in the sight of his sonnes and daughters sonneâ— in law and daughters in law servant-men and maides and a great conflux of Citizens This sad calamity of his death extreamely troubled and tormented the mindes of his disciples as a thing that very much thwarted their hopes of his promised immortality although he had 〈◊〉 told that he would rise again in three yeares and would bring all those things to passe which he had promised while he was alive Upon the
not sufficient to hold out above one night but by miracle it maintained the Lights for the whole eight days Now this feast consisteth in drinking and gormandising and in pompous superstition about their lights Yet Christ honoured this feast with his presence Iohn 10. 22. not to countenance the abuses thereof but the institution it self for all places set apart for the service of God ought to be consecrated and dedicated to him by prayer and decent ceremonies therefore Moses dedicated the Tabernacle to God and Solomon the Temple with great solemnity and prayers when the Temple was rebuilt after the peoples returne from Babylon it was dedicated again and now the third time it was dedicated when it was profaned by Antiochus These second Dedications are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Renovations The Temple was also newly consecrated or dedicated under Ezechia after it had been profaned by Achaz 2 Chron. 29. The Priests and Levites spent eight dayes in this dedication Q. What is their feast of Purim A. That is of Lots for Haman by lot had appointed the Jews to be massacred all through the Persian Kingdom in one day to wit the thirteenth day of the twelfth moneth which is Adar or February but the Plotters were massacred themselves by the Jews the same day For at Sufae Haman with his ten Sons and five hundred men more were slain and three hundred the day after and on the same day through the rest of Assuerus his Dominions were slain by the Jews 75000. So because this day they destroyed their Enemies and the next day rested themselves therefore at this feast they keep two holy days or rather days for Bacchus In their Synagogues they set up lights in the night time aâ—d the whole book of Esther is read As often as they hear the name of Haman they keep a cruel noise and stamping with their feet They read all that passage of the death of Hamans Sons at one breath to signifie the suddennesse of that death These two days are spent in singing playing eating and drinking The men wear womens apparrel and the women mens against the Law of God which they think at this time of mirth they may lawfully violate And that the poor may be merry also the richer sort furnish them with meat and drink and so with this ryotous Bacchanal they conclude their Anniversary Feasts for this is the last of the year having none between this and Easter Q. What Fasting days do the Iews observe now A. They keep the four Fasts mentioned by Zachary chap. 8. 19. to wit that of the tenth moneth on the the tenth of December in memory of Ierusalem besieged that day by Nebuchadnezzar Secondly they fast the seventeenth day of the fourth moneth or Iune in memory of the two Tables of the Law broken for the loss of their dayly sacrifice for burning of the Law for setting up idolatry in the Temple for besieging Ierusalem the second time and for breaking down the walls thereof They count the days from this till the ninth of the next moneth all unlucky so that they avoid all great businesse and School-Masters during that time will not beat their Scholars Thirdly they fast the ninth day of the fifth moneth or Iuly because then the Temple was burned therefore they go bare-foot sit on the ground read Ieremiahs Lamentations and in the Church yards among the dead they bewail the losse of Ierusalem From the first till the tenth of this moneth they abstain from flesh wine shaving bathing marrying and pleading and from all kind of delights Fourthly they fast the third day of September because Gâ—doliah Governor of those Jewes that were not carried away in Captivity was treacherously murdered as we read Ieremy 40. and 41. Besides these fasts they have others but not so generally observed for some of their preciser sort fast every Monday and Thursday Some fast the tenth of March because Miriam died that day and the people wanted water in the Desart Some fast the tenth of April for the death of Eli and his two Sons and the losse of the Ark. Some fast the eighteenth of this moneth for the death of Samuel At Ierusalem the Jewes used yearly to fast in remembrance of the Translation of the Bible out of Hebrew into Greek by the seventy Interpreters This fast was observed the eighth day of Tebheth or December and was a day of much heavinesse among them which must proceed from their pride or envy or too much superstition disdaining that their Law should be imparted to the Gentils and that this Translation was a profanation thereof So superstitious they are in their fasts that they will read no passages in the Bible but such as are sad and sorrowfull as the destruction of Ierusalem Ieremies Lamentations c. and not any passage that is joyful such as their delivery from Egyptian slavery or Hamans tyranny The only fast that God commanded was that upon the day of Expiation other fasts were enjoined by the Prince upon emergent occasions as the fast commanded by Iehosophat by Ioachim and other Princes Divers other private fasts they have upon private occasions Their fast is from all meat and drink till the evening that the stars appear Q. What is the manner of their Marriages A. They are married in the open air either in the streets or gardens by their Rabbies The Bridegroom wears about his neck a hair-cloath the end of which the Rabbi puts on the Brides head after the example of Ruth who desired to be covered with the skirt of Boaz his garment Then the Rabbi takes in his hand a glasse full of wine over which he pronounceth a blessing praising God for this Conjunction and gives it to the Bride-man and his Spouse that they may drink Then he takes from the Bridegroom his gold ring and asks of the standers by if it be good and worth the money given for it and so puts it upon one of the Brides fingers then are the marriage writings read openly Then the Rabbi takes another glass of wine over which he prayeth and presents it to the married couple to be tasted but the Bridegroom takes the glasse and dashes it against the wall in memory of the destruction of Ierusalem and for the same cause in some places ashes are put on the Bridegrooms head so the Bride in sign of sorrow puts on a black cloak and the Brideman a black hood they are married in the open aire that by looking up to Heaven they may be put in mind of multiplying like the stars The other ceremonies used before and after marriage are not to our purpose as not being Ecclesiastical But we must know that besides the principal Wife they have others that are subordinate which we may call Concubines who have not the command of the family nor gifts or presents from the Husband as Rebecca had from Isaac nor matrimonial writings as the chief Wife hath nor may their Children
inherit but receive gifts onely thus Abraham dealt with the sons of his Concubines Gen. 25. Their custome also is first to be contracted and after some space of time to be married which contract was confirmed either by writing or by a piece of money or by copulation but this last was punishable Their marriages are accompanied with blessings and prayses therefore if they are married within doors that house is called Beth-Hillulim the house of prayses Q. How doe they make their Bills of Divorce at this day A. After the same manner that they did in the time of Christ when any man is weary of his Wife he writes a Bill of twelve lines only neither more nor fewer this he delivers to his Wife before three witnesses who subscribe and seal the same whereby he gives her free power to go whither she will and to dispose of her self as she pleaseth but she must not marry again till after ninty days that it may be known whether she be with child or not the Woman also might give a Bill of Divorce to her Husband of which our Saviour speaketh Mark 10. 12. and withall sheweth that such Bills of Divorce were not commanded but tolerated by Moses for the hardnesse of their hearts and tells them plainly that whosoever puts away his wife and marries another commits adultery and so doth she if she marries another Mat. 5. 31. Peter Martyr in 1 Cor. 7. 10. is mistaken when he saith that there is never any mention in Scripture that the woman gave a Bill of Divorce to her Husband but our Saviour tells us that if the woman put away her Husband and marry another she commits adultery but the man and woman could not put away one another without a Bill of Divorce and that before witnesses Q. After what manner is the Wife separated from her deceased Husbands brother A. The widow with five witnesses repairs to the chief Rabbi who asks her certain questions as whether her Husband hath been dead three moneths whether his brother be a single man whether the man present be her husbands full brother of what age they are of and whether they think themselves fit for procreation Then he asks of the woman if she be fasting for otherwise she must not spit in his face Then he asks of the man if the woman present were his brothers Wife if he will marry her or suffer his shoe to be pulled off If he say he will not marry then a shoe is brought and put upon his right foot being bare then the woman comes saying this my brother in Law refuseth to raise up seed to his brother and so bowing her selfe pulls off his shoe and spits in his face saying so shall it be to him that will not build up his brothers house and thus they are parted Q. What is the manner of Circumcising their Children A. The Child is first washed and layed in clean linnen for if he be foul or defile himself while he is Circumcised the Mohel or Circumciser is to suspend or interrupt his prayer till he be washed againe In the morning of the eighth day the God-father seateth himself down in a seat placed neer the Ark and the Mohel neer him Twelve wax candles are brought in to represent the Twelve Tribes Then two cups of red wine the circumcising knife with two dishes the one of oyl the other of sand When the Child is brought to the door by the women the Congregation riseth up the God-father takes the Child and sits down in his seat There is also a seat prepared for Eliah whose comming they expect at the circumcision The child is then named and usually by the name of some of his Ancestors so that Luke 1. 61. it was wondered at that Zacharie should name his Son Iohn seeing none of his kindred was named with this name The eighth day was so strictly observed that if it fell on the Sabbath the child was then circumcised not sooner least God should be thought to be tied to the Sacrament and because the Child the first seven days after the birth was held legally unclean and yet remaining in his blood Levit. 12. 2 3. 22. 27. nor later least the parents should be longer withheld from the comfort of the Sacrament The Penalty of contempt or neglect of circumcision was a cutting off from the people Gen. 17. 14. that is by excommunication or bodily death of the parents Therefore God would have killed Moses for not circumcising his son or else by the death of the son himselfe when he comes to years of discretion if he be not circumcised either by himself or by his parents or by the Judges Q. How doth the Mohel cut off the foreskin A. He first rubs it that it may be the lesse sensible then blesseth God for the Covenant of Circumcision and withal cuts off the forepart of the skin and flings it into the Sand in memory of that promise Gen 32. 12. I will make thee as the sand of the Sea then he spits some red wine on the wound and washeth it and some also on the Childs face if he faint and taketh the bleeding member into his mouth and sucks the blood from it which he spits into the other cup of wine Then he teares off the remaining skin with his sharp-pointed nailes and layeth the clouts dipt in oyl on the wound and bindeth them Then he blesseth God again and the Godfather takes the other cup of wine and prayeth for the Child And the Mohel moisteneth the childs lips with wine and his own blood and prayeth again If the child be sick on the eighth day his circumcision is deferred till he recover If he die before the eighth day he is circumcised at the grave but without prayers Q. How do they redeem their first born A. When the Child is one and thirty days old he is set upon a Table by the Father before the Priest with as much money as two Dollers and a half After some questions propounded by the Priest to the Father and Mother amongst others whether he esteems more of his money or of his Child he answers of his Child then the Priest takes the money and layeth it on the Childs head and pronounceth that he being the first born and presented before the Lord is now redeemed if before this time the Father dies then the Mother signifieth by a scroll about the childs neck that he is the first born and not redeemed who when he comes of age is bound to redeem himself He is held to be of just age when he is thirteen years old for then the parents stand no more charged with his sins but must himselfe bear his own burthen Q. What duty is performed to the sick A. The Rabbins are bound to visit and comfort them and prepare them for making their will if they be rich They exhort them to be constant in their faith especially they must beleeve that their Messias
with them immortal Their great mens Funeral Pomps are celebrated yearly with much lamentation drinking and bestial ceremonies both men and women casting aside all modesty He that will know more of this stuff let him read the forenamed Authors Q. What is the Religion of Brasil A. They acknowledge the immortalitie of the foul and believe that there are rewards and punishments after this life For they hope that if they kill and sacrifice many of their enemies they shall be carried beyond the Mountains into pleasant Gardens there to dance and rejoyce with their fore-fathers They stand in much fear of the Devil who is still vexing of â—â—em therefore they chiefly worship him and when they go abroad they commonly carry fire with them as their defence against the Devil who they think is afraid of fire They have their solemn Festivals which they celebrate with dancing howling and tatling The Husband hath power to kill the adulterous Wife Their marriages are without any ceremonies They bury their dead upright in a pit with their goods The Husband playes the Midwife to the woman washeth painteth and nameth the child by the name of some wild Beast they have some knowledge of Noahs flood of these passages see Masscus Lerius Stadius c. Q. What Religion did the people of Peru professe A. Their chief god was Wiracocha by whom they understood the maker of all things next to him they worshipped the Sun and the Thunder after him The images of these three they never touched with their bare hands they worshipped also the Stars Earth Sea Rainbow Rivers Fountains and Trees They adored also wild Beasts that they might not hurt them and in sign of their devotion when they travelled they left in the cross ways and dangerous places old shoes feathers and if they had nothing else stones They worshipped the Sun by pulling off the hairs from their Eye-brows when they fear they touch the earth and look up to the Sun They worshipped also the dead bodies of their Emperors and indeed every thing they either affected or feared They have some glimring knowledge of the beginning of the world of Noahs flood and they believe the end of the world which still they fear when the Sun is Eclipsed which they think to be the Moons Husband they held their Priests in such esteem that no great matter was undertaken by Prince or people without their advice None had accesse to the Idols but they and then only when they are cloathed in white and prostrate on the ground In sacrificing they abstained from women and some out of zeal would put out their own eyes They used to consult with the Devil to whom they sacrificed men and dedicated boyes in their Temples for Sodomy They had also their Temples richly adorned with Gold and Silver and their Monasteries for Priests and Sorcerers Their Nuns were so strictly kept that it was death to be deflowred after fourteen years of age they were taken out of the Monastery either to serve the Idols and such must be Virgins still or else to serve as Wives and Concubines to the Ingua or Emperor They are very frequent and strict in their confessions and cheerfully undertake what pennance is injoyned them But the Ingua confesseth onely to the Sun after confession they all wash in baths leaving their sins in the water They used to sacrifice Vegetables Animals and men chiefly Children for the health or prosperity of their Ingua and for victory in War in some places they eat their men-sacrifices in others they onely dried and preserved them in Silver Coffins they anoint with blood the faces of their Idols and doors of their Temples or rather slaughter houses See Acosta Cieza Gomara c. Q. What festival days did the Peruvians observe A. They had Feasts and sacrifices every moneth of the year in which were offered multitudes of sheep of different colours which they burned The Ingua's Children were dedicated in these Feasts their ears were pierced then they were wiped and their faces anointed with blood in sign that they should be true Knights to their Ingua In Cusco during this moneth and feast no stranger might remain but at the end thereof they were admitted and had a morsell of bread presented to each man that they should by eating thereof testifie their fidelity to the Ingua In the second moneth which is our Ianuary for in December in which the Sunne returnes from Capricorne was their first moneth they flung the ashes of their sacrifices into the river following the same sixe leagues and praying the River to carry that present to Viracocha in three following months they offered one hundred sheep In the sixth they offered one hundred sheep more and made a feast for their Maiz. In the seventh they sacrificed to the Sun In the eighth and ninth moneths two hundred sheep were offered In the tenth one hundred sheep more and to the honour of the Moon burned torches washed themselves and then were drunk four days together In the eleventh moneth they offered one hundred sheep and upon a black sheep poured much Chica or Wine of Maiz to procure rain In the twelfth moneth they sacrificed one hundred sheep and kept a feast They have also their fasts which continue in mourning and sad processions two days and the two days after are spent in feasting dancing and drinking See Ios. Acosta Q What was their belief of the departed souls A. That they wander up and down and suffer hunger thirst and cold therefore they carry them meat drink and cloathes They used also to put gold and silver in their mouths hands and bosomes much treasure hath been digged out of graves But they believed that the souls of good men were at rest in glory The bodies were honoured after death sacrifices were offered to them and cloaths The best beloved Wife was slain and attendants of all sorts To the Ingua's Ghost young children were sacrificed and if the Father was sick many times the Son was slain thinking this murther would satisfie death for the Father Of these and their other impious Ceremonies see Acosta By these horrible murthers committed among the poor Americans we may see what a cruel and barbarous tyrant superstitious fear is and what wretched slaves they are who are captivated by this tyrant far more savage then Mezentius Phalaris Busyris or any other tyrannical butcher that ever was for there is no tyrant so powerfull or barbarous but may be avoided by flying from him to remote places but who can fly from that superstitious fear which a man doth carry continually about him Quid terras alio calentes Sole mutamus patria quis exulse quoque fugit a man may fly from his country saith Horace but not from himselfe this tyrant haunts the superstitious wretch continually as the evil Spirit did Saul Againe no tyrant can tyrannize over a man longer then he lives death sets every slave at liberty but this tyrant
was not Head of the Church nor Vicar of Christ nor successor of Peter that Bishops were murtherers in delivering over to the secular power such as did not obey them that canonical obedience was a humane invention that Priests though excommunicate ought to preach that Excommunications Suspensions and Interdicts were invented to maintain the Clergies pride These and such like points did he defend for which he was condemned in the councel of Constance These same opinions were maintained by Hierom of Prague for which also he was by the same Councel condemned the next year One Pickard of Fâ—anders renewed in Bâ—hemâ—a the Heresie of the Ad mâ—tes The Hussites divided themselves into thrâ—e Sects to wit the Pragenseâ— the Thabo iteâ— so called from mount Thabor where Christ was transfigurrd which name Zisca their Captain gave them calling the Castle where they used to meet Thabor as if they had seen there Christs transfiguratâ—on The third Sect were called Orphans after Zisca's death as having lost their Faâ—her and Patron all these used barbarous cruelty against Priests Monks Churches Images Reliques and such as professed the Roman Catholick Religion The Mosâ—ovites or Russians fell off to the Greek Religion and held that the Pope was not the chief Pastor of the Church that the Roman Church was nor head of the rest They rejected also the Latine Fathers the definitions canons and decrees of the general Councels and used leavened bread in their Eucharist One Rissuich a Hollander taught that the Angels were not created that the soule perished with the body that there was no Hell that the matter of the Elements was coeternal with God He blasphemed Christ as a Seducer and not the Son of God He held that Moses never saw God nor received his Law from him that Scriptures were but Fables that the Gospel was false and such like blasphemous stuffe did he spue out for which he was burned Q. 10. What opinions did the Sixteenth Century hâ—ld A. Martin Luther an Augustin Frier â—aught thaâ— Indulgences were unlawful that the Epistle to the Hebrews the Epistle of Iames the second of Pâ—ter the two last of Iohn the Epistle of Iude and the Apecalyâ—e were not canonical He opposed invâ—cation of Saints Image wâ—rship Free-wâ—ll the Popes Supremacy Excommunication teâ—poral posseâ—â—ions of â—he Clergy merit of Works possibility of tuâ—filing the Law the Monastical life caelibaâ— canonical obâ—dience distinction of Meats Transubstantiation communion under one kinde the Masse auricular confession Absolution Purgatory extream Unction and five of the Sacraments He held also that General Councels might erre that 〈◊〉 was not a particular person that Faith onely justified that a faithfull man may be assured of his salvation that to the faithful sin is not imputed that the first motions are sin that Sacraments did not confer grace Divers other opinions are fathered upon him by his adversaries as may be seen in the above named Authors The Anabaptists so called from Re-baptizing had for their author one Nicolas Storke who pretended familiarity with God by an Angel promising him a Kingdom if he would reform the Church and destroy the Princes that should hinder him His Scholar Muncer raised an army of 4000. Bores and Tradesmen in Suevia and Franconia to maintaine his Masters dreams but they were overthrown by Count Mansfield Iohn of Leyden a Taylor renewed the said dreams and made himself King in Munster of the Anabaptists whose Viceroy was Knipherdoâ—ing but this phantastical Monarchy was soon destroyed the Town taken after 13. moneths Siege where the King and his Viceroy with their chief Officers were put to death Their Tenets were that Christ was not the Son of Mary nor true God that we were righteous not by faith in Christ but by our own merits and sufferings They rejected original sin baptisme of Infants communion with other Churches Magisâ—â—acy among Christians Oaths and punishments of Malefactors They refused to swear allegeance to Princes and held that a Christian may have many wives and that he may put away his wife if she be of another Religion and marry another That no man must possesse any thing in proper that re-baptization may be used that before the day of judgement the godly should enjoy a Monarchy here on Earth that man had free-will in spiritual things and that any man may Preach and give the Sacraments Q. 11. What are the Anabaptists of Moravia A. These at first called themselves Apostolicall because they did imitate the Apostles in going bare-foot and in washing one anothers feet in having also all things in common amongst them But though this custom be now left yet at this day in Moraviae they have a common Steward who doth distribute equally things necessary to all They will admit none into their Society but such as have some trade and by their handy worke can get their livings As they have a common Steward for their temporals so they have a common Father for their spirituals who instructs them in their Religion and prayeth with them every morning before they goe abroad to worke These publike prayers are to them instead of Sermons They have a generall governour or head of their church whom none knoweth but themselves for they are bound not to reveal him They communicate twice in the year the men and women sit promiscuously together On the Lords day they walk two and two through the Towns and Villages being clothed in black and having slaves in their hands They are much given to silence at table for a quarter of an houre before they eat they sit and meditate covering their faces with their hands the like devotion they shew after meat All the while their governour stands by to observe their gesture that if any thing be unbeseeming he may tell them of it When they come to any place they discourse of the last judgement of the eternall paines of hell of the crueltie of Divels tormenting mens bodies and souls that so they may afright simple people into their religion then they comfort them by shewing them a way to escape all those torments if they will be but rebaptized and embrace their religion They observe no festival days nor will they admit of any disputations Q. 12. What Sects are spâ—ung out of Lutheranism A. Besides the Anabaptists already mentioned there be Adiaphorists of which Melancthon is thought to be author these hold the customs and constitutions of the church of Rome to be things indifferent and that they may be professed or not professed without scruple 2. Vbiquitaries These hold that Christs humanity as well as his divinity is every where even in hell Breâ—tius is thought to be father of this opinion But if Christs humanity be every where then we must deny the articles of his Resurrection Ascention and comming again to judge the Quick and the dead for what needs there such motions if he be everywhere 3. Majorists so called from one
Some of them deny the souls immortality and doubt whether there be any other Deity except Heaven and Earth 21. The Family of Love whose author was one Henry Nicolas a Hollander They reject all Sacraments and the three last petitions of the Lords prayer They say that Christ is onely the image of God the Fathers right hand and that mans soule is a part of the divine essence 22. Effroâ—tes so called from shaving their foreheads till they bleed and then anoint them with oyle using no other baptisme but this they say the holy Ghost is but a bare motion inspired by God into the mind and that he is not to be adored all which is directly repugnant to Gods word which proves that the holy Ghost is true God Thou hast not lyed saith Saint Peter unto man but unto God meaning the holy Ghost This Sect took up their station in Transylvania 23. Hosmanists these teach that God took flesh of himself whereas the Scripture saith that Christ was made of a Woman They deny pardon to those thaâ— relapse into sin and so they abridge the grace of God who wills us to repent and thereupon receives us into â—avour 24. 〈◊〉 so called from one Gaspâ—â— Schewenkfeld a Silesian he taught that the Scripture was needlesse to Salvation and with the old Mâ—nichees and Valentinians that Christ was not conceived by the holy Ghost in the Virgins Womb but that God created a man to redeem us and joyned him to himselfe and that this man became God after he ascended into Heaven they confound the Persons of Father and Son and say that God did not speak these words This is my beloved Son That faith is the very essence and nature of God That all Christians are the Sons of God by nature procreated of the divine essence That the Sacraments are uselesse that Christs body is every where Of these Sects and many more of lesse note see Florimundus Raymundâ—s hence we may see what a dangerous Gap hath been made since Luther began to oppose the Church of Rome for the little Foâ—â—es to destroy Christs Vineyard what multitudes of Taâ—es have grown up 〈◊〉 the good Corn in the Lords field what troublesome Frogs worse then those of Egypt have crawled into mâ—st mens houses what swarmes of Locusts have darkened thâ— Sun of righteousnesse whilst â—e was â—â—ining in the Firmament of his Church Q 13. What other opinions in religion were maintained this age A. Carolostadius Arch Deacon of Witâ—berâ— and Oecolâ—â—padius Monk of the Order of S. Bridges opposed Luthers Doctrin in the point of the real presence shewing that Christ was in the bread onely sacramentally or significatively The Libertius whose author was one Quintious a Taylor of Piâ—cardy taught that whatsoever good or evil we did was not done by us but by Gods Spirit in us that sin was nothing but an opinion that in reproving of sinners we reproved God himself that he onely was regenerate who had no remorse of conscience that he onely reâ—euted who confessed he had committed no evil that man in this life may be perfect and innocent that the knowledge we have of Christ and of our Resurrection is but opinion that we may dissemble in Religion which is now the opinion of Master Hobbs and lastly they slight the Scriptures relying on their own inspirations and they slight the Pen men of the Holy Ghost calling Saint Iohn a foolish young man Saint Matthew a Publican Saint Paul a broken vessel and Saint Peter a denyer of his Master Zuinglius Canon of Constance held the Doctrine of Câ—rolostadius against Luther concerning the real presence David George a Glasier in Gaunt taught that he was God Almighties Nephew born of the Spirit not of the flesh the true Messiah and third David that was to reign on Earth that Heaven was void of inhabitants and that therefore he was sent to adopt Sons for that heavenly Kingdom He denied Spirites the Resurrection and the last judgement and life eternal He held promiscuous copulation with the Adamits and with the Manichees that the soul was not polluted with sin that the souls of Infidels shall be saved and the bodies of the Apostles as well as those of Infidels shall be burned in Hell fire and that it was no sin to deny Christ before men therefore they condemned the Martyrs of folly for shedding their blood for Christ. Melaâ—â—ctâ—on was a Lutheran but not altogether so rigid so was Bucer except in the point of Christs real presence Westphalus also but he denied original sin and the Holy Ghosts procession from the Son and that Christs did not institute the Lent Fast nor was any man tied to keep it Q. 14. What were the chief Heads of Calvins Doctrine A. That in this life our â—aith is not without some doubtings and incredulity that the Scriptures are sufficient without traditions that an implicite faith is no faith that the Books of Tobias Iudith a part of Hester The Wisedome of Solomon Ecclesiasticus Baruch The History of Bell and the Dragon and the books of Macchabees are not parts of the Canonical Scripture that the Hebrew Text of the Old Testament is only authentical and so the Grek of the New Testament that the Scripture in Fundamentals is clear of it selfe and is a sufficient judge of controversies that the Elect have saving faith onely which can never totally and finally be lost that predestination to life or death dependeth not on mans foreseen merits or demerits but on Gods free will and pleasure that no sin comes to passe without the will of God that the Son of God received not his Essence of the Father nor is he God of God but God of himselfe that Christ in respect of his humaniâ—y was ignorant of some things that the Virgin Mary was obnoxious to divers sins and infirmities that Christ is our Mediaâ—or in respect of both natures that Christ was in the state of damnation when he suffered for us but did not continue in it that Christ by his suffering merited nothing for himselfe that he descended not truly into Hell but by suffering the pains of Hell on the Crosse that there is no Limbus Patrum nor Purgatory that our prayers avail not to the dead that the torments of the evil Angels were deferred till the day of judgement that Christ came not out of the grave whilest it was shut that the true Church of God consisteth onely of the Elect and that it is not visible to men that the Church may erre that Saint Peter was not Bishop of Rome nor the Pope his successor but that he is Antichrist that the Church and Magistrate cannot make Laws to bind the conscience that caelibat and the monastical life is unlawful consequently the vows of chastity poverty and obedience that man hath not free will to goodnesse that concupiscence or the first motions before the will consents are sins that all sins are mortal and none in themselves venial that in
a Bishop for if Presbyters had been distinct from Bishops Paul would not have left them unsaluted for why should he salute the Deacons and not thâ— Presbyters which are a higher degree Quest. Why were the Pastors called Bishops and Presbyters A. To put them in mind of their duty and dignity for the word Episcopus or Bishop signifieth the care inspection and oversight which they should have of mens souls in guiding instructing and feeding them with the Word and Sacraments Presbyter signifieth the age dignity and experience that ought to be in Ministers whose grave carriage wisdome and knowledge should procure reverence of the people to that high calling and obedience to their Doctrine Q. Are young men then fit to be made Presbyters oâ— Bishop A. No except there be extraordinary gifts in them as were in Timothy or in extream necessity when grave and ancient men cannot be found Temeritas florentis aelatis prudentia sinectutes Young men are rash inconstant head strong proud inconsiderate and indiscreet in their words and carriage for the most part which hath brought this high calling into obloquie and contempt They have not that experience wisdome gravity and knowledge that are in old men nor are they Masters of their passions and affections and how are they fit overseers of others who cannot oversee themselves a young Presbyter is a contradiction and a young Bishop is incongruous Young and green heads have been the cause of so much distemper so many Heresies and schismes in the Church of Christ Therefore little hope there is that ever peace Religion and truth shall flourish in that Church where giddy young men are Bishops or Presbyters and hot-spurs or green heads are preferred to gray hairs ancient Divines are fittest to serve the ancient of dayes Q. But if Paul constituted Presbyters and Deacons in all the Churches which be planted why doth he not salute them as he did these of Philippi A. For brevities sake he oftentimes omits them thinking it sufficient to have saluted the Church in generall in which they are included being members thereof Q. Is not the degree of Bishops higher than that of Presbyters A. Sometimes to avoid heresie schismes and troubles in the Church the Presbyters have chosen one of their own society to precede or oversee the rest but this was onely in some places and at some times and rather an ecclesiastick custome than a divine tradition saith Hierom. Q. But why did Paul besides his custome salute the Deacons at Philippi A. Because by Epaphroditus they had sent him relief therefore he would particularly thank them besides he would shew that under these two names of Presbyter and Deacon is contained the whole Ministry of the Church the Presbyter caring for the things of the soul the Deacon for the things of the body Q. What doth the ward Deacon signifie A. A Minister or servant for so the Magistrate is called Rom. 13. a Deacon or Minister Paul calls himself the Deacon of the Gospel Eph. 5. and he calls Christ the Deacon of Circumcision Rom. 15. but this word is appropriated to him that hath the charge of the poor and strangers in collecting and laying out the Church money for their relief Such were those seven mentioned Acts â— and as Christ had twelve Apostles so one of them to wit Iudas was a Deacon for he kept the bag Q. Were there in the Church preaching Presbyters onely A. No there were also ruling Elders of which Paul speaketh 1. Tim. 5. 1â— Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour especially they who labour in the Word and Doctrine for the preaching Presbyters thought it too great a burthen to preach and to have the inspection of mens manners therefore they desired some of the Laity to assist them whom they called ruling Elders Q. What difference is there between a Minister and a Deacon A. The Greek word signifieth both promiscuously but we have appropriated the word Minister to a preacher and the word Deacon to the Overseer of the poore Q. How doth it appear that Presbyter and Bishop was the same A. Because the Apostle Phil. 1. salutes the Bishops of Philippi but in one Town there is onely one Bishop usually so called So Acts 20. having called together the Presbyters he bids them take heed to the stock whereof the Holy Ghost hath made them Bishops And leaving Titus at Crete to establish Presbyters sheweth that a Bishop must be without reproof Q. Have there not been sometimes two Bishops in one Town A. We read in Sozomen l. 4. c. 14. that the Bishops assembled at Sirmium wrote to Foelix and the Clergy of Rome to admit of Liberius as an assistant Bishop to Foelix but the Councel of Nice forbids two Bishops to be in one City Can. 8. Q. Why do not the Reformed Churches now call our Ministers by the name of Bishops and Priests A. Because these Offices have been abused in Popery the one to pride and tyranny the other to superstition and idolatry Q. May a man exercise the office of Presbyter or Bishop without a calling A. No for no man takes upon him this office but he that is called of God as Aaron was Vzza was struck with sudden death for his rash touching of the Ark 2. Sam. 6. God complains of those Prophets that run and yet were not sent Ier. 23. and how can such preach if they be not sent Rom. 10. Leprâ—sie shall seize upon King Uzziah if he stretch out his hand to touch the Ark 2 Chron. 26. Christ himself spoke not of himsel nor was his Doctrine his own but his that sent him Iohn 5 7. Q. How must a man be called A. First Internally by the Spirit moving his heart and furnishing him with graces fit for so high a Calling Secondly Externally by the Church to which twofold calling we must yield obedience and not resist and run from it as Ionah did Q. How shall we know the inward call of the Spirit from the stattering concept of our Fancies A. If we are called by the Spirit we have no other ends but Gods glory and the salvation of souls we seek Christ for his miracles not for his loaves we will not trust to our own strength learning or eloquence but will disclaim our own sufficiency with the Apostle will accuse our own uncircumcised and defiled lips with Mosâ—s and Esay and will rely onely upon the goodnesse and promise of God who will give us wisdome and will put in our mouths what we shall speak Quest. How many sorts of callings are there in the Church A. Two to wit Extraordinary as that of the Apostles Evangelists and Prophets and Ordinary as the callings of Presbyters or Bishops of preaching Prophets or Pastors and of Deacons Q. Can both these callings be in one maâ— A. Yes for Ieremy and Ezechiel were ordinary Priests and Levites yet were extraordinary Prophets So Luther had an ordinary Function in the
Alciatus Simanus Casanovius Menno and divers other Anabaptistical Vipers who extreamly increased the restlesse waves of sects and opinions We recommending the rest to their proper place Hell will take a more particular survey of one Religion and by the horridnesse of that guesse at the others This Servetus was a Spaniard born in the kingdom of Arragon most unworthy both of his Name and Nation Being rapt into a most incredible enthusiasme he boldly layeâ— his unwash'd hands upon holy divinity and at 〈◊〉 four and twentieth year of his age boasted himselfe 〈◊〉 be the only Teacher and Seer of the world making 〈…〉 main design and that by his impious and worthlesse â—â—â—â—tings to inveigh against the Deity of the Son of God 〈◊〉 which writings being sufficiently furnished and withâ— enflamed with hopes of raising no ordinary tumults 〈◊〉 bestirres himself winde and tyde for Basill but Oecâ—lampadius an Ecclesiastical Doctor learnedly before a full Senate confuted the blasphemies of this man and by the publick Authority he had caused him as a poisonous blasphemer to be thrust out of the Church of Basil. From thence he went to Venice where in regard the Venetians had been timely forewarned of him by the wise and learned Melancthon he made no harvest of his incredible blasphemies nor indeed was he permitted â—eed-time for them Religion is nowhere safe But having consulted with the Arch-hereticks his Predecessors and being bird-lim'd he held that there was but one person in the Godhead to be worshipped and acknowledged which was revealed to mankind sometimes under one notion sometimes under another and that it was thus that those notions of Father Son and Holy Ghost were to be understood in the Scriptures Nay with the same line of his blasphemous mouth he affirmed that our Saviour Iesus Christ according to his humane nature was not the Sonne of God nor coeternal with the Father The Holy Ghost he granted to be nothing but that influence by which all things are moved which is called nature He most impiously Ironical affirmed that to understand the word Person we must referre our sesves to Comedies But the most horrid blasphemy of all was when by the suggestion of Satan he imagined that the most glorious and ever to be worshipped and adored Trinity who doth not tremble at it was most fitly-compared to Cerberus the Porter of Hell-gate But he stayed not here no he thought it should be accounted nothing but a diabolical phantasme the laughing-stock of Satan and the monstrous Geryon whom the Poets by some strange mystery of Philosophy feigned to have three bodies O incredible and unheard of subtily of blasphemy The most glorious name of the most blessed Trinity is grown so odious to this man that he would personate being the greatest that ever was all the Atheists that have quarrelled with that name Moreover he maintained that taking but away the only Article of the Trinity the Turkish Alcoran might be easily reconciled to the Christian Religion and that by the joyning together of these two a great impediment would be removed yea that the pertinâ—cious asserting of that Article had enraged to madnesse whole Countries and Provinces This abomination of God and men held that the Prophet Moses that great servant of God and faithful steward of the Lords house that Prince and Captain Generall of the people of Israel one so much in favour with God that he was admitted to speak to him face to face was to be accounted no other than an Impostor He accounted the Patriarch Abraham and his seed too much given to Revenge and that he was most unjust and most malicious to his enemy The most glorious Church of Israel 't is the swine that loves the miâ—e he esteemed no better than a Hogge-Sâ—y and declared himself a sworn Prince of the Anabaptistical generation But keep off and approach not O all ye other Heresies and Hydra's of opinions of this one man furies not capable of expiation Being arrived at Geneva and being forbidden to spue out and spatter his pestiferous blasphemies he continued in hostility against all sharp but wholesome admonitions which Calvin that famous Minister of the Church perceiving being desirous to discharge the duty of a soul-saving Pastor went friendly to Servetus in hopes to deliver him out of his most impious errours and horrible Heresie and so to redeem him out of the jawes of Hell and faithfully reproved him But he being dazled with the brightnesse of Truth and overcome returned nothing to Calvin so well deserving of him but an intolerable obstinacy and inconvincible recapitulation of his blasphemies whence it came to passe that by the just and prudent Decree of the Senates of Bernen Zuring Basil and Scaffuse and by the righteous condemnation of the eternal God in the moneth of December in the year one thousand five hundred fifty and three or as Sleidan hath it in October he was How great is the obstinacy of blasphemy being at that time ecstatically hardened and intoxicated consecrated to the avenging flames ARRIuS Divisit Trini qui formam numinis ecce Dividitur membris Visceribusque suis. THE CONTENTS Arrianisme it 's increase ANNO 323. THe General Councill at Nice Anno 325. called as a Remedy against it but without successe The Arrians misinterpret that place John 10. 30. concerning the Father and the Sunne They acknowledged one onely God in a Iudaical sense They deny the Trinity Arrius his wretched death Anno 336. ABout the year of the Incarnation of the Son of God three hundred twenty and three Hell was deliver'd of a certain Priest at Alexandria named Arrius a man subtle beyond expression the trumpet of eloquence one thee 〈…〉 have been cut out for all honesty and elegance 〈◊〉 with the poison of his Heresie and the 〈…〉 of his destructive doctrine did in the time of Silvester Bishop of Rome and the Emperour constaâ—â—â— draw in a manner all Christendome to his opinion and so corrupted some even great nations in the Eastâ— that except a few Bishops who stood to the true doctrine none appeared against him To remedy this disease at Nice in Bithynia in the year three hundred twenty 〈◊〉 a generall Council was called but to 〈…〉 the contagious stocks of Arrianisme were deeply 〈◊〉 so that they were become such ravening wolves among the flock of Christ that all that would not embrace their belief were to expect banishment or death These imagined that the Sonne was not of an equall nature and coeternall with the Father but that he was onely agreeing and concurring with his Father to confirm which they alledged that place of Iohn 10. 30 which sayes I and the Father are one and though they called the Sonne a great God yet they denied that he was a living and true God and coessential with the Father They boasted that they were ready to answer all objections and acknowledged