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
Book Christian Reader I Understand that some Momes have already past their verdict upon this Book affirming that seeing the world is pestered with too many Religions it were better their names and Tenets were obliterated than published To whom I answer that their assertion is frivolous and the reason thereof ridiculous for the end wherefore these different opinions in Religion are brought into the light is not that we should embrace them but that we may see their deformity and avoid them Shall Logick be rejected for setting down all the waies of fallacious arguments Or Philosophy for teaching what are the different poysons in Herbs Roots Minerals c. The Scripture nameth many sins idols and false gods must it therefore be reproved of impertinency the Sea Coast is pestered with many Rocks Shelves and Quick-Sands must they therefore be past over in silence in the art of Navigation Were Irenaeus Epiphanius S. Austin Theodoret and other eminent men in the Church fooles for handling in their Books all the hereticall opinions that infested Christianity both before and in their times Do not these Censorious Momes know that truth though comly in it selfe is yet more lovely when compared with falshood how should we know the excellency of light if there were no darknesse the benefit of health if there were no sicknesse and the delights of the spring if there were no winter Opposita juxta se posita clarius elucescunt The Swans fethers are not the lesse white because of their black feet nor Venus the lesse beautiful because of her Mole The Stone is set out by the file and the picture by its shadow To infer then that because the world is pestered with too many Sects and Heresies therefore we must not mention them is as much as if they would say the way to heaven is beset with too many theeves therefore we must not take notice of them But how shall we avoid them if we know them not and how shall we know them if concealed its true the world is pestered with too many Religions and the more is the pitty yet this Book made them not but they made this Book He that detects errors makes them not They that informed the Israelites there were Gyants in the Land did not place those Gyants there But now I will let these men see the ends for which I have undertaken this task of presenting all Religions to their view and they are grounded on the divers uses that may be made thereof 1. When we look upon the multitude of false Religions in the world by which most men have bin deluded are not we so much the more bound to the goodnesse of Almightie God who hath delivered us out of darknesse and hath caused the day Star of his truth to shine upon and visit us who having suffered the World round about us to sit in the Valley of the shadow of death and to be overwhelmed with worse than Egyptian darkness hath notwithstanding in this our Goshen aboundantly displayed the light of his truth but how shal we seriously weigh or consider this great mercy if we do not as wel look on the wretched condition of other men as on our own happinesse which we cannot do if we know not the errors which make them wretched What comfort could the Israelites have taken in their Land of light if they had not known that the rest of Egypt sate in darkness 2 When we look upon the different multiplicity of Religions in the world how that in all times and in all places men though otherwise barbarous have notwithstanding embraced a religion and have acknowledged a Divinity I say when we look upon this do we not admire the impudency of those Atheists in this age who either inwardly in their hearts or outwardly in their mouths dare deny the Essence or else the providence of God and count all Religions but inventions of humane policy How can those Atheists avoid shame and confusion when they read this book in which they shall see that no Nation hath been so wretched as to deny a Deity and to reject all Religion which Religion is a property no lesse essential to man and by which he is discriminated from the Beasts than rationality it selfe 3. In the View of all Religions we may observe how the Children of this world are wiser in their Generation than the Sons of God for they spare no paines and charges they reject or slight nothing commanded them by their Priests and Wizards they leave no meanes unattempted to attaine happinesse See how vigilant devout zealous even to superstition they are how diligent in watching fasting praying giving of almes punishing of their bodies even to death sometimes whereas on the contrary we are very cold carelesse remisse supine and luke-warme in the things that so neere concerne our eternal happinesse They thought all too little that was spent in the service of their false gods wee think all is lost and cast away which wee bestow on the service of the true God They reverenced and obeyed their Priests wee dishonour disobey and slight ours they observed many Festivall daies to their Idols we grudge to give one day to the service of the true God They made such conscience of their Oaths taken in presence of an Idol that they would rather loose their lives than falsifie these Oaths But wee make no more scruple to take the name of God in vaine to sweare and forsweare than if we worshiped Iupiter Lapis meer stocks and Stones such reverence and devotion they carried to their Idols that they durst not enter into their Temples nor draw near their Altars till first they were purified they did not onely kneel but fall flat on the ground before their feigned Gods they knock their breasts beat their heads to the ground teare their skines wound and cut their flesh thinking thereby to pacifie their false gods Whereas we will not debarre our selves of the least pleasure or profit to gaine Heaven and so irreverent is our behaviour in the presence and house of Almighty God Before whom the Cherubims and Seraphims dare not stand but with covered faces as if he were our equal and not our Lord or Father for to speak in the Prophets words Malach. 1 6. If hee bee our Father where is his honour and if hee bee our Lord where is his fear Doubtlesse these false worshippers shall stand up in judgement against us who know our Masters will but doe it not is not their zeal in the practice of religious duties to be preferred to our carelesnesse and their ignorance to our knowledge which without practice will but aggravate our damnation for he that knoweth his Masters will and doeth it not shall he beaten with many stripes Wee are in the right way to Heaven they are in the wrong way but if we stand still and walk not they will be as neer their journies end as we They worship Idols we commit sacriledge But is not a sacrilegious
Buxtorfius Tremellius c. Q. What were their new Moons and Feasts of Trumpets and Expiation A. Every new Moon was a festival among the Jews in which as on the Sabbath people repaired to the Prophets for instruction 2 Kings 4. 23. then it was not lawful to buy or sel Amos 8. 4 yet the first new Moon in the beginning of their seventh moneth called Tisri according to their Ecclesiastical account but the first moneth in their civil computation was called particularly the Feast of Trumpets for though at other feasts they sounded trumpets yet at this feast there was more sounding to wit all the day not so much in memory of Isaacs deliverance from death on mount Moriah nor for the Law given with sound of trumpets on mount Sinai for the feast of Pentecost was instituted for that but for the greater solemnity of the new year from whence they reckoned their Sabbatical years and Jubiles and dated all their deeds and bargains This sounding then of trumpets was a solemn promulgation of the new year and a preparation for the three ensuing feasts that moneth to wit of Expiation the tenth day of Tabernacles from the fifteenth to the one and twentieth and the great feast on the two and twentieth day but I think this was no particular feast but the conclusion of the feast of Tabernacles Of the sacrifices to be offered in the new Moons read Numb 28. 11 15. as for those words of David Psa. 81. 3. blow the trumpet in the new Moon they are most likely to be meant of the first new Moon or feast of Trumpets The feast of Expiation was kept the tenth day of Tisri and it was so called because the high Priest then entred into the Oracle to expiate his own and the peoples sins for himselfe he took a young Bullock and a Ram for the people he took a Ram for a burnt offering and two hee Goats for a sin offering the two Goats he presented at the door of the Tabernacle before the Lord one of these lots being cast was sent into the wildernesse this was called the Scape-Goat upon whose head the Priest laid all the sins and evils of the people to be carried away by the Goat into the wilderness The other Goat was sacrificed On this day was their great fast Act. 8. 9. wherein they abstained from all kind of work and delights so that they might not kindle fire nor dresse meat notwithstanding their afflicting themselves the joyful Jubile was this day proclaimed Of the rites used at this day by the Moderne Jwes we will speak hereafter Q. What was their Sabbaticnl yeare and their Idbile A. Every seventh year was a Sabbath or rest for then the land did rest from plowing and sowing then poor debtors that were native Iewes and not Proselytes or strangers were released if they were not able to pay by this God would exercise the charity of his people to the poor and have them rely on his providence who gave such increase to the sixth year that it brought forth provision enough for three years and therefore all things were this time held in common and they lived as Adam did in Paradise or as people in the golden age when the earth spâ—nte sua of its own accord brought forth all things omnis tulit omnia tellus Of this years fertility see Levit. 25. 20. The Hebrew servants were this year to be set free Exod. 21. 2. and the Law to be read publickly Deut. 31. 10. The Jubilee so called from Iobal a Ram because of the sounding of Rams horns at that time was instituted Levit. 25. 8. for the comfort of prisoners servants and debtors for then all things were brought back to their former estate and therefore perhaps it is called Jubilee from Iobhel to deduce or bring back all lands that had been sold or morgaged were restored to the right owners by which meanes Families and Tribes were preserved entire without commixtion or confusion and their ancient inheritances remained whole This feast was kept every fiftieth year but was proclaimed the forty ninth on the day of expiation and was a type of that great liberty and delivery we have by Christ which is begun in this world and consummated in that which is to come where we shall enjoy eternal rest and shall obtain remission of all our debts and the possession of that ancient inheritance prepared for us before the foundation of the world This year of Jubilee also was to put them in minde of their deliverance from the captivity of Egypt As in the Sabbatical year so likewise in this all things were common the servant whose ear was bored is now set free and the slave that was sold for six years is now dismissed although those six years were not yet ended The beasts also had liberty to feed where they pleased But as the Jewes did keep no Jubilee in the captivity of Babylon neither have they kept any since Christ. As for their feasts of Purim and dedication or renovation called therefore in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we will speak anon These were all the Festivals kept by the Iewes the three chief besides the Sabbath were the Passover Pentecost and Tabernacles in commemoration of three great benefits without which no Society or Common-wealth can subsist to wit Liberty Laws and Defence or Protection Now for diverse reasons God instituted so many feastival days First because he would have his people keep in mind the benefits he bestowed on them Secondly to give him thanks which they solemnly did chiefly at Easter by offering their first fruits at Pentecost by offering Loaves at the feast of Tabernacles by sacrificing in that they had now gathered in all their fruits Thirdly by these festivals the love and amity of Gods people were the more preserved in their often meetings Fourthly and so was their devotion the oftner exercised in sacrifices by which the Levites and poor were releeved Fifthly unity of Religion was also by this means preserved Sixthly and their obedience also in this was tried Seventhly but chiefly Christ the promised Messiah was in these Feasts represented for every sacrifice and oblation did shadow forth his death and passion by whose blood alone and not by the blood of Goats and Rams we have obtained eternal redemption Q. What sorts of Excommunication was used among the Iews A. At first they excluded the delinquent out of their Synagogue John 9. 22 but not quite out of the Temple for he might stand in the gate in time of Divine service this censure lasted thirty days and more if the party repented not and if he died without repentance he wanted the ceremonies of common burial and a stone was laid on his coffin signifying he deserved stoning They had a higher degree of excommunication which Saint Paul calls a giving over to Satan 1 Cor. 5. 5. by the Greeks the partie so excommunicate was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and such
changed Lots Wife into a Pillar of Salt and Nebuchadnezzar into a beast Satan hath no power over celestial bodies though he be Prince of the Aire he cannot create nor do these things which God hath reserved for himselfe Therefore when we hear of men transformed into beasts or raised from the dead and such like miracles as exceed the course and activity of nature we may be assured these are not true miracles but Satanical delusions especially if they be done to confirme errour wickednesse and superstition for the end of all true and divine miracles are to establish truth and holinesse Therefore when we read of bringing down the Moon of driving the Stars backward and such like impossibilities beleeved among the Gentiles we must conclude they were meer delusions of Satan Such were those wonders adscribed to Simon Magus of making images to walk of turning stones into bread of being transformed into a Sheep Goat and Serpent of raising souls from the dead and such like stuffe all these were meer jugling tricks and Satanicall deceptions Q. But why are we so afraid of Satans Stratagems seeing the most of them are but illusions A. This fear in us proceeds partly from the guilt of our own conscience for Adams sin brought fear both on himselfe and on his posterity therefore after he had fallen he confesseth that as soon as he heard the voice of God in the Garden he was afraid and so we his children do often times fear where no fear is and are afraid sometimes at our own shadows or at the shaking of a leafe Partly this fear proceeds from want of faith which Christ reproved in his Apostles who when they saw Jesus walking in the night time on the Sea they were afraid thinking they had seen a Spirit Besides the implacable hatred of Satan against mankind his delight he taketh in affrighting and hurting us either in our persons or in our estates that irreconcilable enmity which is between the Serpent and the Womans seed is a great cause of this fear in us Lastly we are naturally fearful in the dark because our imagination worketh upon it self having no outward object to divert it hence Satan who is the Prince of darknesse useth the opportunity of the night to hurt or to delude us thus he affrighteth us in the dark in our houses with strange apparitions motions and sounds whence some houses have blin said to be hanted with Spirits So in the night he affrighteth travellers with ignis fatuus or jack in the candle as we call it which though it be a natural Meteor yet Satan can move it to and fro purposely to draw travellers into precipices or waters So in the night time he affrighteth mariners at Sea by insinuating himself into these fiery Meteors which like candles or balls of fire run up and down the ship these were deified by the old Pagans if one single flame appeared they called it Helena and held it an ominons fign of destruction as she was to Trâ—y if there were two they named them Castor and Pollux and placed their statues in their ships as we read Act. 28. And Sea men use to tell us of many strange sights and apparitions they have seen in the Ocean Satan also useth to affright men in Churches and Church yards in the dark by representing to their phantasie the shape of dead men in their winding sheets in the night also strange voices and sounds are heard neer deep waters or rivers which are taken as presages of some shortly to be drowned there the like I have heard my selfe and have found the event to fall out accordingly for one day travelling before day with some company neere the River Don by Aberden we heard a great noise and voices call to us I was going to answer but was forbid by my company who told me they were spirits which never are heard there but before the death of some body which fell out too true for the next day a gallant Gentleman was drowned with his horse offering to swim over It is strange what Plutarch writeth of the voice which from the shoare called upon Thamus the Egyptian ship-Master who then had cast Anchor at Praxeae telling him that the great god Pan was dead Though the night Mare which is called Incubus and Succubus be a natural disease as Physitians know yet Satan hath often times made use of this infirmitie to abuse the bodies of men and womâ—n in their sleep By all which we see his malice against mankinde and the causes of our fear which hath wrought so powerfully among the ignorant Pagans that they have planted their whole Religion in the worshipping of these evil spirits for their gods were none other as Porphyrie she â—eth l. 2. de abstinen l. 2. de sacrificio For saith he These wicked Spirits delight in shedding of blood in filthy and obscene speeches exhorting men to lust vice wickednesse and flagitious actions c. they perswade men that the supreame God delighteth in such impieties c. Q Since the Stratagems and illusions of Satan are so many what is our duty in this case A. Our duty is 1. To be assured that nothing can come to pasâ—e but by the providence of our Heavenly Father who hath numbred the hairs of our heads and hath Satan in a chain so that without permission he could neither afflict Iob in his person children nor cattel nor durst he enter into the herd of swine without leave from Christ. 2. Let us remember what Christ hath promised to wit that he will be with us to the end of the world and if he be with us who can be against us Christ came to destroy the works of the Devil to cast out the strong man and to tread down Satan under our feet he hath promised not to leave us Orphans he is the good Shepherd that laid down his life for his sheep which he holdeth so fast that no man shall take them out of his hand his name is Emanuel God with us He was amongst his Apostles Luke 24. when they were assembled together and in great fear and so he will be in the midst of two or three gathered together in his name He is the watchman of Israel that neither slumbers nor sleeps therefore with David let us lie down and take our rest for he will make us to live in safety Though we walk through the vally of the shadow of death let us fear no evil because the Lord is with us Let us not be moved because he is at our right hand he is our buckler and our exceeding great reward therefore let us not feare 3. Let us put on the whole Armour of God chiefly the shield of faith that we may quench all the fiery darts of the Devil and let us fight against Satan as Christ did with the sword of the spirit which is the word of God Let us resist the Devil and he will flee from us 4. We must
Guiana 21. Of Brasil 22. Of Peru. 23. Of Hispaniola SECT III. Quest. WHat was the Religion of the old Africans A. Their chief gods were the Sun and Fire to which they erected Temples and kept the Fire continually burning on Altars to that purpose The Planets were the Numidian and Lybian gods From Gentilisme they were converted to Judaism then to Christianity and at last to Mahumetanisme We read that Matthias the Apostle preached in Aethiopia and Simon another Apostle in Mauritania about the time of Constantine Christianity was generally received in the hither and lesser Africa and was by the Goths infected with Arianisme which made way for Mahumetanism The Poeni or Phonicians and Carthoginians whilest Gentiles offered men sacrifices to Saturn in their supplications they put infants in the arms of Saturns brazen image made hot with fire and so were burned to death At Tunis neer the Lake â—itonia Miuerva taught the use of Oyle and invented the Art of Spinning therefore she was worshipped as a goddesse Venus was a great deity in Phoenicia Iuno in Carthage At this day they are Mahumetans whose Religion consisteth most in washing and frequenting of the Mosques See Alexander ab Alexandro Ih. Leo Sâ—idas and others Q. What is the Religion and Church Discipline of Fez A. They are at this day Mahumetans in their prosession and in their Devotion no ways sparing for there are in the City of Temples and Chappels about 700 whereof some are garnished with many pillars and Fountains of Marble Each Temple hath one Priest to say Service and look to his Churches revenue which he bestoweth upon the Church-Officers namely the Porters Cryers and the Lamp-lighters these are night Officers but for the day Cryers who from their Steeples call the people to prayers these have no pay but onely are freed from tenths and all other payments In the great Church which is about a mile and halfe in compasse and hath 31 great gates the roofe whereof is upheld with twenty Arches in breadth and 38 in length are lighted every night 900 Lamps some of the greaâ—est are of brasse with sockets for 1500 Lamps About the walls are divers Pulpits for their Readers who begin their Lectures shortly after break of day in the Summer they read after Sun-set Mahumets Law and Moral Philosophie are read then to the winter Lectures are allowed large revenues books and Candles The Priest of this Temple taketh charge of the Orphans mony and of the poor to whom he dealeth Corn and mony every Holy-day This Temple hath a treasurer and under him eight Notaries and six Clarks twenty 〈◊〉 for the husbandry twenty Lime-kills and twenty Brick-kills for repairing of the Temple the Revenâ—es of which are 200 Ducatsaday Oâ—â—er Temples of the City are hence furnished when they want Here are two stately Colledges for porfessors of divers Sciences and divers Hospitals for strangers and the â—ick with all accommodations Their Marriages are performed in the Church They have great feasting at the circumcision of the males They observe divers Feastivals at some of which the youth do with Cudgels and other weapons knok down one another so that many murthers are committed They make Bone-fires on the Feast of St Iohn Baptist and on Christmasse â—Even eat Sallades of green Hearbs On Mahumets birth-day the Poets make Sonnets in his praise which they reherse publiquely and are rewarded accordingly In Fez are 200 Grammer-Schools the youth are bound in seven yeers to learn the Alcoran by heart On Mahumets birth-day every boy carrieth a wax torch to school which they light before day and let them burn till Sun-rising all this while singing Mahumets praise Candles are presented to the King that day of incredible heigth and bignesse who that night heareth all the Law read By Mahuments Law Soothsayers are inprisoned and yet here are many of that profession There are here divers Sects of Mahumetans some like our Anabaptists condeming all learning and trusting to Enthusiasmes others who think by their fasting and good works that they are so holy and perfect that they cannot sin There be some who hold all Religions to be true because every one takes that to be God which he worships and they teach that the Heaven with the Planets Stars and Elements are one God They have also their Hermits By their Discipline Women may not enter their Mosques because of their often pollutions and for that Eve first sinned The day after a child is born the Priest is sent for to pray The child is washed by the women who name it and then it is circumcised but somtimes the circumcision is put off for divers yeers They are very strict in their fastings not tasting any thing though they should faint till the Stars appear the Mufti or High-Priest sits with the King every day in judgment except the Friday then the King sits alone See 〈…〉 c. Q. What are their times of Prayer A. Two hours afore day then they pray for the day 2. Two hours after day then they give thanks for the day 3. At Noon then they give thanks for that halfe the day is past 4. At four in the afternoon then they pray that the Sun may well set on them 5. At twilight they give thanks after their daily labours 6. They pray-two hours after twi-light and then they desire a good night thus they pray six times in 24. hours and so devout they are that when they hear the Sexton from their Steeples cry to prayer before day then may no man touch his wife but prepare to prayer by washing or other devotion either at Church or in his own house after this his prayer the Talby or Priest sits down and resolves for half an hour all doubts that are moved in matters of their Law He is counted profane and disabled from being witnesse who prayeth not six times a day See Purchas in his Pilgrimage Q. What is the Religion of Morocco A. The same is there professed that is in Fez but they are not altogether so devout in Morocco as in Fez for they have not that number of magnificent Temples Colledges Hospitals and Schools yet some they have especially one Temple very large and stately in Morocco with a magnificent Steeple of incredible hight they have also their Hermites and other Religious men in all these they come short of Fez by reason they are often molested by the incursions of the Arabians They here also among them as in Fez multitudes of Jews who â—â—cked over thither when they were driven out of Spain by Ferdinand and out of Portugal by King 〈◊〉 There be also among them many Christians but in miserable captivity and slavery whereas the Turks elsewhere in spiritual affairs subject themselves to the Caliph of Cairo these African kingdoms acknowledge onely their subjection to the Caliph of Bagdaâ— or Babylon The Turks of Morocco and Fez think they merit Heaven if they kill many Christians therefore they
Virgil Et statuam ante aras auratâ fronte iuvencum and Livie l. 5. sheweth that to Apollo was sacrificed not onely an ox with gilded hornes but also caprae albae auratae white goates with hornes gilded and Val. Flac. l. 3. Arg. speaketh of lectas auratâ fronte bidentes of sheep with gilded hornes And long afore the Romans this golden superstition was used as may be seen in Homer Iliad 3. where Nestor promiseth to sacrifice to Minerva an ox 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 powring gold about his hornes Ioseph Acosta relates in his History of America what magnificent Temples and rich Images of gold and precious stones the Indians dedicated to their Idols Against all such vanities Arnobius in his Book against the Gentiles disputeth elegantly shewing that God is not taken with such toyes as Temples Altars and sacrifices but cultus verus in pectore est his true worship consisteth in the breast and as our Saviour saith neither in the Temple of Samaria nor of Ierusalem but in spirit and truth Quin damus id superis de magna quod dare lance Non possit magni Messalae lippa propago Compositum jus fasque animo sanctosque recessus Mentis incoctum generoso pectus honesto Haec cedo ut admoveam templis farre litabo An honest upright sincere and sanctified heart saith Persius is above all the Temples and sacrifices in the world Q. What Priests had they at Mexico and hat Sacrifices A. Besides their inferiour Priests they had one chief whose habit was a Crown of rich Feathers on his head Pendants of Gold with green stones at his ears and under his Lip an Azure stone his office was to receive the body of the dead King at the Temple door with a mournful song to open the breast of the sacrificed man to pull out his heart to offer it to the Sun and then to sting it to the idol to which the man was sacrificed The inferiour Priests in the interim holding the legs arms and head of the Sacrificed wretch whilst his heart was taking out They used also to â—â—ay of the skins of men and cloath some therewith who went about dancing and forcing people to offer them presents or else they would strike them over the face with the bloody corner of the skin The Priests office also was to burn incense before their idols every morning noon-tide evening and at midnight for then with Trumpets and Cornets they sounded a long time which done they burned the Incense in Censers with much reverence and then they beat themselves and draw blood with sharp bodkins They did preach also on some festival days to the people The revenues of the Priests were great the Temples in state magnificence and wealth exceeded ouâ—s The Priests were all annointed and wore their hair long for they never cut it They did sometimes annoint themselves with an Unguent made of venemous beasts which made them without fear and armed them with cruelty They painted their skins black They washed the new born Children and let them blood in their ears they performed marriages by asking the parties mutual consent and tying together a corner of the womans vaile with a corner of the mans gown and so brought them to the Bridegrooms house causing the Bride to goe seven times about the hearth They buried the dead either in their Gardens or on Mountains sometimes they burned the body and if he was a great man they killed his Chaplain and his Officers to attend him burying also wealth with him that he might not want in the other world The Priest used to attire himself in these great Funerals like a Devil with many mouths and glasse eyes and with his staff stirred and mingled the ashes When the King died the Priests were to sing his Elogies and to sacrifice two hundred persons to serve him Adultery was punished with death and so was dishonesty in their Nuns and Monks of which there were two great Cloysters at Mexico But who will see these particulars handled at large let them read Ioseph Acosta and Lopez de Gomara Q. Had the Americans any knowledge of Christian Religion A. Concerning Christ they knew nothing some smal knowledge they had of a supream God whom they called Mirococha and of the creation of the immortality of souls of a life after this wherein are punishments and rewards and some of them as Lerius witnesseth beleeve the resurrection of the flesh and if we will beleeve Acosta they have some knowledge of the Trinity which they worship under the picture of the Sun with three heads they have some tradition likewise of Noahs flood and that all mankind was drowned except six persons who saved themselves in a cave some in Brasil beleeve all were drowned except their progenâ—tors who were preserved to propagate mankind The Indians also report that the Sun hid himselfe in a certain Lake within an Island during the time of the Deluge and so was preserved this is not unlike the Poetical fiction of Diana and Apollo how they were begot in the Isle Ortygia called afterward from their first appearance Delos by this intimating that after the flood by reason of thick foggs and mists arising out of the moist earth the Sun and Moon were not seen in many days but these vapours being spent and the earth dry the Moon was first seen and then in some few hours afterward the Sun The tradition which they have of the flood cannot be that of Ogyges King of Attica which happened about six hundred years after Noahs flood and which drowned only the country about Athens and Achaia in Peloponesus nor was it that of Deucalion which happened in the 82. year of his age about two hundred and fifty years after the former and seven hundred eighty two years after Noahs flood for this drowned only Thessaly and some part of Italy of which the Americans could have no knowledge seeing many places neerer never heard of these floods it is most likely then that their tradition was grounded on Noahs flood for as Noahs posterity peopled all the world so they dispersed the memory of this flood wherever they planted for we finde this deluge nor onely mentioned by Moses but also by Berosus Alexander Polyhistor Abydenus the Historian as he is cited by Eusebius Plato in Timaeo Plutarch writing of Deucalions flood speaketh of the Dove sent out of the Ark which relates to Noahs flood and Ovid describing the same flood writes according to the Mosaical description of the first and universal deluge whereas that of Deucalion was but of a particular country So Lucian de Dea Syria writes of Deucalions flood as if he had read the sixth and seventh chapters of Genesis of Noahs flood for he sheweth how all flesh had corrupted their wayes upon the earth how all their works were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 works of injustice and violence how the rain fell the fountains of the great deep were opened the waters so
leaves not his slave in death but with the terrors of future torments in hell doth vex his soul when it is departing hence Curae non ipsa in morte relinquunt there is no slave so wretched and miserable no pain so great no captivity so unpleasing no chaines so heavy no prison so loathsome which in sleep are not forgotten for then the slave is at liberty the pain is eased the chaines are light and the darkest dungeon is then a beautiful Pallace but this Deisedemonia as the Greeks call it this superstitious fear will not permit it s captivated slave to rest or take any quiet but affrights him in his sleep with horrid dreams and hideous phancies so that sleep which should be his comfort and ease becomes his tormenter Besides Temples and Altars which use to be Sanctuaries for Delinquents are no ease or sanctuary at all to the superstitious sinner any servant might be defended from his Master by laying hold of the Altar but no Altar no Temple no Sacrifice can priviledge the superstitious soul who is still jealous and fearfull of his cruel gods and what wonder is it if we consider the nature of those insatiable devils whom they worship who are never satisfied with the blood of beasts men women and children but are still thirsting after more with the horse-leech if these be the gods which the Gentiles serve surely as Plutarch saith they had been in no worse condition if the Typhones and Giants had overthrown these gods for they could not have been moâ—e cruel nor have exacted more bloody victimes And doubtlesse as the same Plutarch saith these poor wretches do not love their gods but rather hate them because they still fear some hurt and mischiefe from them therefore as some men flatter and give rich presents to tyrants not because they love them for indeed they hate them but that they may not receive hurt by them so deale superstitious men with their gods And in truth Plutarch is not altogether mistaken when he makes Superstition worse then Atheisme for the Atheists hold there is no god but the Superstitious honour such fordid base and cruel gods that it were far better there were no gods then such for it is lesse impiety to say there is no god then to give his sacred name and honour to such wicked greedy barbarous and blood sucking devils I had rather saith he men should say there is no Plutarch then that they should say Plutarch is an inconstant fickle cholerick a revengefull and cruel man And so he concludes that superstition is the cause of Atheisme and impiety because men looking upon the ridiculous gestures impurity cruelty injustice madnesse undecency and all kind of villany perpetrated in their Temples concluded it were better have no gods then such abominable Deities But see Plutarch himselfe in his book of superstition Q. What was the Religion of Hispaniola A. They worshipped the Sun and Moon which they say at first shined out of a Cave and their tradition is that out of two Caves came mankinde the biggest men out of the greatest Cave and the least men out of the lesser Cave They worship also divers Idols with ugly shapes by which the Devil useth to speak to them these they call Zaemes to which they kept divers festivals In these they had their publiqu dances with the musick of shells tyed about their armes thighs and legs The King sits drumming when the people present themselves having their skins painted with divers colours of herbs When they sacrifice they use with a sacred hook thrust down their throat to turn up their stomack Then they sit down in a ring crosse-legged and wri-necked about the Idol praying their sacrifice might be accepted In some places the women dance about their Idols and sing the praises of their ancient Kings then both Sexes on their knees offer cakes which the Priests cut and give to every one a piece this each man keeps as a holy relique all the year against dangers If any fall sick the Priests impute this to their neglect in the Idols service therefore exhort them to build a Chappâ— or dedicate a Grove to their god They think the Ghosts of the dead walk who assault such as are fearful and vanish from them who are not afraid Their several Rites are like those of the other Pagan Countries See P. Martyr Out of what I have written concerning the Idolatry of Asia Africa and America we may conclude with Tertullian lib. de Idolat that every sin by what name soever it be called or of whatsoever quality it is may be comprehended in the sin of Idolatry Idololatriae crimine expungitur to use his own phraise that is every sin is made up and attains to its perfection and consumination in idolatry so that as he sheweth in that book there is no such murtherer as the Idolater who not onely destroyeth the bodies of men and beasts to please his Idol but likewise murthereth his own soule there is no such Adulterer as he who not only goeth a whoring after false gods but also adulterates the truth for every false god is adultery there is no such thief as he for not only much robbery and oppression is committed to maintain false worship and idolatry as Arnobius instanceth in the Romans who to maintain the worship of their gods did rob all other gods and nations and with their triumphant gold Persius calls it aurum ovatum adorn their images but besides this theft the Idolater robs God of his right and honour giving it to such as are not gods I will not speak of the uncleannesse drunkennesse wantonnesse and other sins which accompany this master sin which Tertullian calls Principale crimen generis humani summus saeculi reatus c. devorâ—tâ—rium salutis the main wickednesse of mankind the chief guilt of the world the devourer or destroyer of mans happinesse and salvation therefore he will not have any Christian to paint or make graven images to be worshipped affirming that it is flatly against the law of God and likewise against their vow in baptism to forsake the Devil and his Angels how do they forsake him if they make him if they make it their trade to live by him how have they renounced him can they deny with their tongue what they confesse with their hand destroy that with their words which they build up with their deeds confesse one God and make many preach the true God and yet make false gods If any say that he worships none though he makes them Tertullian will answer him that he who makes false gods doth really worship them not with incense and sacrifice but with his wit sweat industry and skill which he impends on the making of them he is more then their Priest for without him they could have no Priest How can a Christian put forth that hand to touch the body of our Lord by which he hath made a body for the Devil And as it
Chariot drawn with Lyons to shew that the earth supporteth all Towers and Castles produceth all herbs and trees is the predominant Element in compounded bodies signified by the Crown Key and Scepter the motion of her Chariot on foure wheels signifieth the motion not of the earth but of her inhabitants in the four seasons of the year the Lions and all earthly creatures though never so strong and fierce are subject to the Laws of terrestrial nature Of the manner how Ceres was painted and worshipped we have said already By Proserpina they meant the Earth as she is fruitful and cherisheth the seeds cast into her For this cause she is called Bona Dea from the many good things she affords us and Fauna à Favendo from favouring and cherishing us Pomona from the fruits and Flora from the Flowers she produceth and Pales as she furnisheth fodder to the cattel therefore she was held the goddesse of Shepherds and her Feasts Palilia were kept without shedding of blood then were the Cattel purified with Sulphure Rosemary Sabin and Bayes and made to passe through flames of stubble and hay Q. What worship had the Deity of the Sea A. He was called Neptune and worshipped in the form of an ancient man with a Crown on his head holding his Trident in one hand and embraced his Wife Amphithrite with the other Between his legs was a Dolphin His Chariot drawn with Horses The Sea 's swift motion was represented by the Dolphin and Horses and its Dominion over all other waters by the Crown and Scepter He was called Consus from counsel to shew that Princes Counsels should be hid as the cause of the ebbing and flowing of the Sea is He was called Neptunus à Nubendo from covering the Earth Nereus and his Wife Thetis were Sea deities and indeed the same with Neptune so was Oceanus whose Chariot was drawn by four Whales Proteus is also the same though those are held by most to be different gods yet in effect all is but one and the same deity so were the Tritons and Nereides though these with the Sirenes are thought by some to be monstrous Fishes The Tritons were counted Neptunes Trumpeters to shew the noise and roaring of the Sea Old Glaucus is also the same Sea-god with the rest who is described and worshipped in the form of an old man with long hair and beard dropping with water his breast beset with Sea-oars and below the Navel like a Fish Q. What worship and names did they give to Death A. Death was held a Deity and worshipped under the name of Pluto or Plutus sitting in a dark Throne with a black Ebony Crown on his head a rod in one hand to drive together the dead bodies and a key in the other to lock them in At his feet was placed the three-headed-dog Cerberus all which was to shew the condition of the dead The Cypress-tree stood alwayes by him he was called from gathering or driving people together Death is the great King of darknesse who drives all men rich and poor wise and fools Kings and beggars into one place omnes eodem cogimur Death is called Cerberus that is a devourer of flesh For it consumes all flesh This is the black dog as Seneca calls him which is still barking at and biting of mortals he is called Bellua centiceps by Horace the-hundreth headed beast for death hath a hundred ways to seize upon us The same death is expressed by Charon to some by Acheron to others for to good men who depart hence with a clear conscience death is comfortable but to the wicked whom the furies of an evil conscience do torment death is terrible and comfortlesse expressed by the word Acheron Q. What was the manner of sacrificing in Greece A. None came neer the altar till they were first purified neither must the sacrifice be laid on the altar till it was also Instrated or purified with Meale and holy water called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The standers by were besprinkled with this water after a firebrand taken from the altar had been quenched in it and then some holy flower or meal was cast on them This done the Priest prayed then the Victim was brought to the altar with the head upward if it was dedicated to the superiour gods but if to the inferiour with its head downward The Fat Heart Spleen and Liver were offered to the gods the rest of the beast was eat up by the Priests and people spending the rest of the day in gormandising and drunkennesse When the Greeks sacrificed to Vesta and the Romans to the Lares they left nothing of the sacrifice hence Lari sacrificare 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was to eat up all The poorer sort offered 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Meat or Cakes the same with the Roman mol◠which by the richer sort was mingled with Wine and Oyl These frugal sacrifices are called by Pindarus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Supplicating sacrifices intimating that there is more devotion in these mean sacrifices then many times in those that are more costly for it is not the sacrifice but the heart of the sacrificer God requires They used to try if their victim would prove acceptable to their Gods by putting the Cake on the head between the horns which were in solemn feasts gilded if the beast stood quiet it was fit to be sacrificed if otherwise it was rejected In all sacrifices Vesta was first invocated 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to shew both the antiquity and necessity of fire in sacrificing Their custom also was to sacrifice in the morning to the Gods in the evening to the Heroes or Demi-gods The Greeks did not as the Romans grind the corn which they laid on the head of the Victim but laid it on whole 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith Suides to shew the manner of the ancient feeding before the grinding of corn was invented This whole corn was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 They were wont also after their sacrifice and feast to burn the tongue of the beast and besprinkle it with Wine as Homer sheweth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This was to shew that after drinking and feasting the tongue should be silent and nothing divulged what was then spoken This was also done in honour of Mercury the god of Eloquence and of sleep for about sleeping time the tongue was sacrificed The Grecian Priests used to dance or run about their Altars beginning first at the left hand to shew the motion of the Zodiack which is from the West called by Astronomers the left part of the world then they danced beginning at the right hand to shew the motion of the first sphear which is from East to West Their bloody sacrifices were called impure but Frankincense Myrth and such like were named by them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pure offerings The flesh of the Victims were called Theothyta but by the Christian Doctors Idolothyra They that gathered
Antichrist spoken of by Saint Paul 2 Thess. 2. and by Saint John in the Apocalypse A. No For Mahomet was an Arabian descended from Ismael and Hagar but Antichrist if we will beleeve the ancient Doctors of the Church shall be a Iew of the tribe of Dan. 2. Antichrist shall come in the end of the world and as the Church anciently beleeved immediately before Christs second comming but Mahomet is come and gone above a thousand years agoe 3. The ancient Fathers believed that the two Witnesses which shall oppose Antichrist and shall be slain by him are Henoch and Elias but these are not yet come 4. The tradition of the Primitive Church was that Antichrist shall reign but three years and a halfe supposing that this period of time is meant by time and times and half a time but Mahomet we know reigned many more years 5. Antichrist will wholly oppose himself against Christ vilifie him set himself up in his stead and to extol himselfe above all that is called God but Mahomet doth speak honourably of Christ in calling him the Word of God the Spirit of God the Servant of God the Saviour of those that trust in him the Son of a Virgin begot without the help of man c. as may be seen in his Alcoran 6. Our writers as Forbes Cartwright c. hold that Antichrist is described Revel 9. under the name of that Star which fell from Heaven having the key of the bottomlesse pit and under the name of Abaddâ—n and Apollyon but that Mahomet with his followers are set out in that same chapter under the four Angels bound in the great River Euphrates 7. The Apostle 2. Thess. 2. saith that Antichrist shall â—it in the Temple of God as God and shall exalt himselfe above all that is called God But this cannot be meant of Mahomet for he never sate in the Temple of God whether by this word we understand the Temple of Ierusalem or the Church of Christ for he and his Disciples separated themselves from the Church of Christ and will have no communion with Christians 8. Antichrist is to come with signs and lying wonders and by these to raise his Kingdome But Mahomet came with the sword and by it subdued the neighbouring Nations so that neither he nor his followers did or doe pretend to any wonders 9. Our writers say that Antichrist is not to be taken for a particular person but for a whole company or society of people under one head but Mahomet was a particular person 10. Antichrist is to be destroyed by the breath of the Lords mouth but Mahomet died a natural death By all these reasons then it appears that Mahomet cannot be that Great Antichrist who is to come in the end of the world Yet I deny not but he was an Antichrist in broaching a doctrin repugnant to Christs Divinity Such an Antichrist was Arius likewise in persecuting Christ in his members he may be called Antichrist and so might Nero Domitian Dioclesian and other persecutors Besides the number of the beast 666. is found in Mahomets name and so it is found in divers other names If we consider the miseries desolation and blood that have followed upon the spreading of Mahumetanisme in the world we may with Pererius on Revel 6 conclude that Mahomet is signified by death which rideth on the pale horse followed by Hell or the Grave to whom was given power over the fourth part of the earth to kill with the sword with famine c. for he was the death both of soul and body to many millions of people upon whose wars followed destruction famine pestilence and many other miseries in that part of the world where he and his successors have spread their doctrine and conquests Q. Are all the Mahumetans of one profession A. No for there be divers Sects amongst them but the two main Sects are that of the Arabians followed by the Turks and of Hali by the Persians To this Hali Mahomet bequeathed both his Daughter and his Alcoran which the Persians believe is the true Copy and that of the Turks to be false This Hali succeeded Mahomet both in his Doctrine and Empire whose interpretation of the Law they embrace for the truest As the Saracen Caliphs of old exercised both the Kingly and Priestly Office so both are claimed by the modern Persian for both were performed by Mahomet and Hali But to avoid trouble the Persian Sophi contents himself with the Secular Government leaving the Spiritual to the Mustaed Dini who is as the Musti in Turky These two Sects differ in many points for the Arabians make God the author both of good and evil but the Persians of good only the Persians acknowledge nothing eternal but God the Turks say that the Law is also eternal the Persians say that the blessed souls cannot see God in his Essence but in his Effects or Attributes The Turks teach that he shall be visible in his Essence The Persians will have Mahomets soul to be carried by the Angel Gabriel into Gods presence when he received his Alcoran The Turks will have his body carried thither also The Persians pray but three times a day the Arabians five times other differences they have but these are the chief Doctrinal differences the maine is about the true Alcoran the true interpretation thereof and the true successor of Mahomet for they hold Eubocar Ofmen and Homar whom the Turks worship to have been usurpers and Hali the onely true successor of Mahomet whose Sepulchre they visit with as great devotion as the Turks do the other three Q. What religious Orders have the Mahumetans A. Most of their religious Orders are wicked and irreligious For those whom they call Imailer and religious brothers of love are worse then beasts in their lusts sparing neither women nor boys their habit is a long coat of a violet colour without scam girt about with a golden girdle at which hand silver Cimbals which make a jangling sound they walk with a book in their hand containing love Songs and Sonnets in the Persian tongue these go about singing and receive money for their Songs and are always bare-headed wearing long-hair which they curle The Order of Calender professeth perpetual Virginity and have their own peculiar Temples or Ghappels They wear a short coat made of Wool and Horse hair without sleeves They cut their hair short and wear on their heads Felt-hats from which hangs cuffs of horse hair about a hand-breadth They wear iron rings in their ears and about their necks and arms they wear also in their Yard an iron or silver ring of 3. lib. weight whereby they are forced to live chastely they go about reading certaine Rimes or Ballades The Order of Dervises go about begging almes in the name of Haly son in Law to their god Mahomet They wear two sheepskins dried in the Sun the one whereof they hang on their back the other on their breast the rest
the Circumcellions so called from their Cells and Cottages in which they lived to shew their austerity these made no bones to murther all they met that were not of their Religion so that they were more dangerous then High-way Robbers The Donatists were named also Parmenianists from Parmenianus one of Donatus his disciples At Rome they were named Campates from the Camp or Field and Montenses from the Hill where they used to hide themselves The Priscillianists were so named from Priscillianus a Spaniard who under Gratian the Emperor spread his heresie first in Spain 348. years after Christ. From thence like a canker it run through all the West his heresie was made up of former heresies for with the Manicnes he held that the world was made by an evil god With the Sabellians he confounded the persons of the Trinity with the Origenists he taught that mens souls were made before their bodies in some receptacle of Heaven and with the Manichees that they were parcels of the Divine Essence With Astrologers they held that all humane events depended on the Stars and with the Stoicks that we sin necessarily and coactively With the Gnosticks they condemned marriage with the Encratites the eating of flesh with the Audians they allowed lying and perjury in matters of Religion and with the Gâ—osticks they rejected the ancient Prophets as fanatical and ignorant of the will of God The Rhetorians so called from one Rhetorius held the same Tenet which the Mahumetans do at this day namely that every man shall be saved by the Religion he professeth and that therefore no Religion should be forced but men should be left to their own choice and will The Feri or wild Hereticks were such as held it unlawful to eat or converse with men therefore they held none should be saved but such as lived alone They taught also that the holy Ghost was a creature Q. 33. What were the Theopaschitae Tritheiâ—ae Aqueiâ— Melâ—â—onii Ophei Tertullii Liberatores and Nativitarii A. The Theopaschites held that the divinity of Christ suffered as if there had been in him but one nature because one person The Tritheits divided the Essence of God into three parts the one they called the Father the other the Son and the third the Holy Ghost as though either of the persons had not bin perfectly God The Aquei held that the water was not created but coeternal with God this heresie was culled out of the Hermagenian and Audian Tenets The Melitonii so named from one Melito taught that not the soul but the body of man was made after Gods Image and so with the Anthropomorphites they made God corporeal The Ophei so called from one Opheus held there were innumerable worlds The Tertullii from one Tertullus taught that the souls of wicked men should be converted into Devils and Savage Beasts Liâ—eratores are those who taught that Christ by his descending into Hell did set at liberty all wicked that then beâ—eved in him Nativitarji were such as taught that Christs Divine Nativity had a beginning because it is written Psal. 2. Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee so they acknowledged the Eternity of his Essence but not of his Filiation These were but branches of former Heresies broached by obscure or unknown authors and of short continuance Q. 34. What were the Luciferians Jovinianists and Arbicks A. Luciferians so called from Lucifer Bishop of Caralitanum in Sardinia who lived under Iulâ—an the Apostate 333. years after Christ taught with the Cerinthians and Marcionites that this world was made by the Devil That mens souls were corporeal and had their being by propagation or traduction They denyed to the Clergy that fell any place for repentance or reconciliation neither did they restore Bishops or inferious Clerks to their Dignities if they fel into Heresie though they afterward repented This was the Doctrine of the old Novaâ—ians and Meletians these Luciferians were named also Homonymians for using the word flesh ambiguously in their dispurations The Iovinianists were so called from Iovinian a Roman who lived under Jovinian the Emperour 335. years after Christ. These held with the Stoicks that all sins were equal that after baptisme we could not sin that fasting was needlesse that Virginity was not better then the married life and that the blessed Virgin in bearing Christ lost her Virginity The Arabicks were so named from Arabia the countrey where this heresie was broached and maintained under Philip the Emperour 217. years after Christ they held that mens soules died with their bodies and that both in the last day should rise again From this heresie they were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is mortal soules not much different from them are the Psychopanuychitae of this age who make the soul sleep in the Grave with the body till the Resurrection Q. 35. What were the Collyridians Paterniani Tertullianists and Abelonitae A. The Collyridians were hatched also in Arabia and so named from a kinde of Cakes or Buns which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 these Cakes they presented every year with great ceremony to a certain Maid fitâ—ng in a chair of State and covered with a vail â—n honour of the Virgin Maâ—y these flourished under Theoâ—osius the great 357. years after Christ. Paterniani so called from one Paternus an obscure fellow were named also Venuâ—iani from Venus which by their venereal actions they honoured more then God These held that all the lower parts of mans body from the Navel downward were made by the Devil and therefore they gave themselves to all lasciviousnesse and uncleannesse therefore they were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 deriders of good manners and honesty The Tertullianists were so called from that famous Lawyer and Divine Terâ—ullian who lived under Severus the Emperour about 170 years after Christ. He being excommunicated by the Roman Clergy for a Montanist fell unto these heretical opinioâ—s to wit that God was corporeal but without delineation of members that mens souls were not onely corporeal but also distinguished into members and had corporeal dimensions and did encrease and decrease with the body and that the soul had its Original by propagation or traduction He held also that the souls of wicked men after death were converted into Devils that the Virgin Mary â— after Christs birth did marry once and with the Catapâ—rygian he bragged much of the Paraclet or Spirit which they said was poured on them in a greater measure then on the Apostles He condemned all use of arms and wars among Christians and with the Mâ—ntanists rejected second marriages as no better then adultery The Abelonitae were so called from Abeo Adams Son these taught that Abel was married but had no carnal commerce with his Wife because there is no mention made of his Children as there is of Cains and Seths For
his age and after Christ 361. To him succeeded Hilarion the first Eremite in Palestina and Syria Then Paul surnamed the Simple Amen an Egyptian with divers others Q. 3. How did these first Eremites live A. They spent their time in working sometimes in preaching praying fasting and meditating and sometimes in composing differences between Christians in visiting the sick and in such like holy exercises did they place their Religion Paul the Theban was content with a cave in stead of a palace with a piece of dry bread brought to him by a Raven every day in stead of delicate cheer with water in stead of wine and with the leaves of Palmes in stead of rich apparrel And to avoid idlenesse he would work sometiems with his hands Anthony contented himself with bread salt and water his dinner-time was at Sun-setting he used to fast sometimes two dayes together and to watch and pray whole nights he lay on the bare ground disputed often times with the Arâ—iâ—ns and Meletians in defence of Athanasius did intercede many times with the Emperour Constantine for distressed Christians and was alwayes ready to compose their quarrels Hilarion was content to live in a little hovel which he made himself of shells twigs and bulrushes foure foot broad and five foot high spending his time in praying fasting curing of diseases casting out Devils His garment was sack-cloath which he never put off his food roots and herbs which he never â—asted before Sun set six ounces of Barleyâ—bread contented him from 30. years till 35. from that time till 63. he used Oyle to repair his decayed strength From 64. till 80. he abstained from bread That he might not be idle he made him baskets of bulrushes and used to lie on the ground Thus did these Primitive Eremites spend their time Not in chambering and wâ—â—tâ—nnesse surâ—etting and drunkennesse but in temperance sobriety continence hunger thirst heat and cold reading praying preaching and fasting not placing Religion in saying but in suffering not in good words but in good works not in talking of Scripture but in walking by Scripture Q. 4. Wherein did some Eremites exceed in their Religious or rather superstitious kind of living A. As Jealousie is too much Love so is Superstition too much Religion but too much of one thing as we say is good for nothing Ne quid nimis should be in all our actions God will have merey and not sacrifice He will say Who required these things at your hands Such kind of bodily exercise as the Apostle saith availeth little It is not a torn skin nor a macerated body nor a pinched belly that God requires but a broken and contriâ—e spirit a renting of the heart and not of the garment and therefore the excesse of Eremitical penance is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 will-worship and not that which God requireth to wit mercy and justice to relieve the oppressed to comfort the comfortlesse to visit the Fatherlesse and widows and to keep our selves unspotted of the world To place Religion in abstinence from certain meats is against the Apostles rule â— Tim. 4. saying That every Creature of God is good and nothing to be rejected which is received with thanksgiving Altogether to abandon the society of Christians is contrary to Saint Pauls counsel Heb. 10 Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works not forsaking the fellowship that we have among our selves as the manner of some is under pretence of forsaking the world to abandon all care of Friends and Family is condemned by the Apostle 1 Tim. 5. If any man hath not a care of his Family he hath denied the Faith and is worse then an Infidel They that willingly deprive themselves of the means of doing good to their neighbours transgresse the Law of God which commands us to love our neighbours as our selves These subsequent examples will shew how far some men have exceeded the bounds of Christianity and out-run Religion by too much superstitious devotions and excessive pennance One Asepesâ—â—a lived Sixty years together in a Closet all which time he never was seen of any nor did he speake to any The like is recorded of one Didymus who lived ninety years by himselfe One Batthaeus an Eremite of Caelosyria fasted so long till Worms crawled out of his teeth One Martinus tyed his leg with an Iron Chain to a great Stone that he might not remove thence One Alas never tasted bread in eighty years together Iohn Sorâ—â—ny the Egyptian stood praying within the Cliff of a certain Rock three years together so long till his legs and feet with continual standing swelled with putriâ—ied matter which at last broke the skin and run out One Dominicus and Eremit wore continually next his skin an Iron Coat of Male and almost every day used to scourge himself with whips in both hands Some have killed themselvs with hunger some with thirst some with exposing themselvs to excessive heat have been stifâ—ed others by extremity of cold have been frozen to death as if God took delight in self-murther which in him to affect were cruelty and in any to act were the greatest impiety Some again not content with ordinary ways of Eremitisme have spent their days within hollow pillars whence they were named Stylitae neither admitting the speech nor sight of any man or woman O 〈◊〉 hominum O quantum est in rebus inaâ—e What needed all this toil Christ saith that his Yoâ—k is easie and his Burthen light but these men laid heavy burthens on themselves which God never required he made man Animal Politicum a sociable creature therefore said It was not good for man to be alone Wo to him that is alone saith Solomon Besides no place though never so remote and solitary can priviledge a man from sin Lot was righteous among the wicked Sodomites and yet in the solitary Cave committed Incest with his two Daughters what place could be more retired then Paradise and more secure then Heaven yet Adam fell in Paradise and the Angels fell in Heaven Q. 5. Whether is the solitary life in a Desart or the sociable life in a Covent to be preferred A. 1. The sociable life because the end of our creation was not to live apart like wild beasts but together like men 2. Because we are hound to help each other by Counsel Instruction Admonition Exhortation to bear one anothers burthens to comfort the comfortlesse to support the weak to cloath the naked to seed the hungry for as the Orator said we are not born for our selves but our Parents Country and Friends challenge a share in us 3. Because he that liveth alone as he sins against his creation and humane society so he sins against himselfe in that he debars himselfe of those comforts and aid both spiritual and corporal which he hath in a sociable life 4. Because God is more present with many then with one Therefore his Church which he promiseth to
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
The Penitents being received into the Church cut their Haire and Beards and lay aside their penitentiall garments and put on clean cloathes after the example of Ioseph when he was delivered out of prisâ—n This casting off their old cloathes puts them in minde of putting off the old man In Extream Vnction the Priest first besprinkleth the sick person and the whole roome with holy water then he anointeth the organs of the five senses because by them sin infecteth the soul the reines also and feet are anointed to expiate the sins that are in the concupiscible and motive faculties They onely must be anointed of whom there is no hope of recovery Of the Ceremonies used in Sacred Orders we will speak hereafter In Matrimony the Priest blesseth the married couple with prayers and oblations if they were never married before but they are not to blesse the second marriage The Woman is covered with a vaile after the example of Rebecca and to shew her subjection to the man she is united to the man by a Lace or Ribband tied in a knot by a Ring also put on the fourth finger of the left hand because of the veine that reacheth from thence to the heart signifying the mutual love that ought to be between them but marriages are not to be celebrated in Lent and other times of humiliation Q. 7. What are their Tenets concerning the Saints in Heaven A. They register their names in their Calendars after the Pope hath canonised them or given a testimony of their Sanctity and decreed honours for them namely publick Invocation dedication of Altars and Temples to them oblation of Sacrifices celebration of Festival days setting up of their Images and reservation of their Reliques The honour they give to God is called by them Latria that of the Saints is Dulia but the honour which they give to Christs humanity and the Virgin Mary is Hyperdulia 2. They say that the Saints make intercession for us not immediately to God but through Christ they obtain their requests 3. That we ought to invocate both Saints and Angels 4. That their Images are to be worshipped that the Images of Christ and of the Saints are not Idols because Idols are representations of that which is not and in Scripture the word Idol is spoken onely of Heathen Images that it is not unlawful to represent God by such Images as he hath described himself therefore they painâ— God in the form of an old man the Holy Ghost in the form of a Dove That though the Images of Christ and the Apostles are to be honoured in relation to the persons which they represent yet we must not think there is any Divinity in them or that they can help us or that we ought to aske any thing of them 5. That the Images of Christ and the Saints should be placed in Churches because the Images of the Cherubims were placed in Salomons Temple and before in the Tabernacle 6. That the Reliques of Christ and of the Saints are to be honoured and kissed as holy pledges of our Patrons yet not to be adored as God nor invocated as Saints 7. That the true Crosse of Christ the Nailes the Thornes c. by way of of analogy and reduction are to be worshipped with the same kind of worship or Latria that Christ is that the signe of the Crosse in the forehead or in the aire is a Sacred and venerable signe powerful to drive away evil spirits 8. That Pilgrimages ought to be undertaken to those holy places where the Images and Reliques of Christ and of the Saints are kept 9. That days should be kept holy in memory of the Saints the observation of which is a part of divine worship Q. 8. What is their Doctrine concerning the Church A. They teach that the government of the Church is Monarchical as being the most excellent form of government That the government of the Church was founded on the Person of Saint Peter That Peter was Bishop of Rome and so continued till his death That the Pope is Peters Successor and Christs Vicar by whom he is made head of the Church Militant That the Pope is not Antichrist but that the great Antichrist shall be a particular man of the Tribe of Dan who shall reign in Ierusalem three years and a half and shall be acknowleged by the Iewes as their Messiah whom he will make believe that he is of the Tribe of Iuda and descended of David 2. They hold that the Pope is the supream Judge in controversies of Faith and manners that his judgement is certain and infallible that he can erre in particular controversies of fact depending upon mans testimony and that he may erre as a private Doctor in questions of right as well of faith as of manners but that he cannot erre when with a General Council he makes decrees of faith or general precepts of manners and that the Pope is to be obeyed though either by himself or by a particular Councilâ— he erre in some doubtful matters but they generally now believe that though the Pope were an Heretick yet he cannot prescribe or define any Heretical Doctrine to be believed by the whole Church That the Pope hath a spiritual coactive jurisdiction in making Laws to bind the conscience by his sole authority without the consent of Priests or people and that he can judge and punish the transgressors of his Laws That as the Apostles had their immediate authority from Christ so the Bishops have the same immediately from the Pope That the Pope hath a supream power over the temporal estates of Christians to depose Kings and dispose of their Kingdoms in order to spiritual things and so far as it is necessary to the salvation of souls That it is not repugnant to Gods word for the same man to be both a Political and Ecclesiastical Prince seeing Melchisedech Moses Eli Samuel and the Macchabees exercised both powers 3. They believe that the true Church of Christ is onely that Society which acknowledgeth the Pope to be head thereof and Christs Vicar upon earth That they which are not baptized and the Catechumeni are not properly and actually members of the Church but onely in possibility That Hereticks Schismaticks and excommunicate persons are not members of the Church That reprobates are members of the militant Church Because in Noah's Ark were unclean beasts in the same Net are good and bad fishes at the same Wedding-feast many were called but few chosen in the same Sheep-fold are same Goats in the same house are vessels of dishonour Judas was one of the Apostles c. That the true Catholike Church is always visible for it is compared to a Mountain to a Candle to a City on a Hill c. That the true visible Church can never fail totally Because it is built on a Rock against which Hell Gates cannot prevaile c. That the true Church cannot fall into errour Because it is the Pillar
leaving their dennes broke into the City without any controll and with an unanimous violence assaulting the Market place they soon possessed themselves of the Palace and the Magazine sentencing with loud conclamations and such as required a greater voyce then that of Stentor that all were to be destroyed as so many Heathens and Reprobates that did not embrace Anabaptisme In this tumult a certain young man of Burchstenford was killed This gave occasion both to the Papists and to those of the Reformation to provide for their safety The chiefest Patrons of the Anabaptistical Heresy were Bernard Rotman Iohn Buckhold Bernard Knipperdoling Gerard Knippenburch Bernard Krachting c. These two parties having skirmished with as great eagernesse and animostly as greater armies exasperated one against another for some dayes there followed a Truce whereby it was agreed that every one should quietly enjoy and persever in his own Religion However the surges of Anabaptisme were not yet laid till they had entered into a conspiracy to drive those of the Reformation out of the City The most eminent of the Conclave writ to the Anabaptists of the Cities adjoyning viz. to these of Dâ—â—men Coesvelt Soyst Warendorp and Osenburg that leaving all things behind them they should repair with all speed to Munster promising they should have ten-fold what ever they left Being enticed by these propâ—â—â—â—ns husbands and wives leaving all behinde them 〈◊〉 in swarmes to Munster A great number of the more religious â—nhabitants looking on that strange rabble as an insufferable grievance to their City left it to the disposal of the Anabaptists who being by this meanes increased in number became also more extravagant degraded the Senate and chose another out of themselves wherein were Consuls Gerard Knippenburg and Bernard Kniperdeling whose Effigies is the ensuing BERNARD KNIPPERDOLING Quò non fastus abit quid non Rex impius audet Carnificem fecit qui modò Consulerat BEing now become Lords and Masters they in the first place seized on Maurice Church and burnt it and the houses all about it thence falling forcibly upon other holy places and Monasteries they carried away Gold Silver Ornaments and Utensils and whatsoever else was of any consequence Upon the fourth day after those rapines trudging up and down the streets and high-wayes they with a horrible howling uttered Repent Repent to which they added Depart depart be gone ye wicked otherwise woe be to you This done they immediately went armed in multitudes and with unspeakable barbarisme and cruelty turned out their miserable fellow-citizens as enemies to their Religion out of their houses and possessions and thrust them out of the City without any consideration of age or sexe so that many women with child had this misfortune seconded with that of dangerous abortions The Anabaptists presently by what right they please seize to themselves the possessions of the banished so that the honest and godly party being cast out of the City fell into the hands of the souldiers who had block'd up the City and all the avenues as among enemies by whom some were taken others unadvisedly killed at which entreaty the other honester part of citizens being discouraged and seeing that guilty and not guilty fared alike would not stirre a foot out of the City which being closely besieged by the Bishops Army all places were filled with blood â—ighâ— â—eares Now do the mad men of Munster and such as no Helleboâ—e can have any effect on grow insufferably insolent and above all that great Prophet Iohn Mathias of whom we have spoken before But that sally of his out of the City those of Munster looked on as a great Omen of their destruction thought that the unexpected death of that most holy man did signify that some great calamity did hang over their heads But Iohn Buckhold must be his successor a lid fit for the other pot who addressing himself to the people comforted them perswading them that they ought not to mourn for that unlooked for miscarriage of the Prophet for that it had long before been revealed to him and withall that he should marry his widow Upon Easter Eve they fell upon all the Churches and places of devotion about the City and pulled down all the brasse works Some few dayes after Bernard Knipperdoling prophesied that all the chiefest men ought to be disqualified and degraded and that the poor and the humble were to be exalted He also declared that it was the command of the divine Oracle that all Churches should be demolished which indeed was sufficiently performed The very same day Iohn Buckhold putting into the hands of Bernard Knipperdoling the Executioners sword conferred on him withall his employment and that according to Gods command so that he who had discharged the office of a Consul was now to execute that most dishonourable employment of a common executioner This most excellent condition he cheerfully accepted By this time had the City been besieged some moneths by the Bishops forces when resolving to 〈◊〉 it they lost both Gentlemen Commission Officers others to the number of about four thousand upon which they quitted all hope of taking it by force Some few dayes after Whitsuntide the City being notwithstanding the dis-execution of that assault still besieged was wholy taken up to rest and imaginary dreams wherein there were spent three whole days which done THE ANABAPTIST being awaken acted the part of Zacharias Iohn Baptist's father for pretending to be dumb he desired to have a Table-book wherein he wrote down the names of twelve men who should be as it were the twelve Elders of Israel and should administer all things at Munster as if it were the New Ierusalem and this he affirmed that he was commanded to do from heaven By this brokery did this crafty knave chalk out his way to that soveraign dignity whereof he was so ambitious But in the mean time consider by what a strange Stitch this excellently wicked Botcher did utterly dis-repute that Magistrate whom God had ordained and by the assistance of most illusive dreams his own excellency of playing the impostor he possessed himself of that dignity A while after our Prophet advanced certain conclusions tending to the allowance of Polygamy whereat the Ecclesiasticks made some opposition but afterwards were content to sit still So that not long after the Prophet at one bouâ— took to him three wives whereof the most eminent was the widow of the deceased Prophet Io. Mathias and whom he afterwards dignified with the title of Queen This example of Kingship some other knaves like himself did without any difficulty admit but divers of the more godly citizens looking on this thing with the greatest indignation that might be repairing to the Market place laid hands on the Prophet Knipperdoling which occasioning the people to take up arms they set upon those citizens in the palace and having taken them they delivered
or priviledge they had thrust out of the City so many godly people together with their wives and children not granting them any toleration for their Religion and had disinherited them of all they had To which they replyed That the time was now drawing nigh wherein the meek and the humble should inherit the earth and that they followed the example of the Israelites who with Gods approbation took away from the Egyptians their jewels and earâ—rings Moreover they boasted that Munster was well furnished with provisions ammunition and all things requisite to warre and that the King did daily expect great recruits out of Holland Zealand and other places by the means and assistance whereof he should bring the whole world under subjection all wicked refractory Princes being subdued should establish the peaceful reign of Justice About the same time another Prophet fell down from heaven one Henry Hilverse a notable â—nave This man acquainted the King that it was revealed to him from heaven that God was pleased to bestow on him three most rich Cities Amsterdam Daventry Wesell near Lippa Upon this Divine message he advises with his Counsellours whom he were best to send thither to baptise them with his baptisme In the first place he sends Iohn Campensis to Amsterdam to be the chiefest man in that City to whom he assigned for companion and co-Apostle Iohn Mathias of Metellburg These being sent into Holland issuing out of their holes kept themselves among those of their own tribe and infected most Cities with the mortal infection of their doctrines For at Leyden about Ianuary in the year following viz. one thousand five hundred thirty and five very many by the perswasion of Anabaptisme and by the means of its contagious Conventicles were baptized into the baptisme of death About the end of the year one thousand five hundred thirty and five this Kingly Botcher sent into Frisland a most subtle fellow and one very well experienced in warlike affaires whom he furnished with very great summes of money which had been raised out of the sacriledges wherewith he should raise souldiers in Zeland and should raise the close siege which was then before the City He being departed managed his affaires very secretly with the assistance of those of his way and at length upon the last of March one thousand five hundred thirty and five having gotten together some hundreds of souldiers he set upon the Monastery which also was called old Munster drove away the Monks and having plundered all he there pitched his tents out of hopes thereby to strengthen his party by the accession of any that should come in But Gâ—orge Sckenck the then Governour of Friesland having with as much expedition as could be got together certain expeditionary forces besieges these tumulâ—uary Rioters and gave an assault to the place which though they avoyded as much as might be by a gallant defence yet had they their belly-full of murther blood and dry blowes so that they were all destroyed save threescore and two who being brought to Leoward were paid for their audacious folly with the wages of death The Ringleader of this businesse who was also the Camp-master Iohn Geel escaping at this sight flies to Amsterdam to prove the occasion of a greater slaughter For many Anabaptists being found in that place whom Iohn Campensis had strangely fascinated to engage them the more they made promises to them of golden mountains and talk'd highly of the Magnificence and Liberty of the Anabaptists of Munster and cryed up the new kingdom of Iustice upon earth for the report of the siege and defence of Munster had smitten and raised up the mindes of a many in regard the City being closely besieged by a potent Army yet performed religious duties without any disturbance Hence câ—me it to passe that the Liberty and Liberality of the City was celebrated beyond all truth and beliefe and there wanted not a many who desired to be embarqu'd in the same Fortune There was therefore at Amsterdam a Burgher called Henry Gotbelit a strong man and warlikely given who being bathed in the waters of Anabaptisme joyned his endeavours with those of Iohn Goel For by divers pretences and crafty shifts which it is not worth our labour to repeat in this place they drew together six hundred Anabaptists with whose assistance their intention was to have possessed themselves of Amsterdam to enrich themselves and to introduce the Religion of those of Munster Whereupon upon the tenth day of May the chiefest that were engaged in this conspiracy having their Rendezvous at the house of Peter Gael broke out in the night time to the Market place wherein being more and more seconded by some of their own they killed some of the Watch and some they kept prisoners But the Burghers making head discharged some Musquets at the Anabaptists who most unworthily when their Consuls were cruelly killed entrusted their safety to their heels so that the others courages being heightened by this they violently ran upon the Deuterobaptists and after a most bloody engagement put them to the worst wherein Iohn Geel and Gotbelit were slain Iames Campensis was taken and put to death Now other Tumults had already forced others from those places the prevention whereof could not be possibly without the infinite inconveniences which fell upon the honester sort There wanted not also some clandestine vipers who disguisedly waited for the restauration of the kingdome of Israel as they called it whereof one being apprehended at Leyden and upon examination put to the question confessed That the King of the Anabaptists who was a Hollander sojourned then at Vtricht and had not yet began his reign but that according to the good hope they had conceived of him and the confidence placed in him they doubted not but he would undertake it Having with what 's above gotten out of this fellow that some gold and silver vessels and other ornaments had by a most wicked surprise been taken out of their Churches by the means of their King and who with his followers had attempted some most detestable villanies it was discover'd that there could no other be meant ther David George I crave thy pardon courteous Reader if I acquaint thee that it is not any thing the lesse for thy advantage if in the description of these rotten anâ— contemptible rags and menstruous clouts of humanity I have woven a longer web of discourse then thou didst expect Although Iohn Buckhold and the other Prophets had entertained the ignorant greedy vulgar with hopes of more then Arabian wealth yet the citizens being daily more and more streightned by the siege were accordingly brought into greater perplexities and being brought low by the famine which is the consummation of all misery began as it for the most part happens upon the barking of the stomack to snatle at one another to grumble and complain and to hold private consultations about
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
death of this 〈◊〉 great many with resolute mindes made it their businesse not only to bring his doctrine into suspicion but into utter disesteem unanimously resolving to embrace 〈◊〉 was good sound and consonant to Christian doctrine and reject the rest as hereticall In the meane time the report beat up and downe both among the people and the more learned that this man of ingenuity and authour of private doctrines this very David George was a contagion and a destructive pestilence a devoted incendiary of a most dangerous Sect that though most falsely he was born a King and that he accounted himselfe the true Messias The Magistrate being extreamly moved at these things not deferring his zeale any longer when the glory of God and his Son Iesus Christ was so much concerned caused all those who were conceived to be infected with the pestilence of that Religion to be brought to the Palace to whom he rubbed over what things had been transacted some years before that is to say acquainted them how that they had been banished their Countrey upon the account of the Gospel and upon their humble addresses received into the protection and made capable of the priviledges of the City c. But that it had appeared since that they had fled for refuge to Basil not for the propagation of the Gospel but for that of the leaven of the sacrilegious David though by all outward appearance they had hitherto been accounted favourers and professors of the true Religion In the first place therefore the Senate being desirous to know the truth required to have his true proper name for some have thought as some authours deliver that his name was Iohn Brâ—â—es Secondly whether he had privately or publickly dispersed his Religion and what Tenets he held To which some made answer unanimously that they had left their countrey for the true Religions sake nor did they acknowledge themselves any other than the professors and practisers of the lawfull Religion That for his name he had not called himselfs by any other than his own proper name and for his doctrine they had acknowledged none either privately or publickly save what he had privately sometimes suggested which was not disconsonant to the publick The Magistrate perceiving this obstinacy of mind caused eleven of them the better to discover the reall truth to be secured and more narowly looked to In the mean time the Senate leaving no stone unmored in this businesse appointed some to bring forth into publick view some bookes and writings of David which should give no small light in the businesse and these the Magistrate recommended to men of the greatest learning to be read over and examined with the greatest care possible that so whatsoever they should meet with repâ—gnant to the Truth they should extract and give him an account thereof Those who had this charge put upon them presented the Senate with this extract of Articles out of his writings 1. THat all the Doctrine delivered by Moses the Prophets or by Jesus Christ himselfe and his Apostles was not sufficient to salvation but â—ress'd up and set forth for young men and children to keep them within decency and duty but that the doctrine of David George was perfect entire and most sufficient for the obtaining of salvation 2. He affirmed that he was Christ and the Messias the well beloved Sonne of the Father in whom he was well â—leased not born of blood nor of the flesh nor of the lust of man but of the holy Ghost and the spirit of Christ who vanishing hencelong since according to the flesh 〈◊〉 deposited hitherto in some place unknown to the Saints was now at length reinfused from heaven into David George 3. He held that he only was to be worshipped as whâ— should bring out the house of Israel and the true thaâ— is the professors of his doctrine tribe of Levi and thâ— Tabernacle of the Lords not through miseries sufferings crosses as the Messias of the Jewes did but with 〈◊〉 meekness love and mercy in the spirit of Christ granted unto him from the Father which is in heaven 4. He approved himself to be invested with the authâ—rity of Saving or condemning binding and loosing and that at the last day he should judge the twelve tribes of Israel 5. He further maintained that Jesus Christ was sent from the Father to take flesh upon him for this reason at least that by his doctrine and the use of his Sacraments men being as it were no better then children 〈◊〉 uncapable of receiving the true doctrine might be kept within duty till the coming of David George who should advance a Doctrine that should be most perfect and 〈◊〉 effectuall should smooth out mankinde and should consummate the knowledge of God and of his sonne and whatâ—ever hath been said of him 6. But he further affirmed That these things should not come to passe according to humane ceremonies but after a spiritual dispensation and after such a manner as haâ— not been heard of which yet none should be able to discern or comprehend but such as were worthy disciples of David George 7. To make good and prove all these things he wrested and misinterpreted many places of the holy Scripture as if Christ and the Apostles whom he commends had intiâ—â—ted not themselves nor any other Ecclesiasticall 〈◊〉 save only the coming of David George 8. And thence it was that he argued thus If thâ— Doctrine of Christ and his Apostles be most true and 〈◊〉 effectuall for the obtaining of salvation the Church which they had by their doctrine built up and confirmed could not possibly have been broken to peeces for as Christ himself testifieth against the true Church the gates of Hell shall not be able to prevaile But that building of Christ and his Apostles is overturned and pulled down to the very foundation by Antichrist as may be evidently seen in the Papacy according to the Testimony of the same Christ It therefore necessarily followes that the Doctrine of the Apostles is imperfect and interrupted whence he concluded his own doctrine and faith to be the only solid and sufficient doctrine 9. Moreover he maintained himself to be greater than John Baptist yea than all the Saints that had gone before him for that the least in the Kingdome of God according to the suffrage of Truth it self is greater than John But he said David George was one whose kingdome was heavenly and most perfect whence he makes himself not only greater than John but also sets himself above Christ since that he was born of flesh and that himself was born of the spirit according to a heavenly manner 10. He further allowed with Christ that all sinnes committed against God the Father and against the Son may be forgiven but those that are committed against the Holy Ghost that is to say against David George shall be forgiven neither in this world nor in the world to come by
under divers names Gentiles acknowledged one God Gentiles acknowledgedâ— Trinity Superstitious Sun-worship colours of the Sun worn Sun how painted and worshipped by the Northern Nations Religion how supported Priests their dignity and necessity Dignity of Priests among the Greeks Dignity of Priests among the Romans c. Religion which is best Christianity its excellency Christian 〈◊〉 urged ANNO 1521. 1522. Hereticks their usual pretence Muntzer a quick Schollar in a bad â—chool His doctrine spreads His aimes high The end that heretiâ—ks propound to themselves in opposing the Ministry and Magistracy His affirmations destructive Anabaptists their leading principle Seldom rest there but grow worse and worse Sectaries like tinder are soon on fire ANNO 1523 1524. An usual pretence to raise sedition Hereticks restâ—lesse Luther adviseth the Senate to beware of Muntzer and his opinions Muntzers large promises to his party and the common people Magistrates seduced most ominous Muntzer endeavours to set up himself pretending to restore the Kingdom of Christ. An ill president soon followed The Landgrave raiseth a war and fighteth Muntzer and his party Muntzers delusive animation of his followers Their overthrow Muntzers escape Is found out but dissembles himself Muntzer taken yet obstinate The Landgrave convinceth him by Scripture Muntzer when racked laugheth but afterward relenteth His last words Is deservedly beheaded ANNO 1532. Pretenders to Religion prove usually the disturbers thereof The devill an enemy of peace John Mathias a Baker at Harlem His lechery notrrious At Amsterdam he professeth himself a Doctor and a Preacher A murtherous opinion John Mathias repaires to Munster His severe edicts He becomes a malicious executioner of Hubert Trutiling for not siding with him His desperate end John Buckhold his character His disputing and contention with the Ecclesiasticks concerning Pâ—dobaptisme Conventicles usually the nurseries of Tumults ANNO 1533. c. Anabaptists their bold attempt Anabaptists where Masters most insolent John Buckhold successor of John Mathias He comforts the people with a pretended to velâ—tion He makes Knipperdoling common executioner About 4000. men lost at the siege of Munster Buckhold feigneth himself dumb He assumes the Magistracy He allowes Polygamy He takes to himself three wives A bad example soon followed Godly and loyal citizens hate usurpation Loyalty not alwayes successefull Hereticks their cruelty ANNO 1534. John Tuysentschreuer an upstart and a bettor of John Buckhold Iohn Buckhold confirms his delusive prophecies He is made King He appoints officers under him His sumptuous apparel His Titles were King of Iustice King of the new Ierusalem His Tâ—rone His Coin and Motâ—o thereon The King Queen and Courtiers wait on the people at a Feast A mâ—ck Sacrament A seditious Sermon Sedition goes not alwayes unpunished Anabaptists of a levelling principle Anabaptists as the Devill pretend Scripture for their base actions They aime at universall Monarchy ANNO 1535. Kingly Botcher indeavours to raise commotions abroad He is happily prevented Anabaptists their design upon Amsterdam They break out in the night time They are worsted Famine the consummation of all misery The King suspects his own safety His large promises to his Captains both of moneys and preferments the usual baites of sedition He becomes executioner to one of his wives He feigns himself sick and deludes the people with an expectation of deliverance Famine its character and miseries He forgets community John Longstrat his confident betrayes him by stratâ—gem The City of Munster unmercifully plundered The King is brought prisoner before the Bishop Who deservedly checks him His jesting answer and proposall King of the Anabaptists put 〈◊〉 a Non-plus ANNO 1536. He is convinced of his offences Hâ—â— deserved and severe 〈◊〉 Successe in bad enterprises causes evill men to rejoyce Herman the Cobler professed himself a Prophet c. He is noted for drunkennesse His designe to inveigle others The ceremonies he used in Anabaptisme Eppo his Host discovered him and his followers to be cheats ast; Supposed to be a digger of graves Hermans wicked blasphemy Heresie a catching or mad disease Hereticks inconstant in their opinions Herman blasphemes again His mothers temerity The Proverb verified vice corrects sin Hermans party are convinced and fall off from him One Drewjis of his party handles him roughâ—y Charles Lord of Gelderland c. with his men surrounds the house where Herman iâ— Herman is taken and brought prisoner to Groeningheâ—â— He is questioned in his torments He is hardened He dieth miserably ANNO 1535. Theodorus Sartor an Adâ—mite He affirmes strange things His blasphemy in forgiving of sins He burns his cloathes c. and causeth his companions to do the like He and his rabble goâ—naked through Amsterdam in the dead of night denouncing their woes c. and terrifie the people They are taken and imprisoned by the Burghers but continue shamelesse May the fifth 1535. they are put to death Some of their last words David George the miracle of the Anabaptists ANNO 1544. At Basil he pretends to have been banished his Countrey for the Gospels sake With his specious pretences he gains the freedome of the City for him â—nd his His Character His riches He with his Sect enact three things His sonne in Law doubting his new Religion is by him questioned and upon his answer excommunicated His wifes death He had formerly voted himself immortal yet Aug. 2. 1556. he died c. His death troubled his disciples A good resolution A pattern for good Magistrates The Senates enquiry Eleven of the Sectaries secured In such cases the learned to be consulted with Articles extracted 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 An ingenuous confession and resolution A pious act A lying report raised Conditions whereupon the imprisoned are set at liberty The votes of the renowned Senate The doctrine of D. G. declared impious He is declared unworthy of Christian Buriall And that his body and books should be burned A fit punishment for perverse Hereticks Servetus his converse with Mahumetans and Jewes He disguiseth his monstrous opinions with the name of Christian Reformation The place of his birth His arrogant Boast He enveighes against the Deity of Christ. Oecolampadius confutes his blasphemies causeth him to be thrust out of the Church of Basil. Servetus held but one person in the Godhead to be worshipped c. He held the holy Ghost to be Nature His horrid blasphemy He would reconcile the Alcoran to Christian Religion He declares himself Prince of the Anabaptists At Geneva Calvin reproves Servetus Servetus his obstinacy ANNO 1553. By the Decree of several Senates he was burned Arrianisme its increase ANNO 323. The General Council at Nice ANNO 325 called as a remedy against Arrianisme but without success The Arrians misinterpret that place Joh. 10. 30 concerning tâ—he Father and the Sonne They acknowledged one only God in a Iudaicall sense They deny the Trinity Arrius his wretched death ANNO 336. ANNO 622. Mahomet characterized He made a laughing stock of the Trinity He agreed with Carpocrates and other hereticks He renewed circumcision and to indulge his disciples he allowed them Polygamy c. His Iron Tomb at Mecca Hubmor Paetron of Anabaptisme He damned usury He brought in a worship to the Virgin Mary c. The Senate of Suring by a Council reduced him He renounced the heads of his former doctrine Himself or Sect still active He is taken and imprisoned at Vienna in Austria He and his wife both burned John Hut the prop and pillar of Anabaptisme Anabaptists aime at the advancement of themselves but destruction of others Hut his credulity in dreams and visions Hut accounted a true Prophet by his Proselytes At Merhern the Huâ—sian Fraternity â—became as it were a Monastery Lodowick Hetzer a famous beretick * Anitem to the Hot-spuâ—s of our times Hetzer gaines Proselytes in Austria and Switzerland ANNO 1527. At a publick disputation Oecolampadius puts Hetzers Emissaries to their shifts Hetzer denied Christ to be co-essentiall with the Father His farewel to his disciples He is put to death for Adultery ANNO 1528. Hosman a Skinner and Anabaptist seduced 300. men and women at Embda in West-Friesland A delusive prophecy His followers accounted him a great Prophet At Strasbing he challenged the Ministers to dispute which was agreed upon Jan. 11. 1532. Being mildely dealt with he is neverthelesse obstinate Other Prophets delude him * Yet it 's like to back their prophecies they pretended liberty of conscience A Prophetesse deludes him He deluded himself He voluntarily pined himself to death Melchior Rinck an Anabaptist He is accounted a notable Interpreter of dreams and visions His disciple Thomas Scucker in a waking dream cut off his Brother Leonards head He pretendâ— for his muâ—ther obedience to the decree of God ANNO 1527. Adam Pastor a derider of Paedobaptisme He revived the Arrian heresie His foolish interpretation of that place Gen. 2. 17. His opinion hath been sufficiently refuted Henry Nicholas Father of the family of Love He is against Infant Baptism * As to that minute if he confine not God we may believe him His blasphemy Doubtless he hugg'd himself in this opinion His divellish Logick * Hereticks allow not of the Scriptures