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
not sufficient to hold out above one night but by miracle it maintained the Lights for the whole eight days Now this feast consisteth in drinking and gormandising and in pompous superstition about their lights Yet Christ honoured this feast with his presence Iohn 10. 22. not to countenance the abuses thereof but the institution it self for all places set apart for the service of God ought to be consecrated and dedicated to him by prayer and decent ceremonies therefore Moses dedicated the Tabernacle to God and Solomon the Temple with great solemnity and prayers when the Temple was rebuilt after the peoples returne from Babylon it was dedicated again and now the third time it was dedicated when it was profaned by Antiochus These second Dedications are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Renovations The Temple was also newly consecrated or dedicated under Ezechia after it had been profaned by Achaz 2 Chron. 29. The Priests and Levites spent eight dayes in this dedication Q. What is their feast of Purim A. That is of Lots for Haman by lot had appointed the Jews to be massacred all through the Persian Kingdom in one day to wit the thirteenth day of the twelfth moneth which is Adar or February but the Plotters were massacred themselves by the Jews the same day For at Sufae Haman with his ten Sons and five hundred men more were slain and three hundred the day after and on the same day through the rest of Assuerus his Dominions were slain by the Jews 75000. So because this day they destroyed their Enemies and the next day rested themselves therefore at this feast they keep two holy days or rather days for Bacchus In their Synagogues they set up lights in the night time aâ—d the whole book of Esther is read As often as they hear the name of Haman they keep a cruel noise and stamping with their feet They read all that passage of the death of Hamans Sons at one breath to signifie the suddennesse of that death These two days are spent in singing playing eating and drinking The men wear womens apparrel and the women mens against the Law of God which they think at this time of mirth they may lawfully violate And that the poor may be merry also the richer sort furnish them with meat and drink and so with this ryotous Bacchanal they conclude their Anniversary Feasts for this is the last of the year having none between this and Easter Q. What Fasting days do the Iews observe now A. They keep the four Fasts mentioned by Zachary chap. 8. 19. to wit that of the tenth moneth on the the tenth of December in memory of Ierusalem besieged that day by Nebuchadnezzar Secondly they fast the seventeenth day of the fourth moneth or Iune in memory of the two Tables of the Law broken for the loss of their dayly sacrifice for burning of the Law for setting up idolatry in the Temple for besieging Ierusalem the second time and for breaking down the walls thereof They count the days from this till the ninth of the next moneth all unlucky so that they avoid all great businesse and School-Masters during that time will not beat their Scholars Thirdly they fast the ninth day of the fifth moneth or Iuly because then the Temple was burned therefore they go bare-foot sit on the ground read Ieremiahs Lamentations and in the Church yards among the dead they bewail the losse of Ierusalem From the first till the tenth of this moneth they abstain from flesh wine shaving bathing marrying and pleading and from all kind of delights Fourthly they fast the third day of September because Gâ—doliah Governor of those Jewes that were not carried away in Captivity was treacherously murdered as we read Ieremy 40. and 41. Besides these fasts they have others but not so generally observed for some of their preciser sort fast every Monday and Thursday Some fast the tenth of March because Miriam died that day and the people wanted water in the Desart Some fast the tenth of April for the death of Eli and his two Sons and the losse of the Ark. Some fast the eighteenth of this moneth for the death of Samuel At Ierusalem the Jewes used yearly to fast in remembrance of the Translation of the Bible out of Hebrew into Greek by the seventy Interpreters This fast was observed the eighth day of Tebheth or December and was a day of much heavinesse among them which must proceed from their pride or envy or too much superstition disdaining that their Law should be imparted to the Gentils and that this Translation was a profanation thereof So superstitious they are in their fasts that they will read no passages in the Bible but such as are sad and sorrowfull as the destruction of Ierusalem Ieremies Lamentations c. and not any passage that is joyful such as their delivery from Egyptian slavery or Hamans tyranny The only fast that God commanded was that upon the day of Expiation other fasts were enjoined by the Prince upon emergent occasions as the fast commanded by Iehosophat by Ioachim and other Princes Divers other private fasts they have upon private occasions Their fast is from all meat and drink till the evening that the stars appear Q. What is the manner of their Marriages A. They are married in the open air either in the streets or gardens by their Rabbies The Bridegroom wears about his neck a hair-cloath the end of which the Rabbi puts on the Brides head after the example of Ruth who desired to be covered with the skirt of Boaz his garment Then the Rabbi takes in his hand a glasse full of wine over which he pronounceth a blessing praising God for this Conjunction and gives it to the Bride-man and his Spouse that they may drink Then he takes from the Bridegroom his gold ring and asks of the standers by if it be good and worth the money given for it and so puts it upon one of the Brides fingers then are the marriage writings read openly Then the Rabbi takes another glass of wine over which he prayeth and presents it to the married couple to be tasted but the Bridegroom takes the glasse and dashes it against the wall in memory of the destruction of Ierusalem and for the same cause in some places ashes are put on the Bridegrooms head so the Bride in sign of sorrow puts on a black cloak and the Brideman a black hood they are married in the open aire that by looking up to Heaven they may be put in mind of multiplying like the stars The other ceremonies used before and after marriage are not to our purpose as not being Ecclesiastical But we must know that besides the principal Wife they have others that are subordinate which we may call Concubines who have not the command of the family nor gifts or presents from the Husband as Rebecca had from Isaac nor matrimonial writings as the chief Wife hath nor may their Children
Thunder upon Perjurers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Therefore among the Romans the Herauld or Foecialis in making of Leagues used as he was killing the Hog by which they used to confirm their Covenants to call on Iupiter 5. Dagon from Dag a Fish because from the navel downward he was made in the form of a fish but upward like a man this was a great Idol among the Philistines and is thought to be the same that Neptun or Triton Others who derive the word from Dagan that is corn of which he is said to be the inventer make him all one with Saturn 6. Astaroth or Astarte was Goddesse of the Sidonians the word signifieth a flock of sheep or sheep fold this is thought to be all one with Iuno Venus or Lucina under which names and the form of a sheep they worshipped the Moon as they did the Sun under the name of Iupiter and form of a Ram. She is called also by the Greekes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heaven where her aboad is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from her dominion over the Stars 7. Adâ—ammelech that is the Kings cloak or power Anamelech the Kings Oracle or Answer these two Idols were worshipped at Sepharvaim a Town of the Assyrians 2 Kings 17. these gods were also honoured in Samaria and so were Succoth-Benoth the Tabernacle of Daughters Nergal the light of the grave Ashima a fault Nibhas the fruit of vision Tartak that is Chained All which may be seen in the above named chapter of the Kings 8. The Moabites worshipped Chemosh the Ammonites Milchom 2 Kings 23. Nisroch was Senacharibs Idol 2 Kings 19. Remphan or Repham is the same that Hercules the god of Tyrus from Rephaim that is Giants Moloch or Molech from Molach to reign was a great idol among the Moabites and Ammonites and is thought to be the same that Saturn for their images and sacrifices were much a like to whom the superstitious Gentiles and the Jews also offered their sons and daughters to be burned Thamuz mentioned Ezek. 8. 14. is by Hierom taken for Adonis so called from Adon that is Lord by which they understood the Sun as likewise by Hercules many other idol gods they worshipped but these mentioned are the chief Q. What kind of Discipline was used among the Phoenicians A. By their execrable discipline they were bound to offer yearly Sacrifices to Saturn or the Devil rather of young Infants and in the Temple of Venus to practise not onely Whoredom but Sodomy also the Phoenicians were bound to prostitute their daughters to Venus before they married them In the Temple of Venus were celebrated the annual Rites of Adonis with beatings and howlings to whom they perform solemn Obsequies The next day they say he is alive and then they shave their heads The women that refused to be shaved were tied to prostitute themselves to strangers for one day and by this means money was raised for Venus The fun also is much worshipped amongst them whose Priest is crowned with gold and is cloathed with a long sleeved garment down to the feet They were also tied by their Discipline to worship Astarte in the shape of a sheep and Dagon in the form of a Mermaid This idol was called Atergatis and Dercetis in honour of which the Phoenicians abstained from fish yet her Priests did eat of the fish which they set all day before her She had also offered to her fishes of gold and silver Of these passages see Eusebius in his Preparation Diodorus Siculus Lucian Pliny Athenaeus and others Q. What was the Religion and Discipline of the old Arabians A. They worshipped the Sun and Moon Serpents Trees and other such like Deities The Nabathaeans burned Frankincense to the Sun on his Altar They doe not bury their dead but lay them even their Kings in dunghills Adultery is death among them but Incest Is no sin They are circumcised after the example of Ismael at thirteen years of age Their Priests are cloathed with linnen they wear Myters and Sandals they abhor Swines flesh they pay the tithes of their Frankincense to their god Satis the Priests are not to take it by weight but by measure They are tied by their discipline not to gather Cinnamon till first they sacrifice then they divide it with a consecrated spear and assign to the Sun his portion In Panchaea is a rich and stately Temple adorned with Statues and the Priests houses about it The Priests here rule all both in Politick and Ecclesiastick Affairs They are bound to spend their time in singing Hymns and rehearsing the Acts of their gods It is not lawful for them to go out of the sacred bounds allotted them if they doe they may be killed by Law They hold Mice to be arrant enemies to their gods therefore they kill them Of this subject see Solinus Athenaeus Diodorus Boeinus and others Q. What was the Religious discipline of the antient Persians A. They had neither Temples Altars nor Images holding these improper for their Gods but on the tops of hills offered sacrifices to Heaven and to the Sun Moon Fire Earth Water and Winds The Priest useth neither Musick Vestments nor Libaments bâ—t onely his Tiara or Head attire crowned with Myrtle He prayeth for all Persians chiefly for the King He cuts his sacrifice into smal pieces and puts herbs under One of the Magi is bound to stand by and to sing a Hymn of the Genealogy of their gods for without a Magus the sacrifice is not lawful Every man celebrates his own birth day To lye and to be in debt are heinous crimes with them so it is to spit wash or pisse in a River which with them are hallowed The Magi may with their own hands kill any thing except a man and a dog They leave no part of their sacrifices for their gods but divide it by the direction of their Magus amongst themselves for they hold that God is satisfied with the soul of the sacrificed beast To blow the fire with their breath or to cast any dead thing inâ— to it or dirt was death They sacrificed chiefly to the Fire and Water the fire they cherish with dry sticks without their barks with tallow also and oyl When they sacrifice to the Waters they slay the beasts in a ditch and lay the flesh on Mirtle and Lawrel the Magi burn the same then they pray and sprinkle on the earth Oyl Milk and Honey They used not to slay their sacrifice with a knife but with a mallet or club The Magi keep the sacrifice still burning and pray every day an hour before it They adored the Sun whom they called Mithra at his rising and offered to him white Horses whose sacred Chariot was drawn with white Steeds before the King when he went to sacrifice They had divers festival days the chiefe whereof was that of the Sun The next was that they called the Destruction of Vices when they
truly mortified except he be shut up in a Covent Q. 17. How were the Monks and Nunnes of old consecrated A. The Monks after prayers and exhortation made by the Priest is by the same signed with the signe of the Grosse and shaved or polled rather then is his old garment taken off and he is cloathed in a Monastical habit and with other holy men present is made partaker of the Divine mysteries The Nunnes were consecrated either by the Bishop or the Priest and by them covered with a Vaile if the Abbatesse presumed to do this she was excommunicated Twenty five yeares of age was then held a fit time for Virgins to be Vailed but now they may at twelve or before the dayes of the yeare for receiving their Vaile and Consecration were the Epiphany Easter-eve and the festival dayes of the Apostles except in case of death The Virgin to be consecrated was presented to the Bishop in her Nunnes habit then before the Altar with Musick and burning Tapers the Priest before hee puts on her Vaile thus saith Behold Daughter and Forget thy People and thy Fathers House that the King may take pleasure in thy beauty To this the people cryed Amen and so the Vaile is cast over her and all the religious Martons present do kisse her after the Priest hath blessed and prayed for her in this Vaile is placed as much Sanctity as in Baptisme and that such Virgins as depart out of this world without it are in danger of damnation Q. 18. What was the Religious Order of the Benedictines A. Benedict or Beâ—et in Vmbria a country of Italy being weary of the warres and tumults there retired himselfe into a Desart place after the manner of Authoâ—y the Thebaâ— to whom did flock multitudes of people from thence he goeth to Cassinum an ancient Town where he setled and prescribed Laws to his Monks after the manner of Saint Basil. He is said to found twelve Monasteries over which he placed twelve Abbots that were his Disciples His chiefe Monastery Cassinum was richly endowed by Tertullus a Roman Patritian who bestowed on it Castles Villages Lands and large possessions Equitius a Senator followed his example and conferred large revenues on it and so did divers others after him This Order did quickly spread through France Germany Sieily Spain England and other places By the meanes of Maâ—rus his Disciple who was Sonne to Equitius the Roman Senator neere Orleans the first Monastery of Benedictines is founded consisting of one hundred and fourty Brothers which number was not to be altered By Placidus Sonne to Tertullus the Roman Patrieian Benet set up a Monastery in Sicily By Leobardus he erected a Monastery in Alsatia foure miles from Strasburg he planted also a Monastery at Rome neere the Lateran Church in the time of Pelagius By Dâ—natus a Benedictine Covent is erected in Spain about the yeare of Christ 590. By Austin Arch-Bishop of Canterbury the Benedictines got footing in England Anno 596. and so by degrees they spread through other places chiefly in Germany by Boniface the German Apostle and Bishop of Mentz Anno 545. These Benedictines were afterward divided into divers Sects Namely the Cluniacenses instituted in Burgundy by one Otho an Abbot to whom William Sirnamed the Godly D. of Aquitain gave a Village called Mastick Anno 916. The Carnalduenses were erected by one Romoaldus a Benedictine on the top of the Appenin Hills The Vallisumbrences so called from Vallis Vmbrosa on the side of the Appenins were erected by one Gualbertus a Florentine Anno 1060. the Montelivetenses were set up by one Bernard Ptolâ—mens at Sienna in Tuscany Anno 1047. The Grandimonteâ—ses about the same time were instituted by one Steven a Noble man in France The Cistertians so called from Cistertium in Burgundy about the same time were erected by one Robert Abbot of Molismenia Saint Bernard was of this order who about the yeare of Christ 1098. was made Abbot of Claravallis whose Monks were called from his name Bernardines who are all one with the Cistertians saving that the Cistertians wear all white but the Bernardines a black Gowne over a white Coat The Celestini so called from Pope Celestinus the Fifth their founder whose former name was Peter Moroneus This Order was confirmed by Gregory the tenth in the Council of Lyons All these were branches of Benedictines The Camalduenses Montelivetenses and Cistertians wear white the Monks of the Shaddowy Vally Purple the Celestins Skie colour or blew The Grandimontenses wear a Coat of Mailes and a black Cloak thereon Q. 19. What other Orders proceeded from the Benedictines A. Benet may be called the founder and author of all the Religious Orders that were in the West for 666. years together that is till the times of the Dominicans and Mendicants so that there were of Benedictine Monks reckoned by Trithemius L. 1. c. 4. above Fifteen thousand Abbies out of which proceeded multitudes of Cardinals Arch-Bishops Bishops Abbots and other eminent men besides Popes The Gregorian Order was a branch of the Benedictine Gregory the great afterward Pope was at first a Monk who after his fathers death erected on his own charges Six Monasteries in Sicily and at Rome converted his Fathers house into a Monastery and dedicated it to Saint Andrew to these Monks he prescribed the rule of Saint Bennet and assigned to them a large dark or brown coloured cloak to be worne on which was woven a red crosse in the brest these did not shave their beards The Monks called Gerundinenses were after the Order of Bennet instituted by Iohn Bishop of the Geruâ—dinenses in Portugal about the year of Christ 610. He was warned in a dream to build a Monastery which he did and had it ratified by the Pope He gave them a white Garment to wear with his own arms on the breast thereof they were ordered to wear four Ribbands to wit two red and two green This order was erected under Pope Boniface the fourth The rule which Bennet prescribed to his Monks was written out by Pope Gregory the great and confirmed by Pope Eugenius the Second Q. 20. What were the rules which St. Bennet prescribed to his Monks A. He first sheweth what the duty of the Abbot is namely to be careful of his charge to be holy just wise and charitable in his deeds and to be powerful in his words to exhort correct reprove to beware of partiality and dissimulation and chiefly of covetousnesse and pride not to do any thing of himself without advice of the Covent he enjoyneth all to be obedient silent humble to be watchful to prayer in the night he prescribes what Psalms they are to sing every day and night and what Psalms in their canonical hours That Haleluia should be said continually between Easter and Pentecost that they should praise God with David seven times a day to wit in the morning at the first third sixth and ninth hours in
or upon Asses And whereas they could not agree about the form measure and colour of their habit for Saint Francis in this determined nothing the matter is referred to Pope Iohn 22. who leaves it to the arbitrement of their General and Provincial Ministers At this day they wear a long coat with a large hood of gray or hair-colour bare-footed and girded with a cord 4. Such vertue hath been held in a Franciscan Garment that divers Princes have desired to be buried in it thinking thereby to be safe from the Devil So we read of Francis the second Marquesse of Mantua of Robert King of Sicily and divers others who have by their last will ordered that they might be interred in a Seraphick habit And yet we read that Francis hâ—mself died naked because he would be like Christ who hung naked on the crosse 5. I read of divers Schismes among the Franciscans about the form of their habit one I finde in the time of Crescentius de Eseyâ— their sixth General Minister Anno 1245. Some among them bragging much of the Spirit would not live after St. Francis rule but after their own accouting themselves the Saints These despised a long habit and would go in short cloakes Another schisme they made in the Province of Narbon Anno 1315. after the death of Pope Clement 5. during the vacancy of the Popedom almost two years These Monks chose their own Ministers and Governours and flung away the habit of their order as profane wearing short Garments imprisoning and excommunicating the Obedientes Pope Iohn 22. condemned these Minorities as Hereticks and the Fratricelli starting up at that time condemned the same Pope of Heresie for saying Christ and his Disciples had a common stock among them whereof Iudas bore the bag Another Schisme they had about the year 1352. some petitioned the Pope for leave to live after the letter of Saint Francis his rule and not after the glosse as they all did They obtain four places to reside in and in each of them twelve brothers But these aiming at liberty rejecting the rule of their order and wearing short undecent Garments were suppressed by Pope Innocent the sixth Another rupture was among them during the Schisme of the Church begun by Vrban the sixth who sat at Rome and Clemens at Avinion for the Minorites of England France and Spain chose them one General and those of Italy Germany and Hungary another An. 1431. they divided themselves into Conventuales and Observantes these despising the Conventual Prelates chose their own Govenours calling the others profane and impious These touch no money eat no flesh and wear no shooes they multipled exceedingly in all parts chiefly in Italy They were confirmed by the Councel of Constance and divers Popes 6. Francis prohibited his Monks to meddle with Ecclesiastical preferments to be called Lords or Masters to hear confessions to eat flesh to wear rich apparell and to dwell in sumptuous houses Bonaventure their eight General ordered that they should continue singing till the Epiphaâ—y Glory to thee O Lord who wast born of a Virgin c. He taught them also to exhort the people to salute the Virgin Mary at the ringing of the bell after the Completory in memory of the Angel saluting her that hour Pope Gregory the eleventh limited the power of the Minorites Protectors that they should not meddle with any except he disobey the Pope and Church apostatize from the faith and forsake his rule Honorius the third decreed that no Minorite should ever forsake his order The Minorites obtained this favour that they might make Masters of Divinity among themselves where of Alexander de Ales was the first 7. The Franciseans did increase so fast in all parts that from the year 1211 till the year 1380. being the space of 169. years there were erected in Christendom above 1500. Monasteries of this order Sabellicus recordeth that in his time were Ninety thousand Minorites The cause of this increase was partly their diligence and sedulity in making Proselites partly their priviledges and partly their pretended sanctity and mortification but chiefly their incredible miracles and visions of Saint Francis which are obtruded on the peoples beliefe as his five wounds his bearing of Christ in his arms his mansion in Heaven next Christ and much other stuff to this purpose with which their Legends are fraught 8. There be three sorts of poverty among the Mendicant Friers one is to have nothing either in common or in propriety and this is the Franciscan poverty which is the greatest of all another is which the Dominicans professe that is to have nothing in property yet some things in common as books cloathes and food The third is and the least to have some things both in common and in property but onely such as necessity requires for food and rayment and this is the poverty of the Carmelites and Augustinians Q. 15. What were the Knights of the holy Sepulchre â—nd the Gladiatores A. These ascribe the original of their order to Saint Iames our Lords brother and son of Alphaeus but it s more likely that this order began when Ierusalem was taken by Godsrey of Bulloigne at this day it is quite extinct When Ierusalem was taken by the Soldan these Anno Christi 1300. with all the other religious Knights of Christendom were driven out of Syria yet the care of the holy Sepulchre which these Knights had charge of was committed to the Franciscans by the Soldan who of all the Christian profession suffered none to stay in Syria and Ierusalem but the Armenians Syrians Georgians Greeks and Franciscans the Pope allows eight of this order with a Christian Knight who is their Guardian to keep the Sepulchre The manner of installing the Knights of the Sepulchre was this The Knight after preparation being brought within the Sepulchre where Hymnes are sung and prayers said declares kneeling that he is come to be made Knight of the most holy Sepulchre of our Lord that he was nobly descended and had means sufficient to maintain him withall promiseth to hear Masse daily to expose his life and estate against the Infidels to desend the Church of God and Ministers thereof from their persecutors to avoid unjust Wars Duells filthy Lucre and such like to maintain peace amongst Christians to shun oppression perjury rapin blasphemy and all other grievous sins Then the Guardian laying his hand on the Knights head bids him be a stout faithful and good souldier of our Lord Iesus Christ and of his holy Sepulchre Upon this he gives him a pair of guilded Spurs with a naked Sword signing him three times with the crosse and bidding him in the name of the Trinity use this Sword to his own and the Churches defence and to the confusion of the enemies thereof then the Sword being sheathed is girt to the Knight by the Guardian the Knight riseth and bending his knees and bowing his head over the Sepulchre is by
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