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
in the morning though a Goose or an Asse and all the day after they pray to it but a Crow they cannot abide the sight of that will make them keep in all day They salute the first appearance of the New Moon with prayers on their knees Neer to every Idol is a Cistern of water in which they that passe by wash their feet worship and offer Rice Eggs or such like When they sow mow marry go to sea and when the women lie in they feast their idols with musick and other solemnities fourteen days together and so do sea-men after they return home See Linschoten Q Of what Religion are the people of Malabar A. Pythagoreans they are holding not onely the immortality of Soules both of beasts and men and transanimation but also a divinity in Elephants Kine and other beasts therefore at Calecut the chief City of this Dominion and head of a small Kingdome of the same name there is a stately Temple of 700. pillars dedicated to the Ape Their Bramanes or Priests the successors of the old Brachmannes are in such esteeme here that the King will not converse with his new married Wife till one of the chief Bramanes hath had the first nights lodging with her They hold that God made the World but because the trouble of governing thereof is so great therefore hath given the charge thereof to Satan whom they worship with flowers on their Altars and sacrifices of Cocks The Bramanes wash his image sitting in a fiery Throne with three Crowns and four Horns in sweet water every morning The King of Calecut eats no meat till it be first offered by his Priests to this Idol Debtors that will not pay are arrested by a rod sent from the chief of the Bramanes with which a circle is made about the Debtor in the Kings name and the said Priest out of which he daâ—e not go till the debt be satisfied otherwise he is put to death Every twelfth year in the City of Quilacare is a Jubilee kept to the honour of their Idol in which the King of that place upon a Scaffold covered with silk before the people washeth himself then prayeth to the Idol and having cut off his nose ears lips and other parts at last cuts his own throat as a sacrifice to his idol His successor by their discipline is bound to be present and to act the same tragedy on himselfe at the next Jubilee See Castaneda Barbosa Boterus Linâ—â—hoten and Purchas Q. How caâ—â— these Idolatrous Pagans to beleeve the immortality of souls A. By the meer force of natural reason for they observed that the soul is incorporeal not onely free from al dependance on the body in respect of its essence but also in regard of its inorganical operations to wit of Understanding and Will they found that the more the body decayed and grew weak the more vigorous active and strong was the soul that it lost nothing of its operations by the losse or decay of the outward senses that it could comprehened all the world within it self that it could move it self in an instant from one end of the world to the other that it can make things past many years agoe as if they were present that it can conceive spiritual Essences and Universalities all which do prove how far the soul exceedeth the body and bodily senses which can reach no farther then to sensible qualities singularities or individuals to things present only to bodies only Besides they observed that the soul could not dye or perish or corrupt and putrifie as bodies do because it is immaterial simple without composition of different substances and free from contrary and destructive qualities which are the causes of death corruption and putrefaction in bodies Again every body is quantitative sensible and may be measured and filled but the soul hath no quantitie nor is it sensible but by its effects nor can it be measured nor can the whole world fill it nor doth it increase or decrease as bodies do nor can it receive hurt or detriment from any outward thing and whereas bodily senses are weakned by any vehement object as the eye by too much light the ear by a violent souâ—d c. the soul is perfected by its object and the more sublime or eminent the object is the more is the soul corroborated in sits understanding neither is the soul subject to time and motion as bodies are for it makes all times present and is not capable of generation corruption alteration c. moreover there is in the soul even of Epicurus himself a desire of immortality which desire cannot be in vain nor frustrated because natural and consequently necessary and wee know that God hath made nothing in vain but this desire must be in vain if frustrâ—ted And we find that many who have denied the souls immortality in their health and prosperity have been forced to confesse it in their sicknesse and troubles and on their death bed If we look upon the writings of the learned Gentiles we shall find them professing this truth this we may see in the fragments of Zoroastres in Trismegistus in Phocillides who thus sings 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is The soul is immortal and void of old age and liveth allwayes And againe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is The soules remain void of fate in death The Pythagoreans believed the same as we see by their opinion of Transanimation Socrates and Plato speak most divinely of the soul essence and immortality so doth Aristotle in his books De anima so do the Poets so doth Cicero in Som. Scip. Erigamus in caeâ—um oculos tanquam in Patriam in quam nobis aliquando redeundum est Let us saith he lift up our eyes towards Heaven as our country to which at last we shall return So he saith The body is fraile but the spirit is immortal So Seneca Animus unde demissus estâ— ibi illum aeterna requies manet Eternal rest remaines for the soul there from whence it came Animus sacer aeternus cui non possit inijci manus Many such passages may be seen in his writiâ—gs and that generally the Gentiles believed this truth is plain by their opinion they had of torments in Hell and of joyes in their Elysian fields Q. Of what Religion are the people of Narsinga and Bisnagar A. This rich Indian Kingdom having these two names from the two Chief Cities thereof is infested with horrible Idolatry Here is an Idol to which Pilgrimes resort either with their hands bound or ropes abovt their necks or knives sticking in their armes and legs which limbs if they fester they are accounted holy Gold Silver and Jewels are given by these Pilgrims to maintain this Idol and his Temple All these gifts are cast into a Lake and kept there for the uses aforesaid This Idol is carried yearly in procession with Virgins and Musick going before Under the Idols Chariot Pilgrims
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
killed poysonable creatures and sacrificed Of these Persian Rites see Herodotus Athenaeus Pausanias and others Q What was the Old Scythian Religion A. They worshipped first of all Vesta then Iupiter Apollo Venus Mars and Hercules they had neither Images Altars nor Temples for any of their gods except for Mars whose temples they erected of bundles of twigs heaped up together In stead of his Image they set up an old iron sword to which they offered yearly sacrifices of cattel and horses and of men every hundreth Captive with whose blood they besprinkle Mars his sword Then they cut off the right shoulders of the slain men and sâ—ing them into the air They used to wound first and then to strangle the beast which they sacrificed praying to that god to whom they offered the beast they kindled no fire of wood for the Country yielded none but they burned the bones of the beast to boyl the flesh withal if they want a vessel they boyl the flesh in the beasts paunch they use no Vows nor any other ceremonies Their chiefest sacrifices were Horses But of this see Herodotus and others Q. What Religious discipline had the Tartars or Cathaians A. They worshipped the Sun Stars Fire Earth and Water to whom they offered the first fruits of their meat and drink each morning before they eat and drink themselves They beleeve there is one God maker of all things yet they worship him not nor pray to him They place Idols at their Tent doores â—o preserve their cattel and milk To these silk and felt Idols for of such materials they make them are offered the first fruits of milk meat and drink the hearts also of beasts which they leave before them all night and then eat them in the morning they offer horses to the Emperours Idol which none afterward must ride they do not break but burn the bones of their Sacrifices by their discipline they must not touch the fire with a knife nor meddle with young birds nor pour milke drink or meat on the ground nor break one bone with another nor make water within their Tents and divers other such traditions which if violated are punished with death or else redeemed with much money They believe another world but such as this is When one dieth he hath meat set before him and mares milk his friends eat a horse and burn the bones thereof for his soul they bury also with him a Mare a Colt and a Horse bridled and sadled his gold and silver also and they set upon poles the horse hide that was eat that he may not be without a Tent in the other world they use to purifie every thing by making it passe between two fires When they pray they are injoyned by their Discipline to lift up their hands and smite their teeth three times They use to feed the Ghosts or Spirits with Mares milk cast in the air or poured on the ground They have their religious Votaries and Monasteries amongst which there is an Order called Senscin which eat nothing but bran steeped in hot water They worship not Idols nor do they marry but they hold transanimation and divers other ridiculous opinions as may be seen in Iohannes de Plano Carpini whom Pope Innocent Anno. 1246. sent Embassadour to the Tartarian Court. See also M. Paulus Venetus Vincentius Bellouack in specbist Math. Paris and others There is one thing commendable in their Discipline that they force no man to embrace their Religion But Ortelius mentioneth a strange custom amongst them that their Priests on high trees preach to them and after Sermon besprinkle their auditors with blood milk earth and cow-dung mixed together and no lesse strange it is that they do not bury their dead but hang them on trees Q. Had the Pagans any knowledge of the Creation A. It seems by these Tartars and divers other Gentile Idolaters of which we are to speak that many of them had some knowledge of the beginning of the world which they learned not from the Jewes with whom they had no commerce but from the heathen Philosophers and Poets and these were led to believe this truth by the guide of natural reason for when they considered the continual vicissitudes in the world the alteration generation and corruption of things the nature of motion and of time whereof the one presupposeth a Chief Mover for nothing can move it selfe the other consisteth in Priotity and Posteriority which depends upon motion and suteth not with Eternity when they observed also the Harmony Order and Beauty of things how every motion and mutation aimed at a certain End they concluded that this great Universe could not be ruled or have existence by chance but by providence and wisdom and that therefore this must needs have a beginning otherwise we could not know whether the Egge or the Bird the Seed or the Plant the Day or the Night the Light or the Darknesse were first And seeing the world consisteth of corruptible parts how can the Whole which is made up of such Parts be Eternal They found also that it was repugnant to reason for so many Eternals and infinite Entities to exist actually together for every Entity in the world must be Eternal if it selfe be eternal Besides that it is against the nature of Eternity to admit magis minus degrees auction or diminution which it must needs do if the world be eternal for if there have been infinite annual revolutions of the Sun and infinite monethly revolutions of the Moon there must needs be something greater then Infinity for the revolutions of the Moon are far more then of the Sun by these reasons they were induced to acknowledge a beginning of the world of which Merc. Trismegistus in Poemandra speaketh plainly in saying That God by his word made and perfected the world dividing the Earth from the Heaven and the Sea from the Land c. Orpheus in his Argonaâ—tes singeth How Jupiter hid within his breast the world which he was to bring forth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 into the pleasant light c. this same song is sung by Hesiod Homer AEschilus Sophocles Euripides and other Poets Pythagoras as Plutarch and Laertius testifie taught That the world was made by God Thales Empedocles Anaxagoras and the other ancient Philosophers ascribe a beginning to the world some from one element some from another The Platonists alwayes held the creation of the world and the Aristotelians affirming there is a first mover must conclude that the world which is moved had a beginning they say also that the world doth depend upon God how then can it be Eternal seeing dependance and eternity are incompatible Aristotle in his Book de mundo and in his Metaphysicks saith That God is the cause and Author not onely of living creatures but also of nature it selfe and of the world Cicere in his Books of the nature of the gods confesseth That every thing had a beginning and that
remember that God doth sometimes permit Satan to buffet us as he did Paul that he might try our patience and obedience that we may be the more watchfull of our selves against that roaring Lyon which compasseth the earth to and fro seeking whom he may devour that we may be the more earnest in prayer that we may adhere the closer to God and that we may acknowledge his fatherly care and goodnesse who will not suffer us to be tempted above measure comforting our selves in this that his grace is sufficient for us 5. We must remember that God hath given his Angels charge over us to hold us up in their hands least we dash our foot against a stone Christ was no sooner tempted by Satan but the Angels came and ministred to him When Iacob was persecuted by his brother Esau God sent a multitude of Angels to guard him The Prophet Elisha was encompassed with fiery Chariots or Angels in that shape from the Syrian Souldiers Let us not then fear so long as we know that the Angels of God are round about those that fear him and delivereth them and that the same Angels will be ready at our death to convey our souls as they did Lazarus into Abrahams bosome 6. Let us support our selves against Satan by the assurance of Christs death and the remission of our sins for blessed is the man whose sins are forgiven him therefore let us not be afraid for there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Iesus It is God that justifieth who can condemn if Satan objects against us that sin hath abounded let us answer him in the Apostles words grace hath much more abounded 7. Let us as our Saviour counselleth us watch and pray continually our spirituall enemies are many vigilant malicious and powerful nothing will give them advantage over us but security and neglect of prayer vigilancy and prayer are Armour of proofe against all tentations with these Saint Paul armed himself when he was buffeted by the Angel of Satan therefore saith Saint Hierom When thou walkest abroad let prayers arm thee when thou returnest home let prayers meet thee Egredientes domo armet oratio regredientibus de platea occurrat oratio Lastly let us take heed we do not countenance or approve or have any commerce with Necromancers or such as take upon them to raise Spirits for God often times punisheth such vain curiosity let us beware of too much retirednesse for Satan is most ready to tempt us when we are alone so he tempted Eve when she was alone in the Garden and assaulted Christ when he was alone in the Desart Let us take heed also of too much sadnesse and melancholy for though this be a natural infirmitie yet Satan by it takes occasion to work mischief as we see in Saul who is said to have an evil spirit when he was in his melancholy fit and we know that in the Gospel mad men Phreneticks and Lunaticks are called Demoniacks because the Devil took occasion by their madnesse to advance his kingdom of darknesse And let us chiefly endeavour to have a good conscience which is a continual feast to live a holy life and to be just in all our wayes and so we shall not need to feare Satans Stratagems or illusions for the righteous man is bold as a Lyon Q. Of What Religion were the Chinois A. They were alwaies and still are Idolaters except as few gained to Christianity by the Jesuits and a few Tartars that are Mahumetans That vast Dominion is full of Temples and Monasteries replenished with multitudes of Idols which their cunning Priests feed with the smoak of meats but they eat the meat themselves The Priests here have so much power over their gods that they may beate and whip them when they do not answer their expectation They have one Idol with three heads which they much reverence These represent their three great Philosophers Confusius Xequiam aud Tanzu Their chiefe gods are the Sun Moon and Stars They worship also the devil not out of love but feare that he may do them no hurt therefore they place his picture in the fore Castle of their ships They are Pythagoreans in the opinion of Transahimation therefore some of them will not kill any living thing For this cause at Quinsay in a walled Parke belonging to a Monastery the Monks feed 4000 living creatures of divers kinds out of their charity to the souls of Noble men which were entred into the bodies of these creatures Their Monks are shaven are bound to weare beads to be present at burials to maintain Celibate whilst they are Monks to pray two hours together before day Of these religious Orders there be four sorts distinguished by their colours black white yellow and russet These have their Priors Provincials and Generall he is carryed on mens shoulders in an Ivory Chaite and is cloathed in silke Their maintainance is not onely the Kings allowance but also the benevolence of devout people which they procure by begging and praying for them They have their Nuns also and Hermits and consecrated Hills to which the people make divers Pilgrimages There are many Colledges for learning which is of high esteem among them Their Secular Priests weare long hair and black cloath their Regulares are shaven but neither must marry They are bound to observe all Feastivall days such as the New and Full Moons the Kings birth-day but chiefly New-years day which is the first day of the New Moon in February The people here are very Superstitious in obâ—rving their birth-day and in performing the Funâ—al Obsequies of their Parents whom they adore and bury in the fields with all solemnity and excessive charges No man is tyed to any particular worship among them but he may be of what Sect he will They have abundance of Hospitals for the poor and no beggers to be seen among them But for any knowledge of heavenly joyes or hell torments they have very little or none at all They are very much afraid when there is any Eclipse of the Sun or Moon which they hold to be man and wife for then they think that these two gods are angry with them Of their many superstitious Ceremonies and vain opinions in Divinity see the Discourse of China Boterus Ortelius Maffaeus Linschoten and the Jesuits Epistles Q What was the Religion of the ancient Indians A. They worshipped their own gods till Bacchus and Alexander subdued them and then the Grecian deities were honoured amongst them chiefly Iupiter Iuno Neptune and Berecynthia Hercuses also they honoured in the forme and bigness of a Gyant The River Ganges and their tallest trees were honoured as Gods among them therefore it was death to cut down any of them Dancing to their Idols was held a part of Divine worship but the Brachmans among them worshipped no Images nor any living creature were very temperate in in their dyet and gave themselves to contemplation of divine things They abstain
birds and their Priests are in such esteem that they think life and death plenty and famine are in their power In the Kingdome of Congâ— they worship some monstrous creatures in stead of God But they were converted to Christianity by the Portugal Anno 1490. At the City of Banza afterward called Saint Saviours was erected a Cathedral Church for the Bishop who was there received by the King in great magnificence This Church had 28. Canon Residents All their Idols of beasts birds trees and herbs with their conjuring characters were burned Divers Religious persons and Jesuits were sent from Portugal thither to erect Schools and Colledges for Divinity and the Arts. See Purchas Lopez Maffaeus Osorius of the acts of Emanuel Q. What Religion do the northern neighbours of Congo professe A. In Loango under the Line they worship idols and are circumcised Every trades-man appeaseth his god with such things as belong to his trade the husbandman with corn the weaver with cloath c. At the death of their friends they kill Goats to the honour of their idols and make divers feasts in memorial of the dead They will rather dye then touch any meat which is prohibited by their Priests At Kenga the Sea-Port of Loango there is an idol kept by an old Woman which is once a year honoured with great solemnity and feasting There is another idol at Morumba thirty leagues northward where boys are sworn to serve this God and are initiated with hard diet ten days silence abstinence from certain meats and a cut in their shoulder the blood of which is sprinkled at the Idols feet Their trials of life and death are in the presence of this Idol At Anzichi they are circumcised worship the Sun and Moon and each man his particular Idol In some of these neighbouring countries the people are man-eaters and worship the Devil to whom when they offer sacrifice they continue from morning till night using charming Vociferations dancing and piping See Lopez Barros and others Q. Of what Religion are the Islands about Africa A. In some of them are Mahumetans in some Christians but in most Heathens In Socotera an Island neer the mouth of the Red Sea whence we have our best Aloes they are Iacobites and are governed by their Abuna or Priest They much reverence the Crosse. They have Altars in their Churches which they enter not but stand in the Porch In Madagascar or the great Island of Saint Laurence there are many Mahumetans upon the coast but more Idolaters within the Land who acknowledge one Creator and are circumcised but use neither to pray nor keep holy day They punish adultery and theft with death In the Isle of Saint Thomas under the Line are Christians and Moors In divers Islands are no people at all In the Canaries are Christians before they were idolaters and had many wives whom they first prostituted to their Magistrates and this uncivil civility they used to strangers instead of hospitality They bury the dead by setting them upright against a wall with a staff in their hand and if he was a great man a vessel of milk by him Madera is also possessed by Christians and so be the other Islands on this hither part of the African coast see Ortelius Mercater and other Geographers Q. What Religion was professed among the Americans A. Before the Spaniards came thither they were all Pagans who as they were distinguished into divers Nations so they worshipped divers gods after divers manners but they did generally acknowledge the Sun and Moon for the chief gods In Canada they worshipped the Devil before the French came thither and in most places there as yet they worship him who when he is offended with them flings dust in their eyes The men marry two or three wives who after the death of their husbands never marry againe but go still after in black and besmear their faces with coal dust and grease they do first expose their daughters to any that will lie with them and then give them in marriage They believe that after death their soules ascend into the Stars and go down with them under the Horizon into a Paradise of pleasure They believe also that god stuck a multitude of arrows in the beginning into the ground and of these sprung up men and women They have divers ridiculous opinions of God as that he once drank much Tobacco and then gave the pipe to their Governour with a command that he should keep it carefully and in so doing he should want nothing but he lost the Pipe and so fell into want and misery Such senselesse conceits have these people who as they are savage in their carriage so in their understandings they are little better then beasts They use to sing the Devils praises to dance about fires which they make to his honour and leap over them They bemoan the dead a great while and bring presents to the grave Many of these ignorant souls were converted to Christ by the industry of the Jesuites Anno 1637. and 1638. See Father Pauls relation of new France See also Champlain and Iaques Cartier c. Q. What is the Religion of Virginia A. Before the English planted Christianity there they worshipped the Devil and many idols as yet they doe in many places there They beleeve many Gods but one principally who made the rest and that all creatures were made of water and the Woman before the Man who by the help of one of the gods conceived and bore children They are all Anthropomorphites giving to their gods the forms of men whom they worship with praying singing and offerings They hold the soules immortality rewards and punishments after this life the one in heaven the other in a burning pit toward the west The Priests are distinguished from other people by garments of skins and their hair cut like a comb on their crowns They carry their gods about with them and ask counsel of them Much of their devotion consisteth in howling and dancing about fires with rattles of Gourd or Pompian rindes in their hands beating the ground with stones and offering of Tobacco Deer suet and blood on their stone Altars They undertake no matters of consequence without advice of their Priests the chief whereof is adorned with Feathers and Weasels tails and his face painted as ugly as the devils They bury their Kings after their bodies ate burned and dryed in white skins within arches of mats with their wealth at their feet and by the body is placed the devils Image The Women expresse their sorrow with black paint and yellings for twenty four hours None but the King and Priest may enter these houses where the Images of Devils and their Kings are kept Instead of saying Grace at meat they fling the first bit into the fire and when they will appease a storm they cast Tobacco into the water Sometimes they sacrifice children to the devil But of these passages See
with them immortal Their great mens Funeral Pomps are celebrated yearly with much lamentation drinking and bestial ceremonies both men and women casting aside all modesty He that will know more of this stuff let him read the forenamed Authors Q. What is the Religion of Brasil A. They acknowledge the immortalitie of the foul and believe that there are rewards and punishments after this life For they hope that if they kill and sacrifice many of their enemies they shall be carried beyond the Mountains into pleasant Gardens there to dance and rejoyce with their fore-fathers They stand in much fear of the Devil who is still vexing of â—â—em therefore they chiefly worship him and when they go abroad they commonly carry fire with them as their defence against the Devil who they think is afraid of fire They have their solemn Festivals which they celebrate with dancing howling and tatling The Husband hath power to kill the adulterous Wife Their marriages are without any ceremonies They bury their dead upright in a pit with their goods The Husband playes the Midwife to the woman washeth painteth and nameth the child by the name of some wild Beast they have some knowledge of Noahs flood of these passages see Masscus Lerius Stadius c. Q. What Religion did the people of Peru professe A. Their chief god was Wiracocha by whom they understood the maker of all things next to him they worshipped the Sun and the Thunder after him The images of these three they never touched with their bare hands they worshipped also the Stars Earth Sea Rainbow Rivers Fountains and Trees They adored also wild Beasts that they might not hurt them and in sign of their devotion when they travelled they left in the cross ways and dangerous places old shoes feathers and if they had nothing else stones They worshipped the Sun by pulling off the hairs from their Eye-brows when they fear they touch the earth and look up to the Sun They worshipped also the dead bodies of their Emperors and indeed every thing they either affected or feared They have some glimring knowledge of the beginning of the world of Noahs flood and they believe the end of the world which still they fear when the Sun is Eclipsed which they think to be the Moons Husband they held their Priests in such esteem that no great matter was undertaken by Prince or people without their advice None had accesse to the Idols but they and then only when they are cloathed in white and prostrate on the ground In sacrificing they abstained from women and some out of zeal would put out their own eyes They used to consult with the Devil to whom they sacrificed men and dedicated boyes in their Temples for Sodomy They had also their Temples richly adorned with Gold and Silver and their Monasteries for Priests and Sorcerers Their Nuns were so strictly kept that it was death to be deflowred after fourteen years of age they were taken out of the Monastery either to serve the Idols and such must be Virgins still or else to serve as Wives and Concubines to the Ingua or Emperor They are very frequent and strict in their confessions and cheerfully undertake what pennance is injoyned them But the Ingua confesseth onely to the Sun after confession they all wash in baths leaving their sins in the water They used to sacrifice Vegetables Animals and men chiefly Children for the health or prosperity of their Ingua and for victory in War in some places they eat their men-sacrifices in others they onely dried and preserved them in Silver Coffins they anoint with blood the faces of their Idols and doors of their Temples or rather slaughter houses See Acosta Cieza Gomara c. Q. What festival days did the Peruvians observe A. They had Feasts and sacrifices every moneth of the year in which were offered multitudes of sheep of different colours which they burned The Ingua's Children were dedicated in these Feasts their ears were pierced then they were wiped and their faces anointed with blood in sign that they should be true Knights to their Ingua In Cusco during this moneth and feast no stranger might remain but at the end thereof they were admitted and had a morsell of bread presented to each man that they should by eating thereof testifie their fidelity to the Ingua In the second moneth which is our Ianuary for in December in which the Sunne returnes from Capricorne was their first moneth they flung the ashes of their sacrifices into the river following the same sixe leagues and praying the River to carry that present to Viracocha in three following months they offered one hundred sheep In the sixth they offered one hundred sheep more and made a feast for their Maiz. In the seventh they sacrificed to the Sun In the eighth and ninth moneths two hundred sheep were offered In the tenth one hundred sheep more and to the honour of the Moon burned torches washed themselves and then were drunk four days together In the eleventh moneth they offered one hundred sheep and upon a black sheep poured much Chica or Wine of Maiz to procure rain In the twelfth moneth they sacrificed one hundred sheep and kept a feast They have also their fasts which continue in mourning and sad processions two days and the two days after are spent in feasting dancing and drinking See Ios. Acosta Q What was their belief of the departed souls A. That they wander up and down and suffer hunger thirst and cold therefore they carry them meat drink and cloathes They used also to put gold and silver in their mouths hands and bosomes much treasure hath been digged out of graves But they believed that the souls of good men were at rest in glory The bodies were honoured after death sacrifices were offered to them and cloaths The best beloved Wife was slain and attendants of all sorts To the Ingua's Ghost young children were sacrificed and if the Father was sick many times the Son was slain thinking this murther would satisfie death for the Father Of these and their other impious Ceremonies see Acosta By these horrible murthers committed among the poor Americans we may see what a cruel and barbarous tyrant superstitious fear is and what wretched slaves they are who are captivated by this tyrant far more savage then Mezentius Phalaris Busyris or any other tyrannical butcher that ever was for there is no tyrant so powerfull or barbarous but may be avoided by flying from him to remote places but who can fly from that superstitious fear which a man doth carry continually about him Quid terras alio calentes Sole mutamus patria quis exulse quoque fugit a man may fly from his country saith Horace but not from himselfe this tyrant haunts the superstitious wretch continually as the evil Spirit did Saul Againe no tyrant can tyrannize over a man longer then he lives death sets every slave at liberty but this tyrant
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
of Christ 145. They rejected all married people as uncapable of Heaven and held that the Apostles perpetually abstained from marriage They had all things in common holding those unfit for Heaven who had any thing peculiar to themselves They denied repentance and reconciliation to those that fell after Baptism In stead of the Evangelists they used Apocrypha books as the Gospel according to the Egyptians the act of Andrew and Thomas These Hereticks were called also Apotactitae by the Latines and by the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from renouncing of the world Q. 22. What was the Religion of the Sabellians Originians and Originists A. The Sabellians were indeed all one in opinion with the Noetians but this name grew more famous then the other for Sabellius an African by birth was a better scholar then Noetus Sabellianisme began to be known about the year of Christ 224. under the persecution of Valerian They held there was but one person in the Trintry whence it followeth that the Father suffered therefore they were named Patripassiani This one Person or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 say they is called by divers names as occasion serves The Originians were so called from one Origines a Monk who lived in Egypt and was disciple to Antony These condemned marriage extolled concubinat and yet were enemies to propagation committing the sin of Onan They also reject such books of the old and new Testament as seem to favour marriage The Origenists or Adamantians wree so called from that famous Origen who for his constancy in times of persecution and for his inexhausted labours was named Adamantïus His errours began to spred about the year of Christ 247. under Aurelian the Emperour and continued above 334. years They were condemned first in the council of Alexandria 200. years after his death and again in the fifth generall council of Constantinople under Iustinian the first they held 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or a Revolution of souls from their estate and condition after death into the bodies again to converse in the world and so by denying the perpetuity of our future estate either in heaven or hell by consequence they denyed the Resurrection of the flesh They held also that the punishments of the Devils and Reprobates should last only a 1000. years and then should be saved They taught that Christ and the holy Ghost do no more see the Father then we see the Angels that the Son is coessential to the Father but not coeternal because say they the Father created him as he did also the holy Spirit That the soules were created long before this world and for sinning in Heaven were sent down into their bodies as into prisons They did also overthrow the whole historical truth of Scriptures by their allegories Q. 23. What was the Religion of the Samosatenians and Photinians A. Paulus Samosatenus was so called from Samosata where he was born near Euphrates His Scholars were called Paulinians and Samosatenians and afterward Photinians Lucians and Marcellians from these new teachers Their beleef was that Christ was meerly man and had no being till his incarnation This Heresie was taught 60. years before Samosatenus by Artemon and was propagated afterward by Photinus Lucian and Marcellus Arrius and Mahomet They held that the Godhead dwelt not in Christ bodily but as in the Prophets of old by grace and efficacy and that he was onely the external not the internal word of God Therefore they did not baptize in his name for which cause the Councel of Nice rejected their baptisme as none and ordered they should be rebaptiâ— zed who were baptized by them This heresie under the name of Samosatenus brake out about 232. years after Christ and hath continued in the Eastern parts ever since The Photinians so called from Photinus born in the lesser Galatia held the same heresie with Samosatenus and began to propagate it about the year of Christ 323. at Syrmium where he was Bishop under Canstantius the Emperor and before him Marcellus his master under Constantine the great publickly taught it affirming also that the Trinity was the extention of the divinity which is dilated into three and contracted again into one like wax being contracted may be dilated by heat This heresie was much spread under Valens the Arrian Emperor 343. years after Christ. Q. 24. What was the Manichean Religion A. Manes a Persian by birth and a Servant by condition was Father of the Manichean Sect which was the sink of almost all the former heresies for from the Marcionites they derived their opinion of two Principles or gods one good the other bad With the Encratites they condemned the eating of flesh egges and milk they held also with the Anthropomorphites that God had members and that he was substantially in every thing though never so base as dung and dirt but was separated from them by Christs comming and by the Elect Manicheaâ—s eating of the fruits of the Earth whose intestins had in them a cleansing and separating vertue They condemned also the use of wine as being the gall of the Princes of darknesse With Marcion also they rejected the Old Testament and currilated the New by excluding Christs Genealogies and said that he who gave the Law was not the true God They babled also that there was a great combat between the Princes of darknesse and of light in which they who held for God were taken captives for whose redemption God laboureth still With the Ophites they held that Christ was the Serpent which deceived our first Parents and with divers of the precedent Hereticks not onely did they deny Christs Divinity but his Humanity also affirming that he fained himself to suffer die and rise again and that it was the Devil who truly was crucified With Valentinus they taught that Christs body was fixed to the Stars and that he redeemed only our souls not our bodies With the former Hereticks they denyed the Resurrection and with Pythagoras held transanimation With Montanus Manes held that he was the true Paraâ—let or comforter which Christ promised to send With the Gentiles they worshipped the Sun Moon and some Idols With Anaxagoâ—As they held the Sun and Moon to be ships and taught that one Schacla made Adam and Eve They make no scruple to swear by the creatures they give to every man two contrary souls which still struggle in him With the Poets they held that the heaven was supported by the shoulders of one whom they called Laturanius They make the soul of man and of a tree the same in essence as being both of them a part of God with the former hereticks also they condemned marriage and permitted promiscuous copulation and that not for procreation but for pleasure They rejected baptisme as needlesse and condemned alms-giving or works of charity they make our will to sin natural and not acquired by our fall as for sin they make it a
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
George Maior one of Luthers disciples who taught that no man nay not infants can be saved without good works But it s ridiculous to expect good works from Infants who have not as yet the use of reason nor organs fit for operation 4. Osiandrists so called from Andrew Osiander a Lutheran who taught that Christs body in the Sacrament suffered was corruptible and died again directly against Scripture saying that Christ being risen from the dead dieth no more death hath no more dominion over him He taught also that we are not justified by faith or works but by the essential righteousnesse of Christ dwelling in us But the essential righteousnesse of Christ is the righteousnesse of his divinity which is not communicable nor separable from him 5. Augustinians in Bohemia these taught that none went to heaven or hell till after the last judgement whereas Christ tells the contrary to the good thiefe this day thou shalt be with me in Paradise and affirmeth that the soul of Lazarus was carried by Angels into Abrahams bosom and Dives into hell Wherefore did Christ ascend to heaven but that we might be where he is They make also dormice or swallows of mens souls saying that they sleep till the resurrection if Saint Steven when he was dying had known this Doctrin he would not have called upon the Lord Jesus to receive his spirit The story also of Lazarus and Dives doth overthrow this conceit They say also that Christs human nature is not as yet ascended into heaven which directly overthroweth our Creed in that article as likewise the Scriptures and withall the hope and comfort of a Christian. 6. Stancarians so called from one Francis Stancarus a Mantuan who taught that Christ justifieth us and is our mediator only according to his humane nature whereas our redemption is the work of the whole person and not of one natâ—re alone 7. Adamites so called from one Adam author of the Sect they use to be naked in their Stoves and Conventicles after the example of Adam and Eve in Paradise And therefore when they marry they stand under a Tree naked having onely leaves of trees upon their privities they are admitted as brethren and sisters who can without lust look upon each others nakedness but if they cannot they are rejected 8. Sabbatharâ—anâ— so called because they reject the observation of the Lords day as not being commanded in Scripture and keep holy the Sabbath day onely because God himselfe rested on that day and commanded it to be kept But they forget that Christ came to destroy the Ceremonial Law wherof the Sabbath in respect of the seventh day was a branch and therefore Christ himself brake it when he commanded the sick man whom he cured to carry home his bed on that very day 9. Clancuâ—arii were those who professed no religion with their mouth thinking it sufficient to have it in their heart They avoid all Churches and publick meetings to serve God thinking their private houses to be better then Temples whereas they should remember that private prayers cannot be so effectual as publick neither is it enough to believe with the heart except we also confesse with the mouth for he that is ashamed to confesse Christ before men shall not be confessed by Christ before his Father and his holy Angels 10. Davidistae so called from one David George a Hollâ—nder he gave himselfe our to be the Messiah sent by the holy Spirt to restore the house of Israel that the Scriptures were imperwect and that he vas sent to bring the true Law and Doctrine that the â—oul was pure from sin and that the body onely sinned whereas indeed they both concur in the act of sinning and therefore are both punishable especially the Soul which is the chiefe agent the body is but the instrument He taught also that a man may have many Wives to replenish spiritual Paradise that it was no sin to deny Christ with the mouth so long as they believed on him in their heart He rejected also the books of Moses 11. Mennonists so called from one Mennon a Fâ—â—eslander These deny Christ to be born of Mary affiâ—ming that he brought his flesh from Heaven he called himselfe the Judge of men and Angels 12. Qeistae and 〈◊〉 who taught there were three distinct Gods differing in degrees One George Paul of Cracovia is held to be author of this Sect. 13. Antitrinitarians these being the spawn of the old Arrians and Samosatenians deny the Trinity of Persons and the two natures of Christ their author was Michael Servetus a Spaniard who was burned at Geneva 14. Antimarians who denied Maries Virginity affirming she had other children besides Christ because there is mention made of Christs brethren in the Gospel this is the old Heresie of Cerinthus and Helvidius whereas they consider not that in Scripture those of the same kinred are called brothers So is Lot called Abrahams brother and Lâ—â—an Iacobs Unckle is called his brother 15. Antinomians who reject the Law affirming there is nothing required of us but faith this is to open a wide gap for all â—mpiety Christ came not as he saith himselfe to abolish the Law but to fulfil it If there be no use of the Law then they must deny Gods justice and that it is now an uselesse attribute of the divinity â—16 Infernaleâ— these held that Christ descended into no other hell but into the grave onely and that there is no other hel but an evil conscience whereas the Scripture speaketh of hell fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels and calls it the bottomlesse pit c. 17. Bequinians so called from one Boquinus their Master who taught that Christ did not die for the wicked but only for the faithful so they make him not to be the Saviour of mankind and of the world but a particular Saviour only of some wheras Saint Iohn saith that Christ is the reconciliation for our sins and not for ours onely but also for the sins of the whole world 1 Iohn 2. 2. 18. Hutistes so called from one Iohn Hut who take upon them to prefix the very day of Christs comming to judgement whereas of that day and hour knoweth no man nay not the Angels in Heaven 19. Invisibiles so called because they hold that the Church of Christ is invisible which if it be in vain did he compare it to a City built upon a hill â—â—in vain also doth he counsel us to tell the Church if our brother wil not be reformed in vain also doth the Apostle warn Bishops Presbyteries to look to their stock to rule the Church which Christ hath purchased with his blood Act. 20. How can he be called the sheepherd of that â—â—ock which he neveâ— saw 20. Qnintinistae so called from one Quintinus of Bicardy a Tailour He was author of the Libertins who admit of all Religions Some of them mock at all Religions at that Lucianist who â—rot a book of the three Impostors
may be heard and seen But they must do nothing without the leave of the Abbatesse and some witnesses except in time of confession Priests must not enter the Nunnery except to give the Sacrament in the agony of death and that with some witnesses all the Priests and Brothers may enter to perform Funerall obsequies The Bishop of the Diocesse must be the Father and Visitor of the Monasteries and Nunneries the Prince of the Territory shall be the Protector and the Pope the faithful Guardian without whose will no Covent shall be made Let there be a hole like a grave still open in the Covent that the sisters may pray every day there with the Abbatesse taking up a little dust between her fingers that God who preserved Christs body from the corruption of the grave would also preserve both their bodies and souls from the corruption of sin Let there be a Beer or Coffin at the Church-door with some earth that all commers in may remember they are dust and to dust shall return to the observers of this rule Christ promiseth his aid who revealed himself to Saint Briget and counsels her to convey it to the Pope to be confirmed So goeth the story as it is set down by Hospinian who translated it out of the German into the Latin tongue this order came into England An. 1414. and was placed at Richmond There be few of these elsewhere except in Sweden Q. 21. What was the Order of S. Katherine and of S. Iustina A. Katherine born at Senae in Tuscany in her Childhood vowed Virginity and in a dream saw Dominick with a Lilly in his hand and other religion-founders wishing her to professe some of their orders she embraced that of Dominick in which she was so strict that she abhorred the smell of flesh drunk onely water and used no other cheer but bread and raw herbs She lay upon boards in her cloathes She girt her self so close with an Iron Chain that it cut her skin she used to watch whole nights together and scarce slept half an hour in two days in imitation of S. Domimick She used to chastise her self three times every day with that Iron Chain for an hour and half at a time so that the blood run from her shoulders to her feet One chastisement was for her self the other for the dead and the third for those that were alive in the world Many strange stories are recorded of her as that Christ appeared and married himself to her with a Ring that he opened her side took out her old heart and put a new one instead of the former that he cloathed her with a bloody coloured garment drawn out of the wound in his side so that she never felt any cold afterwards and divers other tales to this purpose Some say this order began Anno 1372. others Anno 1455. The Nuns of this order wear a white garment and over it a black Vaile with a head-covering of the same colour The order of Saint Iustina was instituted by Ludevicus Barbus a Venetian Anno 1409. after the ancient discipline of Benedict This rule was enlarged by Eugenius the fourth and confirmed by Iohn 24. The Monks of this order are carefull not to eat out of the Covent with seculars and to wash the feet of strangers Q. 22. What were the Eremites of Saint Hierom of Saint Saviour the Albati Fratricelli Turlupini and Montolivetenses A. Saint Hieroms Eremites in Spain under Saint Austins rule was instituted about the year 1366. in Vibinum a City of Vmbria in Italy in the time of Pope Gregory the nineth and was confirmed by Gregory the twelfth Of this order there are in Italy five and twenty Covents They differ in their habit and other things little or nothing from the other Monks of Saint Hierom. The Canons of Saint Saviour were instituted also in Italy neer Senae in a place called Scopetum whence they are named Scopetiâ—i They follow Saint Austins rule Their Author was one Franch of Bononia Anno 1366. in the time of Pope Vrban the the fifth and were confirmed by his successor Gregory the eleventh Anno 1370. They wear a white cloak with a white hood above a white linnen gowne Albati were so called from the white linnen they wore these in the time of Pope Boniface the nineth Anno 1399. came down from the Alpes into Lucâ— Flaminia Hetruria Fisa and other places of Italy having for their guide a Priest cloathed in white and carrying in his hand the Crucifix he pretended so much zeal and religion that he was held a Saint These people increased to such a vast body that Boniface the nineth grew jealous their Priest aimed at the Popedom therefore sent out some armed men against them apprehended their Priest and put him to death upon which the whole multitude fled every man returning to his house These made profession of sorrow weeping for the sins and calamities of those times they eat together in the High-ways and slept all promiscuously together like beasts they are by most reckoned among the Hereticks and not religious orders and so are the Fratricells or Beghardi who would be counted the third order of Franciscans they were called Fratricella Brothers of the Cells and Caves where they dwelt Their Women were named Beghinae and Beguttae These sprung up Anno 1298. they went with their faces covered and their heads hanging down their lives were â—â—agirious and their opinions heretical as we have already shewed among the Heresies therefore they are condemned by Boniface the eight Clemens the fifth and Iohn the twenty second yet Gregory the eleventh and Eugenius the forth defended such of them against whose life and faith no just exceptions could be taken Gregory about the year 1378. Eugenius Anno 1431. The Turlupini also though they would have been thought a religious order were heretical in their Teners and therefore condemned and burned Anno 1372. Montolivetenses or Monks of Mount Olivet began Anno 1407. when the Church was divided between three Popes In this distracted time many of Sene betook themselves to the next Hill which they called Mount Olivet and cloathed themselves in white professing St. Bennets rule They were confirmed by Pope Gregory the twelfth There were others of the same name loug before these but Boniface the eighth Anno 1300. put them down and executed their Author at Viterbium he only wore a linnen cloth about his wast the rest of his body naked Q. 23. What were the Canons of Saint George the Mendicants of Saint Hierom the Canons of Lateran Order of the Holy Ghost of Saint Ambrese ad Nemus and of the Minims of Jesu Maria A. The Canons Regular of Saint George called also Apostolici were instituted by Laurence Iustinian Patriarch of Venice Anno 1407. they were confirmed by Gregory the twelfth They wear a linnen surplesse over their garments and a black hood but out
will the house stand immovable Though the rain descend and the windes flow and the hloods come and beat upon that house yet it shall nâ—t fall because it is founded upon a Rock Mâ—t. 7. But if blinde Sampson if people void of understanding trusting to their strength shake once this pillar of Religion down falls the whole Fabrick of Government Law and Discipline Of this examples in all ages may be brought to shew how States and Religion like Hippocrates Twins do live and die together so long as Religion flourished in Iudeâ— so long did that State flourish but when the one failed the other fell Iudah and Israel were not carried away into Captivity till they had Captivated Religion As Sampsons strength consisted in his Hair so doth the strength of a Commonâ—wealth in Religion if this be cut off the Philistions will insult over the strongest State that ever was and bring it to destruction This is the â—alladiuâ—â— which if once removed will expose the strongest City in the world to the enemy The Greek Empire had not fallen from the Palâ—â—â—gi to the Turk had the Christian Religion stood firm in Constantinople The Poet could acknowledge that so long as Rome stood religious so long the continued Victorious Diis de 〈…〉 And Tullie confesseth that the instruments by which the Romans subdued the world were not strength and policy but Religion and Piety Non calliditate râ—bore sed pietate ac Religione omnes gentes nationsque super astis Orat. de 〈◊〉 resp For this cause the Senat and people of Rome were careful to send their prime youth to 〈◊〉 the University then of the 〈◊〉 Religion to be instructed in the grounds of all their sacrâ—d and mysterious learning Therefore 〈◊〉 in Dion Cassius â— 3. adviseth Augustus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by all means and at all times to advance the worship of God and to cause others to do the same and not 〈…〉 innovations in Religion whence proceed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 conspiracies seditiâ—â—â— and conventicles or combinations Religion is the Bulwark as plato faith of Laws and Authority it is the band of all humane society the fountain of justice and fidelity beat down this Bulwark break this band stop this fountain and bid Adieu to all Laws Authority Unity Justice and Fidelity Q. 2. How doth it appear that Religion is the foundation of Common-weâ—liâ—eâ— human societies A. 1. Because Religion teacheth the fear of God without which men should live more securely among Lyons and Beares then among men therefore Abraham Gen. 20. knew that at Gerâ—â— he should both lose his Wife and his life too because he thought surely the fear of God was not in that 〈◊〉 't is not the fear of temporal punishment or of corporal death that keeps men in awe but of eternal torments and spiritual death therefore when men will not fear thâ—se that can destroy the body they will stand in awe of him who can cast body and soul into Hell fire Mat. 10. It was this fear that begot Religion in the world Primus in 〈◊〉 Deos fecit timor and it is Religion that cherisheth increaseth and quickneth this fear the end then of Common-wealthes and of all societies is that men may live more comfortably and securely then they can do alone but without Religion there can be no security nor comfort no more then there can be foâ— Lambs among Wolves for 〈…〉 2. There can be no durable Common-wealth where the people do not obey the Magistrate but there can be no obedience or submission of Inferiours to their Superiours without Religion which teacheth that Princes and Magistrates are Gods Vice 〈◊〉 here on Earth whom if we do not 〈◊〉 and obey we cannot fear and obey God who commands Rom. 13. That every soul be subject to the higher Powers for there is no power but of God 3. There is in all men naturally a desire of happinesse and immortality which cannot be attained without the knowledge and worship of God whom we can neither know nor worship without Religion which prescribeth the rules and way of worshipping him and likewise sheweth us that there is a God that he is one invisible eternal omnipotent the maker of all things c. 4. The Essence and life of a Common-wealth consisteth in Love Unity and Concord but it is by Religion that these are obtained for there is no band or tie so strict and durable as that of Religion by which all the living stones of the great buildings of Kingdoms and States are cemented and like the planks of Nâ—ahs Ark are pitched and glewed together 5. As each particular man is subject to death and corruption so are whole States Corporations and Kâ—ngdoms but the means to retard and keep off destruction and ruin from them is Religion hence those States continue longest where Religion is most esteemed and advanced whereas on the contrary the contempt of Religion is the fore-runner of destruction this we see that when the whole world was united into one corporation and society for slighting Religion were all overthrown in the General Cataclysme except eight religious persons saved in the Ark. The Poet acknowledgeth that all the miseries which befel Italy proceeded from the neglecting of Religion Dii multa neglecti dedeâ—unt Hesperiae mala luctuosae Horat. 6. As all Common-wealths and States know and are assured that they cannot subsist without the protection of Almighty God who is the Author of all humane societies so likewise they know that God will not owne and protect them who either cannot or will not serve worship and honour him which without Religion is impossible to be done by man for as all Nations know even by the comely order and harmony the strange operations of Nature and the beauty of the world that there is a Divinity which is also plain by the actions of Providence so likewise they know that this Divine power must be honoured and obeyed except they will shew ingratitude in the highest degree to him whence they have their living moving being and all they enjoy but without Religion they can neither know how nor where nor when to worship him 7. Every man knows he hath a spiritual reasonable and heavenly soul which naturally delights in the knowledge and contemplation of heavenly things which shew that he cannot reject all Religion except he will shake off nature and humanity 8. The veriest Atheists in the world who denyed God at least in his providence though they could not in his essence yet affirmed that Religion was necessary in all societies without which they cannot subsist as is already said 9. As subjects will not obey their Princes but fall into rebellions so Princes will not protect their Subjects but become Wolves and Tyrants if it were not for Religion that keeps them in awe and assures them that there is over them a King of Kings and Lord of Lords to whom they must give an account of their actions
the taking of their King and by delivering him to the enemies to better the terms of their composition But the King the stitcher and botcher of all deceit being afraid of himself chose out of all the people twelve men in whom he could place most confidence and these he called his Captains assigning to them their several guards and posts in the City which they were to make good This done he promised the citizens that the close siege should be raised before Easter for he was confident that a certain emissary whom he had sent into Zeland Holland and Friezland should return with such supplies as by a furious and desperate assault made upon the besiegers should deliver the City But hope it self was to him become hopelesse nor could safety it self save him To his Captains as he called them 't is incredible what wealth he promised such as the fabulous riches of Pactolus and the treasures of Midas should not make good with oceans of goods which haply must be paid them out of his dreams and that after the City were relieved they should be Dukes and Governours of Provinces and particularly that Iohn Denker should be Elector of Saxony But behold in the monâ—th of February a sad face of things appeared many being meerly starved to death which occasioned that one of his Queens for he had gotten a many Elza or Elisabeth who was distinguished by the name of the Glove maker had bin often heard to say that the most cruel sword of Famine came not from God which though he had not heard himself having caused her to be brought with his other wives into the Market place he struck off her head kneeling in the midst of them which done insulting over her he affirmed that she had carried her self as a common prostituted whore and had been disobedient to him while in the mean time her fellow Queens sung this hymne Glory be to God on high c. Easter day being now dawning and no hope of deliverance shining on them the common people with just reason were extreamly astonished nor considering how things were carried could they have any longer patience In this conjuncture of affaires to elude the people according to his wonted insinuations he seignes himself to be sick and that after six dayes he would appear publickly in the Market place but that as to the deliverance which they were to expect according to his intimation it was to be understood after a spiritual manner and so it should certainly come to passe For he affirmed for a most certain truth that in a divine dream he saw himself riding on an Asse and bearing the unspeakable weight of sin and that all that had followed him were freed from their sins But indeed they may be fitly said to be like Asses that rub one another or to the Blinde leading about the Blinde It is a great affliction it is a pennance to repeat the miseries and the woeful consequences of Famine and want There were a many who being impatient of so long hunger revolted to the enemy not so much out of hope of compassion as to accelerate their own deaths not a few creeping upon all four endeavoured to get away for being weak and strengthlesse they could hardly fasten their feet on the ground some falling down were content to give up the ghost in the place where they lay There you might see a sad spectacle of foreheads and cheeks pale as ashes temples fallen eyes sunk into hollownesse sharp noâ—es ears shrivel'd lips black and blew throats slender as those of spiders to be short Hippocratical faces living carcases and excellent shadows of men They had sowne certain kindes of seeds and pulses in the City which for a time served for high delicacies to the grumbling stomack but these being soon devoured by the hungry belly Cats Dormice and Rats which themselves were almost starv'd to anatomies became doubtful entertainments Some were reduced to that inhumane necessity that they fed on the flesh of the buried carcasses some drest the feet of sweaty woollen socks some cut to pâ—â—ces the parings of tanned leather and mincing them with some other things bak'd them and made them serve for bread To this we may adde that the most wickedly obstinate citizens were not yet convinced that by crafty insinuations and specious suggestions they were brought into the noose whom therefore he still entertained with considerations of Magnanimity and the deliverance they were yet constantly to expect from God but as for those who admitted any thoughts of running away and endeavoured to avoyd their miseries he peremptorily sends for like a publick Robber taking away all that their industry had furnished them with depart sayes he and be gone to the Hereticks and bid farwell to this place The King though he had gotten at his house sufficient provision for two moneths yet was he willing to embrace all occasions whereby he might keep up the heart of the City which now continually barked for sustenance To which end behold a certain man named Iohn Longstrat being a Nobleman and privy Counsellor to the King and one of whom he was very confident boâ—sted that he would within fourteen days relieve this hunger-stavâ—'d City both with provisions and supplies of men to the number of three hundred By this pretence he flyes to the enemy and betrayes the City to the Bishop for a certain summe of money with his life included The Eve of S. Iohn was appointed for the execution of this designe about ten of the clock at which time he had obliged himself by oath to cause the gate called the Crosse-gate to be opened This Commissary for provisions returning at length to the City assured the King upon his faith and reputation that the said recruits of provision and forces should be ready within the time appointed The day assigned being come he acquaints the Guards that the promised forces were to come in in the night which would be starre-light enough that so they might receive them as friends The gates are hereupon set open and the enemies being admitted into the City as into another Troy upon the Watch-word given soon dispatch'd the Guards and others that were near Now could be nothing heard for the cry of Armes Armes The King and his Courtiers being gotten into a body drove back the enemy to the Gates which the citizens had by that time shut again whereupon the rest of them that were without were forced to set Engines to force open the Gates which being once broken open they flourished and set up their Colours The citizens stiffely resisted the first assault and made a strong body in the Market place where the fight became very hot and bloody The King himself Knipperdoling and Krachting fell into the enemies hands but Rotman seeing there was no possibility of safety rushing where the enemy was thickest was trod to peeces he it seems placing all hopes of life in death The