of Homilies for Explication of the Gospel and that is instead of Preaching F. Simon out of Vansleb Most of these Ceremonies are common to other Orientals Maronites 1. They go to Church at midnight to sing their Matins 2. At break of day they say their Lauds 3. Before Mass they say their Teiree after their Sixth 4. Their Nones they sing after Dinner 5. Vespers at Sun-set 6. Their Compline after Supper before bed Every Office is composed of a Preface of two three or more Prayers with a like number of Hymns betwixt them They have proper Offices for Holidays Lent Moveable Feasts c. F. Simon Melchites They have Translated their Greek Euchology or Ritual into Arabic They Paraphrase in their Translations Hence their supposititious Canons of the Council of Nice Muscovites On Sundays and their Festivals they go 3 times to Church Morning Noon and Night and are standing and uncovered at the time of Divine Service They hold no Adultery but Marrying another man's Wife Armenians Their Office is performed in the Armenian Tongue a rough Language and but little known The People have much ado to understand their Liturgy They have the whole Bible Translated into Armenian from the Septuagint since the time of S. John Chrysost F. Simon They have a Service-Book and besides that the chief books amongst them are of Gregorio of Stat used instead of Homilies P. Ric. Esq Christians of S. John Hold Women to be unclean that it is not available for them to go to Church Tavernier Cophties An Appendix When they sing the Passion and come to the mention of Judas all the People cry Arsat i. e. Horned Beast Cuckold When they read of Peter cutting off Malchus's Ear they say Asia boutros i. e. well fare Peter as applauding him for the Act M. de Thev Greeks 2. Fasting THo Greeks have Four Fasts stated and solemn 1. Forty days before Christmas 2. The great Lent before Easter 3. The week after Pentecost grounded on Acts. 13.3 4. The fourth begins Aug. 1. and is a preparatory to the Grand Festival the Assumption of our Lady Besides which Lesser Fasts in keeping of which with distinction of Diets they are very strict and are much offended at the English and others because they neither use Fasting nor reverence the sign of the Cross If a person be sick to Death who with Broth or an Egg might recover they say 't is better to Die than eat and Sin P. Ricaut Esq They abstain from Flesh Butter Cheese Fish eating only Fruits Pulse with a little Wine and Oyl The Monks never taste Wine or Oyl unless on Saturdays or Sundays Wednesdays and Fridays they abstain from Flesh Butter Cheese but eat Flesh I say nothing of their Private Fasts or Lent F. Simon Muscovites They differ little from the Greeks herein having four Lents Yearly during which they eat no Butter Eggs or Milk only the first week serves as Carnaval afterward they eat no Fish but on Sundays Armenians They have many Fasts published on Sundays kept most strictly Account it a sin to eat Hare's Flesh as being an unwholsom unlucky and melancholick creature and the Female Monthly unclean and menstruous P. Ric. Esq They abstain from Blood and the Strangled So scrupulously addicted to Fasts that to hear them speak one would think their whole Religion consisted in Fasting F. Simon They end their Lent on Holy Saturday by eating Butter Cheese Eggs but eat on Flesh till Easter-day M. de Thev Abissins Fasting Days are by none more exactly observ'd Not that they abstain from some meats and gluttonize upon others for that they look upon that as a mockery of Fasting They keep themselves whole days together without either Food or Drink even till Sun-set of the third Evening Others abstain the two Holy-days of the Passion-week The Monks use greater extremities by which means they not only mortify but destroy Besides they Fast twice a Week on the fourth and sixth day Ludolph l. 3. They make their Lent fifty days long Maronites Their Fasts differ much from ours 1. In Lent they eat not till two or three hours before Sun-set 2. Fast not in Ember-week nor Vigils of Saints 3. Eat no Flesh Eggs or Milk on Wednesdays Fridays till Noon Afterward they eat freely 4. Fast 20 days before Christmass Monks longer 5. At the Feast of S. Peter and Paul and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin they Fast a Fortnight F. Simon Cophties They have four great Fasts 24 Days at Christmass 60 at Lent 31 at Pentecost 15 in August F. Simon Christians of S. Thomas They eat Flesh on Saturdays and if they failed one Day in Lent and Advent they Fasted no more F. Simon Christians of S. John They neither Fast nor do any Penance Taver Greeks 3. Feasting and Rejoycing c. THey begin their Year in September with great Jollity Take a chearful Spirit for a good Omen 1. Easter which is their grand Feast at which time if they meet with their Acquaintance within three days of the Feast they Salute them with these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Christ is risen The Answer is made 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He is risen indeed And so they kiss three times once on each Cheek and on the Mouth and so depart P. Ricaut Upon Easter-Eve the Abyssins Jacobites Georgians Maronites and Greeks at Jerusalem all except the Latines conjoyn in the Celebration of that Imposture of fetching Fire from the Sepulchre the Turks deride yet throng to behold it All the Lamps in Church are extinguish'd when they often compassing the Sepulchre in a joint Procession are fore-run and followed with Savage clamours of the People the Women whistling and frantick behaviours fitter for the Feasts of Bacchus extending their bare Arms with unlighted Tapers At length the chief Bishops approach the Door of the Sepulchre but the Ethiopian Priest first enters without whom they say the Miracle will not fadge who after a long stay returns with the Sacred Fire supposed at his Prayers to burst out of the Sepulchre At this confusedly they fire their Lights and snatching them one from another strive who should convey it into their particular Chapels thrusting the Flame into their Cloaths and Bosoms kindling therewith all their Lamps unlighted with other Fire 'till that Day Twelve-month G. Sandys's Trav. l. 3. The Holy Fire of the Greeks Armenians c. is performed with so much confusion that you would think certainly you were in Hell with a Legion of Devils M. de Thev 2. Of S. John the Abstemious kept only by the Kaloirs and Religious 3. Of S. John the Evangelist's Translation into Heaven grounded upon that Text If I will that he stay c. They tell very fond Stories of their Saints especially Cosma Damianus and S. George For Canonizing of Saints they have testification by 1000 Witnesses and Examination in a full Synod They are very excessive in their Feasts P. Ricaut Armenians The Eve of Holy Cross they go to the
and true Blood c. 5. Then he delivers Bread by it self and Wine mingled with Water to represent the Water and Blood that issued out of our Saviour's side 6. They admit Children of 7 Years to this Sacrament F. Simon 7. The Bread is leaven'd with a Cross on it Abyssins They receive some Weekly some Monthly but always at Church Fasting and towards the Evening on Fasting-Days They never spit that Day on which they receive In crowded Churches Priest and Sub-Priest Deacon and Sub-Deacon all help and read Several Prayers at the use of several Vessels and variety of Actions Some bring Offerings Bread Oil c. to be distributed to the Poor They administer in both Kinds to both Clergy and Laity and have been very angry with the Latines for denying the Cup to the Laity Lud. They admit not the Doctrine of Transubstantiation or real presence but when the words of their Liturgy are objected e. g. Lord now lay thy hand upon this Dish bless it and Sanctifie it that so thy Body may be made Holy therein And again Convert this Bread that it may become thy pure Body which is join'd with this Cup of thy most precious Blood c. They answer Retzitze nagare vet i. e. 'T is a nice business Or Mastar vet i. e. 't is a Mystery In short one Gregory a Native of Abyssinia told my Author Ludolphus That his Countrey men were not so scrupulous Ludolph Georgians 1. They Consecrate in wooden Chalices 2. They give the Communion to Children when dying 3. Others at Age receive but seldom 4. They carry the Sacrament to the Sick without Light or Attendance 5. On some Holy-days the Priests together assist at the Mass of the Bishop who gives them the Sacrament in their hands and they themselves carry it to their Mouths Christians of St. John 1. They use Flour kneaded with Wine and Oil. 2. They use no other form of Consecration then only some long Prayers to praise and thank God at the same time blessing the Bread and VVine never making mention of his Body and Blood 3. The Priest takes the Bread and having eaten some of it distributes the rest to the People M. Tavern v. post Mengrelians The Papa's of Mengrelia keep the Eucharist in a little bag of Leather or Cloth which they tie to their Girdle and carry it about them whithersoever they go to be made use of upon occasions when they are to give the Viaticum to the Sick Yea they give it to others Men or VVomen to carry c. Armenians 1. They use leaven'd Bread 2. They mingle no Water with their Wine 3. Consecrate in wooden and earthen Dishes 4. Give the Communion to Children and at Weddings to the Married couple 3. They never Communicate without singing and playing on great Cymbals called Hambarzon D. of Holst Emb. But now saith Tavernier they spare no cost to adorn the Choir and Altar you tread upon rich Carpets c. From the Body of the Church to the Choir is usually an Ascent of 5 or 6 Steps Nestorians They consecrate in leaven'd bread They put into their bread salt and oyl using a great many prayers Indians 1. They Communicate on Holy Thursday and other Festivals 2. They use no other preparation then coming to the Sacrament fasting Others say 3. They consecrate with little Cakes made with oyl and Salt which the Deacons and other inferior Church-men baked in a Copper vessel singing several Psalms and Hymns whilst they were a baking And when they are ready to Consecrate through a hole in the floor of that little Tower wherein they baked they let the Cake in a little basket made of leaves slide down upon the Altar 4. Their wine is only water with dry grapes infused 5. He that serves at Mass wears a Stole over his ordinary cloaths tho no Deacon 6. The same hath always a Censer in his hand and saith almost as many prayers as he that Celebrates Cophties 1. They never Communicate in private places 2. The Priest at Communion breaks the bread in form of a Cross and puts it into the wine eating 3 morsels and drinking 3 spoonfuls 3. They consecrate in leaven'd bread which they call Baraca i. e. benediction before consecration and Corban or Communion afterwards 4. They use little loaves as big as a Crown piece whereof they bake many the night before the Liturgy and at the end of Mass distribute them to those who have been present 5. They use not Tavern-wine as prophane but private or water with raisins infused 6. They never confess or Communicate but in Lent 7. They Communicate in both kinds 8. They give wine in a spoon 9. They give the Communion to children after baptsim 10. Vanslebio reports that at the Elevation of the Host they knock their breasts cast themselves on the ground make the sign of the cross and move their cap a little F. Sim. Maronites 1. They consecrate with unleaven'd bread tho probably this but of late since their submission to Rome Abyssins 1. The Abuna Papas or Metropolitan Consecrated by the Patriarch of Alexandria and sent out of Egypt They take Ordination many times with Tears in their Eyes by reason of the Turkish Vexations Their only Qualification is only to be able to read Arabic The Fathers of the Society tell us of a sad tool in their time a Miller Of these there are Four of equal Power and Dignity No Bishops nor Arch-bishops 2. Icegue the Governor of the Monks 3. Comos Overseers of the principal Churches 4. Depterat or Canons who look to their Musick 5. Nebrat or Dean 6. Kasis or Priest 7. Sub-priest 8. Deacon 9. Subdeacon All carry a Cross in their hands Georgians They Confess twice in their Life 1. At Marriage 2. Death Their Confession is in three or four words Muscovites Before the Sacrament they Confess in the midst of the Church before an Image all their Particular Sins at every sin expressing remorse and promising Amendment Absolution is granted with the Assignation of certain Penances as saying Gospodi Pomilui several times making several reverences before the Saints abstaining from Women for a time standing at the Church-door using of Holy Water which the Priests Consecrate on Twelfth-day and not to be had of them for nothing this water they think hath the vertue to cleanse them from all their sins D. of Holstein's Emb. Trav. Ahassins Account confession one of their seven sacraments But they neither confess the number nor the particular species of their sins but cry in general I have sinned I have sinned absan absan Insomuch that when the Roman Priests press'd them to particular confession they never acknowledged any more then three if they had been guilty Homicide Adultery and Theft The offender is absolved in few words together with some gentle stripes upon the side with an Olive Twig but for those great crimes before mention'd they are many times severely scourged Ludolph The Metropolitan sometimes hears
See after  Flagelliferans Baptism by Water is ceased baptism of voluntary blood by whipping is come in its place  Origenists Baptism by fire is the true baptism  Effrontes shaved their foreheads till they bled and then anointed them with Oyl A Seal of our Regeneration Montanists Novatians Russians All that die afore baptism are undoubtedly damned  Messalians sins past only are put away by Baptism  Pelagians Jovinians all sins are put away by Baptism  Papists Thomists Orig. only are put away by Baptism  Banisterians Baptism is no more than common Washings  Hierachites Children belong not to Heaven because they have no merits by spiritual Warfare 2. The Lord's Supper whose outward Signs are Bread Wine Eucretites Tatians Severians used no Wine  Aquarii Hydroparastites used water  Montanists Cataphrygians used bread and blood some say man's seed  Artotyrites bread and Cheese  Manichees bread and man's seed administred in one kind  Muscovites Donatists Albanenses bread and wine and warm-water  Gnosticks An Infant begot in their promiscuous Embraces beat in a mortar season'd with Honey and Pepper c. and then devour it calling it their Pass-over Epiph. The things signified are the Body and Blood of Christ taken by the godly Receiver Messalians Familists The Sacraments are but ceremonial bodyes which may be used in obedience to Magistrates  Mat. Hamant They are not necessary in the Church of God  Papists They confer Grace ex Opere Operato and are absolutely necessary to salvation The Priest may receive for the Absent and Dead  Banisterians There will be a time when we shall need no Sacraments  Russians Gave the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper to babes and infants and dead bodies  Lutherans Synusiasts Vbiquitarii Christ's body is corporally taken by every Communicant the Bread and Wine being consubstantiated  Symbolists Figurists Signisicatists The Faithful at the Lord's Supper receive nothing but bare signs  Marcus The Wine is converted into Blood The efficacy of which depends not on the Worthiness of the Ministers Donatists Novatians Agrippiani Origen Petilians Cyprian Apostolicks Henricians Rebaptizantes All denied wicked men to be Lawful Ministers and most of them Re-baptiz'd such as were before Baptized by Hereticks  Anabapt Familists Independents Wicked Ministers cannot Preach truly and duly as they ought  Disciplinarian Puritans condemn all Ministers that Preach not  Sabbatarians condemn all that hear not Preaching Ministers every Sabbath  Brownists all that Communicate with a blind or dumb Ministry  Rhemists That hear Hereticks Sermons tho True  Albanenses The sacraments lose their Efficacy if given by wicked Priests For the Church may Err. Papists It cannot for its Head the Pope is Infallible Donatists Familists It is pure And general Councils to be gathered by Princes may Err. Papists Emperors and Kings are but the Pope's summoners  Beza c. Private persons may call Assemblies  Muscovites since the 7th General Council neither Prince nor Pope may call a General Council  Papists They cannot Err the Holy Ghost is directer to them But the due Administrat of the Word and Sacraments are sufficient marks of the visible Church Papists Unity Universality Antiquity and Succession c. are the signs  Brownists Administration of the Word Sacraments and Discipline are If perform'd in a known Tongue Ossens Prayed in a strange Language which they Learned of Alexus their Founder  Marcosians At the ministration of Baptism used certain Hebrew words c.  Turks Perform all their superstitions in the Arabian Tongue  Jacobites Use a Tongue unknown to the Vulgar  Russians Use a mixture of the Greek and Sclavonian in their Liturgy  Papists Have divine service prayers sacraments in Latin To preserve them from contempt God hath appointed Bishops Pastors Anabaptists Contobabdites Apostolicks condemn all Bishops and superiority amongst Men.  Acephalians Would submit to no Bishops  Aerians make Bishops and Priests all one equal  Jesuits made a Law for the Abrogation of Episcopal Jurisdictions  Disciplinarian Puritans Are against Archbishops and Bishops c. of large Jurisdiction To Excommunicate obstinate Offenders Paulicians Condemned all censures Ecclesiastical  Pelagians Hereticks too otherwise sound may be Ecommunicated for private Errors  Papists Excommunicated Kings Dead men c. whole Kingdoms  S. Bernard Flies  Apostlicks All that were married  Brownists Whole Cities and Churches  Barrowists Kings  Erastus denied Excommunication as inherent in the Churche's power And Absolve them being Penitent Montanists Novatians Meletius Anabapt Germ. Barrowists Melchior Heffman All that sin after Baptism are Reprobate Who also may appoint ceremonies in the Church not Repugnant to God's word Papists The Pope may alter the Sacraments c.  Familists Brownists Disciplinarians The Worship of God should be simple Christians are free c.  Melancthon and the Adiaphorists Held the Customs and Constitutions of the Church of Rome to be indifferent things God hath appointed the Civil Magistrate Albanenses Manichees Fratricellians Flagelliferies Anabaptists Familists Condemn Magistracy or assert That it is founded on Grace Yet the Familists profess Love and Obedience to all kind of Magistrates  Free-men Asserted that they were freed from Obedience to Magistrates Taxes Tithes c. And the King as supreme Papists The King's Supremacy extends not to Popes Priests or the Church  Disciplinarians of Scotland Princes must be subject to the Church Who by administration of an Oath Esseis Albanenses Anabaptists Quakers Swearing before Magistrates is unlawful Which ought to be unviolate and sacred without dissimulation of the Truth Basilidians Priscillianists Helchisaites Familists Henricians To avoid Persecution will swear and forswear  Jesuits c. Sciti and Cagi Turkish Priests To promote the interest of their own Church and damnify the adversary will equivocate and forswear  Familists Hobbists Libertines men may outwardly profess what they will if their Hearts be sound And inflicting corporal Punishments on Offenders Manichees Donatists Anabaptists None for any Offence is to be put to Death  Familists For Sins of the second Table men may be put to Death not for Errors in Religion And the exercise of the Sword which he bears not in vain Manichees Lactantius Lud. Vives c. Anabapt Familists Erasmus doubted or denyed War to be Lawful  Muggletonians Christians using the steel are ignorant of Christ and enemies of his Gospel May maintain each one's properties Manichees Esseis Pelagians Apostolicks Fratricellians Anabaptists Familists Nudipedales would have Christians Goods common They who are predestinated to Life Pelagians Predestinates Familists c. The Doctrine of Predestination is a licentious and dangerous Doctrine  Armenians God predestinates on foresight of our Faith and Obedience After Death immediately a debt due to sin the Soul is made happy in the enjoyment of God Pelagius Socinus If Adam had not sinned yet he had died  Berylliani
and dismiss the People with the Blessing Numb 6.24 The Afternoon Service is the same except that instead of Reading the Commandments they Sing them 6. They receive the Lord's Supper standing during the Administration Chapters are Read and Psalms Sung till the Holy Ceremony is over and then instead of the 117th Psalm they sing the Song of Simeon kneeling 7. Baptism is administred in the Church and the People strictly forbid to depart till the Solemnity is over The Father promises to take care of his Child but the same is required of a Godfather and Godmother 8. No Marriage is solemnized without an antecedent Publication of the Banns 9. They say Prayers in their Families which they conclude with the Lord's Prayer Creed and Blessing morning and Evening 10. They bless their Meat in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost 11. They Excommunicate all scandalous and notorious Offenders and admit them not to the Sacrament till after a publick Confession Mr. Janmard Vic. of Arundel in Sussex 3. In England I need not to say what their Doctrine Discipline or way of Divine Worship is the Assemblies Catechism giving a sufficient Account of their Doctrine and the Directory of their Discipline and Worship And besides this Book being in the English Tongue primarily and chiefly for the use of English-men it will not be hard for any English-man to inform himself by a personal acquaintance and conversation with them 4. In Scotland 1. Their Doctrine is mostly agreeable to that of the English except that they hold the King inferiour to the Church and consequently may be Excommunicated which I think for I would slander no party is peculiar to them and Fathered upon their Politicks 2. Their Worship thus 1. A Psalm two or three Verses 2. A Prayer 3. A Text and Sermon 4. A short Prayer 5. A Psalm with Glory to the Father Son c. 5. In New-England 1. For morning 1. A Prayer 2. The Sermon 3. A Psalm 4. A conclusion with Prayers for the sick c. 2. Evening 1. A Psalm 2. A short Prayer 3. The Sermon 4. A Prayer pretty long 5. A Psalm again 6. A conclusion by way of Prayer and Benediction c. They have Sacraments every Month once APPENDIX COncerning Differences in the Church of Geneva Dr. Burnet tells us The middle way that Amirald Daille and some others in France took in the matters that were disputed in Holland concerning the Divine Decrees and the extent of the Death of Christ as it came to be generally followed in France so it had some Asserters both in Geneva and Switzerland who denied the imputation of Adam's sin and asserted the Universality of Christ's Death together with a sufficient Grace given to all Men asserting with this a particular and free Decree of Election with an Efficacious Grace for those included in it These came to be called Vniversalists and began to grow very considerable in Geneva Two of the Professors of Divinity there being known to favour those Opinions whereupon those who adhered strictly to the opposite Doctrine were inflamed and the Contention grew to that height that almost the whole Town came to be concerned and all were divided into Parties But tho the Party of Universalists was considerable in Geneva it was very small in Switzerland therefore some Divines there that adhered to the old received Doctrine drew up some Articles in which all these Doctrines were not only condemned together with some speculations that were asserted concerning Adam's immortality and other qualities belonging to the state of innocency But because Capel and some other Criticks had not only asserted the Novelty of the Points but had taken the liberty to correct the reading of the Hebrew c. They condemned all Corrections of the Hebrew Bible and asserted the Antiquity of the Points or at least of the Power and reading according to them obliging all such as should be admitted tot he Ministery to sign sic sentio so I think Thus at Bern Zurich and Geneva Dr. Burnet's Letters Independents The Tenets of the Independents are as follow 1. They hold That particular Churches associated for personal Communion are of Divine Institution 2. That particular Churches ought to have a proper Exercise of Discipline amongst themselves 3. That none but free Consenters should receive the Sacrament nor be related to the Pastor as his Flock 4. That the rest should live as Catechumens in peace 5. That the Church of England is no True Church 6. That Parish-Churches are no True Churches 7. That Parish-Ministers are no True Ministers if Ordained by Diocesans and not chosen by the People 8. That Ministers and People must gather Churches that are purer and set up purer Discipline whatever Rulers say or do or themselves suffer by it 9. That no prohibition of the Magistrate will warrant a Minister to forbear his Office Mr. Rich. Baxter Mr. Rosse and others give a larger account of their Opinions but these being all that they have of late Years contended for and being of late at least in part reconciled to the Presbyterians I forbear to ascribe any more to them Anabaptists Their Doctrines are as follows 1. They condemn Infant-Baptism 2. They condemn Tithes and forced Maintenance of Ministers 3. They allow not as lawful Swearing before a Magistrate 4. They condemn Magistracy it self as unlawful among Christians 5. They say That humane Learning is unnecessary in a Minister These are commonly professed by them to this that They who would know more may read Mr. Rosse Paget c. I forbear at present to tax them with the Doctrine of Community of Goods and some other Doctrines which as the case now stands with them are laid asleep and not asserted or owned by them Quakers 1. Their Tenets 1. They deny the Scriptures to be the Word of God but yet grant them to be an holy Declaration of the Word of God and of the Rule and Guide in Matters of Salvation 2. They hold That the Spirit which leads into all Truth is the great Evangelical Rule of Holy Living 3. That Christians ought now to expect inward Revelation from the Spirit of God 4. That Forms of Prayer are not to be perpetuated in the Church 5. That Baptism by Water is not Christ's Ordinance 6. That the Lord's Supper is unnecessary to the Regenerate because Christ is come to them viz. by his Spirit 7. That Swearing before Magistrates is unlawful 8. That all persons inspired may preach tho' Mechanicks 9. That Errors and Vices do un-minister Men. 10. That the Jewish-Sabbath being a Type of Spiritual Rest under the Gospel we are not now bound to any set Day yet to some time of Divine Worship W. Penn Esq See more in Mr. Rosse's View of all Religions c. 2. Their Divisions In England they are divided especially in two Parties such as follow Mr. Mead who is accounted the most rational and moderate and such as adhere to Mr. Penn. In Pennsilvania we have had
to Church Mr. Hales Let. from Dort to Sir D. Carleton Helvetia One of the Helvetian Deputies declared That with them all Persons before Marriage were to be Examined by the Minister else their Marriage was to be deferr'd Idem A Catechism answering in bare Texts of Scripture was desired by the Remonstrants at the Synod of Dort to gain Anabaptists c. Idem Palatinate In the Palatinate in Sundays at one a Clock the Bell rings duly to Assemble the young People together at Church in order to be Catechised where Persons grown up to Men and Women submit themselves willingly to Catechetical Instruction and aged Persons disdain not to give their Presence The Ordinance is attended with Psalms and Prayers Protestants of France The Protestants of France have a large Catechism which they expound on Sundays Afternoon Papists The Papists have their Catechism likewise and Catechising used amongst them See afterwards under the Title of Discipline Frequency and Devotion at the Sacrament Jews THey embrace Circumcision for a Sacrament of Divine Institution and a Sign and Seal of the Covenant seldom deferring it longer than the eighth day doing it sometimes at home the Richer in the Synagogue The chief Officer or Circumciser is Mohel the God-father is called Baal-berith who receives the Child at the Synagogue-Door with this Acclamation Blessed is he the Child or Elias that comes and holds the Child to the Mohel who gives GOD thanks for this Sacrament given to Abraham Whilest the Fore-skin is taking away the Father thanks the Lord that he gave Abraham a heart to fulfill the Law of Circumcision and preserv'd him to see this his Son circumcised When he hath done the Mohel prays that the Child may live to see his Sons thus initiated may keep the Law and do good Works Then he taking a Cup of Wine and blessing God for creating the Vine and giving it an exhilarating Vertue dips the little Finger of his left Hand thrice in the Wine and lets it drop in the Child's mouth and having tasted it himself reaches it to the Congregation After which the Mohel gives GOD thanks that he hath Sanctified the Child in the Womb and hath brought it to the Foederal-Sacrament c. Then he takes the Infant from the Baal-berith and delivering it to the Father gives it a Name praying for him c. Dr. Addison I forgot to tell that at the Baal-berth's giving the Child to the Mohel is sung Deut. 15. They are not peremptory about the precise time of eight Days I knew one Jacob Israel Balgara born in Spain Circumcised in Barbary in the fortieth Year of his Age. They are careful not to delay the first occasion of being Circumcised The negligence of Parents herein is liable to Excommunication If a Child die before the eighth day 't is Circumcised at the place of Burial with only giving it a Name c. In the celebration of the Passeover they run home from the Synagogues at Even where they have in one Dish three Cakes in another a rosted Leg of Lamb with an hard Egg in another Pap and spiced Wine and divers Fruits in another Lettice Parsley c. Rosse Christians Serapion having lapsed and on his Death-bed desiring Reconciliation and the Sacrament and none being willing to communicate with him he sent his Boy to the Pastor who being also sick sent the Eucharist by the Boy after he had re-received the Sop he immediately died Dr. Cave Calvinists A Gentleman of no mean rank being a Candidate of Divinity and assisting at the Administration of the Sacrament while he was holding the Cup fixed his Eyes upon a Gentlewoman who was betrothed to him She some days after at her Father's House ask'd him the Reason He told her because he had almost a fancy to drink her Health Whereupon she began to hate and utterly detest him and the Matter being spread abroad he was taken Prisoner and some Weeks after Condemned and Beheaded Werndley in his Liturgia Tigurina Heathens Gaurs The Gaurs in Persia at the Birth of their Children practise something like our Baptism for some days after the Child is born they wash it with Water wherein certain Flowers are first boyl'd and during that dipping the Priest who is present makes certain Prayers If the Child dye without that washing they do not believe but that it goes to Paradise but the Parents shall give an account for their neglect because the washing encreases his Favour in the sight of GOD. M. Tavern l. 4. Armenians The Armenians always Communicate at their Marriage and during the Administration they Sing and play on certain great Cymbals D. of H. Emb. Trav. Those aged Persons that Communicate not once a Year and Children dying unbaptized are not buried in the Church-yard Idem p. 208. Muscovites Those Muscovites who receive the Sacrament prepare themselves by extraordinary Mortifications for eight days eating nothing but a hard kind of Bread and drinking nothing but Water and Quas which is so sowre that it wrings the Belly and brings to Death's door and make their Confession Such as have taken an Oath lately in any Law-suit or committed Murder or any heinous Sin are debarr'd 'till death There are but few that neglect to receive the Sacrament at Easter Sacraments Muscovites THE Muscovites think Baptism the only Door through which a Man must enter into Christ and so into Paradise They Baptize their Children as soon as born if weak at home if well at Church The way thus 1. The Priest receives the Child at the Church-Door from the God-father and God-mother crosses and blesses him saying The Lord preserve thy going out and coming in receives Wax-Candles uses Incense c. 2. Makes a Procession about the Font 3 times with the God-father c. the Clerk going before with the Picture of S. John the Priest reading in the interim c. 3. The God-fathers give the Child's Name in Writing which the Priest puts on an Image upon the Child's breast saying over certain Prayers 4. He asks the God-fathers if the Child believe in God the Father Son and H. Ghost 5. All turn their Backs upon the Font to shew their horrour for those three Questions that are to be ask'd afterwards viz. If he renounced the Devil his Angels and his Works To which the God-fathers answer three times and spit so often on the ground 6. Then they face about and the Priest asks If they will bring up the Child in the true Greek Religion 7. He Exorcises the Child by putting his hand on him and blowing three times cross and saying Get out of this Child thou unclean Spirit 8. He cuts off a little of the Child's hair puts it in a Book dips the naked Child three times in the Water In the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost 9. Puts a corn of Salt in the Child's mouth crosses it on the Fore-head Hands Breast Back with Oil puts a clean Shirt on him saying Thou art as clean as this
Shirt hangs a Cross about his Neck to be kept 'till Death D. of Holst Emb. Trav. Modern Heathens The Baptism of the Persees in East-India is thus So soon as one is born the Daroo is called upon who delays not but being instructed in the precise time of his Nativity calculates his Fortune the Daroo gives the Name the Mother assenting to it This done they haste together to the Eggaree where the Priest puts a little Water into the Bark of a Tree the Name of which is Holme the place it grows in Yezd not far from Spahawn a Tree that Zertoost blessed a Tree which they say yields no shadow The Water out of this hallowed Rind being pured upon the Infant a Prayer is then made that it may be cleansed from all impurity At 7 years of Age the Child is Confirmed by the Daroo and taught to say his Prayers over the Fire but with his Mouth and Nostrils cover'd lest his sinful Breath offend the Deity after which he drinks a little cold Water chaws a Pomegranate-Leaf washes in a Tank cloaths his Body with a fine Shuddero reaching to his Waste ties a Zone of Cushee about his Loins woven with Inkle of the Herboods making which he wears ever after and after a short Prayer that he may never prove an Apostate but continue a Fire-Worshipper that he may eat no Man's Meat nor drink any Man's Drink but his own he is ever after reputed a Believer Sir Tho. Herb. Trav. into Persia Concerning the Bannyans see in the First Book Ch. Sacram. Amboyna In Amboyna though Worshippers of the Devil they Circumcise at Twelve or Thirteen Years of Age c. Mandelslo Sachion In Sachion the Tartars dedicate their Children to their Idols and on Festival-Days Sacrifice Rams for their Childrens Preservation Rosse Guinea In Guinea the Priests besprinkle their Infants after Sermon with Water wherein a Newt doth swim Rosse Loango In Loango Circumcision is used Idem And in Madagascar also and Jucatan Armenians The Armenians thus Consecrate and Administer the Sacrament 1. They set the Consecrated Bread on the Altar 2. The Arch-Bishop reads the Mass for the Ceremony 3. At reading the Gospel they light abundance of Wax-tapers 4. After the Gospel several of the Noviciates take Sticks in their hands about 5 Foot long at the end whereof are Latten Plates with little Bells hanging about them which when they are shaked sound like Cymbals 5. Other Noviciates hold a Copper Plate in their hands hung about with Bells which they strike one against another and at the same time the Ecclesiasticks and Laity sing together indifferent harmoniously 6. All this while the Arch-bishop hath two Bishops on each side of him who are in the room of a Dean and a Sub-dean 7. By and by he goes and unlocks a Window in the Wall on the Gospel side and takes out the Chalice where the Wine is 8. Then with all his Musick he takes a turn about the Altar on which he at length sets down the Chalice saying certain Prayers 9. With the Chalice in his hand and the Bread upon the Chalice he turns towards the People who presently Prostrate themselves upon the ground beat their Breasts and kiss the Earth while the Arch-bishop pronounces This is the Lord who gave his Body and Blood for you 10. Then he turns towards the Altar and eats the Bread dipt in the Wine For they never drink the Wine 11. He turns towards the People with the Bread and Chalice in his hand and they that will receive come one after another to the bottom of the Choir to whom he gives the Bread dipt as before The bread is without Leaven flat and round about as thick as a Crown and as big as the Host of the Mass being Consecrated the day before by the Priest whose Office it is M. Tavernier l. 4. c. 9. They never put Water in their Wine When they come to the Communion the Arch-bishop or Priest says these words I confess and believe that this is the Body and Blood of the Son of God who takes away the sins of the World who is not only ours but the Salvation of all mankind He repeats these words three times the people saying after him word for word ibid. They give the Communion to Children of two or three Months old which the Mothers bring in their Arms tho many times the Children put it out of their Mouths again ibid. They never administer in Lent for then they never say Mass but on Sunday noon which they call Low Mass at which time they never see the Priest who hath a Curtain drawn before the Altar and only reads the Gospel and Creed aloud The Armenians Baptize infants on Sunday except in danger of Life the Midwife carrying the Infant to Church where the Bishop or Priest plunges it naked in the water and returns it to the Godfather going on with his Prayers and twists a double string one of white Cotton another of red silk signifying the Blood and Water which flowed from the Body of Christ about the Child's neck then he anoints the Child and crosseth it in the several places where the Oyl dropped saying I Baptize thee in the Name of Father Son and Holy Ghost The Forehead Chin Stomach Arm-holes Hands and Feet are anointed The Patriarch makes this Oyl every year on the Eve of our Lady in September after a small Lent of eight days of several fragrant Flowers and Aromatical Drugs but the principal is called Balassau-Jague or flower of paradise When 't is made two bottles are sent to all the Convents of Asia Europe and Africa When the Ceremony of baptism is over the Godfather returns home with the Infant in his arms and a Taper of white wax in each hand attended with trumpets drums haut-boys which go before to the parents house where the Godfather delivers the child to the mother she prostrating her self before the Godfather and kissing his feet he her head the minister names the child according to the Name of the Saint of that day in their Almanack Afterwards they Feast The poorer sort carry the Child to Church on the Week-days without any Ceremony with Tears in their Eyes pretending it to be sickly and like to die and so make no Feasts at all If Women lye in 15 or 20 days before Christmas they often defer till the Festival then in all the Cities and Villages where the Armenians live if there be any river or pond they spread 2 or 3 Flat-bottom'd Boats with carpets to walk upon and in one of them set up an Altar and in the Morning by Sun-rising all the Armenian Clergy of that Town or City and Parts adjoyning get into the Boats in their Habits with the Cross and Banner dip the Cross in the Water 3 times and every time drop the Holy Oyl upon it then plunge the Infant and anoint him 3 times saying I Baptize c. The King of Persia is many times present at the Ceremony when
washed and anointed 2. 'T is carried to Church the Bearers by the way resting three times to signifie Christ's resting in the Grave 3. Holy Water and Frankincense is put into the Grave to keep out evil Spirits c. 4. He is buried with green Bays to shew the Immortality of the Soul 5. With the Face upward and his Feet toward the East to shew his Expectation of Heaven and his readiness to meet Christ in the Resurrection from the East Note 1. Every Christian buried out of the Church or Church-yard hath a Cross set at his Head to shew that he was a Christian 2. Clergy-Men in Orders are buried in the habit of their Orders 3. All are wrapt in Linnen because Christ was so 4. Some also in Sack-cloth to shew their Repentance 5. Antiently the names of Holy Men were registred in Scrolls or folding Tables called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dypticks which words the Latin Church retained Dr. Holyday on Juven p. 173. saith The Dypticha were two Tables containing the names of especial Persons some alive and some dead some Vertuous some Vicious Read in time of Divine Service amongst the Primitive Christians for the determent of bad c. and the Bishops kept them and publickly read them in time of Divine Service to shew that the Just shall be had in everlasting remembrance 6. Prayers for the Dead are only for such as are in Purgatory i. e. who died in Venial Sins unrepented of 7. There is neither Gloria in excelsis nor Hallelujahs used in the Office for the Dead Mr. Rosse out of Aleninus c. Roman The Roman Catacombs are without the Walls of the Town according to the Law of the twelve Tables yet they seem to run under it viz. vast Caves in the Rocks made use of as Repositories of dead Bodies where they were thrown and there putrified putuerunt thence called Puticoli where the meanest sort of the Ronan Slaves were laid Dr. Burnet's Letters who discourses upon them at large Guinea In Guinea they bury Gods of Straw with their Dead that they may accompany them in the other World Pacquet broke open Vol. 2. Mexico The Priests in Mexico interr'd the Dead the places where they buried them were their Gardens and Courts of their own Houses others carried them to the places of their Sacrifices in the Mountains others burnt them and after buried the Ashes in the Temples They sung the Funeral Offices like Responds often lifting up the dead Body with many Ceremonies at these Mortuaries they did eat and drink and if it were a Person of Quality they gave Apparel to such as came the Friends saluted the Person as if he were living for a King or Lord they put some Slaves Cook Butler c. to death with him to serve him in the other World they give him Ornaments also the Obsequies continued ten days c. Purchas out of Acosta Guiana In some parts of Guiana when the Flesh of the Dead is worn off by Putrefaction they hang up the Soâ—leton in the Chamber or House where the Party died decking the Scull with Feathers of divers Colours and hanging Jewels and Plates of Gold about the Arm and Thigh-Bones S. Clark A Table of Heresies and Errors or at least different Opinions from what is asserted in the Column of Orthodoxy Orthodoxy Heresies and Errors THere is One God ATheist Diagoras Theodorus c. There is no God Julius Caesar Vanin suffered as an Atheist  Polytheists Pagan There are many Gods  Gnosticks Two Gods  Marcionites Two Gods one maker of the World bad the other good  Manichees Two Gods One good 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the other bad 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  Valentinus Thirty Gods or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 divided into several Syzygiae  Basilides One Chief Power 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Without Body Parts Passions Anthropomorphites With a body ' parts and passions as a man  Meletonii With a body c.  Mahometans Of a Corporeal Essence with a Soul  Hobbes God is Almighty matter Who created the World viz. Heaven and Earth of nothing and all things therein Aristotle The World was Eternal  Hermians Seleucians Matter was co-eternal with God So the Muggletonians say of Earth and Water  Carpocrates Cerinthus Simon Magus Saturninus Menander Archontici God did not make the World but Angels in number 7 the Off-spring of Abraxas without leave from God  Basilides Those 7 Angels made 365 Heavens  Marcionites The World was too base a thing for God to create  Manichees The substance of the good God was distributed by crumbs among the creatures  Luciferiani Priscillianists The Devil made the world for it lieth in wickedness  Familists God by them made the world  Epicurus The world was made by a Fortuitous concourse of Atoms  Hobbes Whether God created all things else is to be decided by the civil power And formed Man of Earth with a Reasonable Soul Manichees Priscillianists The Devil made man his body only I suppose they mean  Patriciani The Devil made our flesh which may be put off by violent Death  Paterniani The Devil made the lower parts of man which may be used to sin  Priscillianists The soul was made of the same substance with God  Luciferiani The soul was raised out of the flesh  Jews in Barbary All souls wore created together and put in a certain Region c.  Hobbes Irenaeus That man at his first creation was imperfect Rules all things by his Providence Epicureans The world is too base for God to look after  Aristotle Certain Angels are intrusted with the Government  Cyprian God hath committed the Government of the world to certain Coelestial Powers  Stoicks Manichees All things are Ruled by Fate and Fortune  Bardesanes All things are Ruled by Fate  Jews in Barbary Every man hath Two Angels one good and another bad attending him  Colarbas The Generation and Life of man is in the 7 Planets  Familists All things are Ruled by Nature not ordered by God In the Godhead are 3 Persons Marcellians Luciani The Trinity is an Extension of the Deity  Hobbes Is but a threefold Representation of God  Noetians Praxeneans Hermogeneans There are 3 in the Godhead but not 3 Persons  Sabellians 3 in Name only  Gnosticks Marcionitos Valentinians More Gods yet not 3 Persons  Syreni Tritheites Eunomeans 3 Gods or Spirits or Principles not distinguished only but divided also  Macedonians Franciscans 2 Gods Father and Son Old and New  Seleucians 1 Person  Armenians Anastasius Emp. Apollinarians A Quaternity  Servetus There is no distinction of Persons in God  Jews Turks Montanists Deny the Trinity so likewise the Muggletonians  Blandrat Alciat Christians in worshipping 3 Persons worship 3 Devils  Lord Herbert denied Jesus Christ to be a Person in the Godhead  Alogiani Samosateni 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 John