committed by the most great sacrificers as Kings Priests and others hauing the chiefe gouernement of the people When Moyses was abiding in the mount Synay to receiue the commandements of God his brother Aaron the high Priest forged a calfe of gold of the golden earings giuen vnto him by the people of Israell he builded an aulter offered incense and celebrated sacrifice causing the common people to worship the molten Image Was not this an abusing of the Sacrifices ordeined of God and a corrupting of the true vsage of the same in causing the calfe to be worshipped in place of the slaine and offered sacrifice as it was appointed in the law His sonnes Corruption of the sacrifice by Nadab Abihu Leui. 10 Numb 11. also Nadab Abihu were not they coÌ„sumed with fire for abusing the vse of sacrifices in taking vnhallowed wood and corrupting the law The people of Israel vnthankfull for the goodnes done vnto them in being deliuered from the PharaoÌ„ical captiuity did they not murmure against the holy sacrament of heauenly Manna when they did disdaine and contemne this bread of life and demanded Iosua 7 flesh to eate Achan the sonne of Charmes did not he violate the lawe of the holy signes when he committed sacriledge and kept backe the spoyles of 〈◊〉 vowed consecrated to God for sacrifices If any more curiously desire to see the continuall abuses and corruptions of the people themselues let him reade the histories of the Iudges of Iudg. 2. 3. 6. 8. 9 Israel and in all times he shall find man neuer to be content with the true worshipping ordeined of God But in steed of outwarde signes ordeined of God to draw the people to feare and obedieÌ„ce they haue forged inuentions And in place of reuerencing the alters and arke couenant in the name of the only God being outward sacred signes The Israelites infected with the Idolatries of Iudges 10 their neighbours the Syrians Sidonians Moabites Ammonites and Philistines did erect alters vnto their strange Gods Baal and Astaroth Iâ—ptha Iudge The vdgentle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ie 〈◊〉 Iudg. â—â— and Captaine of the Isralites did not he corrupt the lawe of Sacrifices when he sacrificed his owne proper daughter Iudg 8. 9 Idolatry by the Ephod Iudg. 17. 18. excusing himselfe by a vow which hee made which was not appointed to him of God The holy signe ordayned of God for the high Priest to celebrate sacrifices in called Ephod the vppermost garment was not it abused by Gedeon captaine of the Israelites when as of the spoiles of the Madianits and of their earings he made an Ephoa of gold whereby the people fell into great idolatrie How long time was this holy outward signe Ephod abused an Image being erected by the mother of Michas in 〈◊〉 Priests sacrificers appointed expresly to sacrifice thereunto an Altar builded and the true vse of sacrifices corrupted So long as as the temple continued in Silo into what wicked manners did the Priestes and sacrificers fall which were ordeined of God for the ministrie of sacrifices and holy sacraments when they vsurped by long possession to haue this priuiledge of the people that when 1 Sam. 2. they did sacrifice the flesh of the offered sacrifice was seathing their boy or seruant hauing a three grained flesh-hooke of yron in his hand had liberty to catch out of the potte or caldron all that he could cary with his hooke Further the leuiticall tiranny was such that this seruant of the Priest had libertie to demand of the sacrifice giuer flesh to roste for the sacrificer otherwise to take it by force euen as he would Was not this a great abuse and detestable corruption practised by the Pristes and chiefe sacrificers vnder the preteÌ„ce of sacrifices What greater corruption can be declared then that of the sonnes of the chiefe Ophni Phinâ—es corruptâ—â—s of the sacrifices 1 Samuel 4. Priest Ely called Ophni Phinees Who vnder the preteÌ„ce of deuotion comitted shameful whoredome with the couered women behinde the holy Tabernacle institued of God for the which wickednes they were miserably slaine and the Arke of couenaÌ„t taken away by the Philistines Which they set in the Temple 1. Samuel The arke of the holy couenant of their God Dagon but God not suffering this holy signe thus to bee prophaned threw downe the Image Dagon sent grieuous punishments to the Philistines in such sort that they were coÌ„strained to restore the Arke of the couenant of God This holy signe was so precious that forasmuch as the Bethsamits which were not of the order of the Leuits had abused it 50000 of the common people and 70. of the chiefe rulers were rooted out and slaine by the vengeance of God This example might make all Against corruption of holy signes those to tremble which enterprise to abuse the holy signes and sacraments ordeyned of God Vzzah also for that he abused the same 2. Samuel 6. Vzzah sacred signe notwithstanding that hee did it of a good intention for to lift vp the Arke of witnes hanging to much on the one side was hee not punished with death Of others abuses committed by the Israelits there is many examples Osias Osias was punished with leprosie for abusing 〈◊〉 the sacrifices in taking vpon him the ministery of encensing appointed to the priests onely Saul he first elected Saul 1 Sam. 13. Ioseph lib. 7 cap â— of the Iewes antiquities King of the Israelites was slaine and his kingdome giuen vnto another as was declared before of Samuel for abusing the sacrifices and suffering his people to commit the like abuses His successours in the kingdomes of Iuda and Israel haue not they alwaies continued in abusing and corrupting the sacrifices and sacraments ordeined of God when they did offer sacrifices to the Gods Astaroth of the Sidonians to Chanios 1 Kigs 8. 11. of the Moabites and to Melcom or Moloch of the Ammonites in so much that they builded temples and oratories euen to offer incense and to doe sacrifices vnto them â—â—roboam king of the Israelites did not Hieroboam 1 Kings 12. only cause a golden calfe to be erected as the high Priest Aaron had abused before but also did ordaine two golden Kine in the two Temples of Bethlel and Dan and ordained strange Priests corrupting the law of God and causing them to doe sacrifice after the fashion of Kings 14. Aaron This Idolatrie and corruption of sacrifices did continue among the Israelites more than 400 yeares during the raigne of their kinges who had taught them to corrupt the true vse of the sacrifices in chapels and particuler oratories builded on the tops of hils and thicke forrests consecrated in violating the law of sacrifices ordained by God in the holy temple within the holy cittie For particuler examples of 1. Kings 15. the abuses committed against the true vse of sacrifices the historie of Maatha mother of king Aâ—a is
Italy Afterward Paul Emil. lib. 1 the yeare of Christ 568. raigned Totilas which forced robbed and burned Rome and all Sicile In the end the Lombards conducted by their Kings 〈◊〉 did raigne which vsurped Italy These barbarous nations Idolaters and Infidels did serue as whippes ordained of God to punish the Idolators of Rome committed by them which had knowledge of the holy Gospell And yet turned back froÌ„ the true worshiping of God violating and corrupting the holy sacraments by the inuentions of men To punish also the infidelity and obstinacie of the Emperours and Senators of Rome which first of all caused the Lieutenants officers appointed in Iudea to crucifie Christ his holy Apostles to persecute the Christians and alwaies to resist the lawe of the Gospell to maintaine their religion Pompilian Thus we may conclude that during the space of 400. yeares the Romane church of Emperours and Senatours hath euer beene contrary and enemies to the lawe of Iesus Christ Then afterward the occidentall Empire being ouerthrowen Rome and all Italy was ruled gouerned 300. yeares or there about by Kinges Princes and Dukes Idolators and Infidels namely by the VaÌ„dales by the Gothes by the HuÌ„nes by the Astrogothes by the Visigothes and by the Lumbards in such sort that during the space of 700. yeares or there about after the incarnation of Iesus Christ there was no Emperour Kinge nor Prince of Rome which would embrace the law of Iesus Christ The which gladly and shortly I haue declared to the end that the Reader thinke not strange that I haue heere shewed the sacrifice of the masse to haue taken his beginning of the ancient religion instituted by Numa PoÌ„pilius more then 700. yeares before the incarnation of Christ And so afterward also the same sacrifice hath beene continued by the Idolatrous Romanes inueterate and hardened so in their Pompilian Religion that they woulde neuer put away the same But to the end that nothing in the Romane Histories bee kept close which might obscure the clearenes of the veritie during the tyranny and vsurping of the nations aforesayd in Italy was erected a litle Lordship at Rauenna which continued about 183. yeares vntill it was rauished by a Bishop which inuested himselfe and encroched into the chaire of S. Peter by the meanes of a donation and demission practised by Pepin in the yeare 758. in recompence of a tyranny exercised by Zacharie Grec Bishop of Rome who spoyled the true inheritors of the crowne of France namely Chilperic or Childeric whom he shut vppe in a cloyster to make the kingdom to fall vnto the sayd Pipin the sonne of Charles Martell bastard This donation of Pipin thus giueÌ„ to the great Romane Bishop was the first originall of the greatnesse of the Popes of Rome who do holde vnto this day the Lordship Blond lib. 1. Pâ—ul Emil. 2. of Rauenna 800. yeares being past with a great number of Townes a long the Sea Hadriatike coÌ„mitted vnto them by Pepin contrarie to the expresse commandementes of Constantine then raigninge Emperour of the East in Grecia Whiles this little lordship was continued The yeare of Christ 588. at Rauenna long time before the donation of Pepin the Bishop of that place seeing that there were no more Emperours of Rome which was gouerned Sabelliâ— and kept vnder by barbarous people and Infidels lift vp his hornes in such sort that hee preferred himselfe to be Bishop of Rome and made himselfe the heade of the Church and also himselfe and his successours Bishops of Rauenna so long as the Lordship hath continued This was the first little Antichrist which would take vpon him a tyrannie in the Church to follow the earthly tyrannie of his Lordship Afterward there rose vp another In the yeare of Christ 600. Blond lib. 1. greater Antichrist in Constantinople named Iohn Bishop of that place Who seing the occidentall Empire of Rome ouerthrowne and the other of Constantinople highly exalted hee would alsâ— Greg lâ—b 4. â—â— his epâ—â—â—es cap. â—â— follow the tyrannie of the world and stâ—â—re vp a spirituall râ—â—e in the Church oâ— Iesus Christ Hee caused himselfe tâ— be declared by a councell holden at hiâ— The yeere of 〈◊〉 6â—â— pleasure Bishop Eâ—umeâ—ious that is tâ— say generall and head of the whole 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Church But soone after the great Bishops of Rome gaue such order that bâ—â—â—eason the Emperour Maurice it Constanâ—â—ople was crâ—ely slaine hee his wife and famiâ—â—e by wicked Phâ—â—â—â— who to recompence this detestablâ— murder commâ—â—â—ed by the aduise of thâ— Church of Rome alwaies contrary to Iesus Christ hee declared Beniface the The â—eâ—re o◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 third â—f that name the generall head of the church of God taking vpon him the 〈◊〉 of Iesus Christ the greaâ— and euerlasting high Priest the onely spouse and head of his church Who can beâ—â—er describe an Antichrist than hee that doth enterprise a tyrannie in the church of God a poâ—â—gamie in the church the spouâ—e oâ— Iesus Christ attributing Maâ— â—â—6 to himselfe that power which Iesus Christ hath reserued to himselfe to bee perpetuall with his church by the vertue of his holy spirite to conduct and gouerne the same May not hee rightly be called Antichrist which doth enforce himselfe directly to goe against the holy gospell of Iesus Christ who commanded his Apostles when he sent them toâ— preach his word that they Math. 23. Luke 11. Marke 2. should not institute a Monarchie in the church as the Princes Kings and tyrants of the earth That none amongst them should enterprise to call himselfe the head or greater then other but all as brethren were humbâ—e being assured to haue one head and one heauenly father which will tarrie with them and assist them for euer to inspire and conduct them in his holy will Is not hee of good right Antichrist which will haue himselfe called the successour of Iesus Christ in the great Bishoprick in the high priesthood by him exercised The which dignitie he hath reserued to himselfe abiding a high soueraigne Prieâ— for euermore who hath left no successour in his dignitie as Aaron did and hiâ— successours in the dignities of the higâ— Priests of the Iewes But is after the order of Melchâ—sedech a king high prieâ— without any successour in his dignitie Wherfore then O Antichrists of Rome haue you taken vpon you the dignity â—â— the highest Bishops as the heads of thâ— church of God and vsurped also the authority of Iesus Christ causing youâ— selues to be called most blessed most reuerend fathers and Popes hauing instituted a colledge of little purple Bishoppes to choose the great Bishop buâ— onely to the end to renew the auncient Romaine religion of Numa Pompilius the first authour of your Pontificall dignities About the same time that Phâ—â—aâ— the cruell murtherer did erect an Antichrist in the Romane Church Mahomet was risen in the Church of Arabia instructed by the Monke
manifest whâ— erected an Image of the God Pan and did consecrate and dedicate vnto him a thicke forrest offering sacrifices vnto it Achah another king of the Israelites Achab. 1. Kings 16. did erect an Altar and made sacrifices to the God Mars otherwise called Baal vnto whom he dedicated a groue to satisfie his wicked wife Iesabel Hee caused also another Altar and Temple to be erected to the God of the Ioseph lib. 8. chap. 10. Tyâ—aÌ„s he ordained Priests Sacrificers and instituted soure hunded false Prophets His sonne and successour Ochosias Ochosias taught of his father to corrupt the vse of the sacrifices did not onely offer 2 Kings 1. Ioseph lib. chap. 1. to Baal otherwise called Mars but went forward in greater abuse he builded a Temple vnto the God of Accoronites called by Iosephus Myos and by the Greekes 〈◊〉 vnto the which God he did sacrifice To be short what more abhominable Purgatorie 2. Cings 16. 2. Kings 16. 23. In the booke Alcoran Asoar 29. 46. Asoar 5. ignem geheÌ„nae non nisi numeto dierum preterminato animas sentire docet Aeoâ— liber ad diem veriatts omnes Iccedere opeâ—um suorum mercedem accepturas Aâ—â—ar corruption can bee described then the inuention of the fire Purgatorie wherewith the Israelites did transgres causing their children to passe through the fire in Tophet a valley of the sonnes of Ennon sacrifizing vnto the God Moloch This corruption of sacrifices notwithstaÌ„ding that it was in the time of Moâ—â—es yet the Idol Moloch in the valley of Ennon was not cast downe till the raigne of King Iosias more then nine hundred yeares after Moyses Neuertheles this abuse doth continue among the Arabians and Affricans to this present so that the Alcoramists and Mahometists haue this beliefe that the soules of the departed must passe through the fire to bee purged and purified from their offences By this briefe gathering a man may clearely perceiue that from the begining of the world man by his owne fault hath fallen into the bottome of errour and corruption of holy signes sacrifices and sacrameÌ„ts ordained to him of God But the principall abuse whereof is Cause of the corruption of sacraments sprung the originall of all Idolatrie entred by this meanes that fleshly carnall men did sticke more to the visible signes and outward ceremonies then to the things signified by the Sacraments Apo â—3 for in place of circumcisiing their hearts and cuting away of the old skin Deut. 10 30. of sinne to be regenerated and purified by the bloud of the heauenly sacrifice offered before all worlds they haue taken circumcisioÌ„ carnally for the cutting of the carnall skinne Wherefore did they not follow the interpretation of God by Moyses to circumcise the foreskin of their heartes Wherefore did not the children of Israel giue credit to the good prophet Ieremie Ierem. 4. which admonished them of the spiritual circumcision and to circumcise the forekinne of their hearts in putting away the foreskinne of their naturall corruption The like is come to passe of the sacrifices and holy signes ordained of God for figures of the sacrifice fulfilled by Iesus Christ For the carnall man resteth in the corporall bloud of earthly beasts where he ought to lift vp his spirit to heauen to comprehend and conceiue that which is figured and signified by the sacrifices of beastes offered vp For this therefore the iustice of God is declared by the Prophets What neede haue I saith the Lorde Esry 1. God of your sacrifices I am weary of your offerings of sheepe Moreouer I take no pleasure in the bloud of beasts lambes and goates offered Whereforâ— trauell you to addresse Altars vnto me I will none of your offerings and vaine sacrifices I abhorre your incense I can not suffer your new moones your Sabbaoths your assemblies and your feasts all is but vanitie I hate your feastes oâ— new moones O Israelites and your solemne feasts I am wearie in suffering so much You haue goodly directed your prayers vnto mee I will not heare you any more for the abuses which you haue committed with your handes embrued with bloud Moreouer I will not Psalm 51. Esay 66 Ierem. 7. receiue of the house of Israel any Bull because your sacrifices are not pleasing vnto me I am as well pleased with the Eccle. 7. offering of a beast as with the murthering of a man and with the offering of Incense as with the worshiping of an Idoll Wherefore then saith God doe ye take so much paines to seeke Incense vnto Sabba and odours from far countreyes to offer and make sacrifices vnto me wherein I delight not Who hath moued you O Israelites to erect images vnto the Gods Moloch and the star Râ—mphâ—m during the time that you were in the Wildernesse where I did nourish you with my heauenly Manna Your feasts be odious vnto me your offerings oblations and sacrifices for the Amos. 5. health I will reiect your offerings do displease me After what manner should Mich. 6. one prepare himselfe to God Shall it bee by sacrifices of Bullocks of one yeare Doth God take pleasure in a great number of sheepe offered vnto him Or in a great quantitie of holy oyles To him saith the Prophet shall I offer of the first borne for the remission of sinnes Our good God hath very cleerely Psalm 51. declared that seruice which he commaÌ„deth follow equity loue mercie and of an humble and contrite heart fal downe before him for obedience is more worthy then sacrifice or the fatte of offered Rammes What gaue an occasion to God to 1. Samuel 15. put away those sacrifices and sacramâ— which hee himselfe had ordained â— the abuse and â—orruption which the â—raeâ—ites had coÌ„mitted taking ouer grâ—sly the signes and ceremonies ordaiâ— to draw them to feare and obedience For in place of conceiuing thâ— which was figured by the signes aâ— corporall sacrifices they did rest in tâ—â— fleshe of the beastes offered And â—stead of cutting away the foreskinneâ— their hearts they rested in the carnaâ— circumcision and in the meane time tuâ—ned away from the true worshiping â— God addressing themselues to creatureâ— As to starres to the queene of hâ—auen and other strange Gods offering tâ— them incense building for them temples preparing for them priests chaplaines and sacrificers to offer vnto them oblations and sacrifices Moreouer to accoÌ„plish this corruption they did sacrifice with the bloude of â—nnocents offering of them and causing them to passe through the fire of Purgatorie in the valley of Tophet Wherefore for the abuse committed by the children of Israell against the holy 4 Esdr â— sacraments sacred signes and sacrâ—fices ordeyned of God it was saide vnto them by the Prophets that God would no more of their feastes of their newe 4 Esdr â— Moones of their circumcision nor of their sacrifices celebrated by people â—dolatrous and full of bloud When the vnserâ— heable
Sergius about the yeare 620. for this Apostate Heretike seeing the lawe of God altogether corrupted by the traditions of men and the holy Gospell contemned sectes and diuerse heresies sowed as well by the Iewes Pharisees Esseens Saduces Masbutheans Galileans Hemerobaptists and Samaritans as also by the Christians Simoniaques Nicolaits CerinthieÌ„s MenandrieÌ„s Ebionites ValeÌ„tinians Cerdonians Marcionistes Montanistes Seeke the Church histories Cataphriges Tatians Eueratits Seuerians Aâ—temonistes Porpherians Helchesaites Nouatiens Sabellians Chiliastes Paulianistes Manicheans Automousiastes Arrians Eunonians Macedonians Euuomiotheophroniens Euuomioentichiens Aetians Donatistes Luciferiens Patripassians or Theophatites Photiniens Marcellians Paulosamosetans Apolinaristes Iouinianistes Pelagians Acariens Olimpiens Quaternitaries Monothelites And other Heretikes hauing corrupted the true vsage of the holy Sacraments ordeyned of God Seeing also specially the Messaâ—ien secte to prosper in their ceremonies taken partly out of the Iudaicall lawe and partly out of the heathen Idolatrie he inuented the great Alcoran decree wherein he set many chapters articles called Azoares which are as lawes and rules of the Mahomet Religion This preface briefe discourse of the Romane history me thought necessarie to recite before I would begin to discribe the originall of the sacrifice of the Masse Alwaies to bring the Reader to vnderstand the veritie of the fact How the Emperour of Rome hath bin gouerned vntill the decay thereof about the yeare of Christ 410 And how the barbarous Idolators did vsurpe the same for the space of 300. yeares how also the Antichristes did rise and in the end the Emperour of Rome was transferred to the Almaines which keepe it to this day 500. yeares being passed Of the Masse TO begin this our little treatise of the Masse first of all it is conuenient to interprete The originall of the tearme of the Masse this tearme Masse of the ancient Romaines called Missa Some haue honoured this Missal sacrifice to haue taken his beginning of the Hebrewes bringing in the place of Daniel speaking of Maozin as Daniel 11. if they would signifie the Masse by Maozin But this tearme is very strange froÌ„ Missa or Masse And there are other Hebrew words which are more nearer to wit Messa which is as much to say as conculcation or treading downe whereof mention is made in the history 4. Kings 11. Missa of the kinges of Israel Another tearme also is found very comfortable vnto this common tearme Masse namely Messall that is to say hell or graue But Iosua 19. Messall I am well assured that the high Priestes of Rome will not take the originall of their sacrifice of the Masse from the Hebrues acknowledging their Masse and Messall to be a conculcation graue or hell Further to speake the truth the Author of the Romane Religion Numa Pompilius neuer thought of the Hebrues when he first instituted the Masse Messal Hell much lesse this tearme Massa or Masse can haue his originall of the Greekes seeing they haue no sacrifice of that name notwithstanding that some haue made some reason to bring in this terme of Greeke Mizâ—in that is to say in English to whisper or hide in secret As if the Messalian sacrificers had receiued of the Greekes Idolatours to keepe secret the chiefe and principall words of their Masses to the end they should not bee vnderstood of the assistance but haue obserued to murmure and blow betweene their teeth the Canons and other speciall words which neither they vnderstoode themselues nor other which beheld them Neuerthelesse neither the Hebrue termes nor Greeke vocables in no wise can be appropriated to the missall sacrifice Wherefore it behoueth to haue recourse to the true original of the terme Missa or Masse taken of the Masse taken of the ancient Latins Romans auncient Latines the Romanes which were accustomed to vse these termes Missus Mâ—ssa Missilis and Missio As we say in English a Messenger a Message and Messiuenes for letters sent For wheÌ„ the ancient Idolaters Romanes Apud Graecos Sacerdos functus misterio sic renunciabat Laois aphesis quasi populum misum faceres would giue leaue vnto the assistance at their Sacrifices celebrated to go home they caused to be pronounced in the end of the sacrifice these words I lieet Missa est Depart it is permitted the assembly hath leaue to retire or depart And in processe of time for that this song did note vnto the people a licence to go home most agreeable and desired as a songe and terme most comfortable Apul. lib. 11. de asin au pleasant it hath bin kept and the sacrifice honoured with this terme Masse or Missa to confirme this point there is two thousand yeares past and the same tearmes bee sung yet vnto this presenâ— day 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which doth signif◠〈◊〉 giuen to the company or assembly to depart and goe home In such sort that those which do 〈◊〉 the temples or churches as soon as they doe vnderstand this pleasaâ— song 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a man may see theâ— ordinarily to awake and leape for ioy as being assured to haue licence to go to dinner The Arabian 〈◊〉 instructeâ— of long time by the mâ—nke Sergius â—â— we haue declared haue this terme of Masse in great commendation with In the booke of the description o◠〈◊〉 by Iohn Leon 〈◊〉 which vocable they haue honoured â— towns or cities called Messa scituate vpon the mouth of the Ocean vpon the point which doth make the begining of the 〈◊〉 Atlas Nere vnto the same towns in the subuâ—bes there was a temple much reuerenced 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 by the Idolatrous Turkes for that they did be 〈◊〉 that in Messa should be borne the iust bishop promised and prophecied by Mahomet They did beleeue also that vpon the coast of the said place of Messa Ionas was cast after hee Messa Iamans In the booke of the great Turks Court by sryer Antony Gefferie was swallowed vp of the whale They haue also this name Messalamaines in as great honour as we haue the name of Christians As if the would signifie by this vocable Messalanian saued Moreouer the Mahematists doe honour also their priests with the name of In the booke aboue sayd Messen Messit Masse calling them Messen and their temples Messiâ— or Meschit Those then which are inforced to bring to light the Anatomy or descriptioÌ„ of the Masse the pieces the groundes the pathes and encreasemeÌ„ts ought to describe it with great reuerence hauing due respect to the ancient religion Pompilian and Alcoran of Mahomet Now after that we haue resolued the name of Masse and of Missa in the Latine tongue to haue taken her begining of the ancient Romaine Idolatours and not of the Greekes or Hebrews It behoueth vs to come to the garmentes of the Messalian sacrificers But in passing by we must not omit that name Bishop to haue his originall also of the Romaines as wee haue declared also in our commentaries Also the name Papa or
Centurion in singing the Pater noster But the Alcoran of Durand expoundeth by the seuen Petitions of the Pater noster the seuen weepings of the virgin Marie or the seauen vertues or the seauen giftes of the holy ghost or the seauen Beatitudes or the seauen deadly sinnes This song finished the Massalian a litle while keepeth silence to figure the silence or rest of Christ in the tombe Another aperie or mummerie doth the Messalian play with his round host the which hee laieth vpon the paten to figure the vnitie of the diuinitie with the humanitie but when he plaieth the secret misterie then the host is hid out of sight The sacrifice thus finished and the litle Re dâ—uina ceremoniis celebratis sacerdos tunc I licet suâ—â—lamabat quâ— voce illos qui interfuerant missos faciebat Alex. ab Alex. lib. 4. cap. 17. Parts of the Masse ordeyned by Numa 700. yeares before the incarnation of Iesus Christ round hostes eaten Numa ordeined to sing these wordes I licet vel Ite missa est that is to say go it is granted the assembly is suffered to go home Be not all these parts of the Masse sacrifice ordeined by Numa the coniurer more then 700. yeares before the incarnation of Iesus Christ to wit the Vestiments the Aulbe the Casuall the holy purging water coniured with salt to chase away Diuels the Aulter the Taper-light the turnings and trauersings along the Altar with prayers meditations toward the East the Processions with Shrines and Relikes caried vpon the shoulders of the Priestes clothed in white surplesses and crownes vpon their heades the Confiteor made to the he Saints and she Saints the playing on the Organes the Canticles Peans Hymnes and Odes the Censor and the Incense the communion of little round bread consecrated in the name of their Gods in the end this song Ite missa est do ye not acknowledge O ye Massalians that ye haue borrowed all these partes and members of your Masse of Pompilians Religion Why do you hold this word Masse seeing Iesus Christ did name it a supper or the partaking of his body Why haue Matth. 27. Luk. 20. Mark 14. 1 Cor. 11. ye taken these Vestiments the Aulbe painted Chasual proper to the ancient Romane Idolators of the which garments Christ ordeyned nothing Why haue yee giuen more credit vnto the witchcraft of Pompilius to chase away Diuels with salt water coniured called holy water theÌ„ vnto the holy gospel of Iesus Christ the which doth assure you in his name to driue away Diuels Mark 16. and not with witchcraft and salt Who but the spirit of Vuma did inspire you to shaue your crowne round to deck your selues with white Surplesses to beare the Shrines and Banners in Procession When Iesus Christ celebrated his holy supper and instructed his Apostles of the communion of his body and bloud did he command theÌ„ to follow the religion of the ancient Romane Idolators to haue their Altars enriched with Images to vse turnings and trauersings along the altar to be shorne round to haue aulbes and chasuals adressing their prayers and confession to he she Saints to pipe with Organes to perfume their altars Images with InceÌ„se to go to the offerings to cary money to the Priestes boxe to eate litle rounde hosts consecrated and last of all to sing Ite missa est But I well perceiue O Massalians your Masse subtelties whereby you shal confesse to me that the body and chiefe parts of the Masse tooke their beginning and creation of Numa Pompilius Neuerthelesse the deckings and enrichings were inueÌ„ted by other Bishops of Rome specially by a Monke called Gregory the first of that name that came to the Popedome Who was instructed in the Magicke and Philosophie of Pythagoras and had also studied the lawes of Tullius Hostilius King and successor of Numa to the end to make his name euerlasting by adding some new thing to the missall sacrifice he ordeined to Platind Volateran singe nine times these words in Greeke Kvrie eleyson For Gregorie did greatly esteeme this number nine euen as the Kyrie eleyson Quoties prodigiâ—m nunciebabatur sacrum nouendiale per nouem dies agebatur ancient Romane Idolators had recourse to the nouendiall sacrifice or signes and monstrous woÌ„ders He did also ordeine that in the Masse sacrifice shold be sung two words of Hebrue to accompany the two words in Greeke And that at certaine times men should singe these Tit. Liui lib. 1 Decad. 1. two words Allelu ya and certaine times they should not In place of which Allelu ya is song another song called the Tract with sharpnesse of voice prolixitie of song and heauinesse of notes of musicke to figure the miseries of this world and hee that singeth Allelu ya must be higher then he that holdeth the graduell as the Alcoran of Titelman doth recite Is there not witchcraft inough in your sacrifice O Massalians vnlesse yee put thereunto Hebrue and Greeke words and mingle together Pythagoricall numbers and nouendiall songes and institute a difference of daies to sing not to sing Hebrue words inuent crosses dumbe muÌ„meries Be not these corruptioÌ„s of the holy sacrameÌ„t of the supper Glotia patri Agnus dei kissing the paten ordeyned of God Some other haue enriched the missall sacrifice as Damase bishop of Rome with a Gloria patri Sergius with an Agnus Dei song three times which Titelman expoundeth to figure the assention of Christ Innocent the kissing of the priests Paten The which Paten of gold by the doctrine of the Alcoran doth signify the diuinity of cap. 14. Christ. The Gloria in excelsis by Symmachus the which song pronouÌ„ced in a voice Cap. 56. 57. sweete and base doth signifie as holdeth the Alcoran of Titelman the warlike childish voice of Christ being yet in the Cradle O Blasphemie and detestable mummerie of the sonne of God Leo the second instituted the kissing of the Pax which the Alcoran of Titelman sayeth doth signifie the vnion of Pax kissing Christians And that the kissinge of the Paxe came in in the place of the holy communion obserued in the first Church next the Apostles This kissing of the Paxe was song of the Massalian saying these words Pax domini and making three crosses vpon the chalice when the third part of the host is castinto the wine to figure the incarnation of Christ or for the threefold peace of the time of the spirit of the euerlastingnesse to come Moreouer the forging of the Canon of the Masse is attributed to Alexander Gelase Syricie Leo and Pelage These be peeces The Cannon of the Masse patched too according to the humours of the Bishops of Rome the authors and restorers the founders and augmentors of the Masse sacrifice The best enriching instituted in the Platina Sabellicus Masse sacrifice must not be forgotten to wit certaine places of the old
and new Testament called the Epistles and Gospels The Epistles Gospels cut in the Masse The which the Massalians haue cut and mingled with the Pompilian Idolatry therein haue prophaned the lawe of God euen as did the Apostate Sergius Doctor of the Mahomet the the which decked the Alcoran with many places of the holy Bible and patched a hotch potch of fables and heresies with the holy lawe of God The Massalians haue ordeined two persons to sing the Epistles and Gospels to the end to enrich their Mâ—sseâ—daunce to wit the subdeacon who marcheth before to play the person of the first lawe of the Iewes and the deacon which commeth after with more great dignitie to represent the lawe of the Gospell the which deacon carieth vpon his breast a cushon to figure the humblenesse of heart The subdeacon receiueth not the blessing of the Massing Sacrificer as the deacon doth for this cause say the Massalian Doctors that God sent his Prophets inuisiblie But the deacon playing the personage of the lawe of the gospell hee receiueth blessing as being sent among Wolues because Christ sent his Apostles as men visiblie It is ordeined that the deacon shall we are a stoale crosâ—wise hanging vpon his shoulders one end ouer the other to figure force and continence ioyned together in the Masse-monger The Deacon playing his pagen and singing some peece of the Gospell in a language vnderstanded neither of him nor of the assistaÌ„ts must turne himselfe toward the north standing vpright Because saith Titelman the north part is cold and malicious And therefore he must make a crosse to chase awaie the Diuels of the north Be not these sorceries and conflâ—ctes more horrible then al the coÌ„mentaries of the ancient Romane Bishops Idolators Doth not this approue the Alcoran Against the long possession and prescription of Idolators of Mahomet the long possession wherof Turkes presently haue had for these 900. yeares past hauing conquered Countries Realmes and Empires Against Turkes prospered in all their enterprises still obseruing the abhominable lawe set out Against the people of Israell offering to Moloch in the Alcoran Where the people of Israel excused before God when they did sacrifice in the valley of Tophet to Moloch with innocents bloud by alleaging the long possession accustomed 4 King 16. 23. Against the idolatry of the brasen serpent vsage for the space of 1200. yeares before this Idolatry was altogether destroyed by the good king Iosias Did the Israelites murmure against the vertuous King Ezechias when he destroyed the brasen serpent which was made by the expresse commandement of God 900. yeares before Where the same people excused of their Idolatries coÌ„mitted in Dan Bethel wherein are the Images of 2. heiffers of gold instituted by their King Ieroboam vnder pretence of long possession and that they had continued this Idolatry for the space of 300. or 400 yeares The Iewes nowe vacabonds Against the image set vp in Ieroboam 3 King 12. Against the infidelity of the Iewes shall they be excused before the maiesty of God by shewing the long possession of this ceremoniall lawe instituted of God himselfe three thousande yeares agoe Also you O Massalians can you alleage against God the continuance and long possession of celebrating your PoÌ„pilian Masses long time and that you your predecessors haue vsed solde and put to vsurie your Missall sacrifices Is this reason sufficient to grounde vpon long possession as your predecessors Senators of Rome did alleage vnto Theodose the Emperour their Pompilian religion to haue bene obserued more then a 1000. yeares This is not an excuse sufficient to bring in long possession and vsage of long time obserued for the confirmation of your Idolatries For if God of his mercie and wonderfull patience did suffer the Iewes in their vnfaithfulnesse the Turkes in their Alcoran lawe and the Christians in their Masse Idolatries It is not for vs to dispute of the incomprehensible secrets of God but with all humility to take againe the way of truth when it shall please him to giue it vs after long and deepe darknes whereunto the people in all ages haue fallen turned from the true worshipping and ordinance of God euen so as briefly before we haue declared of the Israelits the chosen people of God the which notwithstanding that they had Moyses and the Prophets which did admonish them by many miracles and threatnings how they should honor God and keepe the lawe neuerthelesse they neuer ceased by mens inuentions to commit Idolatries So that during the raigne of the Princes Iudges of Israell when the people were gouerned as in Aristocratia then after submitted vnder the yoake of Kings as in a Monarchie last of all brought vnder the gouernement of the Pristes hauing gotten both the temporaltie and spiritualtie the law of God hath beene corrupted the sacrifices and sacraments defaced and defiled and Idolatry continued more then 1600. yeares from the law written by Moyses vnto the incarnation of Iesus Christ What may one hope for then of the people of Rome instructed in all Idolatrie as a dry tree a Heathenish and bastard people But these Massalian heretikes cannot vaunt themselues of very long possession of their Masse sacrifices except of the 9. peeces before described restored and borrowed of Numa Pempilius for the other parts of the Masse were inuented at diuerse times by diuerse antichrists corruptors of the holy sacraments ordeyned of God And to vnderstand the times and yeares of the chiefe builders Agapet Pope of Rome raigned in the yeare of Christ 533. and brought in the procession after the order prescribed by Numa The Confiteor was restored by Damase raigning the yeare 577. The Kyrie eleyson the Letanies by Gregory raigning in the y. 593. The Graduell the Collects the Traict by Gelase raigning in the yeare 493. The Sequences by Gothere Abbot of Sandale The Gloria in excelsis by Symachus raigning in the yeare 508. The Incens and the Offertorie restored from the ancient doctrine Pompilian by Leo the third of that name in the yeare 800. The kissing of the Paxe by Innocent the first of that name in the yeare 408. Agnus Dei instituted by Sergius in the yeare 697. The Commemoration of the deade inuented by Pelagius in the yeare 558. The Cannon forged by Gelase Siricie Leo and Pelagi raigning in the yeare 800. The transubstantiation instituted by the bishops of Rome about the yeare of Christ 162. Wherefore of what impudencie are these Alcoranists Masse Doctours to be condemned the which falsly do affirme that the holy Apostles of Iesus Christ did celebrate their missall sacrifice Seeing that this sacrifice was not restored to his integrity after Numa Pompilius but after Christ 800. yeares In what approued histories is there mention made that such Idolatry was committed by the holy Apostles of God How is it possible to beleeue or thinke it when as this great whore of Babylon
for the Priest To witt the fat the two kidneies the kall or the fatte of the flankes Another difference there is also betwixt the sacrifice Sacrifice for health for health and the sacrifice celebrated for sin for in the one was ordeyned to eate all the sacrifice in two daies in the other for sin it was enioyned to eate all in one day onely By reason Sacrifice for sinne whereof some sacrifices were called Holocaustes other for health and other for sinne The sacrifices for sinne were diuerse aswell for because of the persons as for the offerings For he that sinned Sacrifice for the sinne of ignorance by ignorance was clensed by offering an Ewe or a she Goat but the clensing of sinne done wittingly was clensed with a Ramme The sinne of the great Priest was clensed by offering of a calf Sacrifice for the sinne of the high Priest Prince Magistrate particuler person Leuit. 3. 4. 5. 6. Sacrifice for the man poluted of the prince by offering a goat a bul that of the magistrate with a Goat that of any particuler with the offering of a female The sacrifice for clensing of sin done against God was done with a ram The sacrifice for a man polluted was with an Ewe or a she goat for clensing of a woman after her childbirth was a For the woman deliuered Leuit. 12. Sacrifice for the Leprous Leui. 14. lambe of one yeare a young pigion a turtle For the clensing of Lepre were 2 birds aliue pure cleane Cedre wood and Isope 2 whole lambes one Ewe of a yeare with floure and oyle Another sacrifice also was made for the persoÌ„ poluted Sacrifice for the poluted menstruall by seed shed or meÌ„struous with 2. turtles 2. yong pigioÌ„s If the great sacrifices did faile then did they repare to doues pigions and turtles th one for the burnt offering the other for the food of the Priests And in all sacrifices there was pure floure without leuen salt incense Leuen hony forbidden in all sacrifices A sacrifice for the woman suspected of adultery Numb 5 and oile And it was not lawfull to offer any thing with leuen or hony vpoÌ„ the alter Alwaies in the sacrifice ordeined for the purging of women suspected of adulterie there was no incense nor oile as in other sacrifices but for her was offered water mixt with dust or ashes gathered vpon the pauement of the temple Againe there was another Sacrifice of the Nazereus Numb 6. Philo the Iew in the treatise aforesayd sacrifice celebrated for them which had made the great vowe called Naserius when the time of their deuotion was done it was ordeined vnto them to offer three sacrifices a Lambe an Ewe a Ramme One to witte the Lambe for the burnt offering the second being the Ewe for the saluation the third for health Moreouer the heares of him which made the sacrifice should be cast into the fire with the burnt offering to be burned I haue thought good to discourse the diuersitie of sacrifices briefly to the end to make knowen the great goodnesse of our God who by the lawe of Sacrifices published by Moyses would as with a bridle restraine the rude people of Israel which could not forget the idolatries of Egypt wherein they had beene nourished 430. yeares vnder the tyrranny of Pharaoh But what straight lawes what ceremonies sacrifices so euer were ordeined for them euer this people did fall to Idolatry abusing the law of God and corrupting the holy sacraments and sacrifices it shall be declared hereafter If any man be desirous to know more of the multitude diuersitie of sacrifices let him reade the books of Philo the Iewe and Iosephus of the Iudaicall antiquities following that which Moyses hath plainely written in his bookes of Leuiticus and Numbers Another signe sacrament instituted The Arke of witnes Ex 25. 27. 28. of God by the Arke of the couenant described in Exodus being a holy signe dedicated to receiue the holy and heauenly answers to the end to bring the people to the remembrance feare and obedience of God to honour accompany the Arke of the couenant Many other exterior signes were ordeyned of God as the ornaments and consecration of Priestes specially the ornament Ephod called the Ephod the which and the sacrifices the Israelites did abuse by their Idolatries Another holy signe there was of the Purging water consecrated Numb 19. purging and sprinkling water ordeined by God to Moyses and Aaron the high Priest This sprinkled water was consecrated with ashes gathered by a clean person of the sacrifice offered in Holocausâ—â— To witte of a Cowe all redde without any spot and which had neuer bin laboured The Wood ordeyned to make the fier for the burnt offering was Cedar Hisope Purple with Crimsin With this water were sprinkled polluted persons for the purging and cleansing of their corporall defilings At the entring of the Temple or Tabernacle Exod. 38. was a Lauer made of Brasse forged first with the images of the women of Israell in this Lauer was put the sprinkling water wherewith the sacrificers are sprinkled before the celebrating of their sacrifices to the end they might be purified and obtaine grace remission of their sinnes After the death of the great Priest Aaron the people of Israell vnthankfull to God for the goodnes sent them of him murmuring as annoyed with the heauenly Manna freely giueÌ„ vnto them for their noriture were punished by the biting of venemous serpeÌ„ts But the merciful God gaue vnto them an holy signe whereby they should be saued and restored to health to wit the brasen serpent Brasen serpent Iohn 3. 7. lifted vp in the aire a figure of Iesus Christ crucified These were in summe the most part of the signes sacrifices and sacraments ordeyned of God in the first Church of the Israelites figures of the true and perfect sacrifice performed by Iesus Christ the true Messias and euerlasting Priest sitting at the right hand of God the Father Now resteth the summe to bring forth Sacraments brokeÌ„ by Adam Gene. 3. how man by his owne proper fault did fall in obliuioÌ„ and disobedience of God his creator abusing Gods fauour and corrupting the holy signes sacrifices sacraments ordeyned to him What perswaded our first father and his companioÌ„ to bide themselues at the hearing of Gods voice but because they had abused the holy signe and broken the lawe of the fruits to them forbiddeÌ„ This holy signe which our first and vniuersall father had abused was the originall of other vices and corruptions hereafter described into the which all men are fallen sauouring of the corrupted lumpe of Adam Leauing the particuler corruptions of Corruption of the sacrifice by Aaron Exo. 32 Deut. 9. the signes sacrifices and sacraments before the law written by Moyses we will begin to bring forth briefly the most notable error