willful violations of this his sacred Injunction their hating reviling persecuting rejecting depriving any of his faithful painful Ministers Servants as Praecisians Puritans Non-conformists Scismaticks or Fanaticks only because they will not or dare not in point of Conscience against the precedent sacred Injunctions conform in every punctilio to those superfluous Vestments Disguises which their Fantastick frothy brains have invented prescribed in Gods worship against and besides his Word and obey God rather than men 9ly That John the Baptist our Saviours immediate fore-runner gave this command to Priests and Clergy-men as well as the People Luke 3. 11. He that hath two Coats let him impart to him that hath none which John the Evangelist Paul and James have seconded in substance if not in words 1 John 3. 17. Rom. 12. 13. Jam. 2. 15 16. How then can Bishops Deans Prebends Ministers heap living upon living and one Coat Vestment upon another when so many poor Christians are naked and destitute of clothing to whom their Lawes Decretals resolve they must not impart any of their consecrated Coats or Vestments though old and quite worn out but burn them rather because fit for and to be worn by none but sacred persons Yea pull off the Coats of their fellow Ministers and strip them of their Livings Ministry because they will not heap Coat upon Coat and one Vestment upon another when they are to pray preach administer Sacraments and the Coats of their own poor Stipendary Curates too who discharge their duties and take all the pains in their Commendaes Appropriations Pluralities Benefices on which they are for the most part Non-resident by allowing them such contemptible Salaries as will scarce provide them Cloaths much lesse a competent substance for them and their Families 10ly That God being no respecter of persons and taking no notice of Bishops Ministers or Christians Vestments in his Worship Service but only of their Hearts Spirits Graces Sincerity Diligence and Fidelity Yea St. Peter himself resolving That in every Nation be that feareth God and worketh righteousnesse is accepted of him and St. James particularly reprehending Christians for having the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of glory in respect of persons and preferring those who come into their Assemblies with a gold Ring and goodly Apparel as Archbishops Bishops Deans Prebends and other Pompous Clergy-men use to do and conteming poor Curates and conscientious humble world-contemning Ministers who come into the Church to preach officiate or celebrate the Sacrament in ordinary or vile rayment The discriminating of Ministers from other Christians and Popes Patriarchs Arch-bishops Bishops Arch-deacons Deans Prebends from one another and from other Ministers by their different habits and Sacerdotal Vestments as more honourable holy dear near acceptable to God than other inferiour Ministers or Lay-christians and reputing Sermons Prayers Sacraments preached made read administred in Surplisses Rochets Copes and other Church Vestments more Canonical holy decent acceptable both to God and Men than those preached read celebrated without them and that those Priests grievously sin against God who officiate without them is certainly a most grosse dangerous mistake dishonourable to God Religion Christianity it self and diametrically contrary to these sacred Texts and 2 Tim. 4. 2 3 4 5. 11ly That St. Peter himself with all the other Apostles Elders Brethren assembled in the first Synod and Council under the Gospel Acts 15. resolved upon solemn debate not to trouble them which from among the Gentiles were turned to God with Circumcision or any other Jewish Ceremnnies instituted by God himself and to lay upon them no greater burthen then those Necessary things comprised in their Letters which they sent and delivered by their Delegates to all the Churches of the Gentiles whereof Bishops or Priests Vestments were none being never reputed Necessary things by that Council or by Christ or any of his Apostles as Popes Prelates and others now repute them To prescribe enforce them therefore as Necessary things and to revile suspend censure silence such Ministers Schollars Christians who repute them Vnnecessary or Superfluous is to affront repeal this first Apostolical Council and Decree and to advance themselves above the Apostles 12ly That our Saviour himself when he commissioned his Disciples and sent them into all the World to teach all Nations and preach the Gospel to every Creature gave them no instruction at all concerning Pontifical or Sacerdotal Vestments or any other Ceremonies now contested for but only enjoyned them to teach and baptise all Nations teaching them to observe all things whatsoever he had commanded them not their own fancies or decrees as Popes Prelates and too many Ministers do now Yea St. Paul where he particularly treats of preaching the Gospel of administring and receiving the Lords Supper and of Church Assemblies 1 Cor. c. 9. 11. 1â— delivered and prescribed to them only that which he received from the Lord without one syllable of those Vestments Rites Ceremonies which now infest the Churches unity and peace Therefore they may and ought to be set aside by Christs and his Apostles own precepts practice who neither enacted nor commanded them to be used in any part of Divine Service or Worship 13ly That Christ himself sharply reprehends all such who teach for Doctrines the Traditions and Ordinances of men yea his Apostles Apostolical Elders and Brethren in their first Council blamed those Ceremonial Ministers who went out from them and taught the Brethren and converted Gentiles that they ought to be circumcised and keep the Law thereby troubling them with their words and subverting their souls because they gave them no such Commandement Till therefore Popes Archbishops Bishops and Prelatists can shew or produce an expresse command from Christ or his Apostles for the use of Surplisses Rochets Palls with other Pontifical Sacerdotal Vestments in time of Divine Service Preaching and Sacraments they have good grounds and reason to lay them quite aside and no longer to contest for much lesse impose or enforce them upon any Ministers Scholars Christians as they will avoid Gods Christs and their heavy displeasure censure These Scriptures and reasons premised I shall in the next place proceed to shew the true Original prescription use of Surplisses Rochets and other Vestments in Divine Offices Churches then answer the Arguments Reasons produced for their use and continuance It is ingeniously acknowledged by Alâ—uiâ—us de Divinis Officiis c. 38 39. Honorius Augustodunensis Gulielmus Durantus Thomas Waldensis some Popish Councils and the very Roman Pontifical and Missal That white Surplisses and other Pontifical Sacerdotal Vestments under the Gospel were originally 〈◊〉 from Aaron and the Levitical Priests garments under the old abolished ceremonial Law But who first invented or enjoyned them to be worn in time of Divine service Masse or Administration of Sacraments they do not mention but only the various mystical significations groundlesse grounds and frantick
shall be hallowed and their Garments with them Which Garments being accordingly made by Bâ—zaliel by Gods prescription were put upon Aaron and his Sons who were consecrated by Moses together with their holy Garments wherein they the succeeding High-Priests and Jewish Priests usually ministred to the Lord whence they were stiled Priests Garments and holy Garments which they were to put on when they ministred to the Lord and to put off when their ministration was ended as these Texts at large attest From whence Alâ—uinuâ— de Divinis officiis c. 38 39. Honorius Augustodunensis in his Gemma Animae l. 1 2. Thomas Waldensis Doctrinalis Tom. 3. Tit. 4. c. 29. De sacris vestibus quibus Sacerdos intrat ad Missam Gulielmus Durantus Rationale Divinorum l. 3. the Roman Missal Pontifical Ceremonial and all who write of Bishops and Priests Vestments under the Gospel and their Consecrations derive both their pattern and legitimation To which I answer That these Texts are so far from justifying that they are the strongest Arguments that can be against the Vestments of Priests and Prelates now contended for upon these several accounts 1. All and every of these Aaronical Vestments under the Law were particularly invented prescribed together with their matter form colour use by God himself in precise terms not by Moses or Aaron and his Sons alone according to their own fancies But the Vestments Garments Rochets Surplisses of Popes Archbishops Bishops Priests Deacons now contended for were neither particularly invented prescribed by God himself or Christ either in respect of their matter form colour use directly or indirectly nor by any one Text in the Old or New Testament but merely invented prescribed by Popes Archbishops Bishops Priests Monks according to their own vain doting fancies Therefore no wayes justified but condemned by these Texts 2ly All these Garments were made and the constant use of them in Divine services and administrations punctually enjoyned by Gods special Command warrant law not by Popes Bishops Councils Decretals Injunctions Constitutions Canons Visitation Articles alone as all Pontifical Sacerdotal Garments Rochets Surplisses Hoods and other such Trinkets are 3ly They were all put on Aaron and his Sons and both of them consecrated together by Moses alone the chief civil Magistrate not by any Pope Bishop Priest or other Ecclesiastical person who now only ingrosse and claim the right of ordaining consecrating all Archbishops Bishops Priests Ministers Deacons Ecclesiastical persons together with the hallowing of their Garments Rochets Surplisses and deem it no lesse than Sacrilege and Uâ—urpation for Kings or Civil Magistrates to ordain or consecrate any of them or order ought concerning them but at their requests and as their Substitutes 4ly These Garments of theirs were different both in matter kind form fashion from Rochets Surplisses Alâ—ees Hoods Planets Dulmaticks Chymeres Palls Stoles Pectoral Crâ—sses Cassâ—ckes Gownes Black Silken Girdles Copes Miters square Gaps and other Vestments now used contended for by Ceremonial Prelates and Clergy-men Therfore not warranted but condemned by these Texts 5ly These Garments were prescribed to Aaron and his Sons to put on only when they went in to the Tabernacle Altar Temple to offer up Levitical Sacrafices and Services unto God not when they prayed preached instructed the people in their several Cities Synagogues or in their Kings Pallaces as these Texts resolve Therefore no presidents for Bishops Priests or Deacons to imitate when they preach read Prayers officiate or administer Sacraments in Cathedrals or Parish Churches and Chapels 6ly Aaron the High Priest and his Successors with his Sons and Jewish Priests Sacrafices Priesthood Altars Vestments were all temporary typical utterly abolished by the incarnation passion sacrifice resurrection ascention of our Lord Jesus Christ who they typiFIed shadowed as inconsistent with and not fit to be continued under the Gospel as the Epistle to the Hebrews Galatians Romans Collossians Acts 15. and whole New Testament all Commentators on them Old and New resolve especially Hebr. 7 8 9 10. Therefore these Vestments may not ought not to be revived continued under the Gospel unlesse we will revive the Aaronical Priesthood High Priest Priest Levites with their Sacrificeâ— Altars Tabernacle Temple and all other Levitical Ceremonies Vestments in specie and renounce both Christ himself with his Priesthood Ministry and the Gospel 7ly None were to put on or wear these holy Garments but Aaron and his Sonnes who were all Priests by birth and succession not election and ordination as all Apostles Bishops 〈◊〉 Ministers Deacons were and yet are who being none of the Tribe of Levy or Sonnes of Aaron by natuâ—al generation can claim no Title by the Law to their Priestly Garments much less by the Gospel which thus expresly resolveâ— Hebr. 7. 12 13. For the Priesthood being changed there is made of necessity a change also of the Law For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another Tribe of which no man gave attendance at the Altar and of which Tribe Moses spake nothing concerning Priesthood An unanswerable Text against all Evangelical Bishops Ministers Deacons claimes and pretences especially being Gentiles not Jewes by birth and Christians by regeneration to Aaronical Levitical Priestly Vestments or Ornaments which Text I desire them all to answer at their leisures 8ly If any allege they onely use these Garments by way of allusion or imitation not prescription I answer 1. That they have no Precept nor warrant in the Gospel for this their allusion or imitation but direct Precepts warrants cautions against it as inconsistent with the Gospel and Salvation too Hebrews 6 7 8 9 10. c. 12. 27 28 29. c. 13. 10 11. Col. 2. 14 to the end Phil. 3. 2 3. Tit. 1. 10 11. Gal. 4. 30 31. c. 5. 1 2 3 4 11 12. Acts 15. 2ly They have no President from the Apostles or primitive Christians Churches for above 300. years after Christ 3ly If our Bishops Priests Deacons will imitate them in their Garments it must be in fashion species form end use as well as matter and colour the best reallest imitation Our Bishops or the Pope who preâ—end themselves the High Priests Successors though they can never prove it must then wear a Brestplate ephod robe broidered coat miter girdle of the same materials form as Aarons were And our Priâ—sts Deacons must wear fine linnen Ephods Breeches Bonnets and none but linnen not woolen Garments on them whiles they minister nor any thing that may cause sweat and lay aside all their Surplisses Hoods Gownes Copes Caps Cassocks of wool silk satin 〈◊〉 velvet which now they use else they do not imitate but prevaricate from this president 4ly Then none but Bishops Ministers Deacons nor any Scholars in Colleges Halls nor Singing-men Choristers and others not in sacred Orders must wear Surplisses as now they are enjoyned by the forecited Canons since none but Aaron and his Sonnes alone were
of our Church except only at the rehearsal of the Apostles Creed nor yet by any Popish Canons or Decrees to my remembrance as standing up at Gloria Patri and the Gospells are If it be only used out of pure devotion more attentively to hear mind what is read or spoken no prudent Christian can justly censure but approve it But if done merely out of Custom or because the Creed is the word of the Gospel according to its sense or to distinguish between the recital of the Creed and other parts of Divine worship or to advance the Creeds composed by men out of the Scriptures themselves of Divine inspiration authority before the sacred Fountains from whence they flow or to stand up for or stand to or stand fast in them as we use to speak more than to any other parts of the Scripture being all of like sacred inspiration and Divine authority it is no wayes excusable much lesse justifiable by any understanding Christians To close up this Discourse touching standing up at Gloria Patri Gospels and Creeds it is unquestionable that the posture of standing up is in it self indifferent and may be lawfully used in any part of Divine publick worship so as it be not done out of singularity opposition to decency and order or for superstitious or unwarrantable grounds but only to raise up our drowsie bodies hearts spirits more attentively fervently devontly to read hear pray and discharge that part of Gods worship wherein we use it The Primitive Christians and Universal Church for above Eight hundred years after his Nativity in memory of Christs resurrection did use to pray on all Lords dayes and between Easter and Whitsontide and worship God standing not kneeling nor bowing their knees at all when they prayed or worshipped which they prescribed prohibiting kneeling on these days by sundry Councils and reputing it a kinde of crime or impiety whence they stiled their Meetings on the Lords day Stationes à stando Stations from this their standing at them and the Christians of those times Stationarii as Tertullian Cyprian the Council of Nice Can. 20. the 6. Synod of Constantinople in Trullo can 90. the Synod of Towers under Charles the Great can 37. the Council of Aquisgrane under Ludovicus Pius c. 47. the Century writers Cent. 3. cap. 6. col 153. Centur. 3 5 6 7. c. 6. with sundry others attest From whence it is apparent 1. That they held this gesture of Standing lawfull and that they stood at the reading of the Psalmes Epistles and all Lessons out of the Old Testament as well as at the Gospels making no distinction between them 2ly That they received the Lords Supper standing not kneeling 3ly That they never bowed their knees or heads at the Name JESUS when ever read or heard first introduced by Pope Gregory the 10th about the year 1272. who restraiued the use of it only to the celebration of the Masse and never practised before his time for ought appears by Ecclesiastical Historians Fathers Councils or Decretals of Popes themselves Yet notwithstanding this antient universally received Custom of the Church though ratified by sundry Councils of praying performing all parts of Gods publick worship only standing not kneeling on every Lords day and between Easter and Whitsontide is long since quite laid aside in all or most Christian Churches and therefore the use of Gloria Patri Of standing up at it and at the Gospels and Creeds not so antient nor universal nor grounded on so good reasons as these Stations together with the late cringing and bowing at the Name JESUS may now with much more reason be set aside and discontinued for our Churches Peace Settlement and Unity in Gods worship SECT IV. Of the use of White Surplistes Rochets and other Episcopal and Sacerdotal Consecrated Vestments in the Celebration of Divine Service and Sacraments in Churches THe last thing I shall examine is the pretended necessity decency or expediency of Bishops Ministers Deacons Scholars Choristers wearing of white Surplisses Rochet and other sacred Vestments Habits Ornaments in the celebration of Divine service and Sacraments which many have formerly and now of late over-rigidly contended for refusing to admit such into Fellowships or Orders who out of scruple of Conscience refused to wear them and silencing depriving many godly orthodox painfull learned preaching Ministers who could not in judgement or conscience submit to use them Not to enter into any General discourse concerning the several uses of Apparel as 1. To cover our nakedness 2ly To keep our Bodies warm and defend them from cold heat rain winde tempests 3ly to adorn our Bodies in a modest decent comely manner without lasciviousness prodigality or fantastickness 4ly To distingiush the Male and Female Sexes and some Ranks Callings of men from others of a different degree or Profession I shall only premise these 13. considerations which I suppose must be acknowledged by the most zealous Contenders for these Pontifical and Ecclesiastical Vestments and Habits without dispute when duly pondered 1. That there is no particular kind fashion form of holy Garments instituted or prescribed by God in sacred Writ to Bishops Ministers or Deacons in and under the Gospel as there was to Aaron the High Priest and Jewish Priests and Levites under the Law 2ly That there is no one Text throughout the New Testament nor authentick Testimony to prove that either Christ or his Apostles or any Bishops Ministers or Deacons in the Apostles times or for some hundreds of years after them were distinguished by their Apparel from other Christians or Believers or that they preached prayed or administred the Sacraments in any consecrated Vestments whatsoever much lesse in such Rochets Surplesses or other Pontifical Habits as are now so eagerly contested for but only in their ordinary wearing Apparel the fashion or colour whereof is no where particularly described much lesse prescribed in the Gospel to all or any Ministers Bishops or Deacons And why should not all Prelates and Ministers be content to imitate and conform themselves to their Example as they are enjoyned Ephes 5. 2. Phil. 3. 17. 1 Pet. 2. 21. unlesse they will be reputed as in truth they are the greatest Non-conformists 3ly The Gospel being commanded to be preached to all Nations who were as different in their Manners Habits Fashions Customs Laws Ceremonies Governments as in their Climates and Languages it was neither possible convenient nor reasonable to prescribe any one set-form of Bishops Ministers or Deacons Vestments Liturgy or Administration of Sacraments to them all but to leave them arbitrary and indifferent with this general limitation Let all things be done decently and in order 4ly That though all Qualifications and Duties of Evangelical Bishops Deacons and their Wives too be most fully and particularly set down in the Epistles of Timothy and Titus yet there is not one syllable in them concerning
induti Which he repeats again in his 83. Homily upon Matth 26. Haec est dignitas vestra haec stabilitas haec Corona praecipua non ut tunicam induti candissimam per Ecclesiam ambuletis Whence the Century Writers observe Candidae vestis meminit tantum obitur Chrysostomus dum de Sacramenti corporis ac sanguinis Dominici administratione disserit From these passages of Hierom and Chrysostom Durantus Mr. Hooker and others justifie the Antiquity use of Surplisses though they do not positively define these white Garments to be Surplisses nor can they prove they were constantly and universally used by much lesse prescribed to all Ministers Deacons and Ecclesiastical persons in that age or some hundreds of years after by any Oecumenical National or Provincial Councils Gregory of Tours in the fourth Book of his Histories c. 60. makes mention of the Arch-deacons putting on the Albe upon the Bishop when he officiated which some take to be a Surplisse about 640 years after Christ but for Bishops or Priests constant use of them by any Canon or Law in that age I yet remember none About 700 years after Christ Pope Sylvester and other Popes brought in the use of Stoles Surplisses with other Priests Massing Vestments by degrees and soon after turned their Masses and Divine Services by their manifold disguised Vestments Ceremonies Processions Bowings Crossings ridiculous antique fanatick innovations gestures into a meer Pagentry or Enterlude as is evident by Ordo Romanus Antiquus de Divinis Catholicae Ecclesiae Officiis said to be compiled about 800. years after Christ by Abbot Alcuinus Tutor to Charles the Great De divinis Officiis cap. 38 39. published about the year 802. where he at large describes the use original and reason of instituting the several sorts of Pontifical and Priests Vestments both under the Law and Gospel paralelling them and the grounds of their institution together After whose time I find several Canons made in divers Provincial Councils in France for the use of Albees and Surplisses in the Celebration of Masses and Sacraments the use of them being continued and successively prescribed in all Popish Churches since that age to this very day which not only make the putting on or wearing a Surplisse by every Priest in the Act of his Ordination and of a Rochet with sundry other Episcopal Vestments and Ornaments upon Bishops a principal part badge of their Consecration as the Roman Pontifical and Ceremonial prescribe in their Rubricks but likewise in their Missals Pontifical and Ceremonial of Bishops enjoyn set forms of Prayers and Crossings to be used by Bishops in the consecration of and putting on of Rochets Albees and other Trinkets when they are to officiate or discharge their Ministry in them which I shall here insert that all may discern their superstition and vanity I shall begin with their consecration of these Garments Benedictio in Sacerdotalium indumentorum in genere V. Adjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini R. Qui fecit coelum terram V. Dominus vobiscum R. Et cum spiritu tuo Oremus OMnipotens sempiterne Deus qui per Moysen famulum tuum pontificalia sacerdotalia seu levitica vestimenta ad explendum in conspectu tuo ministerium eorum ad honorem decorem nominis tui fieri decrevisti adesto propitius invocationibus nostris haec indumenta sacerdotalia desuper irrigante gratia tua ingenti benedictione per nostrae humilitatis servitium purifi care bene ✚ dicere conse ✚ crare digneris ut divinis cultibus sacris mysteriis apta benedicta existant his quoque sacris vestibus Pontifices Sacerdotes seu Levitae tui induti ab omnibus impulsionibus seu tentationibus malignorum spirituum muniti defensi esse mereantur tuisque mysteriis aptè condignè servire inhaeâ—ere atque in his tibi placitè devotè perseverare tribue Per Christum Dominum nostrum R. Amen Oremus DEus invictae virtutis triumphator omnium rerum creator ac sanctificator intende propitius preces nostras hac indumenta Leviticae sacerdotalis pontificalis gloriae ministris tuis fâ—uenda tuo ore proprio bene ✚ dicere sanctifi ✚ care conse ✚ crare digneris omnesque eis utentes tuis mysteriis aptos tibi devotè ac laudabiliter servientes gratos efficere digneris Per Dominum nostrum Oremus DOmine Deus omnipotens qui vestimenta Pontificibus Sacerdotibus Levitis in usum tabernaculi foederis necessaria Moysen famulum tuum agere jussisti eumque spiritu sapientiae ad id peragendum replevisti haec vestimenta in usum cultum mysterii tui bene ✚ dicere sancti ✚ ficare conse ✚ crare digneris atque ministros altaris tui quia ea induerint septiformis Spiritus gratia dignanter repleri atque castitatis stola beata facias cum bonorum fructu operum ministerii congruentis immortalitate vestiri Per Christum Dominum R. Amen Deinde aspergit ipsa indumenta aqua benedicta Specialis Benedictio cujâ—sâ—â—et Indumenti V. Adjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini R. Qui fecit coelum terram V. Dominus vobiscum R. Et cum spiritu tuo Oremus DOmine Omnipotens bonarum virtutum dator omnium benedictionum largus infusor Supplices te rogamus ut manibus nostris opem tuae benedictionis infundas has Caligas Sandalia vel Amictum vel Albam vel Cingulum vel Stolam vel Manipulum vel Tunicellam vel Dalmaticam vel Planetam divino cultui Praeparata vel praeparatum vel praepartam virtute sancti spiritus bene ✚ dicere sancti ✚ ficare conse ✚ ciare digneris omnibus eis vel eo vel ea utentibus gratiam sanctificationis sacri mysterii tui benignus concede ut in conspectu tui sancti immaculati atque irreprahensibiles appareant auxilium misericordiae tuae acquirant Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum filium tuum qui tecum vivit regnat in unitate spiritus sancti Deus per omnia saecula saeculorum Amen Deinde aspergit ea aqua benedicta Before and after which follow several Chapters and forms De Benedictione Mapparum seu Linteaminum sacri Altaris De Benedictione Corporalium De Benedictione novae Crucis De Benedictione Crucis Pectoralis De Benedictione Imaginum aliorum Sanctorum De Benedictione vasorum aliorum vasorum in genere De Benedictione Tabernaculi sive vasculi pro Ss Eucharistia Conservanda De Benedictione Capsarum pro Reliquiis alliis Sanctuariis includendis De Benedictione impositione primae lapidis pro Ecclesia aedificanda De Ecclesiae Benedictione seu Consecratione De Altaris consecratione De Benedictione Tobaleorum Vasorum Ornamentorum Ecclesiae Altaris consecratorum De Altaris consecratione quae fit sine Ecclesiae dedicatione De Altaris consecratione cujus Sepulchrum Reliquiarum
Protestant Ministers then denying to wear these Vestments yea decrying them as Superstitious Popish Massing attire altogether as unfit for the Ministers of the Holy Gospel and Evangelical Bishops as those other Vestments then abolished And Mr. Calvin Zuinglius with other eminent Protestant Divines quite exploding their use in forein Churches and declaring their judgements against them to the Lord Protector Cranmer Ridly and other Bishops thereupon in the parliament of 5 6 E. 6. c. 1. the Common-Prayer-book was revised amended in sundry particulars the forecited Rubricks expunged and the use of the Rochet Surplisse and Vestments prescribed by the Book of 2 3 E. 6. quite laid aside the reason whereof are expressed in the Preface to the Book why some Ceremonies were continued and others laid aside and in the Articles of Religion set forth by Edw. the 6th Anno 1552. Artic. 21. 23. Neither were they actually or legally revived by the Common-prayer-book revised corrected ratified by the Statute of 1 Eliz. c. 2. that Act injoyning all things to be done according to the Book of 5 6 Ed. 6. and none other or otherwise in which there was nothing concerning these Garments What hot unchristian Schismes Contests about Rochets Surplisses the form of Bishops Priests ordinary Vestments and Formalities afterwards sprung up between our most zealous Protestant Bishops and Ministers in the first 7. years of Q. Elizabeths reign you may read at leasure in Dr. Heylins late partial History of the Reformation of the Church of England and of Qu. Elizabeth wherein he layes many black aspertions upon K. Edw. the 6. himself his Government the L. Protector sundry of our godly Bishops Martyrs Divines at home and Peter Martyr Calvin Zuinglius Alasco Bâ—za with other chief Protestant Divines of reformed Churches abroad worthy the Fâ—rula These controversies about Church vestments c continued all her reign growing every year higher and higher every Parliament in her time as appears by the Journals being troubled with many Petitions Bills against them which the Bishops by their power in the Lords house suppressed and the world was filled with Books pro contra concerning them as the Books of Mr. Cartwright Mr. Vdal Penry Martin Mar-Prelate Altare Damasâ—â—num A Brief Discourse against the outward apparel and ministring Garments of the Popish Church printed 1â—78 A Discourse whether it be a Mortal Sin to transgresse the commandements of Civil Magistracy concerning the Apparel of Ministers The Declaration of certain Ministers in London refusing to wear the Apparel prescribed Mr. Philip Stubs with sundry more on the one side and Queen Elizabeths Advertisements in the seventh year of her Reign by her High Commissioners advice Archbishop Whiteguist his Answer to the Admonition to the Parliament and Defence of his Answer against the Reply of T. C. 1574. in Fol. Dr. John Bridges his Defence of the Government now established in the Church of England 1584. Mr. Rich. Hooker of the Laws of Ecclesiastical Policy 1593. with others on the other hand evidence Neither did these unnecessary unhappy Controversies about Priests Vestments and Ceremonies which perplexed our Church and gave great advantage to our Romish Adversaries expire with Queen Elizabeth but survived and grew to a heighth at the beginning of K. James his Reign who to silence or allay them appointed a special Conference at Hampton Court between the Bishops and Non-Conformists Party whereof Learned Dr. Ranolds was one about Reformation of Church matters Anno 1603. which many hoped would have put a period to these Contests but instead thereof did much increase them through the Bishops obstinacy potency pride who refusing to comply with the moderate just defires of their Fellow-Ministers and Protestant Christian Brethren in some superfluous Trifles particularly concerning the wearing of the Surpliss then and yet commonly termed A Ragge of Popery soon after in their Convocation held at London 1603. prescribed the constant wearing of Surplisses and Copes Hoods besides not only to Cathedral Church-men but likewise to all Ministers Curates reading Divine Service or administring the Sacraments in Parish Churches or Chapels and likewise to Fellows and Scholars in the Universities for which there was no former binding Law nor Canon by these ensuing Constitutions Canon 16 and 17. In the whole Divine Service and Administration of the Holy Communion in the Colleges and Halls in both Universities the Order Form and Ceremonies shall be duely observed as they are set down and prescribed in the Book of Common-Prayer without any omission or alteration even in the faulty old English Translation all Masters and Follows of Colleges and Halls and all the Scholars and Students in either of the Vniversities shall in their Churches and Chapels upon all Sundayes Holy-dayes and their Eves at the time of Divine Service wear Surplisses according to the Order of the Church of England which had no such Order that I can find before and such as are Graduates shall agreeably wear with their Surplisses such Hoods as do severally appertain to their Degrees Canon 24. In all Collegiate and Cathedral Churches the Holy Communion shall be administred upon Principal Feast-dayes sometimes by the Bishop if he be present and sometimes by the Dean and sometimes by a Canon or Prebendary the principal Minister using a decent Cope and being assited with the Gospeller and Epistolar agreeably according to advertisements published by Queen Elizabeth An. 7. Canon 25. In the time of Divine Service and Prayers in all Cathedral and Collegiate Churches when there is no Communion it shall be sufficient to wear Surplisses saving that all Deanes Masters and Heads of Collegiate Churches Canons and Prebends being Graduates shall daily at the times both of Prayer and Preaching wear with their Surplisses such Hoods as are agreeable to their Degrees Canon 58 Every Minister saying the Publick Prayers or ministring the Sacraments or other Rites of the Church shall wear a decent and comely Surplisse with Sleeves to be provided at the charge of the Parish And if any question arise touching the matter decency or comelinesse thereof the same shall be decided by the discretion of the Ordinary Further more such Ministers who are Graduates shall wear upon on their Surplisses at such time such Hoods as by the Orders of the Vniversities are agreeable to their Degrees which no Minister shall wear being no Graduate under pain of Suspension Notwithstanding it shall be lawfull for such Ministers as are no Graduates To wear upon their Surplisses instead of Hoods some decent Tippet of Black so it be not silk After which followes this 74. Canon prescribing the form species of their ordinary wearing Apparel The true antient and flourishing Churches of Christ being ever desirous that their Prelacy and Clergy might be had as well in outward reverence as otherwise regarded for the worthynesse of their Ministry did think it 〈◊〉 by a prescript form of decent and comely Apparel to have them known to the People and thereby
Deacons who wear them only for a few hours in the Church and are clad in Black Garments only all the day week year which are as contrary to Innocency purity as white is unto black 2ly White is not alwayes a badge or Garment of Joy but oft times of Mourning and Grief as in the Cases of pennance and degradations forecited and in these ensuing Presidents Alexander ab Alexandro Bremus and others record that the Grecians Spartians Argivi Syracusians used to put on Albas vestes white Garments when they mourned for their deceased Friends and Kings in which they followed their Corps to their Graves involved usually in white Winding sheets and Cere-cloathes Plutarch and Aretius out of him informs us That the Roman Matrons mourned in white Garments In China at this day the Nobles and better sort of Women use to mourn in White array The better sort of Turks use to mourn in White and in Japan White is a Funeral colour Black a Festival Yea at this Day the Queens of France after their Husband Kings decease wear White Garments during their Widow-hood in token of Grief and Retiredness and in many places of England when any Maids dye before mariage other Virgins use to accompany their Hearse to their Graves in white Wastcoats Gloves Ribonds Therefore white Garments cannot be of themselves a badge of Joy Chearfullnesse Triumph for then white Winding-sheets should be wherein we all inter dead Corps 3ly White Garments are no peculiar badge of Evangelical Bishops or Ministers of the Gospel and that only in Divine administrations For as I never read that Christ or his Apostles or the primitive Evangelical Bishops Ministers Deacons or for above 350. years after Christ used any such Vestments Surplisses Rochets in Divine administratious which doubtlesse they would have done had they deemed them necessary decent or expedient so on the contrary I read 1. That the Tapyrae Bactriani Iberi and other barbarous Nations about Hyrcania compell their Women to wear and walk abroad Albis Tunicis in White Coats and short cut hair when as the Men only wear Black Vestments and let their Hair grow long 2. That the Romans in their Circentian Playes had 4. Factions clad in 4. several sorts of coloured Garments just like the Popish Priests and Prelates according to the four seasons of the year to wit in Green-coloured Garments dedicated to the Spring in Rose-coloured Vestments devoted to the Harvest in Violet-coloured consecrated to Winter and in White Garments dedicated to Autumn when men as well as fruits and leaves usually drop into their Graves And that the Romans used to resort to and behold their Playes Toga Candida in a white Gown or Surplisse which was no act of Religion but Pastime 3ly That those who stood for any elective Offices among the Romans were usually clad in white Garments from whence they were stiled Candidati as Caelius Rhodiginus proves at large out of Titus Livius Plutarch Pliny Vlpian Juvenal and others which Candidates usually bribed the People to gain their Voyces with mony meat drink feasts notwithstanding many successive severe Lawes made against it as too many Knights Citizens Burgesses now use to bribe their Electors before and at every Parliamentary election with Gifts Feasts and drunken entertainments for which they deserve expulsion out of the House of Commons far better than Thomas Long who in the Parliament of 8. Elizabeth was expelled the Commons House upon examination of his Case only for giving the Maior of Westbury in Wiltshire 4. l. to be elected a Burgesse to serve in that Parliament for this his corrupt dealing which was to poyson the very Fountain it self and the Maior fined and imprisoned whereas some now spend one two or three thousand pounds a piece in Countries to be elected Knights and others one two three four or five hundred pounds a piece or more to be chosen Citizens and Burgesses for the last this approaching Parliament in Bribes wine ale beer tobacco feasts and drunken entertainments which will hardly produce a sober Parliament and for which the Elements now mourn yea drop down showers of Wrath upon us for which bribery they well deserve to be cast out of the Parliament-house and fined treble the value of their Bribes and Expences to his Majesty since the Pagan Romans were so just as by the Law of C. Petilius Tribune of the people to impose a fine and penalty of ambition upon Q. Coponius quod vini amphoram ei cujus suffragio magistratum petebat dono dederat And if his giving but a Quart or Pottle of Wine was reputed a Bribe deserving punishment what do they demerit who give whole Tuns Buts of Wine and many Barrels of Ale Beer to their Electors for their Voyces Yea those Mercinaries who thus unworthily sell their Voyces deserve to be for ever disabled to have any voyce in future Elections and this Roman Law is now fit to be enacted among us Vt in petendis honoribus candidati sine toga ad Comitia descenderent ne pecuniis in sinu reconditis tribuum suffragia mercarentur 4ly That the idolatrous Priests of Isis amongst the Aegyptians when they sacrificed to this Idoll did shave their Crowns and wear white Surplisses Garments just as the Popish Priests do now above a 1000. years before Christians took up this fashion and the Roman Matrons in the Feast of their Goddesse Ceres did annually sacrifice to her veste candida in a white Garment ut tunc Diis gratum esse censerent si à laetis nec à funere pollutis celebraretur 5ly That the four Monks of St. Denis Abbey in France who carry the Canopy over the viol of Holy Oyl pretended to be sent from Heaven at the French Kings Coronation albis induti are arrayed in white Surplisses and Rochets though not in holy Orders 6ly That our Bishops themselves and the Abbot formerly but now the Dean of Westminster at our Kings Coronation stripping off his ordinary Apparel put on him a Collobium Dalmatica or close Pall linnen Gloves and Sandals immediately after his consecrating as they use to do on Bishops and Priests of whose holy Vestments these are parcel Either therefore they must acknowledge our Kings to be Bishops and Priests as well as themselves or disclaim these Vestments as proper or peculiar to Bishops Priest and Clergy-men 4ly Admit white Garments Rochets Surplisses a Badge of Innocency Purity Holynesse as is pretended and therefore fit to be worn in time of Divine service and Sacraments by Bishops Priest Deacons and other Ecclesiastical Persons Then it will certainly follow from hence 1. That all Christians whatsoever ought to wear white Surplisses Rochets Albees as well as Popes Archbishops Metropolitans Bishops Arch-Deacons Deans Prebends Priests Ministers Deacons and other Church-men 1. Because they are all equally purified washed from their sins externally by