O Lord my God how excellent is thy name in all the world Protestants Papists halfe CHRISTIANOGRAPHIE OR The Description of the multitude and sundry sorts of Christians in the VVorld not subiect to the Pope With their Vnitie and hovv they agree with us in the principall points of Difference betweene us and the Church of Rome Goe yee therefore and teach all Nations baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holy Ghost Mat. 28.19 And they went forth and preached every where The Lord working with them Marke 16.20 After this I beheld and loe a great multitude which no man could number of all nations and kindreds and people and tongues stood before the throne before the Lambe Rev. 7.9 LONDON Printed by T. P. and W. J. for Matthew Costerden Stationer 1635. REcensui Librum hunc cui titulus Christianographie c. una cum Epistola Dedicatoria ad R. in Christo Patrem Franciscum Eliensem Episcopum qui quidem liber continet folia 88. in quo nihil reperio quò minús cum publica utilitate Jmprimatur modò intra sex menses proximè sequentes typis mandetur Ex aedi Londin Octobris 30. Samuel Baker TO THE RIGHT REVEREND FATHER IN GOD Francis Lord Bishop of Elie my very good Lord. IT was an observation of our late Soveraigne Lord King James that VVheras the Romanists cannot confirme their Faith either by sacred Scripture or ancient Traditions Their manner is to crie up the Visibilitie of the Church and Authoritie of the same And thereby they delude many of the ignorant and unlearned bearing them in hand that there was no such thing in the world as a Protestant before Luther And that before his time all the world beleeved as they doe And that their Church hath not onely beene visible in all ages and all times but eminently conspicuous and illustrious And to this purpose one of that Sect lately delivered to a person of qualitie this writing following viz. It is plaine in holy Scripture and confessed by the Protestants that the Church of God should be alwaies visible and it was agreed by D. White and D. Featly to Mr. Fisher and Mr. Sweet to proove a visible succession in the Protestant Church that they both could and would in all ages from Christ to Luther by name out of good Authors produce Doctors and Pastors professing the Religion which the Church of England and Protestants professe This was promised This is now required without shifts and idle delayes c. VVhereas in this writing an absolute promise is pretended to bee made by your Lordship and D. Featley to Master Fisher and Master Sweet I finde in the relation of the conference testified and subscribed by Honorable personages and others The said promise to bee made but upon condition onely Conference pag. 7. That the forenamed Iesuites would shew visible professors of the intire Doctrine of the Romish Church as yet it is comprised in the Councell of Trent in all ages and name them out of good Authors especially for the first 600. yeeres And in particular your Lordship required them to prove by Christ and his Apostles Conference pag. 22. or by any of the Fathers for the first 600. yeeres these sixe Tenets of the Roman Church viz. 1. That all power of Order and Jurisdiction in respect of the Churches is to bee derived from the Church of Rome 2. That no Scripture sence or Translation thereof is Authenticall unlesse the same were received from the Church of Rome 3. That the Roman Church onely was and is the Authenticall Custos of unwritten Traditions 4. That all generall Councels were called by the sole Authoritie of the Pope and that hee might ratifie and disanull whatsoever pleased him in them 5. That the Pope hath power to Canonize Saints 6. That the Pope had or hath power to depose Princes Likewise Conference pag. 7. Doctor Featley required of them to produce out of good Authors not any Empire or Kingdome but so much as any Citie Parish or Hamlet within 500. yeeres after Christ in which there was any Visible assembly of Christians to bee named maintaining and defending either their Trent Creede in generall or these points of Popery in speciall Conference page 9. to wit 1. That there is a treasurie of Saints merits and super abundant Satisfactions at the Popes disposing 2. That the Laiety are not commanded by Christs institution to receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper in both Kindes 3. That the publicke service of God in the Church ought or may be celebrated in an unknowne tongue 4. That private Masses wherein the Priest saith edite bibite ex hoc omnes and yet eateth and drinketh himselfe onely are according to Christs institution 5. That the Popes pardons are requisite or usefull to release soules out of Purgatory 6. That the effect of the Sacrament dependeth upon the intention of the Minister 7. That extreme unction is a Sacrament properly so called 8. That we may worship God by an Image 9. That the sacred Hoast ought to bee elevated or carried in solemne procession 10. That Infidels and Impious persons yea Rats and Mice may eate the body of Christ 11. That all Ecclesiasticall power dependeth on the Pope 12. That hee cannot erre in matter of Faith 13. That he hath power to cannonize Saints 14. To institute Religious orders 15. To depose Kings c. He also urged Master Fisher and Master Sweet to name but one Father or one writer of note who held the particulars above named for 500. yeres after Christ which they would not nor could doe VVhereby any man may see that they who call for a Succession in our Church cannot shew it in their owne Moreover it is not a succession of persons or catalogue of names that maketh a true Apostolicke Church But the true primitiue Faith once given to the Saints set downe in holy Scripture Our Lord himselfe telleth us that he that is baptized and beleeveth shall be saved Marke 16.16 now to perswade such a one that is baptized beleeveth that he is no member of Christs Church except he can also set downe a catalogue of the names of his spirituall parents since Christ is all one as to perswade such a one that he is no man because he cannot reckon up his naturall parents and fetch his pedigree from Noah or Adam Lastly whereas they clamour for a catalogue of names as in this writing without all shifts and idle delayes they have catalogues plentie written both by strangers as by Jllyricus by Symon de Voyons Mounsier Plessis and others and by our countrymen as by B. Jewell for the first 500. yeeres by the Primate of Armagh for the next 500. yeeres and by the late Lord Archbishop of Canterbury for the last 500. yeeres with divers others to which they have returned no answer as I can heare of but they lie upon their hands also of late
benedictione Similiter Evangelium legitur 5 5 Sacerdos maiore digito facit in libo quinque signa tanquam stigmata The Priest with his greatest finger maketh five signes or prickes upon the Cake 6 6 Consecrat in sualinguae iisdem verbis quibus et nos et non sublevat He doth Consecrate in the vulgar tongue in the same words that we doe and doth not elevate it 7 7 Id ipsum quoque facit in calice et no◠elevat The same he doth with the Cup but not elevate it 8 8 Sacramentum panis in manibus acoipiens partitur per medium Taking the sacrament of the bread in his hands he divideth it in the midle 9 9 Ex summitate partis paululum detrahit quam particulam pro se accipit Of the uppermost he taketh a little for himselfe 10 The dish with the Sacrament 10 Lancem in̄ sacramento porrigit ei qui evangelium legit he delivereth to him that readeth the Gospell 11 The Cup with the Sacrament 11 Calicom cum sacrumento porrigit ei qui legit Epistolam he delivereth to him that readeth the Epistle 12 12 Qui continuo dant communionem sacerdotibus qui astant altari Then he giveth to the Priests that stand at the Altar 13 The Deacon taking the Sacrament out of the dish 13 Diaconus sacramentū ex lance sumens manuquo dextra tenens minutim distribuit and holding it in his right hand doth distribute it in parts 14 In the meane season the subdeacon delivereth the blood in a golden silver or wodden spoone 14 Interea Subdiaconui pauxillum de sanguine cochleari aureo argenteo vel ligneo sumptum porigit illis qui sumpserunt sacramentum corporis to them that have received the sacrament of the body 15 In the same manner 15 Eodem modo datur communio illis qui stant ante primam cortinam et aliis qui stant iuxta alteram cortinam the communion is given to them that stand neere the other Cortin 16 Last of all 16 Postea fecularibus qui stant inxta portam princi palem tam viris quam mulieribus to the lay people both men and women 17 Whilst the communion is administring 17 Dum datur communio aut altud quippiam officii sit amnes stant erecti or any other service is doing in the Church all the people stand upright 18 To the Communion all come 18 Ad communionem omnes veniunt sublatis complicatisque manibus lifting up their hands and folding them together In these Liturgies before named although some of them seeme to be corrupted and expurged as they plainely confesse the expurging of the Jndian Liturgie yet the Eucharist is administred in both kinds There is no privat Masse There is mention made of a spirituall sacrifice I finde not Transubstantiation in them There is no elevation of the Sacrament Maried Priests administer And Mans merit is renounced in them as before c. And the like will also appeare in the other old antient Liturgies attributed to St. Peter St. Matthew St. Ambrose St. Andrew St. Dennis St. Clement c. And for the Masse now used in the Roman Church fathered upon St. Gregorie although it hath beene purged and purged againe yet therein still appeareth some footing of truth and Antiquitie As the bread and wine are called Dona and Munera And after Consecration they are called Creatures per quem haec bona semper Creas commaund thy Angells to carry up these to thy high Altar in heaven whereas the Preist would have us beleeve that after he hath gone over them that they are no more Creatures but the Creator that made all things One thing more I note by the way that there is a Liturgie attributed to Saint Peter set downe in Bibliotheca veterum Patrum used in some part of Calahria Now who can beleeve that the Church of Rome holding so much of Saint Peter that under his name shee exalteth her selfe over the whole world would offer Saint Peter so much wrong as to drive his Liturgie out of Rome and suffer a few Preists to use it inhabiting the Mountaines of Basilica in Calabria Also whereas the Romish writers call all these Liturgies Masses as the Masse of Saint Basill the Masse of Saint Chrysostome the Armenian Masse the Aethiopian Masse There is a difference betweene the Romish Masse and their Liturgies for the Church of Rome in their Masse intendeth cheifely a Sacrifice but these Churches a Communion The Aethiopians call the Communion Codash and the bread Corban The Greekes call it the Liturgie as the Liturgie of Saint Basill the Liturgie of Saint Chrisostome As these Liturgies before named agree with us in many things so also there are some things in them which I doe not Iustifie as before and in viewing them and comparing them with our service booke I have great cause to magnifie Gods great goodnesse and mercie to us and this section I will conclude with the words of the Reverend and holie Martir Docter Rowland Tailor vnto Bishop Gardiner and others There was saith he Ecclesiast hist 3. Volum fol 171. Printed 1631. set forth by the most innocent King Edward for whom God be praised everlastingly the whole Church service with the best advice of the learned men of the Realme and authorised by the whole Parliament and received and published gladly by the whole Realme which Booke was never reformed but once said my author in his time and yet by that once reformation it was so fully perfected according to the rules of our Christian Religion in every behalfe that no Christian Conscience can be offended with any thing therein conteined I find that these Churches are not hereticall but Orthodox for the maine Wheras these Churches are charged by some to be heretiques you shall find divers good Authors to have written to the contrary As first for the Greeke Church Azorius thinketh them to be no heretikes and sheweth a reason therefore Azorius Instit moral lib 8. cap. 20. quest 10. because in those articles wherein they are thought to erre they differ verbally onely and not really from those that are undoubtedly beleevers and giveth instance in the question touching the proceeding of the holy Ghost wherein he thinketh they differ in the forme of words only Lomb lib 1. div 10. And the like saith Peter Lombard The Craecians affirme that the holy Ghost proceedeth frō the Father only and not from the Son yet they doe acknowledge the Holy Ghost to be the Spirit of the Son as well as of the Father because the Apostle saith that he is the Spirit of the Sonne and in the Gospell Gal. 4◠He is called the Spirit of Truth and now seeing it is no other thing Iohn 10. to be the spirit of the Father and the Sonne then to be from the Father and the Sonne they
it hath new and different Articles and doctrines of Faith unknowne to the old Church and not to be found for such in the writings of any of the ancient Fathers for five hundred yeeres after Christ FOr the first The Church of Hierusalem is more ancient then the Church of Rome Hierusalem where our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ himselfe preached and offered himselfe a Sacrifice for our sinnes and where the Apostles and Disciples first preached for although they were sent to preach to all Nations yet they preached first to the lost sheepe of the house of Israel according to Christs Commandement This Church is most ancient St Iames was the first Bishop there The Law went out of Sion Matth. 10.6 the word of the Lord from Jerusalem This Citie was Emporium Isay 2.3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Histor Eccles Lib. 5. cap 9. the Mart of Christian faith the mother of all Churches as Theodoret saith 2. 2. Antioch Acts. 11.26 The Church of Antioch in Syria where the Disciples were first called Christians Of this Church Saint Peter was Bishop some yeres before he went to Rome 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ad populum Antioch homil 3. and this Church is also more ancient then the Church of Rome Saint Chrysostome calleth this Church the Head of all the world 3. The Greeke Church was planted by Saint Paul 3. Graecians and Saint Andrew from whence and the fore named Churches the name of Christ flowed Eia igitur Graecia mater nostra cui id totum debet quod habet Latina Ecclesia Conc. Trid. orat Episc Bitont as from a spring over all the world and the faith was spread in all places and this the Bishop of Bitonto acknowledged in the Councell of Trent It is our mother Graecia to whom the Latine Church is beholding for that which she hath the Easterne Church was before the Church of Rome in Time and from thence the Church of Rome hath received Christianitie the new Testament the three Creedes the very name of Baptisme Eucharist Bishop Priest and Deacon 4. 4. Aethiopia Aethiopia received Christianitie from the Eunuch of Queene Candases Huic Philippus responsis Sancti Spiritus jussus primò ex omnibus Gentibus mysterium fidei sacramentum Baptismi tradidit velut quasdam eum Dee primitias omnium consecrat nationū Eusch Eccles histor lib. 2. cap. 1. to whom as Eusebius reporteth first of all the Gentiles Philip by the command of the holy Ghost delivered the mysterie of Faith and the Sacrament of Baptisme and consecrated him to God as the first Fruits of all nations Saint Matthew also preached to the Aethiopians 5. For the Antiquity of the Church of Rome both St Hierom and Eusebius testifie that St Peter came to Rome in the raigne of Claudius the Emperour 5. Rome Hierom Catalog Eccles script pag. 265. Euseb Eccles his lib. 2. c. 14.16 and in his second yeere saith Hierom. 6. The Church of England received Christianitie as some say from Joseph of Arimathea others from Simon Zelotes the Apostle 6. England Guildas Sapiens de excidio Britan. Christus suos radios id efl suapraecepta indulget tempore ut scimus sūmo Tiberij Caesaris quo absque ullo impedimento eius propagabatur religio Bibli vet Pat. tem 5. par 3. pag. 675. Britannia omniū provinciarum prima publicitus Christi nomen recepit Sabel in Ennead 7. lib. 5. Guildas reporteth that our Island received Christianitie in the time of Tiberius Caesar who dyed in the yeere of our Lord 39. which if it bee so the Church of England received Christianitie before the Church of Rome some yeeres before Peter came to Rome which was in the time of Claudius who succeeded Tiberius And for the Honour of my Mother Church I speake that Christianity was first publickly professed by authority in this Kingdome about 130. yeeres before it was in Rome Lucius our King beeing as I reade the first Christran King in Europe who reigned about the yeere of our Lord 170. And moreover Constantine the Christian Emperour was borne amongst us who gave the first publique libertie of Religion to the Roman Church So that Rome was beholding for the publique liberty of Religion to Constantine Our country man Speedes histerie pag. 207. Also the inhabitants of Britaine as I reade were instructers unto others as frō hence was Netherland converted to Christianitie as testifieth the storie of Swithbertus Burgundie by our Columbanus saith Sigebert Swedia by Gallus as saith Petrus de Natalibus and Frisia by Wilfred as it is recorded by Beda and Matthew of Westminster The Franconians Hassians and Turingians by Winifred our Devonshire man The Norvegians by Nicolas Breakespere of Middlesex And the Lituanians by Thomas Walden of Essex and all the reformed Churches in Christendome derived their light from the learned Wickleffe of Oxford In regard of this Polidor Virgil doth rightly call England the Parent or Mother-Monasterie of all Europe And Peter Ramus termeth Britaine to be twice Schoolemistris to the Kingdome of France Terra Britanniae ante adventum Christi unius Dei consensit religionem hom 4. in Ezech. moreover Origen writeth that the Britaine 's received the religion of one God before the comming of Christ Secondly whereas the Church of Rome boasteth of Antiquity The Church of Rome since Boniface the 3 and the old Church of Rome planted by St Peter St Paul are not one and the same but are farre different The old Church of Rome as St Paul telleth us was a branch of that Tree whereof Christ Iesus was the root The now Church of Rome will bee no branch but the roote it selfe The ancient Church of Rome was but a member of the Catholique Church of God of which Iesus Christ was Head But the now Church of Rome is the Catholique Church it selfe of which the Pope is head and such a Church was never in Rome for 600. yeares after Christ for so long no Bishop of Rome durst presume to take upon him Christs title to be head of his Church husband of his spouse till Boniface the third with him began this Church Thirdly And as they have a new Church so they have a new Creede and Articles of Doctrine as for example sake 1. That the Pope the head of the Church cannot erre in the matter of faith 2. That all Ecclesiasticall power dependeth upon the Pope 3. That he hath power to canonize Saints 4. That he hath power to depose Kings 5. That the Popes pardons are requisite or usefull to release soules out of Purgatorie 6. That there is a treasurie of Saints merits and superabundant satisfactions at the Popes disposing 7. That the Priest can make his Maker 8. That the sacred Host made by the Priest ought to bee elevated and carried in solemne procession and adored 9. That the effects of the Sacrament dependeth upon the intention of the
Thou shalt not kill 6. Thou shalt not commit adultery 7. Thou shalt not steale 8. Thou shalt not beare false witnesse 9. Thou shalt not desire thy neighbours wife 10. Thou shalt not desire thy neighbours goods 4. And that which is worst of all they forbid the Reading of the holy Scriptures Haeresin esse si quis dicit necessarium esse ut scripturae in vulgares linguas convertantur Sander visib monar lib. 7. hares 191. Credo institutum hoc a Diabelo esse inventum Peresius de Trad. par 1. Assert 3. pag. 47. Characteres mortui Lindan Lib. 2. Stromat cap. 3.6 traducing them and blaspheming them viz. that it is 〈…〉 that it is the Devils in vention to permit the Laitie to reade them that they are dead Characters and not to be permitted Which if they should be suffered to be read they would casily discover their new Articles of Faith to bee blasphemous their Image-Worship to bee Idolatrie and their not erring Bishop to bee a meere Imposture and Deceiver 5. And also to breede an Antipathie and hatred betweene the Papists and Protestants they are taught to beleeve that the Protestants are Blasphemers of God and all Saints That in England Churches are made Stables and that the people are growne barbarous To these they have wilfully feyned many scandalous lies of us and the Reformers set downe by learned Doctor Hall In his scrious disswasive from Poperie pag. 37. now Lord Bishop of Exeter as of Wickliffs Blasphemies of Luthers advice from the Devill of Tindalls communitie of Calvins blasphemous death of Bucers breaking his necke of Beza's Revolt of the blasting of Hugonites of Englands want of Churches and Christendome of our putting English Catholikes into beares skinnes and casting them to dogges to be baited of the Lutherans nightrevelling of Scories drunken or dination of our Bishops in a Taverne of the casting of the remaine of our Sacraments to Doggs of Mounsier Plessis overthrow and the like And lately they have published two Bookes commonly sold in Jtalie and in France one of them of the late Right Reverend Father in God Doctor King late lord Bishop of London his Apostacie the other containing a relation of Gods Iudgement showne upon a sort of Protestant hereticks by the fall of a house in Black-fryers London in which they were assembled to heare a Geneva Lecture Octo. 26. Anno. Dom 1623. By which the simple people were made to beleeve that Iudgement to bee upon the Protestants which God sent upon the Papists and as they scandall us so also the other Christians not subject to them Thus you may see in the Church of Rome Religion to be Metamorphised into Policie and all their Policie tending to maintaine their atchieved Majesty and greatnesse The Conclusion TO Conclude in this little Treatise you may see the Church of God not to be in Rome onely but to bee Catholike and dispersed over the face of the whole Earth Here is also set downe the large habitations and dwellings of the Christians not subject to the Pope and how they doe agree with the Protestants in the mayne Points in difference and the Harmony of the Protestants amongst themselves with the differences in the Roman Church Also the Antiquitie of some of these Churches with a succession of Bishops in some of their Churches not subject at all to the Pope nor acknowledging the Papall Iurisdiction And as these Churches agree with us so you may see what Correspondency they have with the Bishops of Rome The Greeke Church excommunicateth yerely the Pope and his Church for Schismatickes The Muscovites account him an Hereticke The Christians under the Patriarch of Musall call the Pope the reprobate Bishop as before The Churches of Asia answered Pope Iohn the 23. who wrote to them that hee was the alone Head of the Church and Christs Vicar after this manner Wee firmely beleeve thy great authority over them that are subject to thee we cannot indure thy great pride and ambition we cannot satisfie thy great Covetousnesse c. And whereas Pope Gregory as before calleth him Antichrist and Lucifer who shall but in the pride of his heart desire to be called universall Bishop what would hee say if hee lived now to see the Pope lifted up above Kings and Emperors and the whole Catholike Church To conclude I wish every man that hath a care of his Soule to follow the grave and divine instruction of that excellent Light of the Church Saint Augustine for establishing of his Conscience to performe our Saviours Commandement Search the Scriptures 1. Now search diligently whether you can finde in holy Scripture that Christ made Saint Peter and his Successors his alone Vicars 2. Or gave them dominion over the other Apostles 3. Or gave them power to depose Kings 4. Or to dispence with oathes made Sacred by Gods holy name 5. Or to license incestious marriages 6. Or to give pardons for money 7. Or to release Soules out of Purgatory 8. Or whether in holy Writt marriage is forbidden to Priests 9. Or the reading of the Scriptures to the Laiety 10. As also the Symbol of Christs blood in the holy Sacrament 11. Or power given to a Priest to make his Maker 12. Or to Communicate alone And if thou canst finde none of these things in holy Scripture remember what Saint Paul saith Gal. 1.9 if any man preach any other Gospel unto you then that you have received let him be accursed And whereas our Adversaries boast and make a great cry of the Catholike Church here you may see how the Catholike Church of God agreeth with us Now to put an end to this Treatise I thanke God for his truth revealed unto us and his Church and most humbly intreate his divine Majesty to open the eyes of them that erre and have gone astray that they may returne to the great Shepherd and Bishop of their Soules and for them that are in darkenesse that they may also know the great Mystery of Salvation in Iesus Christ Now to Him that is able to doe exceeding abundantly above all that we can aske or thinke to Him be Glory in the Church by Iesus Christ throughout all ages world without end Amen Literae à Patriarcha Alexandrino ad Archiepiscopum Cantuariensem ex Aegypto in Britaniam transmissae ex autographo Cyrilli graeco in Latinum jussu Archiepiscopi traductae à Daniele Featleyo eidem Archiepiscopo à sacris Inscriptio literarum Beatissimo magnificentissimo Domino Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi totius Angliae Primati Metropolitano Georgio Abbati mihi multis nominibus colendissimo officiose cum honore debitâ reverentiâ in Britaniam tradantur istae Subscriptio Cyrillus dei gratia Papa Patriarcha magnae urbis Alexandriae Iudex oecumenicus Exemplar Literarum BEatissime amplissime Archiepiscope Cantuariensis totius Angliae Primas Metropolitane Domine Georgi Domine frater charissime Exopto amplitudini vestrae prosperam valetudinem ademolumentum
tribe of Iudah the Lyon Rampant in the feild Or and their motto is The Lion of the tribe of Iudah shall overcome It is written the Emperour to have set before him at his meaâ—e Godignus cap. 6 pag 25 de Abass rebus a vessell full of Ashes to put him in minde of his Mortality The Abassins reckon a succession of Christian Emperours from Abraham called the Saint Who was Emperor Anno 470. Alvares cap. 13. in Purchas The Prets or Emperours dwell in a movable citie of tents on festival dayes he vseth red tents About 50000 Mules attend the Prets campe to remoue his carriages They call themselues as we do 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ithiopia wian In Arabike are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Elhabaschi vulgarly the Abassines _____ presbiter signifieth Apostolike in Arabike Scaliger de Emen de temporum pag. 680. For their Ecclesiasticall government Ecclesiasticall government Myrae de notitia episcop lib. 1 cap. 21 pag. 56. They are subiect to a Patriarch of their owne whom they call Abunna Their Abunna when Alvares was in Aethiopia was called Marke Aluares cap. 14. a Reverend old man aged about 110 a man very gracious in his speech never speaking without blessing God and giving thankes his apparell was white his upper garment like a Cardinalls cloake buttoned before When he goeth out of his tent he rideth upon a Mule well attended having a Crosse in his hand and three crosses carried on staues about him Some do report that there are in Ethiopia 127 Archbishops Godig de Abassin rebus lib. 1. cap. 32. pag. 195. Aluares reporteth in Macham Celacem which is the Church of the holy Trinitie Alvares cap. 14. he saw 200 mitred preists together and 64 Canopies carried over them Their Churches are builded round and very rich with hangings of cloth of gold Velvet and plate They have many goodly Monasteries to the Monasterie of the vision of Iesus belongeth about 3000 Monks Alva cap 2. In Europe there was litle knowledge of these Abassine Christians untill the Portugalls had footing in the East Indies Damia Goes de Aethiopum moribus Idem pa. 161. about the yeare 1486. Iohn King of Portugall sent Alphonsus a Pavia and Petrus a Covilham to Prester Iohn They saild to Caire like marchants agreed one of them to goe into India and the other into Aethiopia Peter having seene Goa and Calecut and other places in India returneth to Caire to meete Alphonso where he heard of his death and receaved also letters from the King of Portugall that they should not returne without seeing Prester Iohn Peter writing back what he had seene in India traveleth into Ethiopiae to the Emperour and delivereth King Iohns letters to him but could never get leaue of the said Emperour to returne but lived richly there Afterwards the King of Portugall sent divers men Idem pag. 169. and amongst others Francis Alvares his Chapline who remained in Ethiopia 6 yeeres and hath written a booke of the religion and and customes of the Ethiopians This Aluares returning brought letters from the Emperour of Ethiopia to the Pope which were delivered to him in Bonnonia in the presence of the Emperour Charles the 5. An 1533. Damia Goes pag. 171. Vpon the receipt of which letters there was great Ioy and a report of a great Countrie of Christians in Africk as bigg as all Europe that had submitted themselves to the Pope and especially in that time when dyuers Princes in Germanie Tum primum lusitanos adijsse Aethi opidni cum fidem ca tholicâ—m Lutherus deserâ—â—t Godig de Abass rebus lib. 1 pag. 145 cap 23. Dam. a Goes pa. 203. de AethiopuÌ„ moribus and King Henry the eight had with drawne themselves from the Roman Church David Emperour of Aethiopia sent a learned Bishop called Zabazago into Porgall a man of admirable faith learning and Eloquence whose confession of Faith is set downe by Damianus a Goes The Pope sendeth a Patriarch with others into Aethiopia one Johannes Berniudes a Spanish Frier there went with him 400 shot and some pioners out of the Portugall Jndies their commander was Don Christopher a Gama who arrived in Aethiopia anno 1538 and was suffered their to remaine vntill Precious Iohn had vanquished the King of Adell by the help of the said Portugalls But the said Patriarch was compelled to returne being accused of Sacriledge for stealing a vessell of gold out of a Church and with this message that the Emperour would not submit himselfe to the Bishop of Rome Afterwards their were 13 Iesuits chosen by Ignatius Eoiola Godig de abass reb lib. 2. cap. 15 and others to be sent into Ethiopia of which one of them had the title of Patriarch to wit Joannes Nonius Barrtius and two of Bishops the Patriarch dyed and never saw Aethiopia to whom one of the Bishops Androas Orviedo succeeded in his Patriarch all title be failing with the Portugal shipps to Goa in the East Indies the vice-roy sent a Messenger first into Aethiopia to know whether the Emperour would receive some learned men Portugals sent to him from the Pope and the King of Portugall which he refused not Where vpon the Vice-roy sent the said Patriarch Andreas with some Iesuits and twentie attendants according to the dignitie of his person who landed at a Port in the Red Sea neere to the Citie of Arquick in the yeare 1557. From whence he went to a Citie called Baroa where an Ethiopian King called Barnagasses received the Patriach with great honour from thence the Patriach was 50 dayes going to the Emperour Claudius who receiving his letters told him that he would never yeild obedience to the Bishop of Rome he gave him leave to teach the Portugals but forbad him to speake on word to his Abassines and that he would not suffer the Roman yoke to be layd on him or his Claudius the Emperour dying Adamas succeeded who banished the said-Patriarch Andreas All these Christians before named are not subiect to the Pope except before excepted In Europe the Papists inhabit somewhat above a fourth part The Protestants Muscovits and Greeke Christians inhabit the rest of it with some Turkes who are mingled with the Greeks and make one third part with them some say much lesse Bellonius writeth the Greek Rites Asserlmus Graecauica Ecclesia ritus latius patere quaÌ„ latina lib. 1 cap. 35. to extend farther then the Latine which may be true of the Latins in Europe onely In Asia the second part of the old world and Africa the third part the last whereof is three times bigger than Europe and Asia bigger then the other both The Pope hath very little Possevine the Iesuit writeth In apparatu de Maronitis Maronitae Libani Montis in Syria incolae sub corum Patriarcha pietatem et fidem erga RomanuÌ„ ponti ficem et sedem Apostolicam uni ex omnibus Orientis populis sat integraÌ„
Field of the Church lib 3. pa. 73. The Emperor hath supreame authoritie in all causes as well Ecclesiastical as Civill though the Patriarch also exercise a spirituall iurisdiction 13 Concerning Purgatorie Godignus the Iesuit Godignus de Rebus Abassinorum lib 1. Cap 28. pag 172. ex literis Petri Paes qui praesit Iesuit in Aethiopia PurgatoriuÌ„ negant They deny Purgatory 14 They do not expresse the number of their sinnes in Confession Abassinos neque species neque numerum peccatorum in confessione exprimere sed tantum generatim dicere Habessen Habessen hoc est peccavi peccavi Godign lib 1. Cap 35. pag 216. They do not expresse in their Confessions neither the kindes nor number of their sinnes but onely generally ory out Habessen Habessen I have sinned I have sinned 15 Concerning Jmages Mr. Sandes his iourneis lib. 3. pag 171. They haue pictures in their Churches but no Carved Images neither do they bestow any undue reverence on them Idem loco citat They have no crucifixes but use the Crosse as a badge of their profession their preists carrying crosses in their hands 16 Thomas a Iesu They have no oblations oblations for the dead neither do they offer for the living Nullas pro defunctis oblationes habent nec sacra faciunt pro vivis Tho a Iesu de convers omnium Gentium lib 7 pa 1 cap 8 pag 370. Praeterea traditiones sanctas non admittunt solumque verbo Dei scripto fidem dicunt se habere Tho a Iesu lib 7 cap 8 pag 369. 17 Moreover they doe not admit holy Traditions but they say that they must onely beleeve Gods word The Aethiopians do beleive the holy Trinity Zaga Zabo apud Damianum a Goes pag. 204 Credimus in nomen sanctae Trinitatis patrem filium et spiritum sanctum that there are three persons and one God They have goodly Monasteries and Monks but onely of the order of St. Anthony their Monks are not suffred to begg but live on their labours They use the Ni en Creed In their Lent they tast nothing till the sunne be set neither old men nor sick Godignus lib. 1 cap. 35. pag. 218. eate on their fasting time without offence they begin their Lent ten daies before ours In their Churches Idem lib. 1 cap. 2â— pag. 133 134. they do demeane themselues most reverently no man may walke laugh or talke in their Churches they suffer not doggs to come into their Churches or Church-yards they suffer no man to sit in their Churches the aged and weake have onely Crutches to ease them withall For their manner of Administration of the Sacrament of Baptisme they are Baptized They Baptize in the Church-portch in the Church Porch The Priest after hee hath said certeine prayers putteth the partie to be baptised three times under water saying I doe Baptize thee in the name of the Father the Sonne and of the holy Chost the Comforter WheÌ„ he renounceth the Devil the preist turneth the face of the partie to be baptized to the West when the covenaÌ„t is made with God to the east They do beleeve that the Sacrament of Baptisme washeth away origenall sin Godign de Abassin rebus lib 1 cap. 35 pag. 212. with which the soule is tainted as soone as it is infused into the bodie in the Mothers wombe yea in the very moment of his first being Whereas the Aethiopians are charged with having many wives Godign lib. citat cap. 36 pag. 225. it is a scandall for no Nation punisheth Adultery more severely then they And whereas they are accused of rebaptizing themselves yeerely Scaliger de emendatione temporum lib. 8 pag. 683 True it is they do veerely upon the day of our Lord IESVS CHRISTS Baptisme goe into the water and wash themselves as the Moscovites doe and other Christians and this they doe onely in memoriall of our Lords Baptisme And that they absteine from blood Scalig loc citat and things strangled as this was forbidden by the Apostles Cannon Acts 15. so it was the Custome of the auntient Christians in the primitive Church read Cannon 53 of those which are called the Apostles And they doe Circumcise their Children they use it not as a sacrament but as a nationall custome and they Circumcise both Males and Females which the Iewes did not and they are not bound to it by law nor religion And that they Baptise their Children Scaliger de emend temp lib. 8. not onely with water but also with fier It is reported that it is the custome of the Aethiopians not onely of the Christians but also of the Mahometans to burne their Children with a hot Iron in the temple veines to stop distillations from falling into their eyes Some write that the first Aethiopian Emperors Godignus lib. citat cap. 35. pag. 213. that embraced the faith of Christ invented this burning that every Christian man might beare about some outward signe of his Christianity Others write that Iohn the Emperor who was called the Saint who lived in those miserable times of the Arrians Idem pag. 214. appointed that after Baptisme the Aethiopian Children should receive three prickes in the face with an hot Iron in signe that they professed the faith of the holy Trinity The Aethiopian Liturgie set downe by Francis Alvares in the Portugall tongue and afterwards written in Italian related by Cassander in his Liturgies cap. 1 pa. 28. This Alvares was chaplin to K. Iohn of Portugall and was six yeere in Aethiopia Cassander Theologus Belga Imp. Ferdiu 1 et Maximil 2 〈◊〉 a consiliis Printed Parisiis apud Abrahamum Pacard MDCXVI THey make a great Cake or a lesse in their Churches 1 In Ecclesiis faciunt libum magnum aut paruum pro multitudine gentis quia omnes communicant et pro multitudine faciunt erassum dimidio digito aut integro aut etiam crassiorem magno digito infundunt vinum calici factum ex uvis pressis magna quantitate quia quot quot communicant de corpore totidem â—tiam communicant de sanguine according to the multitude of people for all Communicate For the greatenesse of it they make it halfe a finger or a whole finger or more thicke They power wine into the Cup made of Grapes pressed in great quantitie as many as doe Communicate of the bodie so many do Communicate of the blood 2 Is qui missam dicturus est incipit altâ voce Alleluia Sacerdos facit benedictionem cuvs cruce parvâ quam tenet in manu 2 He that saith the service beginneth with a loud voice Alleluia The Preist blesseth with a little Crosse which he holdeth in his hand 3 3 Canunt tam qui foris suut quam qui intus They that are without and within sing 4 The Epistle is read the blessing being asked likewise the Gospell 4 Legitur Epistola cursim petita prius
approved him and so it may be said of many others Moreover their want of unitie will appeare in that the Popes of Rome as Lawgivers set them down in St. Peters Chaire as they pretend and made lawes and constitutions contrary to Gods commandements and Christs institutions As Clement the 5 gathered a Councell at Vienna 1311 in which it was ordeined that the Emperor should give his oath of Allegiance to the Pope Roman 13.1 1 Pet. 2 13. contrary to the written word of God Let every soule be subiect to higher powers And to the King as supreme Also in the Councell at Constance Anno 1414 the Pope and his Prelates altered the Testamentall legacy of Christ himselfe in taking from the Laitie the use of the Cup in the Sacrament the holy Symboll of Christs bloud which caused many true hearted Christians to tremble for that their Prelates durst set their mouthes against heaven and correct the ordinance of Christ himselfe and in that rude manner that although Christ did administer to his disciples under the formes of bread and wine c. Yet they commanded no Priest to communicate to the people in both kindes under the paine of excommunication And last of all Paul the third summoned a Councell at Mantua after removed to Irent wherein some few Bishops assembled being the Popes Creatures Flaccus Illyricus in prote statione adversus concilium Tridentinum of which holy fathers some were titular as Richard Pates Bishop of Worcester and blind Sr. Robert Bishop of Armagh and also two of them were taken in Adultery as Illyricus reporteth the one stroken with a dart the other taken in a trap by the husband Bp. Iuell defence pag. 625. hanged by the neck out of a window these helped to make the new articles of faith before mentioned and upon this Councell the now Roman Church dependeth Against this assembly Bellarm. de effect Sacrament lib. 2 cap. 25. Francis the French King protested and held it but for a private Conventicle and divers other Christian Nations have disavowed the same Many of the Canons therein decreed and established for Articles of faith are repugnant to the holy Scriptures as for example they decreed That Images may be made to be worshipped contrary to Deut. 27 15. and to the very second Commandement it selfe That prayers may be made to the Virgin Mary and to the Saints departed contrary to Math. 6.9 contrary to the practise of the Patriarches Prophets and Apostles and holy men in Scripture That the Sacrament of the Lords Supper is to be ministred and received in one kinde contrary to Christs institution Mat. 26.27 1 Cor 10.16 They that desire to see more particulars of the popish doctrines Barnard pag. 18.19.20 contrary to holy Scriptures let them read Mr. Barnards booke called Looke beyond Luther Doct Feild of the Church lib. 5 pag. 114. Frequentur accidit ut quae opinio paucis ab hinc annis usu non erat modo communi consensione recipiatur in Gallia et Germania nonulli scriptores tradide runt Crucem non esse colendam hono re et veneratione â—atriae sed alio infe viore cultu at in Hispania communi consensione doce tur Cruci cultum et honorem latriae deferendum Azori mora â—instit Tom 1. lib. 2 cap. 13. And moreover their opinions are different according to times places as Azorius the Iesuit saith it fals out that that which was the Comon opinion a few yeares since is not the opinion now and that which is the common opinion of Papists in one place is not the opinion in another As for example it is the comon opinion in Spaine and Italy that Latria or divine honor is due to the Crosse which in France and Germany is not so but some inferror kinde of worship is due thereunto And Navare the Iesuit saith that at Rome no man may say that the Councell is above the Pope nor at Paris that the Pope is above the Councell and thu s much of their want of unity difference between the Romanists VI. The Agreement of the antient Roman East and South Churches with us in these points following Which sent Austen the Monke to us and especially of Gregorie Bishop of Rome who is pretended to be the founder of the Roman Religion amongst us who lived about the yeere 600. which Tenets are condemned by the now Roman Church which plainely sheweth the Noveltie of the Doctrine of the now Romish Church and the Antiquitie of ours 1. The Popes Supremacie GRegory I say confidently The old Roman Church Ego autem sidenter dice quia quisquis se universalem sacerdâ—tem vocat vel vocari desiderat in elatione sua Antichristum pracurrit lib. 6. Epist 30. whosoever calleth himselfe or desires to bee called the universall Bishop is in the pride of his heart the forerunner of Antichrist None of my Predecessors Bishops of Rome Nullus unquam decessorum meerum hoc tam profane vocabulo uti concessit lib. 4. Epist 36. Distinct 99. Vniversalis autem nee etiam Romanus Pontifex appelletur ever consented to use this so profane a name Pope Pelagius Gregories Predecessor decreed that no Bishop no not the Bishop of Rome himselfe ought to be called universall Bishop Saint Chrysostom The Easterne Church Distinct. 40. C. multi ex Chrysos Quicunque desideraverit Primatum in terra inveniet confusionem in coelo nec inter servos Christi computabitur qui de primatu tractaverit Chrysost hom 3. ad Popul Antiochen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fol. 474. Savil. Patriarch of Constantinople He that seeketh primacy in earth in Heaven hee shall finde confusion and hee that doth but once intreate of primacie is not worthy to bee numbred amongst the servants of Christ Our Citie of Antioch is most dearest to Christ above all others and like as Peter did first preach among the Apostles so among Cities this had first of all the name of Christians as a certaine wonderfull Crowne Saint Augustine Bishop of Hippo in Aphrick The South Church Saint August de Verb. Domini Ser. 13. Super me aedificabo te non me super te Cyprian in sententijs Concil Carthag ad QuirinuÌ„ On these words thou art Peter and on this rocke which thou hast confessed I will build my Church I will build thee upon me and not me upon thee None of us maketh himselfe a Bishop of Bishops neither was Peter so arrogant to take things so insolently upon him as to advance himselfe as primate and one unto whom the rest as novices and punies should bee subject The old Roman Church Greg. moral lib. 19 c. 13. art 6. de qua re non inordinate agimus si ex libris licet non canonicis sed tamen ad adificationem Eccl. editis testimoniuÌ„ proferamus Eleazar namque c. 2. Canonicall Scripture Gregory Wee doe not amisse if wee bring forth a testimony out of the bookes
not Canonicall which though they are not Canonicall yet are they set forth for the edification and instruction of the Church for Eleazar in Machabes the 6. c. Eusebius Bishop of Caesarea The Maccabees are not received amongst us for divine Scriptures Saint Hierom The booke of Wisedome The Easterne Church Sapientia quae vulgo Salomonis inscribitur Iesu filij Syrach liber Iudeth Tobias Haster non sunt in Canone Hierom. Tom. 3. praef in lib. ReguÌ„ of Iesus the sonne of Syrach of Judeth of Tobyas and Haestor are not in the Canon Athanasius Bishop of Alexandria a Athana in Synopsi The bookes of the old Testament are 22. There are others that are not canonicall as the Wisedome of Salomon St. Augustine b De mirabilibus sacra Scripturae lib. 2. cap. 34. not found in the Canonicall Scriptures but in the booke of Maccabees The South Church 3. The sufficiency of the Scriptures Gregory Whatsoever serveth for edification and instruction The old Roman Church Greg. in Ezek. lib. 1. hom 9. In hoc volumine cunctâ— quae aedificant omnia quae erudiunt scriptacontinentur is contained in the volume of the Scriptures Saint Chrysostom a In opere imperfect lib. 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysost in 2. Thessal hom 3. He commandeth Christian men that will bee assured of true faith to resort to nothing else but to the Scriptures Againe hee saith in holy Scripture all necessary things are plaine Idem The Easterne Church St. Que pertinent ad veram religionem quaerendam tenendam divina scriptura non tacuit August Epist 42. in ijs enim quae aperte in Scripura posita sunt inveniuntur illa omnia quae continent fidem moresque vivendi de doctr Christiana lib. 2. cap. 9. tom 3. Augustine All those things that pertaine to the attaining and keeping of true Religion the holy Scripture hath not concealed St. Augustine In these things which are laid downe plainely in Scriptures all those things are found which appertaine to faith and direction of life 4. Reading of the Scriptures Gregorie The Scripture is an Epistle sent from God to his Creature The old Roman Church Gregor lib. Epist 40. ad Theod. medicum Quid autem est scriptura sacra nisi quaedam Epistola omnipotentis Dei c. that is to Priest and people And if thou receive a letter from an earthly King thou wilt never sleepe nor rest till thou understand it The King of Heaven and God of men and Angels hath sent his letters to thee for the good of thy soule and yet thou neglectest the reading of them I therefore pray thee studie them and daily meditate of the word of thy Creator and learne the heart and minde of God in the words of God St. Chrysostom The Easterne Church a Epistol ad Coll. hom 9. Heare you Lay people get you Bibles the Physicke of your soules St. Augustine South Ch. b Sermo 112 feria sexta post dom passionis Lectio assidua purificat omnia Daily reading purifieth all things 5. Concerning Transubstantiation Gregorie The old Roman Church Greg. in 6. Psal paenitent Quis expoenere queat quaÌ„tae fuerit miserationis sacratissima pretiosi sanguinis effusione genus humanum redimere sacrosanctum vivifici corporis sanguinis sui mysterium membris suis tribuere cujus perceptione corpus suum quod est Ecclefia passcitur pouitur abluitur sanctificatur Christ with the effusion of his most precious blood redeemed mankind and giveth unto his members the most holy mysteries of his quickning body and blood by the participation whereof his body which is the Church is nourished with meate and drinke and is washed and sanctified St. Chrysostome If any man taketh it fleshly The Easterne Church In Iohan. homil 46. it profiteth nothing Idem a In opere imperfecto in Mat. pag. 810. Bas in quibus non est verum corpus Christi sed mysterium corporis Christicomiretur In the holy vessels the true body of Christ is not contained but the mysterie of his body St. Augustine The South Church Cont. Adimant cap. 12. Non enim Dominus dubitavit dicere hoc est corpus meum cum signum daret coporis sui Ad quid paras dentes ventrem crede manducasti super Ioan. tract 25. Tom. 9. Christ spake these words This is my body when hee gave the signe of his bodie Jdem Why dost thou provide thy teeth and thy belly beleeve and thou hast eaten 6. Private Masse Gregorie Let not the Priest alone celebrate Masse The old Roman Church In lib. Capitulari cap. 7. apud Cassand liturg cap. 33. pag. 83. sacâ—â— dos missam solus neqnaquam celebret quia sicut illa celebrari non potest sine salutatione sacerdotis responsione nibilominus plebis it a nimirum nequaquam ab une debet celebrari esse enim debent qui ei circumstent ques ille salutet a quibus es respondeatur c. for as hee cannot performe it without the presence of the Priest and people so likewise it ought not to bee performed by one alone for their ought to bee present some to whom hee ought to speake and who in like manner ought to answer him Chrysostome Neither doe we receive more The East Church 2. Thess cap. 2. Homil. 4. De sacrificio missae contra Muscuâ—uÌ„ apnd Cassand lituro cap. 35. pag. 86. Oâ—im omnes tum sacerdetes tum â—â—ici quicunque intererant sacrificio missae peracta oblatione cum sacrifieante communicabant c. Definivit sanctuÌ„ concilium ut nullus presbyter praesumat solus missam cantare apud Cassand pag. 83. or you lesse of the holy table but tast thereof equally together Cochleus Antiently all the Priests and people did communicate together Concilium Nanetense The holy Councell hath decreed that no Priest should presume to celebrate alone 7. Communion in both kindes Gregorie You have learned what the blood of the Lambe is The old Roman Church Tom. 2. Hom. 22. in Ewang Quid namque sit sanguis Agni non audiendo sed bibendo didicistis c. Dial. lib. 4. cap. 58. Ejus sanguis non jam in manns infidelium sed in or a fidelium funditur De conse dist 2. c. Comperimus quod divisio unius ejusdemque mysterij sine grandi sacrilegio nequeat provenire apud Cassand pag. 1020. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not by hearing but by drinking Againe the blood of Christ is not powred into the hands of unbeleevers but into the mouthes of the faithfull people Pope Gelasius Decreed to communicate in both kindes because the division of the one mysterie from the other could not bee done without great Sacriledge Saint Chrysostome In some cases 2. Corinth Hoâ— 18. Tom. 3. Edit Savilij pag. 647. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there is no difference betweene Priest and
Rusucensis Sapensis Satafensis Satatensis Scillitensis Segiomitensis Seleuciamensis Serrensis Serteitensis Siccesitensis Sicilibbensis Sifaitensis Signitensis Sililitensis Sillitensis Simidiccensis Simittensis Simmaritensis Simungitensis Sinitensis Sinnipsensis Sitensis Sitifensis Sitipensis Solencianensis Suboabburitensis Subratensis Sucardensis Sufasaritensis Sufetelensis Sufetensis Sululittensis Tabaicariensis Tabanensis Tabazagensis Taborensis Tabracensis Tabudensis Tabudesensis Tacapitensis Tacaratestensis Tacaratensis Tagannitensis Tagaratensis Tagareyensis Tagorensis Talensis Tamagristensis Tamallensis Tambalensis Tamiggigensis Tanudaiensis Tanussensis Tamogadensis Tasfaltensis Tebestinus Tegulatensis Telensis Teleptensis Temonianensis Tenitensis Tesaniamensis Teodalensis Tibaritensis Tibilitensis Tibizabulensis Ticcnsis Tigillanensis Tigillabensis Tigisitensis Tigimmensis Tignalensis Tignensis Tignicensis Tigualensis Tunicitensis Tinistensis Teseditensis Tisilitensis Tiuicitensis Traprurensis Tricensis Trigisitensis Trisipensis Trofimianensis Truvascaninensis Tubiensis Tubiniensis Tubulbacensis Tuburbitanus Tuburbitaronensis Tubursicensis Tubusubtensis Tuccensis Tuggensis Tullitensis Tumidensis Tuneyensis Tunsudensis Tunugabensis Turensis Turreblansiensis Turreâ—amallumeÌ„sis Turrisalbae Turubitensis Turudensis Turuzitensis Tusdritensis Tusuritensis Tuzummensis Tzellensis Vagalitensis Vagealensis Vagensis Vaiensis Valletensis Vamaccorensis Vanarionensis Vatarbensis Vazaritanensis Vcimaius Vculensis Vensanensis Verronensis Vesceritensis Vicensis Villagerensis Viltensis Vindensis Virensis Visitensis Viuensis Vndesitensis Volitensis Vosetensis Vrugitensis Vsilensis Vticensis Vtimarensis Vtinensis Vtinicensis Vtinunensis Vtunnensis Vzalensis Vzittarensis Vuaggiensis Vuazensis Zamensis Zaraitensis Zaritorensis Zattarensis Zellensis Zenitensis Zertensis Zicensis Zipparitanus Zugabbaritensis Zummensis The Church of Constantinople fetcheth her Originall from St Andrew the Apostle as Nicephorus testifieth who hath had a succession to Cyrill the now Patriarch St Andrew ordayned Stachis Bishop of Bizantium now called Constantinople The Bishops and Patriarchs of Constantinople Niceph. lib. 8. cap. 6. pag. 540. St Andrew Stachis Onesimus Polycarpus Plutarchus Sedecion Diogenes Elutherius Felix Polycarpus Athenodorus Euzoius Laurentius Alippius Pertinax Olympianus Marcus Cyrillianus Constantius Ciriacus Castinus Titus Domitius Probus Metrophanes Alexander Paulus Euscbius Macedonius Eudoxius Demophilus Euagrius Gregorius Nazianzen Nectarius Iohannes Chrysost Arsacius Atticus Sisinnius Nestorius Maximianus Proclus Flabianus Anatolius Genadius Acasius Phrabitas Euphenius Macedonius Timotheus Iohannes Cappadox Epiphanias Anthinius Menas Eutichius Iohannes Eutichius Iohannes Diaconus Cyriacus Thomas Sergius Pyrhus Paulus Petrus Thomas Iohannes Constantinus Theodorus Georgius Paulus Calinicus Cyrus Iohannes Germanus Anastasius Constantinus Nicetas Paulus Tarasius Nicephorus Theodorus Antonius Iohannes St Methodius St Ignatius Photius Stephanus St Anthonius Nicholaus Euthimius Nicolaus Stephanns Polyenostus Basilius Anthonius Nicolaus Sisimius Sergius Constantinus Iohannes Cosmius Eustratius Nicolaus Leo Michael Cosmus Theodosius Basilius Nicetas Leontius Dositheus Georgius Xiphilinus Iohannes Michael Theodorus Maximus Manuel Germanus Methodius Manuel Nicephorus Arcenius Germanus Iosephus Iohannes Iosephus Georgius Athanasius Iohannes Athanasius Niphon Iohannes Gerasinus Isaias Iohannes Calistus Philetus Macarius Nilus Antonius Calistus Euthymius Iosephus Gregorius Genadrus Sophronius Simeon Maximus Niphon Pachomus Theoliptus Ieremias Dionisius Ioseph Metrophanes Ieremias to whom the Ministers of Germany sent their Confessions 1576. Macarius Mattheus Gabriel Theophanes Meletius Mattheus Neophitus Mattheus Raphael Neophitus Cyrillus Tymotheus Cyrillus The pretended Succession of the Bishops of Rome FOR the Succession of the latter Bishops of Rome of which Boniface the third was the first they succeeded the former Bishops many of them onely in name and place but not in Title Iurisdiction holinesse of life nor faith as is hereafter shewed and so not worthy to be named or ranked amongst them 1. Generally for the Title the former Bishops of Rome were most of them men of great humilitie their glorie was to be members of the holy Catholike Church of which Christ Iesus was the alone head But these latter Bishops have presumed to take vpon them the Title due onely to Christ to wit to be head of the univerfall Church of God and Husbands of Christs Spouse the Church 2. For their Iurisdiction The former Bishops were subject to higher powers even to cruell Nero and other persecuting Emperours 25 of them were Martyrs but these latter by degrees haue got Iurisdiction not onely Spirituall but also Temporall above Princes and the Emperours themselues 3. For life the former of them were most of them holy men these latter most of them most wicked ad vitious 4. For doctrine for the former their Faith was heard of in all the world these latter are fallen from the truth in many maine points as afterwards followeth First Title Pelag. distinct 99 for Title Pope Pelagius the second in his dayes perceiving that Maurice the Emperour went about to make and establish an vniversal Bishop very much opposed it and decreed that no Bishop no not the Bishop of Rome himselfe ought to be called the vniversall Bishop And Pope Gregorie his Successour writeth that none of his Predecessors ever consented to vse so prophane a name as before Secondly Iurisdiction for Iurisdiction the Pope claimeth both Spirituall and Temporall not onely over all Bishops and the Church of God but aboue all Kings and Emperours causing some of them to lie under his feete some to hold his stirrop Kings to leade his horse by the bridle some to kisse his feete placing and displacing Emperours Kings Duks whom and when he liâ—â— taking vpon him to translate the Empire at his pleasure first from Greece to France from France to Germanie preferring and deposing whome he pleased 3. For the life and conversation of some of them Baronius reporteth Baron Annal. 985. that Boniface the seventh was a very villaine a Church robber a Savage theefe the cruell murtherer of two Popes and invader of Peters chaire Sigon reg Ital. lib 7.963 Iohn the thirteenth Was accused in a Synod for Murther Adulteries Incests Periuries and vices of all sorts c. Bâ—tron Ann anno 912. What was the face of the Roman Church saith Baronius and how most filthily did it appeare when the most impudent and base Queanes bare all the sway at Rome changed Sees and gave Bishoprickes at their pleasure and which is most abominable and not to bee named placed their Paramours into St. peters Chaire Their owne Genebrard confesseth that there were fiftie of those Popes irregular disordred Quod per annoâ— 150. pontifices circiter 50. a Ieannc scilicet 8. ad leonem 9 a virtute maiorum prosus defecarint Genebrard Chron lib. 4. pag. 553. Iohn 5.39 Psal 1. and Apostaticall Fourthly for their Doctrine some of it is coÌ„trary to the Word of God pernicious to mens consciences and iniurious to Christ himselfe viz. 1. Whereas Christ hath commanded us to reade the holy Scriptures and the Holy Ghost blesseth them that delight therein The now Church of Rome forbidd th the reading thereof to the Laitie in the vulgar tongue without speciall licence 2. Whereas Christ hath taught vs to pray to God and St. Paul to call on him in whom we beleeve Rom. 10.14 They
invocate Saints in whom they do not beleeve and call on Some whom they are ignorant of whether they be in Heaven or Hell 3. Matth. 26.26 Whereas Christ hath commanded us to receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper in both kindes in his holy Institution as it is set downe in the holy Scripture They now sacrilegiously forbid the people under a Curse the Symboll of Christs precious Blood 4. Whereas holy Scripture testifie that marriage is honorable unto all men Heb. 13.4 1 Cor. 10.9 and che bed undefiled and Saint Paule teacheth it is better to marrie then to burne They now Teach Doctrines of Devills Gravius peccare sacerdotem si uxorem ducat quam si dâ—â—ni concubinam foveat Coster in enchrid cap. 17 â—rop 9. 1 Cor. 14. forbidding Marriage that it is better for a Priest to have a concubine then to marrie 5. Whereas Saint Paule teacheth us to pray in spirit and understanding They teach men to pray in an unknowne Tongue without understanding 6. Whereas the worship of Images is flatly forbidden by God in his morall Law under Gods curse Confounded be all they that serue graven Jmages They now command due worship and veneration to be given to Images under the Popes curse 7 Whereas God curseth all them that adde or diminish to his holy word Rev. 22.18.19 They have made many new Articles of Faith contrary to Gods holie word curse them that observe them not 8. Whereas holy Scripture teacheth us to relie onely on the Merits of Christ Psal 2.12 Blessed are all they that trust in him Bell. de iustif 5â— l. cap. 7. which Bellarmine confesseth to be the safest way They joyne their owne Merits with Christs Merits 9 Whereas we are to build our Faith on the Scriptures which cannot erre Regula credendi certissima tutissima Bell. de verbo Dei lib 1. cap. 1. They on the Pope and his Church which doe erre 10 And whereas St. Paul telleth the Roman Church that they are not the Roote but a branch grafted into the Tree and bidds them take heed of Pride Yet the now Church of Rome will not acknowledge herfelfe to be onely a branch or member of Christs Church but will bee the Roote or Head of the holy Catholike Church teach that no man can bee saved unlesse he be a Member of that Chuch Thus you see how the latter Popes of Rome differ from the former Bishops in Title in Iurisdiction in Holinesse of Life and Doctrine so not worthy to be numbred amongst them or to be accounted their Successors To the Succession of Bishops I have added the Succession of the Emperors of Constantinople who have many of them opposed the Popes greatnesse and Doctrines and also the Emperours of Ethiopia who have never been subject to the Pope as farre as I can reade viz. The Emperors of Constantinople before the division Constantinus Constans Constantius Iulianus Apostata Iovintanus Valentinianus Gratianus Theodosius Arcadius Honorius Theoddosius 2. Martianus Leo Zeno Anastatius Dicorus Iustinus Iustinianus Fl. val Iustinus Tib. Constantinus Mauritius Cappa dox Phocas Heraclius Constantinus Constans Constantinus Pogo natuâ— Iustinianus Leontius Absimarus Philippus Bardanes Artemius seu Anastasius Theoaosius Leo 3 Isauricus Constantinus Co. Leo 4 pronymus Irene Emperors since the Division Nicephorus Michael Curopalates Leo Aâ—minus Michael Balbus Theophilus Michael Basilius Macedo Leo Philosophus Alexander Constantinus Romanus Nicephorus Phocas Ioan Cimifces Basilius Porphyrogenitus Constantinus Romanus Argyrus Michael Paphlago Michael Calaphates Zoe Constantinus Mononachus Theodora Michael Stratioticus Isacius Comnenus Constantius Ducas Romanus Diogenes Mich. Parapinacius Niceph. Boteniates Alexius Comnenus Caloioanes Manuel comnenus-Tryphon Andronicus Comnenus Isacius Angelus Alexius Angelus Alexius Iunior Baldninus Comes Flandriae Henricus Petrus Altisiodorensis Robe tus Balduinus Michael Palaeologus Andronicus Palaolog us Andronicus Iunior Ioannes Palaeologus Ioannes Cata. cuzenus Eminuel Palaeologus Ioannes Palaeologus Constantinus Palaeologus Emperors of Aethiopia Baazena Lacasa seu Candace cujus Eunuchus a Philippo fuit bapti-Zatus Baazena Mesve Sectua Agdala Agba Mali Able Dâ—dima Autetes Alda Zeahim de Rama Gafeles Beseseoch Azgua Agua Hherch Besane Guachena Hadas Saghell Affe Asgehba Asgueba Samra Aiba Stendhem Zacham San Igaam Alamida Achinna Abraham Azba fratres deinde solus Abraham Asfa Asba Albamedon Abra Sahell Ghebez Sekul Azba AbraÌ„ Adakana zaham Amida Sahan AZba Zahan Gabed Iacob Dabid frat Arma Zittahana Iacob Constantinus Beth Esrael Gabra Mafchall Nalek Bazen Bensaghed Bahar Saghed Gherma Aapher Saliuba Callula Sion Sargue Zarui Bagaharnaâ— Gianscheda Zeonechia Malgeres Sepharad Agdai Abraham Asbaha Asfa Afra Amsi Ahan Arcada Aladana Alameda Tabena Caleb Gabra Maschel Constantinus Beza Agher Asfa Arma Gianasfa Gianascheda Fressennai Adazahaz Aizar Delnahadan Madai Sahada regina Ambazandin Gemoasfare Girgas Degva Michael Bedegaz Arma Cullandin Sbinahanni Tredda Gabez regina Gabez filius Tredda Gabez Nep. Tredda St. Zalibala St. Zimra Naakutolah Icum Nuam Lach Iacba Hazcon Baazarda Ezbrahad Cadem Saghed Vdim Raah Amdezeon Sepharab Vdma Asfan David Theodorus Isaacke Andreas Hezbinaam Zarach Bethemariam Schender Amdezcon Nabud Helena Lebnadenghel danid cum matre Helena Asnasgahet Caudius Adamastus By what meanes the Papall Monarchie hath beene raised and how it hath been and is upheld CHAP. VI. THere was a Time when the Bishops of Rome were holy men painefully labouring in the Lords harvest Of the primitive estate of the Bishops of Rome many of them suffering Martyrdome And then they acknowledged our Lord Iesus Christ to be the onely Head of his Church Pope Pius the second testifieth that before the Nicen Councell Aeneas Silvius in epistola 301. Ante Nicenum concilium sibi quisque vivebat ad Romanam ecclesiam parvus habebatur Re spectus the Bishops of Rome had small or no respect That Councell divided the Regiment of the Church into foure Patriarchall Sees Rome Alexandria Antioch and Hierusalem They had all equall Authoritie given them in their owne Provinces as appeareth by eight Councells cited at large by Doctor Willet Afterward Synopsis pag. 148. there was a certaine Primacie of Order Can. 28. quia urbs illa imperaret granted to the Patriarch of Rome as To have the first place to sit first To give sentence first for that Rome was then the Imperiall Citie This reason is yeelded in the Calcedon Councell 2. For the Popes Title about the yeere 604. Boniface the third obtained with much contention of Phocas 2. Popes Title Egit is ab initie administrationis cum Phoca ut Romana Ecclesia esset omnium aliarum capnt nec sine multa contentione Apostolicae sedi datum Sabell Ennead 8. lib. 6 pag. 396. For this read Mouns Plesses his Historie of the Papacie who proveth it by many Testimonies who murthered his Master Maurice the Emperor the title of Vniversall Bishop and that the Church of Rome should be head of all Churches This Phocas murthered also