who produceth all things of himselfe the End of Ends and first cause of all operations the Author of all goodnesse and beauty by whose light all things shine c. Simplicius saith that from this divine beauty proceed all beauties and all truths from this divine truth the beginning of all beginnings the sowrce and original of all goodnesse the cause of causes God of Gods c. Plotinus to the same purpose makes God the original of all things and who only is sufficient in himselfe giving being to all c. The same doctrine is taught by his Scholar â—orphyrie and likewise by all the other Platoâ—â—sts this was also the general Tenet of the Stoicks as may be seen in Epictetus who sheweth that above all things we must learn to know there is but one God the governour of all things c. who is not ignorant of our works words and thoughts c. Cicero tells us that nothing is more excellent then God by whom the world is governed who is subject and obedient to none So Seneca we must find out something more ancient then the world whence the Stars had their original c. He calls God the Soul and Spirit the preserver and keeper of this Universe the Lord and Architect of this great work c. The same is acknowledged by Chrysippus as he is cited by Plutarch there cannot saith he be found out any other beginning or original of justice but from Iupiter who is the common nature fate and providence of all things The Peripateticks maintained the same doctrine as may be seen in Aristotles Physicks Metaphysicks and De mundo he acknowledgeth a first infinite and eternal Mover who is only wise and the cause of causes He is the Father of gods and men the preserver of the world the mover of Heavens Sun Moon c. His Scholar Theophrasâ—us to the same purpose confesseth that from this one principle all things have their existence and consistence that God made all things of nothing Alexander Aphrodisaeus and the rest affirm the same truth aud not onely the Philosophers but likewise the Poets assented to this doctrin Orpheus sings thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there is none other but this great King whose seat is in Heaven and is compassed with clouds who seeth all things and is seen of none c. To the same purpose Phocyllides 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 There is one wise God powerfull and blessed But of this subject I will speak more hereafter concerning the Sun I could alleadge Homer Hesiod Sophocles Virgil Ovid and other Poets to this purpose but this work is already performed by Iustin Martyr Eusebius Clemens Lactantius Plessis and others who likewise have inserted many verses out of the Sibylls Q. What Priests had the Romans A. Of these we have said somewhat already but we will say something more Their antientest Priests were Luperci the Priests of Pan Lycaeus Potitii and Pinarii of Hercules Of divination by chirping of Birds Augures of divining by Poultry Pullarii They that had the care of Altars and looked into the intrals of the Sacrifice were called Aruspices and Extispices Curiones were the Priests that had care of each Curla or Ward in the City for Romulus divided Rome into 33 Wards and assigned to each of them a Priest or Curio Over these was Curio maximus that is an Archbishop The Priests which Romulus ordained to the memory of Titus Tatius King of the Sabins were called Sodales Tatit. The Priests that went alwayes covered with threaden caps or hoods were called Flamines quasi Filamines whereof there were divers sorts as we have already shewed Of the Vestal Priestesses and the Salii as also of the Feciales Rex Sacrificulus and Pontifex maximus we have said The Priests that had the charge of the Sibylls books were at first but two called Duumviri then they were increased to ten Decemviri at last to fifteen called Quindecemviri Fauna or Fatua who for her loyalty to her husband was called Bona Dea had her peculiar Priestesses The Priests of Sybele mother of the Gods were called Gâ—lli whose chiefe or Archbishop was called Archi-gallus there were also other Priests called Triumviri and Septemviri epulonum who had charge of the publiquâ— Feasts and games Besides these every Idol had his Priest and these had their under Officers or servants called Camilli The servants of Flamen Dialis were called Flaminei They had their Church-Wardens called Aeditui their Trumpeters and Sacbutters called Tubicines and Tibicines Popae were those that bound the Sacrifices Victimarii that killed them Their Cryers that went before the Priest to injoyn the people to forbear working during the time of Sacrificing were called Preciae The women that were hired to sing the praises of the dead were named Praeficae Their Grave diggers Vespilones Q. What sort of Sacrifices did the ancient Romans use A. They used to offer a day before the solemn Sacrifice a preparative Sacrifice called Hostia Praecedanâ—a Their Succedaneae were Sacrifices which succeeded when the former were not satisfactory Wethers that were led to be Sacrificed with a Lamb on each side of them were called Ambiguiâ— Bidentes were sheep sacrificed having two horns and two eminent teeth Ambervales were sacrifices carried in their Processions about the fields Amburbales were Processions and sacrifices about the City Heysers sacrificed which had never been tamed or put under the yoke were called Injuges The Priest having brought the sacrifice to the Altar used to pray laying his hand on the Altar Musick in the mean time sounding Then he layeth on the head of the beast Corn or a Cake with Salt and Frankincense this was called Immolatio from molâ— the Cake Then followed Libatio which was the tasting of the Wine and sprinkling thereof upon the beasts head this done the hairs between the horns of the beast being pluckt out were flung into the fire this they called Libamina Primâ— Then the beast was killed the blood received in vessels and the intrails searched at last the beast is cut in pieces one piece was wrapped in meale and then burned on the Altar this was called Litare After this they went to feasting singing and dancing now every particular God had his sacrifice white beasts were sacrificed to their supernal Gods black to the infernal The Bull was the proper sacrifice of Iupiter Neptune Apollo Mars Luna and the Heroes The Ram was sacrificed to Mars and the Heroes Wine was offered to Ceres and Liber The Goat to Aesculapius and Liber Milk and hony to Ceres A Horse to Sol and Mars A Lamb to Iuno and Faunus A Dove to Venus A Doe to Pan and Minerva A Hinde to Diana A Hog to Sylvanus A Cock to the Lares A Sow to Cybele and a Sow to Ceres A Hen to Aesculapius and a Child to Saturne c. But this last was abolished by the Romans To each god also they assigned his particular Bird. The
changed Lots Wife into a Pillar of Salt and Nebuchadnezzar into a beast Satan hath no power over celestial bodies though he be Prince of the Aire he cannot create nor do these things which God hath reserved for himselfe Therefore when we hear of men transformed into beasts or raised from the dead and such like miracles as exceed the course and activity of nature we may be assured these are not true miracles but Satanical delusions especially if they be done to confirme errour wickednesse and superstition for the end of all true and divine miracles are to establish truth and holinesse Therefore when we read of bringing down the Moon of driving the Stars backward and such like impossibilities beleeved among the Gentiles we must conclude they were meer delusions of Satan Such were those wonders adscribed to Simon Magus of making images to walk of turning stones into bread of being transformed into a Sheep Goat and Serpent of raising souls from the dead and such like stuffe all these were meer jugling tricks and Satanicall deceptions Q. But why are we so afraid of Satans Stratagems seeing the most of them are but illusions A. This fear in us proceeds partly from the guilt of our own conscience for Adams sin brought fear both on himselfe and on his posterity therefore after he had fallen he confesseth that as soon as he heard the voice of God in the Garden he was afraid and so we his children do often times fear where no fear is and are afraid sometimes at our own shadows or at the shaking of a leafe Partly this fear proceeds from want of faith which Christ reproved in his Apostles who when they saw Jesus walking in the night time on the Sea they were afraid thinking they had seen a Spirit Besides the implacable hatred of Satan against mankind his delight he taketh in affrighting and hurting us either in our persons or in our estates that irreconcilable enmity which is between the Serpent and the Womans seed is a great cause of this fear in us Lastly we are naturally fearful in the dark because our imagination worketh upon it self having no outward object to divert it hence Satan who is the Prince of darknesse useth the opportunity of the night to hurt or to delude us thus he affrighteth us in the dark in our houses with strange apparitions motions and sounds whence some houses have blin said to be hanted with Spirits So in the night he affrighteth travellers with ignis fatuus or jack in the candle as we call it which though it be a natural Meteor yet Satan can move it to and fro purposely to draw travellers into precipices or waters So in the night time he affrighteth mariners at Sea by insinuating himself into these fiery Meteors which like candles or balls of fire run up and down the ship these were deified by the old Pagans if one single flame appeared they called it Helena and held it an ominons fign of destruction as she was to Trâ—y if there were two they named them Castor and Pollux and placed their statues in their ships as we read Act. 28. And Sea men use to tell us of many strange sights and apparitions they have seen in the Ocean Satan also useth to affright men in Churches and Church yards in the dark by representing to their phantasie the shape of dead men in their winding sheets in the night also strange voices and sounds are heard neer deep waters or rivers which are taken as presages of some shortly to be drowned there the like I have heard my selfe and have found the event to fall out accordingly for one day travelling before day with some company neere the River Don by Aberden we heard a great noise and voices call to us I was going to answer but was forbid by my company who told me they were spirits which never are heard there but before the death of some body which fell out too true for the next day a gallant Gentleman was drowned with his horse offering to swim over It is strange what Plutarch writeth of the voice which from the shoare called upon Thamus the Egyptian ship-Master who then had cast Anchor at Praxeae telling him that the great god Pan was dead Though the night Mare which is called Incubus and Succubus be a natural disease as Physitians know yet Satan hath often times made use of this infirmitie to abuse the bodies of men and womâ—n in their sleep By all which we see his malice against mankinde and the causes of our fear which hath wrought so powerfully among the ignorant Pagans that they have planted their whole Religion in the worshipping of these evil spirits for their gods were none other as Porphyrie she â—eth l. 2. de abstinen l. 2. de sacrificio For saith he These wicked Spirits delight in shedding of blood in filthy and obscene speeches exhorting men to lust vice wickednesse and flagitious actions c. they perswade men that the supreame God delighteth in such impieties c. Q Since the Stratagems and illusions of Satan are so many what is our duty in this case A. Our duty is 1. To be assured that nothing can come to pasâ—e but by the providence of our Heavenly Father who hath numbred the hairs of our heads and hath Satan in a chain so that without permission he could neither afflict Iob in his person children nor cattel nor durst he enter into the herd of swine without leave from Christ. 2. Let us remember what Christ hath promised to wit that he will be with us to the end of the world and if he be with us who can be against us Christ came to destroy the works of the Devil to cast out the strong man and to tread down Satan under our feet he hath promised not to leave us Orphans he is the good Shepherd that laid down his life for his sheep which he holdeth so fast that no man shall take them out of his hand his name is Emanuel God with us He was amongst his Apostles Luke 24. when they were assembled together and in great fear and so he will be in the midst of two or three gathered together in his name He is the watchman of Israel that neither slumbers nor sleeps therefore with David let us lie down and take our rest for he will make us to live in safety Though we walk through the vally of the shadow of death let us fear no evil because the Lord is with us Let us not be moved because he is at our right hand he is our buckler and our exceeding great reward therefore let us not feare 3. Let us put on the whole Armour of God chiefly the shield of faith that we may quench all the fiery darts of the Devil and let us fight against Satan as Christ did with the sword of the spirit which is the word of God Let us resist the Devil and he will flee from us 4. We must
fiery torches if he be wicked if good they comfort him and defend his body in the grave till the day of judgment but the bodies of the wicked are knocked down nine fathoms under ground and tormented by their angry Angels the one knocking him with an hammer the other tearing him with an hook till the last day against this torment the Turks use to pray at the graves of the dead The women there do not accompany the dead to the grave but stay at home weeping and preparing good cheer for the Priests and others of the departed mans friends They believe that when the Corps hath been in the grave on quarter of an hour that a new spirit is put into it is set upon its knees and is examined by the foresaid Angels of his faith and works They believe also that it is a work of charity and conducible to the soul of the defunct if the birds beasts or ants be fed with the meat which they set on the graves of the dead Q. How far hath this Mahumetan Superstition got footing in the world A. Though it be not so far extended as Gentilisme yet it hath over-reached Christianity not in Europe where Christianity prevaileth but in Africa where it hath thrust out the ancient Christian Churches and erected the Half-Moon in flead of the Crosse except it be among the Abyssins and some small places held by the Spaniard or Portugal But in Asia it hath got deeper footing having over-run Arabia Turkie Persia some part of Mogols countrey and Tartaria onely here and there some smal Congregations of Christians are to be found In America indeed it is not as yet known Now the reasons why this Superstition is so far spread are these 1. The continual jars frivolous debates and needless digladiations about questions of Religion among Christians which hath made the world doubt of the truth thereof and takes away the end and scope of Religion which is to unite mens affections but the remedy is become the disease and that which should cure us woundeth us 2. The wicked and scandalous lives both of Christian Laity and Clergy for the Mahumetans generally are more devour in their religious duties and more just in their dealings 3. The Mahumetan Conquests have in those parts propagated their Superstition 4. Their religion is more pleasing to the sense then Christianity for men are more affected with sensitive pleasures which Mahomet proffers in his Paradise then with spiritual which are lesse known and therefore lesse desired 5. The greatnesse of the Turkish tyranny over Christians the rewards and honours they give to those that will turn Muselmen or Mahumetans are great inducements for weak spirits to embrace that religion for a Christian Runegado that will receive circumcision among them is carried about the streets with great joy and solemnity is presented with many gifts and made free from all taxes for which very cause many both Greeks and Albanians have received circumcision 6. The liberty which is permitted to multiply wives must needs be pleasing to carnal-minded men 7. They permit no man to dispute of their Alcoran to call any point of their religion in question to sell the Alcoran to strangers or to translate it into other languages It is death to offend in any of these which is the cause of much quietnesse and concord among them 8. They inhibit the profession of Philosophy among them and so they keep the people in darknesse and ignorance not suffering the light to appear and to detect their errors 9. They teach that all who live a good life shall be saved whatsoever his religion be this makes many weak Christians revolt from their holy faith without scruple or check of conscience for what care they whether they serve Christ or Mahomet so they be saved 10. They hold that after a certain time of torments in Hell the wicked shall be released from thence this doctrine is more pleasing to wicked men then Christianity which admits of no redemption from Hell nor any mitigation of eternal torments 11. Men are much taken with moral outsides whereby the Turks exceed Christians for they are more modest in their conversation generally then we men and women converse not together promiscuously as among us they are lesse sumptuous in their buildings lesse excessive and phantastical in their clothes more sparing in their dyet and altogether abstemious more devout and reverend in their Churches so that they will not suffer a piece of paper to be trod upon or lie on the ground but will take it up kisse it and lay it in some place out of danger and this is because the name of God and Mahomets Law is written upon paper they are also more sober in their speeches and gesture and more obedient to their Superiors then we are 12. There is nothing more pleasing to our nature then private revenge which by Christs Law is prohibited but by the Mahumetan Law is allowed for they are to hate and to kill their enemy if they can 13 Arianism had infected most of the Eastern Churches therefore it was no wonder if they received Mahomets Doctrine which was grounded upon Arius his Heresie 14. They suffer no man to blaspheme Christ but honour him and speak reverently of him so they do of Moses and Abraham which makes that neither Iews nor Christians are in those parts much averse from or violent against their Religion 15. They have been alwayes very zealous and diligent in gaining Proselytes and yet force no man For these and such like reasons let us not wonder at the great encrease of Mahumetanisme in the world Q. Of what continuance is Mahumetanisme A. Mahomet was born in the year of Christ 592. in the time of S. Gregory the Pope and Mauritius the Emperour according to Genebrard he lived 63. years of which he spent 23. years in spreading of his doctrine then died in the year of our Lord 655. Constance being Emperour and Eugenius the first Pope So that Mahumetanisme hath lasted already above 1000. years to the great oppression and vexation of the Church of Christ and to the eternal dishonour of Christian Princes who if they had spent but the tenth part of that blood against the Turks which they have shamefully and sinfully shed in their own private quarrels there had not been at this day any remainder of that damnable Sect which hath longer continued a scourge to the Church of Christ then ever any enemy did against Gods people of old For the Egyptians oppressed the Israelites scarce 200. years the Canaanites 20. years the Moabites 18. years the Philistines 40. years the Assyâ—ians and Chaldeans from the first to the last did not â—ex oppress Gods people above 300. years afterward they were oppressed by Antiochus Epiphanes 40 years the Christian Church from Nero till Constantine was afflicted about 260. years and afterward by the Goths and Lombards nere 300. years But this oppression of the Church by
Doctrin of the Trinity was not unknown even by the light of nature to the Gentile Philosophers Poets and Sibylls Zoroastres speaketh of the Father who having perfected all things hath delivered them to the second Mind which Mind saith he hath received from the Father knowledge and power Here is a plain testimony of the first and second person Concerning the third he saith that the Divine love proceeded from the Mind or Intellect what else is this Divine love but the Holy Ghost The Chaldaean Magi which were their Philosophers acknowledged three beginnings to wit Ormases Mitris and Ariminis that is God the Mind and soul Mercurius Trismegistus taught his Egyptians that God who is life and light begot the Word who is the other Intellect and maker of all things and together with him another who is the firie God or Spirit here the three persons are distinctly named He sheweth also that the subtil intellectual Spirit by the power of God did move in the Chaos this is consonant to the words of Moses the spirit of God moved on the waters Orpheus singeth the praises of the Great God and of his word which he first uttered Pythagoras and his Schollars were not ignorant of this Mystrey when they placed all perfection in the number of three and made love the Original of all things Zeno the Stoick confesseth that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Word is God and the Spirit of Iove Socrates acknowledgeth God to be the Minde or Intellect that the Essence of God is his Idea which he begets by the knowledge of himself and by which he made the World Numenius the Pythagorean Plotinus Iamblichus and others do write very plainly of the three Hypostases or Persons in the Trinity so that no Christian can write more fully as may be seen in their own words as they are alleadged by Du-Plessis in his Book of the truth of Christian Religion who citeth also certain Oracles of Serapis the Egyptian chiefe Idol or Devil and of Apollo out of Suidns by which we may see how the evil Spirits are forced to confesse the Trinity I could also alledge the testimonies of the Sybills to the same purpose but because I study brevity and these heathen testimonies and Sibyllin verses are cited by Clemens Alexandrinus Origin against Celsus Cyril against Iulian Eusebius in his preparation Saint Augustine in his bookes of the City c. I forbear to insist any more on this subject And as the Gentiles gave testimony to this plurality of persons so did the Jewes also though now they reject this doctrine thinking that we by worshipping the Trinity do worship three Gods but their ancient Rabbins do prove the Trinity out of the Old Testament as Rabbi Simeon the Sonne of Iohai brings a place out of Rabbi Ibba upon Deuteronomy 6. Hearken O Israel the Lord our God is one God In the Hebrew thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Iehovah Elohenu Iehovah Echad He shewes that the first Iehovah is God the Father the second word Elohenu our God is God the Son for so he is called by the Propher and Evangelist Emanuel God with us The third word Iehovah is God the holy Ghost And the fourth word Echad that is One is to shew the Unity of Essence in this plurality of persons Many other passages I could alleadge out of the writings of the ancient Rabbies to confirme this truth but this is already performed by Galatinus in his books de arcanis catholicae veritatis Q. 6 Who were Simons principal Scholars and what were their opinions A. 6. Menander a Samaritan also and a Magician He flourished at Rome in the time of Titus about 49. years afser Christ. He held the same impious opinions that Simon did but differed from him in saying that himself and not Simon was the Saviour of the world and that therefore all should be baptized in his name and not in the name of Simon or Christ and that all such should in power excel the Angels and should live immortally here so he denied the Resurrection of the flesh To him succeeded Saturninus and his fellow Scholar Basilides about the fifteenth year of Adrian the Emperour and after Christ the hundreth Saturninus was of Antioch and infected Syria with his poyson as Basilides did Egypt Saturninus held the same impieties with Simon and Menander but differed from them in saying that the world was made onely by seven Angels and not by all against the Will and Knowledge of God He taught also that some men were naturally good and some naturally evil and that nothing must be eat that hath life in it which was the Doctrine afterward of the Manichees And impiously affirmed that some of the antient Holy Prophets spake and were sent by Satan Basilides also was a Simonian Heretick but differed from him in holding there were so many Heavens as dayes in the year to wit 365. the chiefe god he called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the letters of which name are contained 365. He held also that this inferiour world and man was created by the 365th or last Heaven He taught also that the superiour god Abraxas begot the Minde this the Word Of the Word came Providence and of Providence Wisedome Of Wisdom the Angels were begot the last of which was the God of the Jewes whom he calls an ambitious and a turbulent God who had attemped to bring all Nations in subiection to his people He said that Christ was sent by Abraxas to oppose the turbulent God of the Jewes and doth not call him Iesus and Saviour but Goal a Redeemer He held it unlawful to suffer Martyrdom for Christ He permitted Idolatry and taught that no voluntary sin was pardonable and that Faith was not the gift of God but of Nature as also election The other errours which this Egyptian held for he was of Alexandria were the same that Simon maintained Q. 7. What was the Religion of the Nicholaitans and Gnosticks A. The Nicholaitans so called from Nicholas one of the seven Deacons Act. 6. and whose works Christ hated Rev. 2. gave themselves to all uncleannesse and sflshly lusts teaching that men ought to have their Wives in common They made no scruple of eating things offered to Idols At their meetings or love Feasts they used to put out the lights and commit promiscuous adulteries with each others wise They taught that the world was made by the copulation of light and darknesse out of which Angels Daeâ—ons and Men were procreated Mans seed and menstruous blood were with them sacred and used by the Gnosticks in their divine service whereby they brought an odium upon Christianity They would not have God but Angels creators of this inferiour world which Angels they called by divers barbarous names Nicholas the father of this Sect was by birth an Antiochian whose doctrine began to spread about the beginning of Domitians reign after Christ 52 yeers before S. Iohns banishment into Pathmos The professors of this
the Circumcellions so called from their Cells and Cottages in which they lived to shew their austerity these made no bones to murther all they met that were not of their Religion so that they were more dangerous then High-way Robbers The Donatists were named also Parmenianists from Parmenianus one of Donatus his disciples At Rome they were named Campates from the Camp or Field and Montenses from the Hill where they used to hide themselves The Priscillianists were so named from Priscillianus a Spaniard who under Gratian the Emperor spread his heresie first in Spain 348. years after Christ. From thence like a canker it run through all the West his heresie was made up of former heresies for with the Manicnes he held that the world was made by an evil god With the Sabellians he confounded the persons of the Trinity with the Origenists he taught that mens souls were made before their bodies in some receptacle of Heaven and with the Manichees that they were parcels of the Divine Essence With Astrologers they held that all humane events depended on the Stars and with the Stoicks that we sin necessarily and coactively With the Gnosticks they condemned marriage with the Encratites the eating of flesh with the Audians they allowed lying and perjury in matters of Religion and with the Gâ—osticks they rejected the ancient Prophets as fanatical and ignorant of the will of God The Rhetorians so called from one Rhetorius held the same Tenet which the Mahumetans do at this day namely that every man shall be saved by the Religion he professeth and that therefore no Religion should be forced but men should be left to their own choice and will The Feri or wild Hereticks were such as held it unlawful to eat or converse with men therefore they held none should be saved but such as lived alone They taught also that the holy Ghost was a creature Q. 33. What were the Theopaschitae Tritheiâ—ae Aqueiâ— Melâ—â—onii Ophei Tertullii Liberatores and Nativitarii A. The Theopaschites held that the divinity of Christ suffered as if there had been in him but one nature because one person The Tritheits divided the Essence of God into three parts the one they called the Father the other the Son and the third the Holy Ghost as though either of the persons had not bin perfectly God The Aquei held that the water was not created but coeternal with God this heresie was culled out of the Hermagenian and Audian Tenets The Melitonii so named from one Melito taught that not the soul but the body of man was made after Gods Image and so with the Anthropomorphites they made God corporeal The Ophei so called from one Opheus held there were innumerable worlds The Tertullii from one Tertullus taught that the souls of wicked men should be converted into Devils and Savage Beasts Liâ—eratores are those who taught that Christ by his descending into Hell did set at liberty all wicked that then beâ—eved in him Nativitarji were such as taught that Christs Divine Nativity had a beginning because it is written Psal. 2. Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee so they acknowledged the Eternity of his Essence but not of his Filiation These were but branches of former Heresies broached by obscure or unknown authors and of short continuance Q. 34. What were the Luciferians Jovinianists and Arbicks A. Luciferians so called from Lucifer Bishop of Caralitanum in Sardinia who lived under Iulâ—an the Apostate 333. years after Christ taught with the Cerinthians and Marcionites that this world was made by the Devil That mens souls were corporeal and had their being by propagation or traduction They denyed to the Clergy that fell any place for repentance or reconciliation neither did they restore Bishops or inferious Clerks to their Dignities if they fel into Heresie though they afterward repented This was the Doctrine of the old Novaâ—ians and Meletians these Luciferians were named also Homonymians for using the word flesh ambiguously in their dispurations The Iovinianists were so called from Iovinian a Roman who lived under Jovinian the Emperour 335. years after Christ. These held with the Stoicks that all sins were equal that after baptisme we could not sin that fasting was needlesse that Virginity was not better then the married life and that the blessed Virgin in bearing Christ lost her Virginity The Arabicks were so named from Arabia the countrey where this heresie was broached and maintained under Philip the Emperour 217. years after Christ they held that mens soules died with their bodies and that both in the last day should rise again From this heresie they were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is mortal soules not much different from them are the Psychopanuychitae of this age who make the soul sleep in the Grave with the body till the Resurrection Q. 35. What were the Collyridians Paterniani Tertullianists and Abelonitae A. The Collyridians were hatched also in Arabia and so named from a kinde of Cakes or Buns which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 these Cakes they presented every year with great ceremony to a certain Maid fitâ—ng in a chair of State and covered with a vail â—n honour of the Virgin Maâ—y these flourished under Theoâ—osius the great 357. years after Christ. Paterniani so called from one Paternus an obscure fellow were named also Venuâ—iani from Venus which by their venereal actions they honoured more then God These held that all the lower parts of mans body from the Navel downward were made by the Devil and therefore they gave themselves to all lasciviousnesse and uncleannesse therefore they were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 deriders of good manners and honesty The Tertullianists were so called from that famous Lawyer and Divine Terâ—ullian who lived under Severus the Emperour about 170 years after Christ. He being excommunicated by the Roman Clergy for a Montanist fell unto these heretical opinioâ—s to wit that God was corporeal but without delineation of members that mens souls were not onely corporeal but also distinguished into members and had corporeal dimensions and did encrease and decrease with the body and that the soul had its Original by propagation or traduction He held also that the souls of wicked men after death were converted into Devils that the Virgin Mary â— after Christs birth did marry once and with the Catapâ—rygian he bragged much of the Paraclet or Spirit which they said was poured on them in a greater measure then on the Apostles He condemned all use of arms and wars among Christians and with the Mâ—ntanists rejected second marriages as no better then adultery The Abelonitae were so called from Abeo Adams Son these taught that Abel was married but had no carnal commerce with his Wife because there is no mention made of his Children as there is of Cains and Seths For
then he concludes that the body or flesh which suffered at Ierusalem was not christ body 22. He makes the soul of man to be all one with the Gospel and the body of Christ to be the whole Creation by this and such like stuffe with which his books are fraughted we may see that he deserveth to have his brains purged with Hellebor rather than his crasie opinions refused by arguments or Scripture In the mean while we may perceive to our great grief the lamentable fruits which are begot of two much liberty in religion These impious Opinions are in his printed Pamphlets lately published One Richard Coppiâ— holdeth some of the before recited opinions withall lately before a confused multitude in an usurped pulpit asserted the lawfulnes of womens preaching for such Ranters a pillory were more fit than a pulpit Q. 12. What opinions in Religion are lately broached by Iohn Reeve and Lodowick Muggleton An. These two would perswade us that they are the two last witnesses and prophets of Christ sent by his spirit to seal the foreheads of the elect and reprobate that one Iohn Robins is the last great Antichrist and son of perdition spoken of by the Apostle in the Thessalonians because he sheweth lying signes and wonders and assumes to himself the titles of the onely God in that he calls himself Adam and Melchisedeth and Father of Iesus Christ in saying the three persons in Trinity are Adam that is himself Abel that is his sonne Iesus and Caiâ— that is the holy Ghost Many such blasphemies they ascribe to him They affirm also that Christians using the sword of steel are ignorant of Iesus and enemies to his Gospel and they teach that the two uncreated substances of earth and water were eternally resident in the presence of God the Creator that death was from Eternity that the person of the reprobate Angel or Serpent entred into the womb of Eve and there died but quickened in her all manner of uncleannesse that there is no devil at all without the body of man or woman but what dwells within them so that the devil spoken of so often in the Scripture is mans spirit of unclean reason and cursed imagination that God the Father was a spirituall man from Eternity and that in time his spirituall body brought forth a naturall body that if the very Godhead had not died that is say they the soul of Christ which is the eternall Father had not died all men had perished eternally that Moses and Eliah are angels and did represent the person of the Father in heaven as they did the person of the Son on earth that Eliah was made protectour of God when God became a child and that he filled the Lord Iesus with those great revelations of his former glory which he possessed in heaven when he was the immortall Father and that it was Eliah who spake these words from heaven saying this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased they say also that all the Ministry in this world whether Propheticall or Ministeriall with all the worship taught by them is all a lye and abomination to the Lord. Again they declare that whereas there are three witnesses on earth water blood and the spirit that by water is meant the Commission given to Moses and the Prophets under the Law by blood the Commission given to the Apostles and Ministers of the Gospel by the Spirit is meant the Commission of the two witnesses that were to come in this last age whose ministry is invisible and spirituall cutting off all formall worshipping of an invisible spirituall personall God they say there is hardly a minister in the world that confesseth an invisible God but they preach a God of three persons that is a monster instead of one true personall God they say that the true God is a distinct body or person as a man is a distinct body or person again they say that there is no Christian Magistrate in the world that hath any authority from Christ to set up any visible form of worship and that the spirits and bodies of men are both mortall both begot together and both of one nature that the spirit is nothing without the body that it is the Spirit alone that walks and works eats and drinks and dies for the spirit is a naturall fire of reason they say also that the bodies or persons of holy men wherein they lived and died shall not appear again any more but when the Saints are glorified they are absolutely of the very same glorious nature both in spirit and body as God is and that believing spirits are of the very same divine nature of God This is the summe of their Divinity and Phylosophie as may be seen in their transcendent spirituall Treatise as they call it which is full of transcendent nonsence and blasphemieâ— for here they lay their axe to the very root of Christianity in giving a new Father to our Saviour Jesus Christ in calling the blessed Trinity a monster in denying the Creation whilst they make earth and water eternall in making angels and mens souls mortall in making weak man Gods protector and author of that divine knowledge which was in Christ in denying the Ministry of the Gospel and the power of the Magistrates and the outward worship of God and making the souls of men corporeall in denying also the Resurrection of the flesh and transforming men into the Divine nature By this and other wicked tenets permitted and countenanced among us at this time we see what Christian religion is come to in this land so famous heretofore for piety and zeal we received Christianity as soon as any Nation in Europe whether by the preaching of Saint Peter or Saint Paul or Simon Zelâ—tes or Ioseph of Arimathea I know not but all agree we received it very early and have continued ever since in the profession thereof neither was there ever any Nation more devout and zealous in the advancement thereof as our goodly Temples Monasteries Hospitals Colledges and Schools can witnesse but alas now Quantum mutamur ab illis Angligenis what is there left among us but the bare Skeliton of Religion the vitall substance thereof being eat up and consumed by heresies and blasphemies worse than any Sarcophagus I may here with Ieremiah complain that from the daughter of Sion all her beauty is departed her Princes are become like Harts c. How is the gold become so dimme and the most fine gold changed and the stones of the Sanctuary are scattered in every corner of the streets c. Q. 13. What are the opinions of the Quakers An. These fanaticall spirits are called Quakers because they use to quake and tremble when they prophesie so did the Heathen soothsayers of old non vultus non color unus non compta mansere 〈◊〉 sed pectus anhelum rabie fera corda tument c. but the spirit of God is the spirit of peace
act parts the most contrary to her nature imbruing her white and innocent hands in blood and Massacres But as she hath met with Wolves to destroy and tear in pieces so hath she also met with Shepheards to heal and protect and among those the most laborious Authour of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ANZEBEIA hath not bin the least considerable His severe and most indefatigable labours in most parts of Learning are consummated in this piece of Religion wherein like an experienced Anatomist he hath left no vein un-cut up To fall into excessive commendations of him were to commit a moral absurdity by praising one whom the general Trumpet of Fame hath blaz'd abroad for so great an advancer of Vertue and Learning But to trouble you with them were yet to be so much the more importunate whose conversation with him was so great that whatsoever I may say of him I shall not acquaint you with so much as your self know Nor did the influence of your Patronage raise and animate only him but there are so many other monuments of your great encouragements to learning that it will be thought modesty in me not to mention all But your excessive Benefactorship to the Library of S. Iohns Colledge at Cambridge whereof I have sometimes had the honour to be an unworthy member I cannot passe over as a thing which will stand upon the file of memory as long as learning shall find professors or children And that which increases the glory of your munificence is that that Library may hoast that it is furnished with the works of its owne sonnes which being the greatest act of retribution and gratitude that may be must be accordingly acknowledged by all that shall come after But that which hath the most engaged and satisfied the English world is that your endeavours have displayed themselves in their clearest light in that one thing that is necessary that is to say Religion not only by being a constant assertor of her purity here in England but in that after more then Ulyssean Travels throughout most parts of Europe you have returned to your former enjoyments of that chast Penelope when others either out of weaknesse or surprise are ensnared and besotted with the Tenets of other Countries whereby they are both ingrateful and injurious to their own by preferring the prudence and policy of another before hers Religion certainly if well improved is the Talent that felicifies the improver if not condemnes him It is that universal Patrimony which entitles us to be the sonnes of God and by which we are adopted into the assured hope of eternal happinesse It is the Loadstone wherewith when our soules are once touched they are directed to the right pole of the eternally beatifical vision and without which we must infallibly expect to split against the rocks and shelves of perdition It is the consummation of heavens indulgence to Mankind that which doth familiarize us and makes good our Interest in the great being and cause of all things It is the perfection of nature since that whatsoever we know of the divinity by her comes only by the assistance and mediation of our sences but the other furnishes us with a more evident assurance and that in things which can be neither seen heard nor conceived by the more particular providence of Grace and Faith whereby he is pleased to bow down the heavens and descend unto a familiar conversation with our very spirits But that which ought further to endear all men to Religion is that she only next to God may pretend Ubiquity as being a thing written in such indelible characters in the hearts of all men that even the most barbarous nations and the greatest strangers to civility and policy have acknowledged some divine worship though their pravity or want of instruction may have blinded them from the true but yet that eclipse of the true God hath not been total insomuch as they have still retained a sense and veneration of Religion so that to the best of their imaginations they have created something like God to themselves To make this yet more evident we are to note that most people though they had not so clear apprehensions of the immortality of the soul as we have yet were they not only perswaded of the impossibility of its annihilation but have also acknowledged rewards and punishments to be expected after this life To ascend yet a little higher the divinity and preheminence of Religion is demonstrated in that it exerciseth that Empire and Soveraignty over the mind of man that no blandishments of the flesh no temptations no torments have been able to dispossesse it It hath triumph'd in the midst of its persecutions and by her sufferings hath conquered her persecutors Her pleasing Ravishments can stifle for a time all sence of humanity elude flames and racks and so arm the delicacy and tendernesse of virgin-purity as to overcome the hardiest Tyrants It is she that raises our soules to a holy boldnesse and intimacy in our addresses to heaven being indeed rapt into the heavens of divine contemplation by her extasies and illuminations It was her inspiring communication that elevated your pious soul when you described the divine perfections of the incomparable THEOPHILA These things can she do and greater when there is but one grain of true Faith but when she is defiled and adulterated with humane ceremonies and inventions she is deformed and looses all her grace and beauty And among these hath she met with two most importunate pretenders Atheisme and Superstition the one strips her stark naked the other meretriciously prostitutes her in the disguises of humane Inventions And that she hath been thus evill entreated in all places and times this book gives but too great testimony whether you look on the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or this small appendix treating for the most of what happened in High and Low Germany I would not draw any excuse for our own gyrations of Religion here from their madnesse but rather condem◠them as things that would have out-vy'd the extravagance of the former But to draw any argument against Religion from either were impious for if we did we must in consequence deny all both particular and universal providence of Almighty God we must deny the Scriptures the heavenly Legacy of eternal salvation we must deny Heaven Hell Eternity nay take away the Cement of all humane society and expect to see the order and beauty of the universe hurried into darknesse and confusion since it ought not to out-last man for whom it was created Nay but let us rather professe humanity and make this use of the failings and extravagance of others in matters of Religion To humble our selves to a relyance on that immense Being who hath thought fit to plant Religion in the heart of man to direct him in his voyage to eternal happinesse wherein that every man might take the right way is the earnest prayer of Worthy SIR Your most devoted and