Perlegi Tractatum hunv cui Titulus est (A relation of the Christians in the World) eumque typis mandari permitto. julij 29. 1639. Sa. Baker. A RELATION Of the CHRISTIANS in the World. Revelations 7. 9 After this I beheld, and lo, a great Multitude which no man could number, of all Nations, and Kindred's, and People, and Tongues, stood before the Throne and before the Lamb. LONDON: Printed by I. Okes. Anno Domini. 1639. Reverendissimo in Christo Patri ac Domino Honoratissimo, Domino Gulielmo Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, totius Angliae Primatiac Metropolitae, Regiae Majestati à Consilijs Sanctioribus, Academiae Oxoniensis Cancellario, & Patrono suo Colendissimo. HAbes in libello isto (amplissime Praesul) Ecclesiae Catholicae statum, et pomoeria. In quo, Augustam Ecclesiam Catholicam, non angustis modo Romani Pontificis limitibus, (ut incassum somniant Pontificij) circumscriptam; nec in obscuro aliquo, ut Africa, angulo, (ut non minus olim vane concluserunt Donatistae) coarctatam; sed vere Catholicam: Hoc est, Universaliter extensam, & ab Oriente in Occidentem, et a meridie in Septentrionem sparsim diffusam videri licet. Et mihi certe summa delectatio, et consolatio fuit, cum legendo invenissem, et contemplando intellexissem, quam magna sit domus Dei Omnipotentis; quam ingens possessionis ejus locus; quam fortis Ecclesia, columna Dei viventis; contra quam, nec tyrannorum bujus mundi malitia, nec potestatum infernarum astutia, quicquam sint praevalitura. De Dedicatione huius Operis, (cum argumentum sacrum sit, ac Ecclesiasticum) non diu deliberandum fuit, cuius tutelae Consecrarem. Tibi (Illustrissime ac Reverendissime Praesul, (qui in Anglia nostra summus es Sacrorum Praeses, et Ecclesiae Patronus, non vigilantissimus modo, sed et verissimus,) optimo iure dicari debet. Ignosce itaque (Reverendissime Praesul) huic meae in dedicando 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉: et dignare etiam (suppliciter oro) hoc meum qualecunque sit opusculum, sub alarum vestrarum umbra protegere. Ego sane iam annosus, et senio confectus, hoc opus non sine magno labore & multis vigilijs concinnatum, ad lucem publicam, (Reverentiae vestrae patrocinio fretus,) fidens expono. Mibi quidem, in istiusmodi rhapsodijs conscribendis, coepisse sat est. Nunc, ut alij, longe me eruditiores, ad gumentum isthoc prosequendum et illustrandum instigentur, vestrum erit. Quod ut usui publico sit, Deum Optimum Maximum precor, per jesum Christum, ut Authoritatem vestram Ecclesiae tranquillitati quam diutissime servet. Amplitudini vestrae addictissimus, & Reverentiae vestrae servus humillimus, Ephraim Pagitt. In Europe are 4 Sorts of christians The Protestant's Papists Moscovites greeks These two last agree With the Protestants and are not subject to the Pope In Africa are The Cophtie Under the Patriarch of Alexandria And the Abassin christians in Aethiope Under their Abunna or Patriarch In Asia are the christians Under the Patriarch of jerusalem, and Antioch, the Armenians, Georgians, Circassians Christians in Cazan and Astracan ect. Under the Patriarch Moscow. of ASia the less, & Under the Patriarch of Musall, The jacobits, Christians of St Thome Maronites ect A Relation of the Christians in the WORLD. HAving made a diligent enquiry of the estate of the Church of God upon Earth, I do find, that it is not confined to any one Country or Nation; nor impaled within any one Bishops Diocese; but truly Catholic or universal, dispersed over the face of the whole Earth. Our blessed Lord and Saviour being ready to ascend into Heaven, commanded his Apostles, saying: Go ye Mat. 28. 19 and teach all Nations, baptising them in the Name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; And this his Commandment the holy Apostles (being inspired from above) put in execution. They went forth and preached every where, the Lord Mar. 16. 20. working with them. In the Ecclesiastical Histories the Countries and Nations are named in which, and to whom, they preached. And although some are persuaded that those Churches are altogether perished, or become heretical; yet according to our Lords promise of Assistance (not only to his holy Apostles, viz. I am with you always but also to their Successors preaching after them even to the Mat. 28. 20. latter end of the world) Christianity in the substantial and essential points of it remaineth in many of these Countries to this day. And truly it is to me a matter of great consolation, (in so many changes of this World, and oppositions of wicked men against them that do profess the Name of our Lord jesus Christ) to see the Church of God preserved, and propagated upon the face of the Earth: and not only the Doctrine of Christian Religion but also the ancient Ecclesiastical Policy and government of Bishops to be mainted, The Turks do not only permit but defend every man in the exercise of his Religion. and defended, (through the providence of Almighty God) not only by Christian Princes, but also by Mahometan and Pagan Kings. The world may be divided into the Old, known to the ancients which may be subdivided into Europe, Asia, Africa, The division of the World. New, late found out which may be subdivided into America. the North and South unknown lands. EVrope hath in Longitude (as some write) from the further part of Ireland West, and the River Tanais East, about 2166 Miles, and in latitude 2220 Miles, or there about. Africa is about twice as large as Europe; and Asia is esteemed to be larger than them both. I find in Europe four sorts of Christians: viz. Protestants, Romanists, Muscovites, and Greeks. The Protestants who inhabit the 1 Protestant's England. Scotland. Cambdens' Brit. pag. 2. Ireland. Kingdoms of England and Scotland, being about 1836 miles in compass, and Ireland containing about 400 Miles in length, and 200 in breadth. Gildas writeth, that Brittany received the Faith in the time of Tiberius. Nicephorus, Dorotheus, and others also write, that the Ecclesia Occidentalis, Reformata in Regnis, Angliae. Scotiae, Hiberniae, Daniae, Norvegiae, Succiae, Transilvaniae. Inhabitant etiam high Christiani, Pontifi. cijs mixti, Germaniam, Poloniam, Eranciam, Helvetiam, Rhetiam, Hungariam, Bohemiam, Belgiam. Pontificia, in Hispania Italia, Francia. nhabitant etiam high Christiani, Protestantibus mixti partem Germaniae, Poloniaaes, Franciae, Belgiae, Helvetiae, Rhetiae, Hungariae, Bohemiae. Orientalis Graeca, sub Patriarcha Constantinopolitano, Antiocheno, Alexandrino, Hierosolymitano, Moscoviae, Bulgariae, Iberiae seu Georgianorum. Chaldaea, aut Chaldaeis lingua vicina: haec Ecclesia dividitur in eam cui imputatur, quod sit Nestoriana sub Patriarcha de Mosul alijsque●hiChristiani Mahumetanis & infidelibus mixti, inhabitant, Babyloniam, Assyriam, Mesopotamiam, Parthiam, Mediam, Catthaiam, Tartariam, Indiam, etc. Monophysitica Armeniorum, jacobitarum, Coptorum seu Christianorum Aegyptiacorum, Aethiopum seu Abassinorum. Apostle Simon Zelotes preached in Brittany, and that he was Crucified, & lieth buried there: some suppose that he came with Ann. Anno. 35. addit. mar. manu. S. quae habetur in Bibliotheca vaticana. joseph of Arimathea into Brittany: which joseph you may read in Cardinal Baronius his Annals, to have arrived here about the five and thirtieth year of our Lord. Aristobulus, one of the seventy Disciples, Dorotheus. was one of the first Bishops of Brittany. Some write that the Scots had a Bishop called Palladius about the year 196. in the time of Donald, who first of all the Kings of Scotland stamped the Cross upon his coin, being the badge of Christianity. Merm. de conv. p. 60 Quorum sanctâ praedicatione rex Lucius & totius Britanniae primates Baptismum susceperunt. Lib. sa. Teilai Ecclesiae landaven. Archiep. The memory of these Arch-Bishops following, (viz.) Of Patrick in Ireland, Palladius in Scotland, and of David in Wales; who Preached the most sweet Name of our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ in these Countries before named, will never be forgotten. In St. Peter's Church in Cornhill, London, remaineth a Monument, declaring that King Lucius founded that Church for a Bishops See, and of a succession of Arch-Bishops there for 400 years. Elvanus sat Archbishop there, by whose preaching, with others, King Lucius had been converted: as also Restitutus, a married Bishop, who with other British Bishops subscribed the Synod at Arles, Anno 350. Neither is Vodinus, one of the Archbishops Arles anno 350. of London, to be left in oblivion, who was murdered for reproving King Vortiger for putting away his wife, and marrying Rowen daughter to Hengist an Infidel. Reverend Bede telleth us of many Learned men and Bishops, in Brittany before and about the coming of Austin the Monk: As also of Bishop Aidan and Finan, who are at this day reckoned among the Romish Saints although they would have no Communion with the said Austin. Likewise, Archbishop Cranmer, Bishop Ridley, Bishop Latimer, and others, who restored Religion to the ancient Purity, and sealed their Confession with their Blood, will be had in Everlasting memory. There are now in the Kingdoms above named eight Archbishops, and about eighty Bishops. The Clergy in these Kingdoms are learned, best provided for, and the most honourable of the reformed Churches. The Bishops are Barons, and sit in their Parliaments: and two of the English Bishops, As there have been of the Clergy about 160. Lord Chancellors of England, 80 Lord Treasurors, & all the Lord Keepers of the Privy Seal, were generally Clergy men. The masters of Roles were all clergy men until the 26. year of K. Henry 8. There have been 12. Clergymen Lord chief justices of England. The victorious K. Edward 3. having a great care to advance such persons in the great Offices of his kingdom and household, as did excel others in innocency of life, About the 39 of his reign, had these clergy men officers. The Lord Chancellor, the L. Treasurer, the L. Privy Seal, the Mr. of the Rolls, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Treasurer of the Household, the Mr. of his Jewel house, with many others. Vide Stow, p 266. Moreover in the absence and minority of the Kings, diverse Clergymen have been Custosses or Viceroys of the Kingdom. viz. Durham and Eley, have some regalities in their Dioceses. In ancient time the Kings of England placed Clergymen in the greatest Offices of the Kingdom. The Protestants also inhabit the Kingdom of Denmark, with the Baltic Islands, and the great Islands in the Ocean, as Islands part of Freisland. The Kingdom of Norway being in length about 1300. miles, and not half so much in breadth. There are in Denmark and Norway two Archbishoprics, and fourteen Bishoprickes. These Kingdoms received Christianity from the Apostles or Disciples, as Merman * Merm theatrum convers. pag. 83. affirmeth. There were two Danish Bishops in the first Council of Nice, viz. Marcus Metropolitanus & Protogenes. The Kingdom of Sweden bigger than France and Italy, in which Kingdom is one Archbishopricke, and seven Bishoprics. Mirae. de stat. relig. p. 128. Transilvania. The Kingdom of Transilvania in a manner entire. In the Kingdom of Poland (being of no Poland. Brerw. inquire pref. less space than Spain and France laid together) the Protestants in great numbers are diffused through all the quarters thereof; having in every Province their public Churches orderly severed, and bounded with Diocese. There are also in Polonia many Greeks, or Russes, who have eight Bishops, whose Metropolitan is the Archbishop of Kiovia. These Bishops are not beggarly, but well provided for, and of good esteem. Isidore, Archbishop of Kiovia, Matth. a Micou. l. 2. before named, went to the Council of Florence, attended with 100 Horse. There are also many Armenians Christians, whose Bishop is resident in Leopolis. In France the Protestants had at the conference of Poisie 2150 Congregations. France. In this Christian Kingdom, Philip the Apostle, with many holy Bishops, preached the faith: as Dionysius Disciple of S. Paul, the first Bishop of Paris and Martyrs, Lazarus Photinus Disciple of Polycarp, and Irenaeus B. of Lions, Hilary B. of Poicteurs, Lazarus was the first Bishop of Masillea. Doroth. in Synop. who took great pains to purge France from the Arrian Heresy; Remigius Bishop of Rheims, who baptised Clodoveus the first Christian King of France. Neither should we forget Germanus Bishop of Anxer, nor Lupus Bishop of Tros, who Bed. l. 1. c. crossed the Seas to aid the British Bishops against the Pelagians. The Protestants have also the greatest Part of Germany. part of Germany: all the temporal Princes of note, being of late Protestants, except the Dukes of Bavaria and Clear, and in a manner, all the Free Cities and Hanse Thesaur. Polit. Apot. 6 Towns. The Protestants detain also in their possessions the Archbishoprics of Mirae de stat. Relig. lib. 1. cap. 33. Magdenburgh and bream, with the Bishoprics unto them belonging. As also the Bishoprics of Verdden, Halberstad, Osnaburgh, and Minden. When Magdenburgh Mercat. pa. 134. was converted to the Faith, Albert was there Bishop. Cresceus Disciple of Saint Paul was one of the first Bishops in Germany; and Winibrode an Englishman, commonly Theat. convers. pag. 57 called Boniface, is Famous amongst the Archbishops of Mentzes, whom the Pagans murdered in hope of prey, and found only in his Coffers a few books and Relics. The first Bishop of Wertburgh was Burchard a Britain: this Bishop is Duke of Franconia, and Lord of part of Vortland. The first Archbishop of Breme was Ausgarius, who converted Erick the third King of Denmark. Also in these later times, the memory of Doctor Luther, (who caused Reformation in some parts of Germany) is very precious in the Countries by him reform. They have also half the Netherlands: Parts of the Netherlands there were lately Bishops in these parts, as amongst others, Amandus Bishop of Utrecht, who converted the Gauntois to the Christian Faith. As also Frederick, Bishop of the said See, who for reproving Lodowick the Emperor, for keeping judith, was put to death, but now in these Countries, and some others, they have no Bishops: but appropriating the Church-livings to themselves, they give their Ministers Pensions. But I fear, that in this their taking to themselves the Church-livings, set apart by their Forefathers for the service of Almighty God, and paying their Ministers pensions, they do no otherwise than a King of Spain did, who taking very much from the Church, built a Monastery, or two; of whom the Proverb went, That he had taken a Sheep from Almighty God, and given him again out of it the Trotters. Now what the miserable Effects are, which follow upon the want of Bishops in those Countries, let the abundance of Heresies, Sects, Schisms, and Religions amongst them, testify to the world. Also, they have more than half Switzerland, Switzerland, Grisons. and the Grisons Country, in which Countries have been many Bishops. The Protestants also live mingled with the Romanists in Hungary, Austria, Bohemia, Hungary. Austria. Bohemia. Piedmont, and other places. Severinus is accounted the Apostle of Austria. In those Countries have been many holy Bishops and Doctors, who have shined like Stars in the Firmament, illuminating the Darkness of the blind World, with the light of their Celestial Doctrine. The second sort of Christians in Europe, are The Roman Catholics: Romanists. Who inhabit SPain, being in compass 1893 miles, or Spain. thereabouts, in times past divided into many Kingdoms; but now united into one. In this great Kingdom, are about Damianus à Goes, reckoneth eight Archbishops, and 48 Bishops. eleven Archbishops and many Bishops, men of great Dignity and Estate. Saint james is affirmed to be the Apostle of Spain, as also Saint Paul: Osius Bishop Eugenius was the first Bishop of Toledo. Damian. à Goes Hispan. pag. 19 Dam. p. 21. of Corduba, (whom Constantine honoured for the marks of jesus Christ that he bore) and Isidore Bishop of Seville, are famous for opposing the Arrian Heretics with Illefonsus Archbishop of Toledo, Isidorus Scholar, Fulgentius, and others. The revenues of the Spanish Bishops are very great. As the Archbishop of Toledo hath 250000 Ducats per annum: more than some Kingdoms. Italy, being as some write 900 miles Italy. in length, and in breadth from the Adriatic Sea to the Ligurian shore 240 miles, growing narrower in breadth, until it shut itself into two horns, either of which are not above 14 miles in breadth. Of this Country the King of Spain hath a part; as the Kingdom of Naples and the Duchy of Milan. In it also, the Venetians; The Duke of Florence, and other Princes and Commonwealths have several Dominions. In Italy also resideth the Bishop of Rome, who as he hath many Cardinals, Metropolitans, Archbishops, and Bishops under him; so also many temporal Dukedoms and Principalities, of which he is absolute Prince and Lord. The Bishops of Rome for the first 300 years, were most of them Martyrs: as Clement who was tied to an Anchor, and cast into the Sea: Fabian, who did prohibit the Emperor Philip to enter the Church without some show of penitence: Cornelius who was banished, revoked, whipped and beheaded, etc. Paul and Barnabas preached Christ first in Merm. Theat. Convers. Rome: and afterward, was the first Bishop of Milan, where Saint Ambrose also sat. France, mingled with Protestants as France. Doroth. in Synop. before, being about 200 leagues square, in which is reckoned, Lorraine, Saboie, and Avignion (belonging to the Pope) and Geneva with four Territories not subject to the French King. The Church Gallican is best privileged of all the Churches in Christendom, that are under the Pope. It is more free from payments to the Pope than the Church of Spain: as also to the King they pay only the Disme; whereas in Spain the King hath his Tertias, Subsidio, Pila, Escusado, in all, a moiety of the Church-livings. In France are reckoned 12 Archbishoprics, Relation of the most famous Kingdoms, pag. 174. 104 Bishoprics, 540 Archpriories, 1450 Abbeys, 12322 Priories, 567 Nunneries, 130000 Parish Priests, 700 Convents of Friars, 259 Commendants of the Order of the Knights of Malta: six of the French Bishops are Peers of France, who Bodin. are to aid the King with their Council. Poland, mingled with Protestants and Poland. Greeks, as before: there are in Poland two Archbishoprics, and many Bishoprics. The Archbishop of Guesne is Primate, and in the Imper. mund. Catal. p. 40. vacancy hath regal Authority, precedeth in Council, proclaimeth the new King, etc. Some part of Germany, in which Country Part of Germany. are reckoned seven Archbishops, and about 47 Bishops: Three of their Archbishops are Princes Electours. Half the Netherlands in which there Netherlands are two Archbishoprics, and many Bishoprics. One third part of Switzerland, and the Grisons Country, Austria, Hungaria, Bohemia, Switzerland Grisons. and some other Countries, mingled with Protestants as before. The third sort of Christians in Europe, are the Moscovites Under the great Emperor of Moscovia, whose Dominions in Europe and Asia: extend from Narve to Siberia, West and East about 4400 Verstes, and from Cola to Astracan, North and South 4226 Fletcher. or thereabouts. A Versed is about three quarters of a mile. They received the Fabr. relig. Moscov. pag. 170. Christian Faith from Saint Andrew the Apostle, as their Histories report. They have the holy Scriptures in their own tongue translated by St. Jerome, they use the service of St. Chrysostome, translated into the vulgar; neither is their Clergy mean, base or beggarly. The now Emperor Michael honoured his father Theodore with the Patriarkship of Moscow: their Patriarch, metropolitans, Arch-Bishops under him are men of great dignity and honour: what their Clergy want in learning, they have and make good in devotion and holiness of life. Some of their Bishops have 2000, some 3000 Rubbles per annum. The fourth sort of Christians are the greeks Under the Patriarch of Constantinople, Greeks. who live mingled with the Turks, and make two thirds and more of the Inhabitants in many places of the Turks Dominions. The Grand Signior alloweth the Christians Boter. Relat. par. 2. Grand. Turco. the liberty of their Religion, they paying a tribute, and the Bishops their Ecclesiastical Government. The Patriarkship Godin. Curiop. pag. 276. of Constantinople being void, Sultan Mahumet the Emperor, that subdued Constantinople, invested Gennadius into it with great solemnity, giving to him his Pastoral staff, and many gifts. This Patriarch had 28 Provinces under his jurisdiction: and yet hath at this day many Metropolitans, Arch-Bishops, and Bishops under him. Stachis' was their Doroth. in Synop. Rom. 16. first Bishop, placed there by St. Andrew, and now Cyril governeth the patriarchal See, in a continued succession from Stachis before named. In this Church the holy Apostles constituted many Bishops: As St. Paul placed Timothy in Ephesus, Titus Doroth. in Crete, Silas in Corinth, Silvanus in Thessalonica, with others: As St. Andrew Merman. convers. Theatr. pag. 41. 42. constituted Stachis (before named) Bishop of Byzantium, now called Constantinople: Philologus Bishop in Sinope, Calistus Bishop in Nice, Polycarp Disciple to St. john, was Bishop of Smyrna. In time following, this Church had many holy Patriarches, as St. Chrysostome, Gregory, Nazianzen, Paul the Patriarch, (whom the Arrians banished, and strangled) with others, who governed this Church, whose memories shall remain for ever. The Patriarches of Constantinople, before the Turks Conquest, were men of great dignity and estate: as Theophylact about the year 936, kept 2000 Horse: and Cedreu. Alexander, An. 1043, died worth 800000 Crowns. The Patriarch now hath (as Chytraeus writeth) about 20000 Dollars De stat. Eccles. pa. 45. He hath yearly from them 500 Scutes. Poss. muscov. p. 1. yearly for his maintenance. He hath also out of Moscovia some pension, which was in time passed under his jurisdiction. The greeks of Corcira, Candy, and other Islands, are subject to the Venetians, who have Arch-Bishops, and Bishops under them. In Asia are the Christians 1 Under the Patriarch of jerusalem, 1 jerusalem. who absolutely moderateth in judea, and over all professors of the Greek Religion throughout Syria. This Patriarch hath had 101 Bishops under him. Tyrr. histor. bells sacri, lib. 14. c. 12. St. james (called the Just and the Brother of our Lord) was the first Bishop there, and now Theophanes sitteth in that See: Simon Cleophas succeeded james: among these Bishops Cyrillus was famous, a man greatly hated by the Arrians, and deposed by them. This Church is most ancient: The Law went out of Zion, and the Word of Isay 2. 3. God from jerusalem. This City was Emporium, The mart of the Christian Faith, and the Mother of all Churches, as Theodoret Hist. Eccles. ●b. 5. cap. 9 saith. 2 Under the Patriarch of Antioch, 2 Antioch. Who had 141 Bishops under him. Their first Bishop was St. Peter, and now Athanasius. Tyrr. histor. bell. sacr. lib. 14. pag. 247. The Disciples were first called Christians there. Ignatius the holy Martyr was Bishop of this Church, and Cyril, who was slain for denying Numerian the Emperor, son of Charus, to enter his Church, because he had sacrificed to Idols. Charus was slain by Thunder, and Numerian by Aper. 3 The Georgians in Iberia, who have 18 3 Georgians. Chyt. de stat. Eccles. p. 22. Bishops under their Metropolitan, or Patriarch. 4 The Circassians who inhabit a Country 4 Circassians. about 500 miles long, and 200 miles broad. 5 The Mengrellians, who live as the 5 Mengrellians. Circassians do, (by themselves) not mingled with the mahometans. 6 The Christians in Asia the less, who 6 Asia the less except, the Cilitians and Isaurians are subject to the Patriarch of Constantinople. Merman. Theatrum conver. p. 93. These Churches of Asia the less St. john governed, and placed Bishops in them. 7 The Christians in the Kingdoms of 7. Christians of Casan & Astracan. Cazan and Astracan, and other Countries in Asia, under the dominion of the Emperor of Muscovia, who hath under him, in Europe, and Asia, a greater extent of Land than the Roman Catholics have in Europe. All the Asiatic Christians before named are of the Greek communion, and observe the Greek rites. 8 The Armenians, under their two 8 Armenians. chief Patriarches: one of these Patriarches liveth under the Turk, the other under the Persian. In Cardinal ‛ Baronius Annals, you may read of 1000 Armenian Bishops: Thaddaeus (whom they much esteem) Annal. Tom. 12. p. 319. Relatio Hist. duae duar. legate. Colon. An. 1611. p. 5. preached the Faith to them: Now I hear the Patriarch of the greater Armenia, to be called Moses. As these Christians live in Armenia the greater and lesser, so also in many Countries and Cities of Asia, Africa, and Europe. About the year 324, Gregory (whom Nicephor. li. 7. cap. 12. they call Illuminator) was Bishop of Armenia, who suffered Martyrdom under Licinius the Emperor. In the year 1609, Abbas, the Persian Herb. relat. Emperor, put to death 1000 of these Christians, upon a Letter feigned to be written from their Patriarch to the Pope of Rome, acknowledging him to be Head of the Church. 9 The jacobites, who inhabit a great part of Asia, and other places mingled 9 jacobites. with Mahumetans and Pagans. Their Patriarch Thom à jesu. convers. l. 7. cap. 14. Zonor, annal Tom. 3. in Heraclio Brer. p. 150. having many Bishops under him keepeth residence in Caramite, the Metropolis of Mesopotamia: we may read of a Patriarch of the jacobites, in the time of Heraclius the Emperor. 10 The Chaldean and Assyrian Christians, Chaldean under the P. of Mozul. with others, under the Patriarch of Mozul, who have many of them their Services in the Syrian Tongue, being the language in which our Lord preached. These Christians inhabit, mingled with Mahumetans and Pagans, a great part of Brerwood. inquire. the Orient; for beside the Countries of Babylon, Assyria, Mesopotamia, Parthia, Media, etc. wherein many of these Christians are found. They are scattered far and near in the East, both Northerly in Cathaia, and Southerly in India. Trigautius Hispan. exped. apud Sinab. p. 125. reckoneth 14 Metropolitans, viz. of India, China, Cambaia, Mogor, Hilam, Nzivin, Prath, Assur, Bethgarmi, Halack, Passes, Mauzeor, xam Raziqueor, besides many Archbishops, and Bishops. Cardinal Vitriacus in his History of the East, reporteth, these Christians with the Hist. Orient. c. 77. p. 149. Jacobites, to be more in number then the Latins and Greeks. These Christians were converted by Saint Thomas the Apostle: and in their Service-book they have this Hymn, as Trigantius reporteth. The Indians, Hisp. exped. apud Silias, lib. 1. p. 124. the Chinoises, the Persians, and other Islanders, and they that are in Syria, Armenia, Grecia, and Romania, in commemoration of S. Thomas, do offer praise to thy holy Name. 11 The Maronites in Mount Libanus, 11. Maronites. who have a Patriarch; and eight or nine Bishops under him. 12 The Indians of Saint Thome, so called, 12 Indians of St. Thome. because they received the Christian Faith from Saint Thomas the Apostle. These Christians inhabit many places in the East Indies, as Melia-par (where Saint Thomas was buried, and hath a goodly Temple erected to his name) Angamall (where an Archbishop resideth) Cranganor, Negapatan, Vaipecotan and others, Trigautius writeth that when the Hisp. exped. apud Sina, lib. 7. p. 125. Portugals arrived at Cochin, that the Lord jacob ruled the Malabar Church, who styled himself Metropolitan of India and China, and that joseph succeeded him. josephus Indus borne in Cranganor, in East India also writeth of a great Prelate, to Inter relat. novi. orb. p. 145. whom twelve Cardinals were subject with two Patriarches, and many Archbishops and Bishops. 13 The Chinoises possess a Country 13. China. Imp. mund. cattle. p. 159 Trigautius. Hisp. exped. apud Sinas, pag. 125. Kirk. prodro. pag. 58. little less than all Europe. Saint Thomas preached the Gospel first amongst them, afterwards they had a supply of Preachers from judea. K. Tay with Neu huanti, reigning in the year 782. They erected a Monument, declaring the bringing in of the Gospel into China in what Provinces Idem Pat. Eman. Dia● in Epist. 23. Aug. 1625. Pa. Francis. vid, Kirk. p. 58. it was promulgated, and how many years it flourished. The Monument is graven with Syrian Letters with these words: Adam sacerdos Presbyter & Papalis Zinostan seu regionis Sinarum: in the margin of this Monument, there are diverse names engraven of them that brought the sweet Name of our Lord jesus Christ among them, as Constantinus Saba cusio seu aethiop's, Dominus Sergius, etc. Paulus Venetus writeth of a Christian Church in De Region. Orient. lib. 2. cap. 64. the great City of Quinsay. I read also of Gaspara a China Bishop. 14 Cathaia is one of the largest Empires 14 Cathaia. upon the face of the whole Earth, in which there be also many Christians. They write of a Christian King of Tenduc, whose native Subjects are Christians: beside he ruleth far and wide over many Provinces, whose inhabitants are also for the most part Christians. To conclude, there is neither speech nor language, but his voice hath been heard among them. The sound of the Gospel is gone out into all Lands, and the Word of God into the ends of the World. In Africa are these Christians Africa. following 1 Under the Patriarch of Alexandria, 1 Alexandria. whose jurisdiction hath been from the River of Nilus, to the Gaditan straits. In the City of Cairo only are thought to be 200000 Christians, Saint Mark was their first Bishop, and now Metrophanes governeth and precedeth there, brought up in Oxford, sent hither by Cyrill the then Patriarch to our late Lord Archbishop of Canterbury. In Cardinal Baronious Annals, you may read of a Succession of Bishops from Saint Mark, to Gabriel, the then Patriarch. There is a service in the Syrian tongue, set forth by Severus Patriarch of Alexandria: also a service in the Cophts' Language set forth in print by Kirkerus. The Cophts are the native EEgyptians, and have a Patriarch of their own. Moreover Demetrius of Thessalonica hath set forth a Service used in Cair, and among the Christians in Arabia. The Holy Bishop Athanasius, who opposed the Arrian World, was six and forty years' Patriarch of Alexandria, with many other Holy Bishops, as among others Poterius Bishop Evagr. li. 2. cap. 8. of Alexandria, who was slain by the Eutychian Heretics, haled through the streets, his body cut in pieces, and his Entrails chewed by them. The Patriarches of Alexandria have been great Princes, and wear a Crown: His title is Oecumenick judge. So many Holy men lived in this Merman, theat. convers. pa. 30. Church in ancient time, that it was called the Paradise of God. 2 The Abassine Christians, under the Abassines. Emperor of Aethiopia, who inhabit many Kingdoms of Africa: They received the Faith first from Philip, and afterwards Saint Matthew the Apostle preached among them: they have a Patriarch, or Abuna, a-man of great esteem and estate. Their Abuna (when Alvares was in Aethiopia) was called Mark, a Reverend old Alvar. sect. 14 pa. 1089. Purch. Man, aged about 110, a man gracious in his speech, never speaking without blessing of God, and giving of Thanks: when he goeth out of his Tent he rideth upon a Mule, well attended: Their Churches are builded round, adorned with rich hangings and Plate; They have their Service in their own tongue. Zago Zabo Bugana Raze, that is, The Viceroy of Bugana, an Aethiopian Damian. à Goes de Aethiop. morib pag. 203. Bishop, was sent Ambassador from the Aethiopian Emperor, to john King of Portugal, who remained in Europe many years; whose Confession of faith is set down by Damianus a Goes. As also the Aethiopian Rites are set forth in Print by Alvares, a Portugal Priest, who was some years Leidger in Aethiopia, sent thither by the King of Portugal. Thomas a jesuit De convers. omnigent. pa. 373. writeth of a long succession of the Abassin Abunas. There is also a succession of the Christian Abassin Emperors, from Abraham called the Saint, who reigned about the year 427, to Abbas and Claudius their late Emperors: It is reported, Vid Gaulter jesuit in Chronolog. that the Turk hath subdued much of the Prets Country; yet the Abassine Religion may continue, which the Turk taketh not from any. 3 The Christians also inhabit the Kingdom 3 Cephala. Cosmograp. fol. 99 of Cephala. Thevet writeth that they received the faith by the preaching of the Abassines. 4. Moreover the Matacasian Kingdom 4 Matacassians Thevet. ib. received Christianity by the means of the King of Cephala. The Matacasian King placed over his Churches eight Bishops, and over them a Primate, or Patriarch, whom they call Elchadie, or Ishmael. In time past Christianity flourished 5 Northwest of Africa. in the Northwest part of Africa. We read of Synods there of above 200 Bishops, and in one Province called Zingitana, (where Carthage stood) of 164 Bishops to be under one Metropolitan. When these Churches flourished, they opposed the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome over them, as appear by writings of St. Cyprian, St. Augustine, the sixth Council of Carthage, and by a Synod at Melevis, in both which the African Fathers forbade appeals to Rome. In the Northwest parts of Africa do remain only now two Bishopriks': (viz) Septa and Tanger: And whereas in Barbary, Algiers, and other places, there are many thousands of Christians in Captivity, they are allowed by their Patrons, the Moors, the liberty of their Religion: and the learnedest or eldest, is to the rest in stead of a Priest. 6 Beside the subjects of Prester john, very many people of the neighbour Kingdoms, mixed with Mahumetans, and Heathen people do profess the Religion, Miraeus de stat. Relig. lib. 3. p. 196. and Rites of the Abassin Christians, as Miraeus affirmeth. 7 In Congo, called by some Manicongo, there are, or have been some Christians. Idem ibid. Miraeus reokoneth up a succession of nine Christian Kings in that Kingdom. 8 In Monomopata there have been some Monomopata. Christians: and they have had a King baptised. 9 In the Isle of Zocotora there are some Zocorara. Herbert. relat. Christians, who have also a Protomist, or Bishop over them. 10 The Portugals and Spaniards inhabit certain Towns and Forts in Africa, as also the English and Hollanders reside in some places of Africa. Miraeus setteth down Alphabetically the Bishoprics of Africa, and reckoneth about 430; but howsoever many of the Bishoprics are not, but ruinated and dissolved; yet the Fame of the Sanctity, and learning of their Holy Bishops heretofore, shall continue for ever: As of St. Cyprian Bishop of Carthage: St. Austin Bishop of Hippo: Aurelius Bishop of Carthage: Athanasius Patriarch of Alexandria; Origen, Tertullian, Arnobius, and others, who governed the Church of God after a most singular manner, and having finished their course, rest with God in Heaven. But by the way, to add a word or two, for the better understanding of this my Relation: Whereas you have heard of many Bishops in Europe, Asia, and Africa, it will not be impertinent to set down what manner of men these Bishops in the Primative Church were: for some suppose Bishops and Elders to be all one, (which was the Heresy of Aerius) and that they lived meanly upon Alms and Stipends. For the first, the Office of a Bishop is set down by St. Paul, Titus the 1. and 5. For this cause I left thee in Crete, that thou shouldst set in order things that are wanting, and ordain Elders in every City. Here we see Elders, or Pastors to be in every City: But Titus, the Bishop, had the charge to order, and ordain Elders for the whole Island, in which we read 100 Cities to have been, besides Towns: Titus was their first Bishop, and there is now an Archbishop residing there, who hath Bishops under him. For the second, whereas some suppose that Bishops then lived upon alms or stipends, hear what Saint Augustine hath left written of his little Bishopric of Epist. 225. Bishop of Hippo, anno 395. Hippo, in Africa. (Saint Augustine was a Patricians son, and had a fair estate from his Father:) I (saith he) went not from Riches, but to Riches: my father's estate left me, was not the twentieth part in comparison of the Farms & other Estates which I was Lord of by being Bishop of Hippo. In the 60 Epistle of Saint Cyprian, Cyp Ep. 60. Bishop of Carthag. an. 250. you may perceive the estate of the Church of Carthage, of which place he was Bishop. Also Eusebius setteth down Euseb. lib. 6. cap. 42. Cornel Bishop of Rome, anno 252. the condition of the Church of Rome, under Cornelius the Bishop and Martyr: who had under him 155 Clergy men, besides a multitude of Widows and Poor, who were abundantly relieved, and lest any man should think this to be done penuriously. The said Cornelius, writeth to Fabian Bishop of Antioch, that so great a multitude were by the Providence of God made rich, and abounding in all plenteousness. In ancient time the Church Goods were divided into four Read Do. Saravia, lib. 2. of honour due to Prelates, c. 12. parts, one to the Bishop for the maintenance of his Dignity and State, the second to the inferior Clergy, the third to the poor, and the fourth for building, repairing and adorning of the Church, and other uses. But whereas, some think, the chief points of Reformation to be put down Bishops, and to cease upon Church-livings, and to put their Ministers to stipends. I suppose it to be a great plague laid upon a Church, to make their Ministers Stipendaries: and so to depend upon the benevolences of their people, it being the curse of God denounced upon the Priests of the Posterity of Elie, to bow for a piece of silver, and to crouch for a morsel of bread: For the miserable condition of 1 Sam. 2. 36. stipendary Ministers, read Doctor Saravia, Lib. Honour due to Prelates, c. 32. who setteth down the poorness of their Stipends, as also the difficulty of attaining those little Pittances allotted to them, viz. that oft the Ministers are compelled to travel no small journeys to their Pay Masters, in most humble manner (as if it were begging their Stipends) and yet many times sent away with empty Purses, and laden with reproachful words, and this not only by the Treasurers, but all by men of base condition, as Shoemakers, Tailors, Curriers, etc. who are ready to reproach their poor Ministers, saying, You are our servants, we pay you your wages: he reporteth also that he heard some of their Burgomasters say, We must take heed to these our Ministers, especially, that their Stipends be not so great: they that too much pamper their servants, shall find them stubborn and contumacious. The greatest of the Primative Persecutors, is affirmed, to be julian the Emperor: Lord Coke 2 part of his Reports. Who although he set forth no Mandate to put Christians to death; yet he endeavoured by subtle means to undo Christian Religion: forbidding Christian Schools, and the use of Learning, debarring them from all offices of government, and burdened them with heavy taxes and payments: he rob the Church, and spoiled Spiritual Persons of their Revenues, and took away their maintenance: Whereas other Tyrant's persecuted Presbyterors: the Presbyters, or Ministers julian persecuted Praesbyterium, the whole Order of Ministers, or Priesthood: by which means none would apply themselves to the study of Divinity, when after long, painful, and costly study, they should have nothing to live upon. Such Reformations beforenamed, may rather be called Persecutions than Reformations of a Church. Is this a Reformation, to despoil their Bishops of their Livings, which they enjoyed from the very beginning of Christianity amongst them, and to root out the very name of Bishops from among them. Is this a Reformation to appropriate to themselves, or convert to profane uses the Livings of their learned Pastors, set apart by their forefathers for their maintenance, and put them to pour Stipends, and oft pay them as the Soldiers are paid in some places with Flemish cheese? Is this a Reformation to pilfer and pill Churches of their Plate and rich Ornaments, which many a devout Saint had offered to the service of Almighty God, and to convert them to profane uses, which the very Goths and Vandals durst not touch (no not in their Enemy's Churches) for fear of God's heavy indignation upon them? Is it a Reformation to pluck down Churches, built to the honour of God with great labour and cost? (I have heard one tell me, that he saw the great Church at Redding, overthrown with a Mine) God be merciful to us, and deliver all them that bear the name of Christ from such Reformations. But whom should I exclaim upon for this exercrable wickedness: upon the Reformers, God forbid? they I hope, had no such intent, or upon the Ministers who had delivered their Magistrates from their slavery to the Pope: alas, by this means they were brought to misery and slavery. But upon some covetous persons, men void of all Religion, who under colour of Religion and Piety, joining with the Reformers, made a prey of the Church, and brought it to this misery. How can these men expect an inheritance with Christ in Heaven, who have defrauded him here in earth? But what do I telling them of Heaven. If Almighty God did punish Ananias and Saphyra with sudden death, who gave much to the Church, and kept back only some part dedicated to God, and that of their own: how shall these men stand in judgement that never gave any thing of their own, but have seized upon those livings, which not they, but their Pious Forefathers, with many Execrations had given and dedicated for the Service of Almighty God. In this their execrable dealing, they have given great offence, not only to the Romanists, but to them who are displeased with the Roman Superstitions and Doctrines, and would willingly make a separation from them: but they see in these Reformations, not a secession from their enormities, but rather a defection from all Antiquity. In my poor opinion, to overthrow the Policy and Government instituted by Christ in his Church, and continued to this our age, and used in all Churches else, cannot be a Reformation, but rather a Deformation. All this I write not that I blame that which is reform, but for the amendment of that which is deformed, which Almighty God grant in his good time. Queen Elizabeth of blessed memory, was wont to say, That it is in a manner all one to have no Clergy at all, as a beggarly or base one. In America. THere are some Christians, both Roman Catholics, and Protestants. The King of Spain is said to have in America four Regions, or at least the Maritine parts of the said Regions. The Regions are New Spain, Castilia, Neuva, Peru, and Brasile. The Hollanders have surprised a great part of Brasile. Some write that the Indians had some knowledge of Christ before the Spaniards arrived there. For the Estate of Religion in West India, under the Spaniard, most of the Inhabitants Breew. p. 20. of the Inland Countries, and wilder parts, continue in their Paganism. Thomas a jesus writeth. Although De convers. omni Gent. lib. 1. pag. 4. (saith he) the Indians have long enjoyed the Husbandry of Ministers, so that all are baptised, yet very many of them worship Idols, who taking offence at the covetousness of their Parish Priests, blaspheme the Christian Faith. In America also are diverse Plantations of Protestants, English and Dutch, not only in the Lands, but also in the continent. And thus much I have related of the Christians in the World: but whereas many places of the World are unknown to us, so also are the sheep of our great Shepherd, who cannot all be counted, we being ignorant of the Pastures in which they feed. The Spaniards have in West India some Bishops. 2 What manner of Christians. AS I have in the first place reckoned up these several sorts of Christians before named. So in the Second place my purpose is to set down what manner of Christians these be, both for soundness of Faith, and holiness of life: For the first, these Christians are all Baptised in the Name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. They receive the Holy Eucharist in both kinds; according to our Lord and Saviour's institution. They Believe the Creed, retain the Canonical Scriptures; yea, from some of these Churches, both we, and the Roman Catholics, have received the Sacraments, and holy Scriptures. Seeing then that these Christians use the same Sacraments as we do: Seeing they believe in jesus Christ, and profess to fight under the Banner of Christ Crucified, and rejoice in their suffering for his sake: far be it from us ever to think these Christians to be cast away and rejected from being of the household of Faith. Of these Christians Brocard the Monk testifieth. Moreover, those whom we judge to be damned Heretics, as the Nestorians, jacobits, Maronites, and Georgians, and such like are found to be, for the most part, honest and simple men, living uprightly Terr. Sanct. descrip. pag. 325. towards God and Man. But to answer some particular objections made by some Roman Catholic against these Churches. And first for the Greek Christians, Greeks. whom some Roman Catholics account erroneous in their opinion concerning the proceeding of the Holy Ghost, whom they affirm to proceed from the Father by the Son. Now they do acknowledge the Holy Ghost to be the Spirit of the Son, as well as of the Father; because the Apostle saith, He is the Spirit of the Son: and in the Gal. 4. John. 16. Gospel he is called the Spirit of Truth. Now seeing it is no other thing to be the Spirit of the Father and the Son, then to proceed from the Father and the Son. They agree with us in judgement, though they differ in Words, so saith Lombard, Thomas a jesus, and also Cardinal Tolet affirmeth, the understanding Greek (saying In joan. Cap. 15. not 25. That the Holy Ghost proceedeth by the Son) signifieth thereby nothing but that which we ourselves profess. But for full satisfaction in this point, Read the Book lately set forth by the most reverend Father in God, the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury Pag. 24. 25. his Grace, (my Honourable Patron) in which it will appear: The greeks to differ from us in form of Words only: So the greeks deny not the Holy Ghost, whom they acknowledge to be the third Person in Trinity, God equal with the Father: Neither are they Heretical in this point, as some affirm them to be: so Condemning and casting into Hell so many Millions of Christian souls, redeemed with the precious blood of his dearest Son jesus Christ, and for this point only: Moreover Guido the Carmelite, Prateolus, and others, impute unto the Grecians diverse errors, which Lucianus of Cyprus, a Bishop, a learned Dominican, and a worthy man (as Possevine the lesuite accounteth him) showeth to be falsely ascribed to them. Possevine biblioth. li. 6. cap. 1. As that they teach, simple Fornication to be no sin, That it is no sin to lend upon Usury: That it is not necessary to make restitution of things unjustly taken away, with other things being mere slanders. Thomas a jesus writeth, that one of the principal Convers. omn. Gent. l. 7. par. 1 c. 33 things that maketh the Grecians so averse from the Latins is, that they are wronged by them by untrue reports, and slanderous imputations. Of the Greek Communion are the Muscovites, the Russes in Poland, the Georgians, Circassians, Mengrellians, and Melchites, all these observe the Greek Rites. 2 Again, a great part of the Christians in Asia, Persia, Tartary, and other Provinces are Heretics; Who affirm, That there were two Persons in Christ, as well as two Names: But this Error they have rejected, as Onuphrius writeth, they hold nothing In vita julij 3. p. 389. Edit. Col. 1626. savouring of that Error. These Christians, indeed, make a scruple of calling the blessed Virgin the Mother of God, left they should seem to make her the Mother of the holy Trinity and divine Essence. 3 The Christians in Egypt, Aethiopia, with the jacobites in Syria, are accused to be infected with the Heresy of Eutyches, whereas they curse Eutyches for an Heretic, for confounding the two Natures of Christ. They affirm, The two Natures in Christ to be so united, that there is one personated Nature arising of two Natures, not personated without mixtion or confusion. As Thomas a jesus, and others affirm. 4 They scandal also the Abassine Christians for using Circumcision: If you be circumcised, you are fall'n from Grace, and Christ profiteth you nothing; whereas they circumcise not for any Religion; but only it being an ancient custom of the Aethiopians. They accuse them also of Anabaptisme, For that they wash themselves yearly in the floods, in memorial of Christ's Baptism: As the Spaniards do yearly in memorial of Saint john Baptist: And the like are the imputations laid upon other Churches. To conclude this point, through the merciful goodness of God, all these different sorts of Christians (by reason of delivering certain points of Faith, mistaking one another; or variety of opinion touching things not Fundamental; yet) agree in one substance of Faith: and are so far forth Orthodox, that they retain a saving Profession of all duties absolutely necessary to salvation, and are members of the true Catholic Church of God. As these Christians are Orthodox in the main: so for their holy lives and conversations they are to be admired, and may be exemplary unto others. Holiness of Lives. FIrst, for their Reverence in Churches, no man is allowed to walk, talk, or sit Reverence in Churches. Godig. de Abas. rebus pag. 133. in them, especially, in the time of Divine Service. In Aethiopia, old men are allowed to use Crutches in the Church, and weak men to lean against the walls. johannes Faber reporteth of the Rasses, that he hath Religio Moscov. pag. 188. not seen the like of them, for their frequenting Prayer, and devotion in their Prayers; who lying prostrate upon the ground, pour out their devout Prayers unto Almighty God. For their Chastity, they permit no Chastity. Stews, nor Brothelhouses among them. They punish Adultery with death. The Adulterer (among the Aethiopians) is accounted to dishonour the Emperor from whom all Honour is derived: Adulterers among them are cast alive unto the Lions. They are (among other virtues) great In Epist. apud Fra. Hesse in itinerario. Godig. lib. 1. cap. 16. lovers of Truth. Among us (saith Pretegian) if any man willingly tell a lie, he is accounted a man worthy of death: for the first he is admonished; for the second he doth penance; for the third he is led by a rope about his neck, out of the Town or City, and banished into some Desert, where commonly he perish for hunger. For their Fasts, they keep them very strictly, far unlike the Roman Catholics in the West, who allow men to drink Wine and to eat sweet Meats in their very fasts. Thomas a jesus writeth, that De convers. omn. Gent. p. 284. the austere living of the greeks, causeth them to contemn the Latins: but let the greeks know (saith he) that Christian Righteousness doth not consist chiefly in macerating the Body; but in Charity, Faith, Hope, and other virtues. Although these Christians are not so learned as we suppose the Christians in the West to be; yet they got far beyond them for godliness and devotion. And if these Christians shall be excluded Heaven, who join believing and doing, Faith and Works together: alas! where shall they appear that come far short of them? But as you have heard of the great multitude of Christians in the World; of their Religion, holy Lives, and Conversations: we may in the next place consider what hath been the bane of the Church, Bane of the Church. (viz) Ambition; which was the ruin of the Angels in Heaven, and caused man to lose Paradise: Of this our Lord gave special warning to his Apostles, when they strove who should be greatest. And St. Paul, more especially to Rom. 11. the Romans: Boast not thyself against the Branches: Be not high minded, but fear. A great Controversy arose among the Bishops in the west parts of the World who should be greatest. The Bishop of Rome sitting in the Imperial City, claimed superiority above his fellow Bishops, precending a Canon of the Counsel of Nice: As also the donation of Constantine the Emperor. Likewise the Patriarch of Constantinople (the Emperor's Court being removed thither) claimed the like pre-eminence, by the Decree of a Council, also by Donation 4 Gener. coun. at Chalcedon. can. 9 ibi. terminentur. of Maurice the Emperor. Indeed the Eastern Church may challenge to herself some pre-eminence, in regard of her great privileges and prerogatives, as having all the Apostles Sees, the greatest number of Patriarches, being the bigger Church, and more ancient. The Majesty of the Emperor of Constantinople for above 1000 years, which hath with stood Paganism, and Mahumatisme: And of the Emperor of Moscho, and Trebizond, for some hundred of years. The authority of seven general Counsels held among them. The Syrian Language, in which the Son of God delivered his Holy Oracles: the Hebrew and Greek Tongues, in which they were Registered: and which hath had not only the Holy Apostles, but also Christ himself, when he was in his flesh, preaching among them. And this Church we are forced to confess (with the Bishop of Bitonto) to be our Mother Church, from whom the Latin Church hath received the Holy Scriptures, the Creeds, the Sacraments, and Christianity itself; as the very names of Baptism, Eucharist, Bishop, Deacon, Presbyter, and many other sacred things do testify, Moreover, they have (as they affirm) St. Peter Chair, who was Bishop of Antioch, Allegations of the Patriarch of Antioch, & Germanus Patriarch of Constantinople, excommunicating the Pope. Math. Paris. p. 465 and governed that Church many a year: He was there Incathedrated, with great reverence received and esteemed: But going to Rome, he was there most vilely used, and put to a most cruel death, with his fellow Apostle St. Paul. They also affirm that the City of Antioch (commonly called Theopolis, that is, The City of God) must needs be much dearer to St. Peter, which honoured and reverenced him, than the City of Rome, which most unworthily used him, and put him to death. They moreover affirm, that he must rather leave the Keys to the Greek Church, than to the Romish, defiled with Simony, Usury, Avarice, and all other Vices whatsoever. The greeks also charge the Latins with diverse errors besides the challenging of the Supremacy, which they hold to be most grievous and intolerable: to teach all, & to be taught of none, and Dictatorlike to give Laws to bind other Churches, yea, in things against their Consciences, as is their Doctrine of Purgatory, of Image-Worship, abusing their Fasts, making no conscience to drink in them all day long: that they scarce read the Sacred rules, Irenaus Rodoginus. pag. 18. and holy Scriptures; (saying) That the Pope's Commandments, who for the time sitteth in the See of Rome, are their Canons and Laws. That they make no account of Perjury, yea that the Pope freeth them of idem ibidem all Perjury, whensoever they intent to break any bargain or covenant made with any man. That the Pope and his Priestly train remit slaughter, Perjury, and all kind of crimes past, or to come; by which remission there is a gate opened to villainy: And that which is most ridiculous, for the future time, they will remit to a determined time of Months or Years, that the Latin Bishops are accessary to the death of Christian people, the Pope especially, who pronounceth the killer of Christians, such as resist the Papacy, blessed and happy. That they shut up by their Laws all Priests and Deacons from marriage, and hold it an abomination to receive the Sacrament from married Priests. That there are many Church Men among them, that commit whoredom, Idem. p. 23. and all kind of uncleanness most securely, without punishment. They accuse the Latins of many more Errors, both in their Doctrine, as also in their manners; some of which you may find in Cardinal Baronius Annals. Tome 11 Anno Christi 1054. with some Iren. Rodog. pag. 30. answers to them by the Cardinal. But this Church God hath humbled, being subdued by the mahometans, living as the Israelites in their Aegypticke Bondage. We may see their lamentable estate in the late Martyrdom of learned Cyril, late Patriarch of Constantinople, who had long and wisely governed that Church. And it seemeth that this his Crown of Martyrdom was not to him unexpected: as appeareth by a clause of a letter, written by him to our late Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, viz. For the Name of Christ (saith he) which we profess, and whose marks we bear about in our Bodies, it is a joy to us to be afflicted and vexed. so also if it be the Will of God, to abide the utmost extremity of their cruelty; that in the fiery trial our Faith may shine more bright, and God receive the greater glory. This Church hath been humbled (as before) but the Bishops of Rome have exalted themselves, not only above their follow Bishops, but also above their Lords the Emperors, and the whole Church of God. For the First, Pope Boniface the third having obtained of Phocas the Tyrant, Anno. 606. the glorious Title of Universal Bishop, by little and little the Bishops of Rome, subdued diverse Bishoprics under them. As Donus the first subjected Ravenna, about the year 676. Pope Stephen the ninth subdued Milan, Anno 1057. and so others. Yea Urban the 2. exacted an oath of Bishops, for the further establishing of their Authority. For the Second, Leo Isaurus being perplexed with war in Asia, and Constantinople itself being besieged by the Caliph, Pope Gregory the second stirred up the Princes of Italy against the said Emperor, who took Italy from him; of which the Pope hath a part, now called St. Peter's Patrimony, which the Emperor could never again recover: The Bishops of Rome dividing the Empire into the East and West, Pope Leo the third proclaimed Charles of France Emperor, about the year 881. And Pope john the thirteenth, translated the Empire about the year 968, from the French to the Germans. Thus by little and little the Emperors waxed weaker, and the Pope's stronger, until the time of Gregory the seventh, who founded (as Aventine writeth) the Pontifical Empire. To this Annal. li. 5. a. 447. In vit. Greg. 7. Man (saith Onuphrius) the Church of Rome is beholding for her freedom, and that she is preferred above all Kings and Emperors, whom before they obeyed as their Lords, acknowledging themselves to be their Vassals; as manifestly appeareth among other Records, by the Dating of their ancient Bulls and Charters, thus expressed: Such a one, our Lord and Emperor reigning. As also by the Letters of the Bishops of Rome, Guichard. lib. 4. written to the Emperors; as of Pope Leo the first to Martian: By all means we are to be obedient to your Piety, and most Religious Will: As also of Gregory the great Epist. 59 to Maurice the Emperor: I being subject to your command; and of diverse others, as of Liberius to Constantius: Leo the first to Theodosius: Simplicius to Zeno: Foelix to the same Emperor: Pope Anastatius to Anastatius Epist. 6. the Emperor: Martin to Constantine, with many more. And some of the Epist. 3. In sexta Synod. Constant. act. 4. Epist. 1. Bishops show a reason of this their Obedience to be, because they are commanded so to do in Holy Scripture: St. Peter himself commanding Obedience to the King, as 1. Pet. 2. 13. To the K. as unto the superior. supreme. Thus they were for many hundred years subject to the Emperors: but now they claim a superiority above Kings and Princes, and challenge to themselves plenitude of jurisdiction, to take away, and to give Empires and Kingdoms at their pleasures, bringing the Emperors in subjection. Pope Constantine gave his Feet to kiss to justinian the Emperor. Gregory the seventh compelled Henry the fourth to wait barefooted at his Door three days and three nights, craving Absolution. Alexander the third set his feet upon the Emperor frederick's neck. And as they have lift up themselves over their fellow Bishops, and their Lords the Emperors, so also over the whole Church of God, (viz.) Above General Counsels: A General Council is the representative Church of God upon Earth: they claiming power to judge & control all men, herself to be judged of none: yea, to make new Articles of Faith. And as the Donatists falling from the unity of the Church, fell also into this Heretical Opinion, That the Catholic Church of God was no where to be found, but in a corner of Africa, where they dwelled, and amongst them. So the Romanists affirm the Catholic Church of God to be only in Rome, and in the Country's subject to their Bishop. And therefore they term themselves Catholics, excluding all other Christians in the World out of the Catholic Church, and so Heaven, and putting them into the state of damnation, (though never so Orthodox and Pious) for not being subject to their Bishop only. Yet many of these Christians, by them so damned; suffer grievous persecutions for jesus Christ's sake; which they might quit themselves of, if they would renounce their Saviour; and also attain great privileges and preferments. And that which is more, some of these Churches so damned, and condemned by them, never heard of the Bishop of Rome. Postel writeth a Book of the great multitude of Comp. Cosmog. Christians unknown to the Latin World. Before, the Papacy of julius the third (writeth Miraeus) the name of the Chaldean Patriarch Miraeus de stat. relig. l. 2. cap. 5. was unknown to us: Neither do I find any mention of him in the Pope's Records. And yet Cardinal Amuleius reporteth, Narratio Card. Amulei. ad Con-Trident. pa. 195. acta conc. Trident. That he and his Bishops had long kept the Faith, and also many of them had suffered Martyrdom for Christ's Name. Also the Indian Christians of Taprobane, and the Islands adjacent (saith Thevet) nor their Cosm. lib. 12 cap. 2. fo. 421 Fathers never heard of the Pope of Rome, nor his Cardinals, nor of the Greek Patriarches, nor of the Counsels, until the Portugals came among them; and yet they kept the Ceremonies of the Primative Church, which they received from the Apostles, and their Disciples. God forbid that all these Christians, and especially they that have given their Bloods for jesus Christ's Name, and glory in his Cross, should be excluded for having any share, or benefit by Christ's Blood; and this for not being subject to the Pope of Rome, and for not being members of the Roman Catholic Church, which they never heard of. By this their uncharitableness, do not the Romish Catholics cut themselves off from the unity of the Catholic Church: As Firmilian writeth to St. Cyprian, of Pope Stephen Excommunicating other Cypr. Ep. 75. p. 204. Churches. Thou hast cut off thyself from the unity of the Churches: Deceive not thyself; he is a true Schismatic that maketh himself Apostate from the Communion and Union of the Churches: Thou thinkest they are divided from thee, but thou only art separated from them. As the Church of Rome hath exalted herself above all other Churches, so also the Roman Catholics are accused for devising, and adding some new Articles of Faith to the old ones, much advancing the state and profit of their Clergy which the other Christians will not, nor dare admit of, having received only twelve from the holy Apostles. As first, they have made the Pope's Supremacy (before named) an Article of the Faith, (viz.) That their Bishop is head Exttra. de major & obedient. cap. unam sanctam. of the whole Church of God; and that every soul must be subject to him upon necessity of salvation. Secondly, * Gregory the great the 62. Pope of Rome writeth that none of his Predecessors took that name upon them. That their Bishop cannot err in Cathedra. Thirdly, That their Bishops hath power to depose Kings, and to dispose of their Kingdoms. Fourthly, For the honour of the inferior Clergy, they have made Transubstantiation a The word Transubstantiation is not in our ancient writers, found first in Hovenden. p. 304. who lived about the year 1204. Biel Canon missa. Doctrine of Faith, by which every Priest hath superlative power given him. As a Reverend Bishop writeth (viz.) To do a greater work daily than God did in the Creation: For therein Almighty God made but Creatures: But in this the Priest (as they say) can make his Maker. Fiftly, for the more honour of the Clergy, They allow them, the only use of Christ's Blood in the Eucharist, prohibiting the Laity the use thereof: Which all the Christians in the Universe enjoy, but only the Romish Catholic Laity, and for this they have made a Decree flat against Christ's institution. viz. Although the Lord Christ in his last Supper did deliver this venerable Sacrament in both kinds, etc. Yet, non obstante, they do approve and decree for a Law, the custom of receiving in one kind. Again, for the better Maintenance of their Clergy, they have invented new devises; as Purgatory, with the horrible pains thereof, as with Burnings, Boiling, and Roasting of souls; they do so fright simple people, that they get much money from them. Of this place the Bishop of Rome hath jurisdiction (the other Orthodox Patriarches having nothing to do with it) commanding out whom he will: much Treasure is got hereby. 2 Pardons, which are grounded upon Purgatory. Pardons began (saith Fisher, Bishop of Rochester) when men were frighted with Purgatory. 3 The inferior Clergy doth also share with the Pope in the profits of Purgatory; for they have turned the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist into a Sacrifice, true, real, and propitiatory, under the name of Mass, in which they do say, that the Priest doth truly and really offer up Christ to God his Father: but this is done by way of bargain and hire, for remission of sins, and freedom of souls out of Purgatory. And of this they make great profit. 4 They have made a Canon for the These Saints we had in England. Worshipping of Images,; and for this cause they have in every Church an Image or more of some of their Saints; many of Inquire for St. Radegonds' Chapel in the Temple London. The barren women were wont to knock at one of the Knights Templat chamber doors, by whom she was brought to the Saint for help. St. Bartilmew was Purveyor to St. Thomas Becket: they that would have a male-child, offered to him a Cock; they that would have a Female offered a Hen, Vid. Lamber. peramb. page. 511. which, simple people, and especially foolish women, are made to believe, to have some special virtue to help, as St. Radegond can make barren women fruitful. St. Bartilmew can make women to conceive a Male-child or a Female, according to their desires. St. Margart Inquire for St. Uncomber in St. Paul's Church in London. To this Saint they offered Oats. Shrined at Wilton. can give them easy labour. St. Uncomber can make peace between married folk. St. Edith can keep corn from blasting. And to these Saints simple people did troth with rich Offerings, and Worship these Saints with kneeling, bowing, and praying before Adoration of Images not used in England many 100 of years after Christ. Alcwine writ a Book against it subscribed by our Bishops and Princes. Read Roger Hovenden, Simon of Durham. Flores Hisstoriarum. Histor. of Rochester. them: yea, the Priests carry them about in Procession with great pomp, playing at noddy with the simplicity of the people. 5 They have also devised a Treasury, in which is reserved the surplusage of the Sufferings of Christ, & of the Saints. Whereas (say they) the least drop of Christ's Blood had been sufficient to have saved all the World. And that Christ shed all his blood; and also that many holy men suffered more than their sins deserved: lest their sufferings should be in vain, they are reserved in this Treasury for the Pope to bestow where he list. The other Orthodox Christian Patriarches having nothing to do with this Treasury. With this, and such like devises they get much money from simple and silly people. For the confirmation of these things, although they have no Scriptures, yet they will store you with multitudes of Miracles and Visions. These, with some other the Church of Rome hath Canomzed for Articles, or Doctrines of Faith: as if the Apostles Creed should be defective, which the other Christians in the world think to be complete enough. About these Additions is the contestation between the Roman Catholics, and the other Christians of the world. These are urged by the Romanists under their Pope's curse; and these additions are rejected by others fearing God's curse, being Articles not left by the holy Apostles, nor found in holy Scriptures: The societies of Christians before named (excepting the Romanists) do all genegenerally (as I find) deny the Pope's Supremacy, viz. First, That every soul must be subject to him upon necessity of salvation. Secondly, they affirm the Roman Bishops to be subject to Error, as other Bishops are. Thirdly, they deny that he hath power to depose Kings, and to dispose of their Kingdoms. Fourthly, they teach not works of Supererogation. Fiftly, they admit not of Purgatory. Sixtly, nor pray for deliverances of souls, from any temporal punishment after this life. Seventhly, they reject the Romish Doctrine of Pardons and Indulgences. Eightly, they allow not private Masses. Ninthly, they administer the Communion in both kinds, daring not to keep the Cup, the symbol of our Lord jesus Christ's Blood from the Laity. Tenthly, they believe not the Romish Transubstantiation. Eleventhly, nor the now real sacrificing of our Lord jesus Christ to quit souls out of Purgatory. Twefthly, they have married Priests. Thirteenthly, they make no Image of God. Foureteenthly, they have most of them their Service in their own, or a known Language. And these are some of the causes of the bitter contentions between the Roman Catholics, and these other Churches: And as the Roman Church excommunicateth In praefatione ante acta Theolog. Witerberg. & Hieremiam Patriarcham. Sacran. ca 2. Error 3. Thevet. Cos. lib. 9 catho. tr●●. quae 2. Thev. Cosm. lib. 10. Brerw. enqu. pag. 159. these Churches; so do they excommunicate the Roman Church: For example; the Patriarch of Constantinople doth yearly excommunicate the Pope and his Church for Schismatics: The Moscovites do the same, as counting the Pope an Heretic. The Patriarches of jerusalem & Antioch have done likewise. The Christians under the Patriarch of Mozul, call the Pope the Reprobate Bishop: other call him Antichrist. The Copts account the Roman Church Heretical and avoid the communion and conversation of the Latins no less than of the jews. Thus some of the Popes of Rome have been like Ishmael, whose hand was against every man, and every man's hand against him. The Turks in their Mahometan Worship. The Pagans in their adoration of the Sun and Moon. The Egyptians in the service of Isis and Osiris, use diversity of worships and Rites, and yet still retain the ill-tied knot of Friendship in their Idol-worship. But Christians differing, thunder calumnies, & bolt out excommunications one against another, & after their excommunications usually follow eradications of Kingdoms, people, & estates by Conspiracies, rebellions, and hostile machinations by general Massacres, and particular torments: As how many Kings and great persons have been murdered by their desperate Assassins. The said Massacre in France is not to be paralleled by any ancient cruelty. The Acharonticall Powder treason, for the heinousness thereof, will seem incredible in the Ages to come. Examples are infinite; yea, so great is the uncharitableness and cruelty of the Roman Catholics to the Christians of the Reformed Churches, that if any of them dye among them; they setting themselves (as if it were) upon God's Tribunal, (in whose secret Cabinet is blessing and cursing) give sentence of damnation against them, sending their souls packing to hell, and denying their bodies Christian Burial. Barbarous cruelty, void of Charity! John 13. 35. Damian. a Goes de Aethiopum Morib. pag. 235. As a tree is known by his Fruit, so is the true Church by Charity: By this (saith our Lord) all men shall know that ye are my Disciples, if ye love one another. Zaga-Zabo, an Aethiopian Bishop, and sent Ambassador from the Emperor of Aethiopia to the K. of Portugal, complaineth: his words are these: The Romish Doctors (I know not how piously) forbade me the communion of our Lord's Body, all the time I was in Portugal, even the space of seven year; and (which I cannot relate without grief and tears) I was reputed among the Romanists as a Heathen, and Anathema: upon which their doings, let him that governeth all things look: to whose judgement I commit these their doings. This their uncharitableness doth not only offend other Christians; but also it maketh the very mahometans to loathe our Profession, to condemn our Faith, and to persecute our Persons. Good jesus! when shall these jarrings have an end? when shall the Church Catholic live in union of faith, and communion of Charity? O miserable Christians, return unto the Lord, and he will cure you: Earnest Prayer, endless Devotion, volumes of penitentials, Ninives fastings, Peter's weeping, Paul's conversion, is the Metredate and true Alexipharmacon to cure this Ulcer, to heal this never enough to be lamented Schism. Alas, who shall furnish my eyes with floods of water? who shall make my head a living Spring, that I might water my Couch with sorrowful tears? As for us Clergy men, let us not so much endeavour to make the Christians our adversaries odious to our people; as to move them to commiserate their estates, and so to make our joint prayers to Almighty God, (not for their confusion) but for their Conversion. Oh would to God, the Potentates and monarchs of Christendom would join hand in hand, to make up the breaches of Zyon, and to build up the walls of jerusalem. Oh sweet jesus, that cleansed thy Church by thy most precious blood, Prince of Peace, and author of love, grant us thy peace. To conclude, my most humble prayer to Almighty God is, that he would vouchsafe us, most unworthy, to enjoy that Legacy which our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ left unto us, viz. My Peace I give unto you; my Peace I leave with you. And for this cause, I humbly supplicate his Divine Majesty, that he would incline the great Bishop of Rome, Pope Urban, whom he hath endued with many gifts and graces; with the hearts of the Lord Cardinals and Prelates of the Church of Rome; that they would submit themselves to retrograde from some of their new Canons, to the ancient Primative Canons of their Church. viz. That they would restore to the Church of God, of which they have cure, in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, The Cup, the symbol of our Lord jesus Christ's blood, according to our Lords holy institution, and practise of the ancient Roman Church, and of all the other Christian Churches in the World. That they would suffer our Lord jesus Christ's sheep to drink of the Waters of Life, (viz.) to have the use of the Holy Scriptures in the Vulgar tongue, (from which they are now restrained) with their Service in their own tongue. That they would permit Marriage to all men, and repress Stews and Brothelhouses, permitted by them, scandelous not only to all the Christians in the World; but also to them which are without: with some other like things; which may admit of reformation. And also, whereas some other Churches pretend to abhor Idols, I wish from the bottom of my heart, that they would also abstain from committing of Sacrilege. And whereas they cry out of permitting of Stews and Brothelhouses in the Roman Church; that they would be as zealous in not permitting oppressing Usury among them: both which are alike abominable in the eyes of Almighty God. Sweet jesus! what should not a man do? yea, what should he not suffer, to quench the fire of Contention in the Christian world! There was a time, when the Roman Church did acknowledge herself a sister, and not a mistress. There was a time, when as, with an Harmonious concord, she suffered with the rest of her Sisters, even when as arianism had in a manner overwhelmed the world. There was a time, when she gave her helping hand (as at the famous Counsels of Nice, Ephesus, Constantinople, Chalcedon) and did not rule after a Dictatory manner. Let none foster Schism against Conscience to maintain themselves in dignities, wealth, and promotions, to the ruin of the Christian World. Christ's Coat is rend, his Garment is torn in pieces: The World is distracted and distempered with the raging waves of Opinions: By which means, the Turk over-ruleth the flourishing and most famous parts of Christendom: and have erected the worship of Mahumet, even in the stately Oriental Basilisks. Constantinople, the Queen of Beauty, is become a Mansion of Mahumetans: And, if these devisions continue still, the rest of the Christian world is likely to be in great danger. The good God of Peace, make peace in Christendom: and grant that all that confess his Holy Name, may agree in the Truth of his Holy Word; and live in Unity and godly Love. Amen. FINIS. Errata. PAge 5. in marg. read quod habetur. p 9 l. 5. r. Lazarus first Bishop of Massilia. ibid. l. 18. r. Cleve p. 10. l. 11. r. Wertzhurg. l. 13. r. Voitland. p. 14. Tit. r. Romanists. l. 14. r. Barnabas. p. 15. Tit. r. Romanists. p. 24. l. 11. r. accounted. mar. r. Sinas. p. 30. l. 20. r, a Jesus. p. 36. l. 16. r. to put. p. 38. l. 12. r. Presbyteros. p. 41. Tit. r. Bishops in ancient times. p. 43. l. 7. after continent. r. the Spaniards have in West India some Bishops. p. 53. l. 13. r. almost all. p. 59 l. 14. r. 801. p. 65. mar r. extra. mar. r. missae. p. 73. l. ●. r. l●te. p. 72. l. vit. Assassinates. p. 7●. l. 22. r. hath.