The History of the Holy War, Book 4 · Chapter 6
Chap. 6. A comparative estimate of the extent of the Greek and Latine Church; What hope of reconcilement betwixt them; The influence this breach had on the Holy warre.
IF that religion were surely the best which is of the greatest latitude and extent, Surveyers of land were fitter then Divines to judge of the best religion. Neither is it any matter of great moment to measure the greatnesse of either Church: But because Rome maketh her Universality such a masterpiece to boast of, let us see if the Greek Church may not outshoot her in her own bow.
If we begin with the Grecian Church in Africa under the Patriarch of Alexandria, thence proceeding into Asia, and fetch a compasse about Syria, Armenia, Asia the lesse, with Cyprus, Candie, and other Islands in the mid-land-sea, and so come into Grecia; if hence we go into Russia and Muscovia (who though differing in ceremonies, dissent not in doctrine; as a sundry dialect maketh not a severall language) to take onelyonly entire Kingdomes, and omit parcels: it is a larger quantity of ground then that the Romish religion doth stretch to, since Luther cut so large a collop out of it, and withdrew North-Europe from obedience to his Holinesse.
Perchance the Romanists may plead they have lately improved the patrimony of their religion by new purchases in both Indies: But who knoweth not that those people, rather watered then baptized, affrighted with cruelty into Christianity, deserve not to be accounted settled and well-grounded professours of their religion?
As for reconciliation betwixt the Grecians and Latines, it is utterly improbable, except the Greeks submit to the Popes Primacie, which they will never do. No hope then of their meeting together, when neither party will stirre step towards other.
True it is, some fourty yeares since (anno 1594) the Bishops of little Russia (a countrey following the Eastern Church, but under the King of Poland) on condition they would accept the Popes *Possevin. in Apparatu sacro, in Rutheni. See Brierwoods Enquiries, chap. 18.supremacie, were dispensed with, and permitted in other matters to adhere to the Greek Church, and keep union with it; the Pope manifesting herein, that he aimeth not so much at the reduction of the Greeks to the truth as to his own obedience.
Besides the hatred they have against the Popes pride, another great hindrance of the union is the small intercourse the Eastern Christians have or desire to have with the Western. They live amongst the Turks, and are grown to be contented slaves; and having long since parted with their hopes, now almost have lost their desire of liberty.
We must not forget, how some fifty yeares ago solemn news was reported in Rome, that the *Sr Edw. Sand. West. Relig. pag. 100.Patriarch of Alexandria, with all the Greek Church in Africa, by their Embassadours had submitted and reconciled themselves to the Pope, and from him received Absolution and Benediction: All which was a politick lie, perchance therefore reported, that it might make impression in the minds, and raise and confirm the spirits of the vulgar, who easily beleeve all that their betters tell them. And though afterwards this report was controlled to be false, yet mens spirits then being cold, were not so sensible of it as before: and the former news came to many mens eares who never heard afterwards of the check and confutation thereof. Nor is there any State in the world that maketh such use and advantage, as the Papall doth, of false news. To conclude; As it is a maxime in Philosophy, Ex quibus constamus, ex iisdem nutrimur: so a great part of their religion consisting of errours and falshoods, it is suitable that accordingly it should be kept up and maintained with forgeries and deceits.
To return to Palestine; This rent (not in the seam but whole cloth) betwixt these Churches was no mean hindrance to the Holy warre. Formerly the Greeks in Syria were not so clearly cut asunder from the Latines, but that they hung together by one great sinew in the common cause, agreeing against the Turk the enemy to both: But since this last breach, the Greeks did in their desires propend and incline to the Turks, being better contented they should conquer, from whom they should have fair quarter, free exercise of their religion, and secure dwelling in any citie, paying a set tribute; then the Latines, who they feared would force their consciences, and bring their souls in subjection to the Popes supremacie. Expect we then never hereafter, that either their hearts or hands should afford any assistance to our Pilgrimes in their designes.
*Idem, pag. 242.Some conceive, that at this day if the Western Christians should stoutly invade Turkie with any likelihood to prevail, the Greeks therein would runne to aid them. But others are of a contrary judgement; considering, First, the inveterate and inlaid hatred (not to be washed off) they bear the Latines: Secondly, the jealousie they have that they will never keep promise with them, who have alwayes a warrant dormant from the Pope to break all contracts prejudiciall to the Romish Church: Thirdly, that custome and long continuance in slavery have so hardened and brawned their shoulders, the yoke doth not wring them so much; yea, they had rather suffer the Turks, being old full flies, to suck them, then to hazard their galled backs to new hungry ones; finding by experience, That they themselves live on better terms of servitude under the Turk, lesse grated and grinded with exactions, then some of their countrey-men do under the Latines; for instance, in Zante and Candie under the Venetians.