Christianography, Chapter 2

Christianography · Chapter 2

p. 8The ſeverall habitations of the Chriſtians before named, and firſt in Europe.

CAP. II.

The Proteſtants.

THE Proteſtants inhabit the Kingdomes of England, England, Scotland, Ireland.Scotland, and Ireland, which being two Ilands, the firſt of them, to wit great p. 10Britaine containeth in compaſſe 1836 miles,Cambdeni Britannia pag. 2. and Jreland 400 miles in length, and about 200 in breadth. The Monarch of great Britaine hath in actuall poſſeſſion, 19 antient Kingdomes and principalities. England antiently conteined ſeven, Scotland three,Wales hath had 3 principalities. Ireland five, Wales three, and the Jle of Man one: The inhabitants ſpeake nine ſeverall languages, as Engliſh, Scotiſh, Welch, Corniſh, Jriſh, Moniſh, Gotiſh, in the Orcade Iles (which are 32) French, in Iarſy, and Garnſy, and Dutch, in ſeverall places where many Netherlanders dwell, having Churches & their ſervice in their owne tongue.

The Kingdome of England, Imperiorum mundi Catalogus Authore Ioanne Boter. Rex. Angliae pag. 17.is divided into 52 ſheeres. In one onelyonly whereof called Yorkeſhire, it is thought that 70 thouſand men may be levied. The cheife Citie is London, in which and the Subburbs 2 miles about, there are eſteemed to be about 600000 ſoules. In the laſt plague there was buried in one yeare about 63000 perſons. The whole Ile of great Britaine may be reputed for one impregnable fortres, the ſea coaſts being generally cliffie and in acceſſible. The ſhipping thereof are of great force, and doubled (as I heare) ſince the beginning of the Raigne of our late Soveraigne Lord King Iames. In Auglia Cantu arienſis Patriarcha nominatur Gloſſa d. 21. verb. Archiepiſcopus apud Miraeum notit Epiſcop. lib. 1 Cap: 14 pag. 34.In theſe two Ilands before named, are the ſees of 8 Archbiſhops. The Archbiſhop of Canterbury hath hed the title of a Patriarch. England hath about 25 Biſhoprickes, Scotland hath many, and Ireland hath had above 40. Againe, Iread that there are not ſo p. 11many ſtatly and bewtiful Churches, in ſo much circuit of ground in al the world as are in England And laſt of all, the glory of great Britaine is our religious and pious King Charles, for whoſe proſperity and long life I moſt humbly ſupplicate Almighty God.

Alſo the kingdome of Denmarke, which conteineth under it,Denmarke and Norway. Boter. rel univerſ: par. 2 Rex Daniae Norvegtacoe ſi ſtende ſpatio di piu di mille e trecento miglia: Mirae lib. 4 cap. 23 notit Epiſcop. the Cimbricke Cherſoneſſe, the Balticke Iland, and others, and the Kingdome of Norway, which alone conteineth in length, about 1300 miles, and in breadth halfe ſo much; there are rekoned, in Denmarke and Norwaty; two Archbiſhops and 14 Biſhops, the Archbiſhop of Lunden is primate of Denmarke, and the Archbiſhop of Nidroſia, is Primate of Norway. To this kingdome belong ſome great Ilands in the Ocean.

The kingdome of Sweden with Scricfinnia, Sweden, aſtim… tur haec terrarum pars: Italia et Francia maior. Im per: munds. Catat: Rex Sueciae.Biarmia, and other provinces thereunto belonging, is bigger than France and Italie, but not ſo peopled.

The Swedes poſſeſſe in Livonia, Revalia, and Narue, and other peeces of good eſtimation: It is divided (beſides Livonia) into three ſeverall kingdomes, (viz) Cothland, Sweueland, and Ʋandalia; in Sweveland, Ʋpſalia is their cheife Citie and an Archbiſhopricke, Stockholme is the Kings ſeat. There is mainreined in Sweveland and Gothland about 32 Companies of foote, every troope conſiſting of five or ſix hundred harquebuſſiers, and thirteene companies of horſe: p. 12The late King, was thought to have eight thouſand peeces of great Ordnance, and moſt of braſſe; There are in Sweden one Archbiſhop, and ſix Biſhops.

Part of the Netherlands, (videl.) three parts of the Duchy of Guelders,Part of the Netherlands. Relation of the moſt famous King domes etcpag. 200 the Earledomes of Holland Zeland, Zutphen, The Lordſhips of Freezland, Vtrech, Overiſſell, and Groning, and ſome part of Brabant and Flanders, and theſe countries where the Proteſtants religion is publiquely profeſſed, although they are not ſo great as the other poſſeſſed by the Papiſts, yet they are more populous and richer: they keepe about 30000. men in continuall gariſon.

In Switzerland of the thirteene Cantons, the Proteſtants in ſtrength,Switzers. Grizons. Sr. Edwins Sands relation, ſect. 45. and ampleneſſe of Territorie much exceed the Papiſts. I reade that two thirds of the Switzers and Grizous, were Proteſtants.

For the Proteſtants in Germany,Germanie. preface to Mr. Brerewoods enquiries. In the preface to Mr. Brerewoods inquire I finde, the whole Empire excluding Bohemia and Auſtria: (where of the one, is rather an Arbi…er, in the election of the Emperor, then an Elector, and the Archduke of the other, hath onelyonly a kinde of extraordinary place in the dyet, amongſt the eccleſiaſticall Princes), conſiſteth of three orders or S…ats, the Princes Eccleſiaſticall, the Princes temporall, and the free Cities. Of the laſt of theſe p. 13to wit the cities ſome of them termed the hanſe townes, are ſeated in the Northerne parts of Germany betweene Dantiſck Eaſtward, and Hamburge Weſtward. Many of theſe Cities as Hamburge Stoad and Lubeck (in times paſt a Dukedome) have beene able to put to ſea every one of them 150 ſhipps.

Theſe Sea townes with the reſt of the Inland free Cities,Preteſtantium partes ſequunt… libere …ivitates omnes: ſoculares Principes fere omnes Catholicoruns a ſecularibus principes pauci ut Bavarus Clevenſis, Theſ: Politie. a poteleſma 6. Sle…d Comment: lib. 24. pag. 302. doe in a manner either in whole or a part profeſſe the reformed religion, except three in lower Swe via, which adhere wholly to the Roman Church (called Gmond whirlingen, and Dickels puhell.) Of the ſtrength and wealth of theſe inland free Cities we may gueſſe by a particular loſſe: Which was in Anno 1554 Albert Marqueſſe of Brandenburge, whoſe ſword was in a manner a law, and his revenue, beſieged the City of Norinberg, he burnt 100 of the villages belonging to it; 70 Manors and farmes appertaining to the Citizens, and 3000 acres of wood, and yet after all this ſpoile he compounded with them for 200000 Crownes and ſixe peeces of Ordnance.

All the Princes temporall of the Empire were firmly Proteſtants,Preface before named, anno 162…. none of note excepted beſides the Duke of Bavaria and Cleve. Now what the multitudes of ſubiects there are profeſſing the ſame Faith with theſe Princes we may gueſſe by the ampleneſſe of the Dominions p. 14under the Government of ſuch onelyonly who for their Commands are chief… and moſt ominent among them: As of the Prince Elector Pilatine; the Duke of Saxony, the Marqueſſe of Brandenburg the Duke of Mirtemburg, Landgrave of Heſſe Manqueſſe of Buden, Prince of Anhault, Dukes of Brunſwi…ke, Holſt, Luneburg, Mec…lenburg, Pomexane, Sweyburg: Amongſt whom the Marqueſſe of Brandenburg, hath for his dominion not onelyonly the Marchiſate it ſelfe containing an circuite about 520 miles, and furniſhed with 50 Cities, and aborit 60 other walled Townes: but likewiſe part of Pruſ … for which he is feudatary unto the King of Poladd: The Region of Prignitz, The Dukedome of Croſſèn; the ſigniories of Sternberg and Coibus. The County of Rapin, and lately the three Dukedomes of Cleve, Gulick, and Berg: of which the two former of them have either of them in circuite 130 miles.

There was an old eſtimate made of Germany by ſuch as favoured the Papacy:Sr. Ed. Sands loco citato, ſuppoſeth the Pupaſts to be ſixt part. that in the beginning of Ferdinand the Emperór, there was not paſt on twelfth part of i… remaiding. Catholickle. There can no exact relation be made of we Proteſtants there at this day, by reaſon of the daily alteratiomoauſed by the wanes…Hungary preface to Brerw: enquir.

In Hungary the Proteſtants dwell in great multitudes and ſome thinkle they maked agr… ter p. 15part; eſpecially being compared onelyonly with ſuch as are there addicted to the Romiſh ſuperſtition.

And in Tranſilvania in a manner the whole body of the inhabitants were proteſtants by the favour of Gabniell Batthorius; Tranſilvania Preface to Mr. Brer. inquir.late their Prince, who did expell all ſuch as were of the Ieſuitical faction.

For the Archduke of Auſtria's and the Archduke of Gratzs Countries,Auſtria Nobiles fere omnes qui in ſubditos & clientes Iudicia exercent, exnumque nonnulli vitae & necis habent potestatem, movarum opinionum veneno infecti ſunt, Theſ… Polit. apot. 6. Bohemia. A great part of the people, and eſpecially of the Nobility, are that way affected: In Auſtria freedome of Religion was granted by the Emperors Maxinullian and Matthias.

And in the Kingdome of Bohemia, and ſome places thereto adioyning, in which hauehave beene 32000 pariſhes or townes although the Miniſters have beene lately expulſed and the King, dome conquered, yet the Proteſtants dwell in great numbers.

In the Kingdome of Polonia having under its dominion,Polonia Preface to Brerwood before. Polonia, Lituania, Livonia, Podolia, Ruſ…ia, the leſle Ʋolhinia, Maſſovia, Pruſsia which united as it were within one roundiſh incloſure, are in circuite about 2600 miles: and of no leſſe ſpace, then Spaine, and France laid together.

In this ſo large and ample Kingdome. The Proteſtants in great numbers are diffuſed thorow p. 16all quarters thereof; having in every Province their publique Churches, and Congregations, orderly ſevered, and bounded with Dioceſſes: from whence are ſent ſome of the chiefeſt and moſt principall men of worth, unto their generall Synods: Of which within theſe few yeeres, they have held five with great celebrity, as at Sendomire, Ann. 1570 Cracoria 1573. Petricove 1578. Woodiſlane 1583. and at Torune 1595.

In Poland there are alſo 8 Ruſſe or Greeke Biſhopricks.Mira: de notit. opiſcop. lib. 4. cap. 19. pag. 213. The Archbiſhop of Kiow is their Metropolitane. They have alſo many Armenians, who have a Biſhop of their owne reſident at Leopolis.

For the kingdome of France and the ſtate of the Proteſtants there.France. Preface before named. In the yeere 1622. I find this written viz. In this mighty Kingdome, thoſe, as they uſually ſtile them, (of the Religion) beſides the Caſtles and Forts, that belong in a property to the Duke of Bullen, the Duke of Rhoan, the Count of Lavall, the Duke of Trimovile, Mounſier Chaſtillion, the Marſhall of Diguers, the Duke Sally, and others, they are ſeaſed of above 70 townes, having Garriſons of Souldiers, governed by Nobles and Gentlemen of the Religion, They have 800 Miniſters retaining penſions out of the publique Finances, and are ſo diſperſed through the chiefe p. 17Provinces of the kingdome, That in the Principality of Orange and Poictou, almoſt all the inhabitants. Of Gaſcony halfe. In Languedoe, Normandy, and other Weſterne Provinces, a ſtrong party profeſſe the Religion. Now howſoever the King hath taken Rochell, and moſt of their Forts into his hands; yet they ſtill enioy their Churches and free libertie; And have now many Churches or congregations at this day: For the aſſurance of thoſe of the reformed Religion, ſee the Edict of Nantes, enacted by Henry the Third, confirmed by Henry the 4, and reſtabliſhed by Lewis the thirteenth, printed in London, 1623.

In Piemont Luooa and ſome other parts of Italy there are ſome Proteſtants:Piemont, &c. and alſo in the Ʋenetian territories.

And thus much of the countries inhabited by the Proceſtants.

The Papiſts inhabit.

SPaine containing the kingdomes of Caſtile, Spaine.Navarre, Portugale, Arragon, Granda and ſome other,Maginus. which are all in compaſſe as Maginus writeth about 1893 common miles being ſomewhat more in compaſſe then the Ile of great Britaine but not ſo well peopled.Damiae a Goes Hiſpania, p. 6.7.8. Damianus a Goes reckoneth in Spaine tenne Archbiſhoprickes, p. 18and 48 Biſhopricks. Their revenues are very great as the Archbiſhop of Toledo hath 150000 ducats yeerly and about 100000 ducats more yeerely to beſtow: The Archbiſhop of Sevil 24000, &c. Boterus reports that the Clergies revenue is ineſtimable. The inhabitants of Spaine are detained in ſuperſtition, by the vigilancy, of the Inquiſition, & their owne ignorance, The Laity being debarred from reading the ſacred Scriptures in the vulgar, without ſpeciall licence whereby they might come to the knowledge of the truth: This country is much exhauſted of people by reaſon or peopling the Weſt Indies & their daily warres. And in Spaine are a ſort of people caled Maurani who are ſaid to have exceeded the true Chriſtians in number,S. E. Sands Relat. ſect. 44. in ſome of the South parts. Of theſe many thouſands have beene lately baniſhed.

France alſo is inhabited by Papiſts mingled with Proteſtants as before,France. Alotharingia extendit Caletum uſ q…ſpatio quaſi 200 leucarum francica rum eiuſque latitudo paulo minor eſt. Imperiorum mundi Catalogus. Rex Frauci…. it is a country in a manner 200, French leagues ſquare as Boterus writeth, within which they reckon the Dukedomes of Burgondie, Savoy, Lorraine, The ſignory of Geneva, and Avignion the Pones countrey: which doe not acknowledge the French command. At this preſent France is divided into eight Provinces who are under eight Courts of Parliament. The firſt is the Province of the Ile of France, wherein the Citie of Paris is ſcituated, p. 19in which Citie the firſt court of Parliament reſideth.

The ſecond parliament is of Languadec reſiding in the citie of Tholouze. The third of Guien in the Citie of Bordeaux The fourth is of Normandy in the Citie of Roan. Boter relat numbers: par. 1. lib. 1. Francia qua itor de chi Arehiveſcovati pin di cento veſcovati Pag. 19.The fiſt of Burgundy in the citie of Diieon. The ſixt of Daulphene in Grenoble The 7 of Province in Aix: the eight of Britannie in Remes, under theſe eight provinces all France is conteined.

In France there are 14 Archbiſhoprickes and above a 100 Biſhoprickes.

Italie, ItalieThe length of this region is about 1020 miles In breadth in ſome places 410 miles & in other places. 126 miles. It containeth the Dukedomes of Millane, Florence, the territory of the Church of Rome, the kingdome of Naples.

The common wealth of Genoway. and part of the Venetian territories, The Dukedome of Vrbin the State Luca and others.

The Pope hath in Jtalie the citie of Rome, The Pope.Campania, part of the Marem…na, part of Tuſcan, the Dutchie of Spolet, Marca, Ancona, part of Romagnia, the citie of Bononia, in Naples Benevent: and in France Avignion containing 4 cities and 80 walled townes.Mirae lib. 2. page 67. de notit: Eprſcop.

For his clergie under him Miraeus reckoneth 28 Cardinalls Prieſts 18 Cadinall deacons 6 Cardinall Biſhops beſide many Metropolitans p. 20and Biſhops and to make his Iuriſdiction ſeeme greater then it is; he giveth titles to his followers of the Patriarchſhips and Biſhopricks with which he nor they hauehave nothing to doe withall, of which I will ſpeake of afterward.

The Venetian ſigniorie is but part of it in Italy as in Lombardie, The Venetians Relat: of the moſt famous kingdomes pag. 342.Marca, Treviſana, Frivili, in which are beſide Ʋenice the Cities of Breſcia, Ʋerona, Padoa, Bergamo. And others Dominions they have alſo out of Italy, as Iſtria, Slavonia, Dalmatia, Albania, or at leaſt ſome partes of them.Mirae: pag. 178. lib. citat. And alſo the Ilands of Corfu, Cephalonia, Zante, Candie and ſome others. In this ſigniorie are two Patriarkes, fiue Archbiſhops, and above forty Biſhops.

The Papiſts inhabite theſe countries, but mingled with Proteſtants and Greekes.

Part of the Netherlands, Part of the Netherlands.as the Dukedomes of Limburg, Brabant; the Marquiſate of the holy Empire, The Earledomes of Flaunders, Artoys, Hainault and Namurce, and the Barony of Macklyn; excepting as before excepted as part of Brabant, and Flaunders in which the reformed Religion is publikely profeſſed.

Part of Switzerland, Part of Switzerland.as Lucerne, Ʋrania, Ʋnderwaldt, Soluze, Switts, Zugh, and Friburg: in ſome of theſe Cantons they are ſome Proteſtants mingled with the Papiſts.Germany

In Germany the Papiſts inhabite the Dukedome p. 21of Bavaria and part of Cleve and other places of leſſe note, and alſo they live mingled with Proteſtants.Maginus fol. 79. There are in Germādy ſeven Archbiſhops and above 40 Biſhoprickes many of which are alſo in the Proteſtants hands.

The Archdukes of Auſtrias countrey and Grats his, the kingdomes of Hungaria, Bohemia, Auſtria.and others; are Papiſts mingled with Proteſtants as before.

In Polonia a great part are ſubiect to the Pope and in this country there are 2 Archbiſhops,Polonia. Magin. fol. 151. & 16 Biſhops: beſide the 8 Greeke Biſhops and the Armenian Biſhop before named.

The Papiſts have alſo other places in Europe of leſſe note in the continent, and alſo ſome Ilands, and ſo alſo have the Proteſtants.

And thus much of the Proteſtants and Papiſts in Europe and their habitations.

Whereas it may be obiected that there are many Papiſts in England, and other Proteſtant kingdomes in ſecret: I confeſſe it to be true. And ſo alſo there are many Proteſtants even in Spaine it ſelfe; againſt whom although all lawes and witts are ſtrongly bent yet notwitſtanding there were thought to have beene a great number in Civill it ſelfe who were in hart that way affected,Sr. Ed. Sands lib. cit. ſect. 44. whom the Inquiſitors for numbers ſake were commanded to forbeare.

p. 22The Grecian Chriſtians.

THE Grecian Chriſtians (ſome of them,) acknowledge obedience to the Patriarch of Conſtantinople, Brer. Enquir. pag. 125. Bot. rel. univ. part 3. li. 1. la iuriſdiction di queſto Patriarch e grandiſſi ma.whoſe juriſdiction is very great, having under him in Europe, the Chriſtians of Greece, Macedon, Epirus, Thrace, Bulgaria, Raſcia, Servia, Boſnia, Walachia, Moldavia, and Podolia, together with the Ilands of Aegean Sea, and others about Greece, as farre as Corfu, beſides a good part of the kingdome of Polonia, and thoſe parts of Dalmatia, Croatia, and Hungaria: that are ſubiect to the Turkiſh dominion, beſides moſt of Aſia the leſſe:Boter. rel: par. 2 grand Turco: In theſe places, the Chriſtians make more then two third parts at leaſt of the Inhabitants: for the Turke, Brer. pag. 68 his inquir.ſo that Chriſtians pay him his yearely tribute, which is one fourth part of their Increaſe; and a ſultany for every Poll, and ſpeake nothing againſt the Religion, and ſect of Mahomet,) permitted them the libertie of their religion, there are in Conſtantinople, the very feate of the Turkiſh Empire, about 20 Churches of Chriſtians; and in the Citie of Salonica; or Theſſalonica, about 30 Churches,Chytrae: pag. 9 de ſtat. eccle. whereas in the latter, the Mahometants, have but three Temples, or meskites.

In the Calcedon Councell:Concil: Calced. can. 28. Mirae notit epiſcop lib. 1, cap. 10. 28 Provinces were aſſigned or confirmed, to the Primitive Authoritie of this Patriarch.

p. 23In the Emperour Leos time, Anno 1386. The Patriarch of Conſtantinople had 81 Metropolitans ſubiect to him, and about 38 Archbiſhops.

The Patriarches of Conſtantinople. As of dignity, ſo they have beene, before the Turkiſh conqueſt, men of great eſtate, as Alexander the Patriarch died worth 800000. Crownes in the yeere 1043. and Theophilack kept 2000 horſe, Anno 956.

The Patriarch is now elected by his Metropolitans and Archbiſhops,Chytrae: pag. 158. de ſtatu eccleſ. Idem pag. 159. according to the Eccleſiaſticall Cannons.

Being elected, hee is confirmed by the Vizier Baſſe.

For his authority with the Grand Signiors, hee is admitted the Emperours preſence, and hath the ſame freedome, as the Ambaſſadors of Chriſtian Princes have, bringing preſents to him.

For Metropolitans, he hath now under him 74 who have under them, divers Biſhops.Chriſtop…: Ang… … …e instituti… Grae…or…, cap. 44. Chyt: pag. 4 …9, lib. …it….

As Theſſalonica hath tenne Biſhops under him.

Athens hath 6 Biſhops under him.

Corinth hath 4 Biſhops, &c.

The Patriarch hath a Senate or Colledge of 12 noble and learned men,Chyt: pag. 9. li…c…e, Pag. 45. with whoſe advice he governeth and ruleth the Church under him; p. 24for his mainteinance he hath above 20000. dollers yearely.

The Greekes have Monks,Chriſtoph: Ange… lib: citat. but onelyonly of the order of St. Baſil, the great, they be not Idle beggars, nor belligods, but live on their labour: except onelyonly the Prieſts, who applie their Spirituall function.

The Moſcovite.

MOſcovite Chriſtians inhabit Moſcovia or Ruſsia the whole countrie is of great length and bredth,Muſcovia. The Ruſſe common wealth Do Fletcher Cap 1. Do Fletcher. from the furtheſt part weſtward one the Narve ſide, to Siberia Eaſtward is 4400. verſt or there abouts, (a verſt is leſſe by one quarter then an Engliſh mile) from Eaſt to weſt about 3300 engliſh miles & from the North to the ſouth from Cola to Aſtracan; about 4260 verſt and the Emperor hath more territories northwards farre beyond Cola, Muſcouia lyeth part in Europe and part in Aſia

The Provinces of Moſcovia are Volodomer, Moſco, Niſnovograd, Plesko, Smolenſo, Novograd, Velica, Roſtove &c. And the two kingdomes of Cazan, and Aſtracan all which are reduced into foure Iuriſdictons which they call Chetfyrds that is, Tetrarchies or fourth parts.

The cheife Cities are Moſco, Cap. 4.Novograd, Roſtoue, Volodomer, Plesko, Smolensko, Cazan, Aſtracan, &c.

p. 25The Citie of Moſco is reported to be bigger then London twiſe as bigge as Pragnes.Math. a Micheu de ſarmat lib. 2 cap 52 bis maior quam Praga Fletcher cap. 16.

The Emperors title is Theodore Iuanowich by the grace of God great Lord and Emperor of all Ruſsia great duke of Ʋolodemer Moſco and Novograd: King of Cazan, King of Aſtracan, Lord of Plesko and great duke of Smolensko; of Twerrig, Ioughoria, Permia, Vadska, Bulghoria, and others: Lord great duke Novograd of the low countrie of Chernigo, Rezan, Polotskoi, Roſtoue, Yaruflaveley, Bealozera, Liefland, Oudoria, Obdoria and Condenfa, and commaunder of all Siberia and of the North parts and lord of many others countries.Ioann. Faber pag. 170 de Theolog: Moſcovit:

For their Eccleſiaſticall government they were ſubject to the Patriarch of Conſtantinople but ſince the time that the ſaid Patriarch hath bin under the Mahometan tyranny they hauehave a Patriarch of their own at Moſco to whō are ſubject two Metropolitans one of Novogrod, Fletcher cap. 21 ſome ſay 4 metropolites.the other of Roſtove Four Archbiſhops towit of Smolenſco, Cazan, Ʋobsko, and vologda, and their Biſhops are ſix, whom they call Ʋladikey, their Prieſts they call Papaes.

The late Patriarch Theodore was father to Michael the now Emperor of Moſcovia

The Biſhops live upon tithes as God hath commanded and they uſe lordſhips given to them and alſo poſſeſſe farmes and caſtles;Ioan. Faber pag 172 Decimis quē admodum a Deo decretum eſt q…oque vivunt Epiſcop…. Their Renes and reuenues to mainteine their dignities p. 26are ſome what large, The Patriarches yeerely rents out of his lands beſides other fees is about 3000: Rubbells or Markes.

The Metropolites and Archbiſhops have about 2500.

The Biſhops have ſome 1000. ſome 800 ſome leſſe.

The matters perteining to their juriſdiction are the ſame in manner, that are uſed by the Clergie in other parts in Chriſtendome, for beſide their authority over the Clergie, and matters meere eccleſiaſticall, their Iuriſdiction extendeth to all teſtamentarie cauſes, matters of marriage, and devorcements, and ſome pleas of iniuries &c.

This Countrie conteineth two Kingdomes 15 Dukedomes,Imperior mund: catalog. pag. 51 Bot: relat univer. par. 3: lib. Moſcovia. and 16 Provinces.

They have in ſo great reverence the holy Scriptures that they touch them not without many bowings of their heads and making the ſigne of the Croſſe; and the like reverence they ſhew to the foure firſt generall Councells

The Ruſsians in Polonia finding that they could not have recourſe to the Patriarch of Conſtantinople as was fit, being ſubiect to the tyranny of the Turke in the yeere 1591 fell from his juriſdiction, but yet retaine the Greeke religion.

p. 27Churchces in Aſia.

Hieruſalem.

THe Chriſtians ſubiect to the Patriarch of Hieruſalem Inhabite (mingled with Turks) and others Paleſtine, Microcoſme pag. 380.The Patriarch doth keepe his reſidence in Hieruſalem, In which there are now remaining about 10 Churches of Chriſtians;Chytr. deſtatu … cleſiarum pag 24. The Patriarcall Church is the Church of St. Sepulcher in Hieruſalem and his houſe is neere unto it:Tyrius hiſtor: belliſacri lib. 14. cap. 12. There did belong to this Patriarch the three Paleſtines. Tyrius addeth more two Provinces (to wit) Rubenſis and Beritenſis: He alſo relateth five Metropolitans to have belonged to this Sea, and about 101 Biſhops. This Countrie of Paleſtine, is called the holie land, becauſe the holy One dwelt, and was borne there, who beareth up all things by the power of his word.

Antioch.

The Chriſtians under the Patriarch of Antioch are called Syrians, Niceph, hiſtor: eccleſ: lib. 18. cap. 52.of the place of their cheife habitation; And Melchites becauſe their p. 28Biſhops have alwayes followed in faith and in the councells the example and authority of the Emperors of Conſtantinople, Boterus relat: univerſ: par 3. lib. 1. de melchiti per che queſti nella fede e ne concilii hanno ſempre ſeguito l'eſſempio el autorita de gl. Imperatori Conſtan …in …olitani Idem Ib…em e …i tima che questa ſia…la piu numeroſa na time Chriſtiana di…evante Tyrius in Hiſtor: Bells ſacri lib. 14 cap. 12 pag. 247.Their Patriarch is the Patriarch of Antioch, who now keepeth his reſidence at Damaſcus. They inhabite (mingled with Mahometants) part of Syria, Beritus, Tripolis, Alepo, and other places in Aſia theſe are one of the greateſt ſort Chriſtians in the Orient: This Patriarch had fifteens Provinces allotted to him, and Tyrius reckoneth Metropolitans Archhiſhops and Biſhops belonging to Antioch 142 The Syrians do boaſt themſelues to be the firſt Chriſtians of the world: becauſe St. Peter had his ſeat 7 yeare in Antioch before he went to Rome which is the reaſon that the Syrians would never ſubmit themſelues to the Church of Rome.

The Georgians.

THe Georgians, Chytreus de ſtat. eccleſiarum. pag. …1.inhabit the Countrie that was antiently named Iberia, betwixt the Euxine and the Caſpian ſeas. They hauehave on the North, Cancaſus, on the Weſt, the Mengrellians, on the Eaſt, and on the South the Armenians. All their Biſhops being 18, profeſſe abſolute obedience to their Metrapolitan, without any other higher dependance; theſe chriſtians liue ſeverally by themſelues, without any mixture of Mahumetans, p. 29or pagans under their owne King, or Prince They are a very warlike people, valian in Bataile, of great ſtrength and might, with an innumerable multitude of Soulders, very terrible to the parazens: As often as they come to viſit the Lords Sepulcher they enter into the holy Citie, with their Standards, exected not paying any tribute. As it is reported by Vitriacus the Cardinall. And in their ſtanderds they beare St G…orge In the yeere 1614. Teimurazes being Prince of the Georgians the Perſian armie entred into Georgia and ſpoiled divers Cities, and carried away many priſoners, and amongſt others Cetaba the Princes mother was taken in the Citie Cremen, and caried into Perſia; which Cetaba refuſing to be come a Mahumetan, and to leave Chriſtianty, was put to death and martyred by the Tyrant, and her body caſt out into the feilds unburied: But Moacla who had beene a ſervant of the Queenes and then ſlave to a Perſian got leave of her Maſter, to bring home the body in the night, telling her maſter what profit he might receive by it (her ſonne ranſoming it) The bodie ſhe imbalmed and put into a Coffin.

There were at that time certaine Ieſuits in Perſia who ſeeking the body and finding it not, being perſwaded that it was devoured by wild beaſts, got another dead mans head and imbalming it and wrapping it in lynnen travelled towards p. 30Georgia: and drawing neere, ſent a Meſſenger to the Prince to tell him that there were certaine Roman Chriſtians come out of Perſia, who had brought with them the head of the holy Martyr Cetaba his Mother, which had delivered them out of many great dangers: The Prince hearing this went a daies iourney with a great troupe of his Nobility and Clergie, and brought the holy relique to Cachete, And with great honour and celebrity placed it in the Church of holy and great Martyr St. George of Alberdall. And uſed the Jeſuits with all honour and reſpect and ſent them great gifts, which they refuſed ſaying, that they had vowed povertie; They alſo made a ſhew of great holineſſe, uſing much faſting and prayer. Alſo they petitioned the Prince that they might live in ſome Monaſtery, and hauehave the cuſtodie of the holy relique which hee graunted them: Now infinite miracles were wrought daily, and great gifts and offrings they had out of all Iberia, the ſicke and infirme reſorted to them. Thoſe that were paſt cure they told them that their ſinnes were very great, and needed long time of repentance and expiation, and ſo they ſhould returne to them againe for help, in which time they often died, to others of whom they had hope of recoverie, they uſed meanes, and attributed their health to the holy Relick, and to the Biſhop of Rome p. 31whom the moſt loving Jeſus Chriſt had left his Vicar here on earth. By this meanes they inticed many to the Romiſh religion; and of the Nobility and had great hopes of the Prince himſelfe who was much taken with their miracles, the fame of which filled all Iberia; But in the midſt of all this, letters came frō Moacla his mothers maid, that ſhe had the body of his Mother which he might ranſome, wherupon the Prince Teimurazes, ſent Ambaſſadors to the Perſian, and comming to an agreement with him had home his Mothers body, with Moacla her maide and many Captiues, which they manifeſtly knew to be her bodie by divers tokens and marks.

Whereupon the Prince being angrie, commanded the Ieſuits to priſon but they were delivered at the intreatie of ſome of the Nobility; a few daies after came two muleters out of Perſia, who reported that they travailed in the ſaid Ieſuits cō pany, when they cut of the dead mans head wch they thought to be a theife and carried home to their Inne, and ſaw them anoint it with oyle, and odors, and this they declared to the Prince Teimurazes, who commanded the head to be caſt out, and his mothers body to be buried. This hiſtorie is written in Greeke by Gregorius Hieromonachus the Patriarcall exarch from Trapezunt. 1626. and by this meanes the Ieſuites had almoſt perverted the prince and Country of Georgia.

p. 32The Mengrellians.

THE Mengrellians inhabite Colohis which lyeth neere the Euxine Sea,Brerw enq. pag. 135. the people therof received the faith by the preaching of Saint Mathias. The cheife Cities thereof are 1 Alvati, 1 Phaſis, 3 Dioſourias. In which are many languages ſpoken, by reaſon of the reſort of abundance of Marchants of ſundry kingdomes, and many Interpreters to mediate betweene the people and the Governour. They are under the obedience of the Patriarch of Conſtantinople.

The Circaſſians.

THE Circasſians, Idemibidem.or Zychi. as they were antiently caled are Chriſtians of the Greek Communion, and beſides of the Patriarch of Conſtantinople his obedience. Theſe alſo liue by themſelues, as before under their owne Kings or Princes. The Circaſſian Countrie extendeth it ſelfe on Meotis 500 miles, and within land 200 miles, the cheife Cities are Laeoppa and Cromuco.

The Ruſſe

CHriſtians which dwell in Aſia are under the iuriſdiction of the Patriarch of Moſco.

p. 33To wit the Chriſtians in the kingdomes of Caſan, Aſtracan: and in other places in Aſia ſubiect to the Emperour of Muſcovia.

The Chriſtians of Aſia the leſse.

DOe inhabite Phrygia, Galatia, Bithynia, Pontus, Lydia, Caria, Paphlagonia, Licia, Magneſia, and all the Provinces in Aſia the leſſe mingled with Turkes, (except Cilicia, and Iſauria) which are, or have beene under the Iuriſdiction of the Patriarch of Conſtantinople.

The Armenians.

THe Armenian Chriſtians, are found in multitudes,Brere. enq: pa. 170 in moſt Cities of great Trade, But yet the native Regions of the Armenians, and where they ſtill are found, in greateſt number, and their Religion is moſt ſupported, is in Armenia the greater (named ſince the Turks firſt poſſeſſion of it Turcomania) beyond Euphrates and Cilicia now termed Carmania.

Touching their Eccleſiaſticall government,Mirae not: Epiſ. li. 1. ca. 17. pa. 41. Bot:rel:vniv: par. 3. lib. 2. they acknowledge obedience without any further or higher dependance to two Patriarcks of their owne whom they terme Catholicks, namely of the greater Armenia who at this preſent p. 34keepeth his reſidence in the Monaſterie of Ecmeazin by the Citie of E van in Perſia, conv: am…: gent: lib. 7. pa. 1. cap. 14.being tranſlated thither, by occaſion of the late warres betweene the Perſians and the Turks: But his ancient ſeate was Sebaſtia: the Metropolis of Armenia the greater, The other Patriarch of Armenia the leſſe, anciently kept at Mitilene the Metropolis of that Province, but now is reſident in the City of Sis not far from Tarſus in Cilicia.

Cardinall Baronius writeth of 1000 Armenian Biſhops:Annatom 12. pag. 319. Sands relat. p. 123 another of 300. The ſame Author relateth, that he comming on a Sunday into one of their Congregations, in the afternoone hee found on ſitting in the midſt of them in habit not differing from the reſt, reading on a Bible in the Chaldean tongue, anon the Biſhop entred in a veſte of black with a ſtaffe in his hand, to whom they attributed much holineſſe, Firſt he prayed, and then he ſaying certaine Pſalmes, aſſiſted by two or three, after all ſung ioyntly, at interims praying to themſelves, reſembling the Turks in the poſture of their bodies, & often proſtrations, the Biſhop excepted, who erecting his hands, ſtood all the while with his face to the Altar, The ſervice ended, one after another did kiſſe his hands & beſtow their Almes, he laying the other hand on their heads & bleſſing them: Laſtly, he preſcribed ſucceeding faſts & feſtivals p. 35VponUpon the mountaines of Arrarat in Armenia, Noahs Arke reſted, and from this countrey was the world repeopled.Tradition Cathol: pag. 2. Maiorem partem Aſiae, & totius tractus orientalis inhabitabant, Quidam inter Saraceno alij autem proprias abſque infidelium conſortio occuparunt regiones: ſcilicet Nubiam & magnam, Aethiopiae partem & omnes regiones uſque in Indiam, pluſquam quadraginta regna, … aſſerunt continentes: Omnes autem ſunt Chriſtiani a Beato Mattheo Apoſto…o & aliis a poſtolicis viris adfidem Chriſti converſi: Iac: Vitriac: Cardinal; hiſtor orient, cap. 76. Boter relat: vniverſ. li. 2. part. 3. de Giacobiti eccleſia Patriarchalis huius nationis in Meſopotamia extra civitatem moradim, &c. Thom. a Ie…u de

The Iacobites or Dioſcorians.

THeſe Chriſtians are called Iacobites: ſome ſay from Iacob the Patriarch of whoſe lineage they pretend to be: others write that they were ſo called of Iacobus Syrus who was alſo called Zanzalus: They are alſo called Dioſcorians of Dioſcorus Patriarch of Alexandria.

Theſe Chriſtians (as Cardinall Vitriacus ſaith) inhabited the greater part of Aſia: ſome of them lived amongſt the Saracens, others had their owne proper countries, as in Africa, Nubia, and a great part of Aethiopia, and all the regions unto India, containing as they report more then 40 kingdomes. Theſe Chriſtians were converted by St. Matthew and other Apoſtolike men to the faith of Chriſt.

The Jacobites now are diſperſed in the cities of Meſopotamia, Babylonia and Syria, and of other places: for their Eccleſiaſticall government, they are ſubiect to a Patriarch of their owne, whoſe patriarchall Church is in the monaſtery of Saphran: neere to the City Merdin in the North parts of Meſopotamia: but hee p. 36keepeth reſidence in Caramite the ancient Metropolis of Meſopot amia.Eutichae errores uno cum ſuo authore condemnant qui duas naturas in …n…m confundebat at ipſi contr… ha…c opinionem aſſerunt duas in Christo naturas eſſe unitas unamque factam natur…m perſonatam: de duab us natur is non perſonatis, ſine mixtione tamen aut confuſione apud Tho a Ieſu de conuer lib: 7 par, 1. cap. 14.

Theſe Iacobites (as Leonard Biſhop of Sidon viſiter to Pope Greg the 13th. in the Eaſt regions) doe condemne Eutiches and his error, who confounded the two natures of Chriſt. And they affirme two naturs to be united in Chriſt: & one perſonated nature to be made of the two natures not perſonated, without mixtion or confuſion. They renounce Eutiches and honor Dioſcorus.

The Maronites.

THE Maronites are found in Alepo, Damaſcus Tripoli of Syria and Cyprus, Mirae not. Epiſco. lib, 1 cap. 19.but their maine habitation is in the Mountaine of Lebanus, which conteineth in circuite aboue 700 miles, and is poſſeſſed only by the Maronits, who for that privileidge, namely,Tho. a Ieſu lib. 7. p…. 1. cap. 22. de converſ: omni g…nt. to keepe themſelues free from the mixture of the Mahometans pay the Turke large Tribute. The Patriarch of the Maronites hath under his iurisdiction 8 or 9 Biſhops, and keepeth reſidence for the moſt part in Lebanus, keeping ever the name of Peter: Their Patriarch hath lately communion with the Pope as before,Boter: rel. pa. 3. lib. 2 de maronitis ſonoda minima natione Chriſtina d…orie…te. but with ſome reſervation. Boterus writeth, that the are the leaſt Criſtian Nation of the Eaſt, whether Maronites inhabiting Damaſcus, Alepo, Cyprus and other places, have alſo Communion p. 37with the Pope or no I doe not find.

Chriſtians under the Patriarch of Muſall falſely called Neſtorians.

THeſe Chriſtians inhabit mingled with Mahometans and Pagans a great part of the Orient for beſides the countries of Babjlon Aſſyria and Meſopotamia Parthia and Media wherein very many of them are found;Brerwood pag. 139 enquir. Theſe Chriſtians are ſcattered farre and wide in the Eaſt both Northerly in Cataya and Southerly to India. Boter. relat: par. 3 lib. 2. de Neſtor…So that in Marcus, Paulus Venetus his hiſtorie of the Eaſt Regions and others, we find mentioned of them and of no ſort of Chriſtians but them in very many parts and provinces of Tartaria as namely in Caſſar, Samarchan Carcham Chinchitalas, Tangut, Cariam, Mangi, Tenduc &c. In ſo much that beyond the River Tigris Eaſtward there is not any other ſort of Chriſtians to be found for ought I have read, except the Portugales and the Convents made by them in Ind…a and the late Migration of the Armenians into Perfia, Vitriac. hiſtor? Orient cap. 77. pag 149. hi neſtoriam cum Iacobinis longe plures eſſe dieuntur quam latini vel graeci.the Cardinall Ʋitriacus a man well experienced in ſome parts of the orient, hath left regiſtred that theſe Chriſtians with the Iacobites exceeded in multitude the Chriſtians of the Greeke or Latine Churches About 400 yeeres agoe.Bote: loco citat. The King of Tenduc a Chriſtian ruled farr p. 38and wide in the Northeaſt part of Aſia as having under his dominion beſides Tenduc, which was his owne native and peculiar kingdome: All the neighboring Provinces which were at that time for a great part Chriſtians, but after that his Empire was brought to ruine, and he ſubdued by Chinges a rebell of his owne Dominion (and the firſt founder of the Tartarian Empire) which happened about the yeere.Marcus Paulus Venetus lib. 1. cap. 64 maior pars provintiae obſervat fidem Chriſtianam et bi Chriſtiani primas tenent in hac provincia. 1190 the ſtate of Chriſtian religion became in ſhort time altered in thoſe parts: for I finde in Marcus Paulus who lived within 50 yeares after Ʋitriacus, and was a man of more experience in thoſe parts then he, as having ſpent 17 yeeres together in Tartaria, and partly in the Emperors Court, and partly in travelling over thoſe regions about the Emperors affaires, that except the Province of Tenduc 20 whereof Marcus Paulus confeſſeth the greater part to have profeſſed, the Chriſtian religion at his being in Tartaria, the reſt of the Inhabitants being partly Mahometans, and partly Idolators and Chriſtians but a few.Dico pauci comparatione priorum temporum, non in ſe, nam ſunt nobis latinis multo plures: compend coſmograp pag. 69 Poſtell writeth that they are but a few in compariſon of former times, not of themſelues they being many more then the Latins are.

Borchardus who lived ſince Paulus Ʋenetus hath left record that in ſome of thoſe parts there were more Chriſtians then Mahometans: p. 39And he ſpeaketh of his owne experience that in Cilicia and Armenia ſubiect to the Tartars that he found in a manner at the Inhabitants meere Chriſtians William de Rubriquis alſo reports that theſe Chriſtians inhabit fifteene Cities in Cathay and that they have a Biſhop in the Citie Segin, Gulielm us de Rubriquis lib. 27. cited by Parchas.and that they have alſo a Patriarch in Balduc, Thom. a Ieſu lib. 7 par, 1. cap. 4. pa. 358. de conv: omn. gent.in Perſia Thomas a Ieſu alſo writeth that under one of theſe Patriarchs there are many Nations two and twenty Biſhopricks. ſixe hundred Territories and more &c. Their cheife Patriarch is the Patriarch of Muſall, Mirae: notitia epiſ: lib. 1, cap, 16.in which Citie is recorded the Neſtorians to reteine fifteene Temples and the Iacobites three which Citie was in times paſt Seleucia. To the Biſhop whereof was aſſigned the next Place of ſeſſion in councell after the Biſhop of Jeruſalem which name and authority in thoſe parts the Biſhops of Muſall now hath.

There is one Church of theſe Chriſtians in the great Citie of Quinſay in China.Paul: Venet: de regi orient. lib. 2. cap. 64.

Haiton King of Armenia was himſelfe in Tartaria and hath wrtten a booke thereof and of the aid he had from the great Cam who was a Chriſtian and of the taking of Meſopotamia Babylon and Syria by the Tartars from the Saſens.

p. 40In former time the hereſie of Neſtorius prevailed much in theſe parts of the world, who held that Chriſt had two perſons as well as two natures; and they would not yeeld that Mary was the Mother of God: The Chriſtians now called Neſtorians acknowledge Chriſt to be perfect God and perfect man from the firſt moment of his conception, and that Mary might be rightly ſaid to be the mother of the Sonne of God, Although they have revoked Neſtorius hereſie, yet they are ſtill called by his odious name: The Pope hath a titular Patriarch of Muſall.

The Chriſtians of St. Thomas.

THe Chriſtians of St. Thomas are vulgarly ſo called,Brere: enq: pa. 144 becauſe by his preaching they are ſuppoſed to have beene converted to Chriſtian religion, and his body as it is thought remaineth buried in the City of Matiapar on the Coaſt of Coromondall: ſome of theſe Chriſtians inhabit on the neere point of India, namely in that great Promontory,Boter relat. pag. 3. lib 2. della vecchia Chriſtianita dell' India. whoſe baſe lying betweene the outletts of the River Indus and Ganger ſtretcheth out the ſides farre towards the South well nigh 1000 miles, till meeting in the point of Comari, in the more Southerly p. 41part of the great Promontory neere to Cape Comori about the Cities of Coulan and Cranganar on the weſtſide and about Maliapar and Negapatan on the Eaſt ſide, and their habitation is thickeſt about Angamale, 15 miles from the City Cochin Northward where their Archbiſhop keepeth reſidence Now as touching the Eccleſiaſticall government of theſe Indians their Archbiſhop till 20 yeeres ſince or litmore acknowledged obedience to the Patriarch of Muſall, Mirae denotit: Epiſcop, lib. 1. pag. 57. cap. 21.but ſince it is reported that he he hath ſubmitted himſelfe to the Pope. reade miraeus de notitia Epiſcopatuum.

But it is very likely that theſe Indian Chriſtians were forced to ſubmit to the Pope, for Oſorius writeth that the Portugalls tooke Cranganor by force and alſo they have Maliapar and other places in which theſe Chriſtians doe dwell.Lib. 3. pag. 107. de rebus Emanuclis Luſitaniae regis

Veſputius writeth that there were many godly Biſhops in Eaſt India, Americus Veſputius noted by Biſhop Iuel pag. 35 defence of the Apolog.and alſo ſundry whole Countries converted and chriſtened long before the Portugalls came thither who never heard of the Pope of Rome.

Joſephus Indus borne in Cranganor in Eaſt India reporteth that there are many Kings in India who know Chriſt,Ioſep. Ind: navigtiones inter relationes novi orbis. pag. 145,

And alſo that there are Chriſtians from the p. 42river Indus where Jndia beginneth to the Iles Ormus Weſtward: neere the Perſian gulfe;

He alſo reporteth that theſe Chriſtians have over them a Prelate to whom 12 Cardinalls are ſubiect beſide two Patriarchs,Hi populi habent magnum Antiſtitem cui adstant duodecim Cardina les patriarchae duo Archiepiſcopi & epiſcopi complures. lib. 2. epiſtol. 3. cited by Biſhop Morton Apol. Cath. p. 345. Hiſtoria Aethiop: traduzido en Caſtellano per el Padre Fray Thomas de Padilla. and many Archbiſhops and Biſhops.

The great Ile of Socotorie is alſo inhabited by thoſe Chriſtians of St. Thome.

St. Thomas alſo preached in the Kingdome Sinas and converted a great company to Chriſtianity there as Xaverus the Ieſuite writeth.

Alſo the Portugalls found an infinite number of Chriſtians in China.

p. 43The Chriſtians in Africa under the Patriarch of Alexandria.

THE Chriſtians called Cophti, are no other then the Chriſtians of Aegipt, who have beene called Aegophti or foreign Touching their Eccleſiaſticall government they are ſubiect to the Patriarch of Alexandria whoſe Patriarchall ſeat is at this preſent tranſlated,Cbyt. de ſtat Eccleſ: pag. 26. Scalig. de emendat tempor: lib. 7. pag. 679. and ſo hath long beene, to the Citie of Caire. In times paſt all Africa, from the mouth of Nile, to the Gaditane ſtreits, and from the Tirrhen ſea North, to the Equinoctiall line ſouth, Was planted with Churches and Cities of Chriſtians belonging to the ſaid Patriarch: Chriſtianitie ſo floriſhed in Africa; Concil. Carthag 4. Concil: Carthag 6. Vict. lib. 1. de perſecutione Vandalec:that we read of Synods of 200 Biſhops to have beene gathered there, and of ſome hundred of Catholick Biſhops to have beene their expelled by Genſericus King of the Vandalls and in one Province alone zengitana by name, (which is that where Carthage ſtood) to have been 164. Biſhops under one Metropolitan, In this North, part of Africa, Chriſtianitie is in a manner decaied for want of teachers. To this Batriarchs Iuriſdiction are now belonging not onelyonly the Chriſtians of Aegipt, Brer. pag. 161.but alſo, the Chriſtians that are found about the bay of Arabia. And in mount Sinai Eaſtward and p. 44alſo in Africa as farre as the ſyrtes weſtward Likewiſe the Chriſtians of Aethiopia have acknowledged obedience to this Patriarch.foreign. Chyt: de ſtat: eccleſ: pag. 84. Cyrill the now Patriarch of Conſtantinople was Patriarch of Alexandria: The title of this Patriarch is Cyrill by the grace of God, Pope and Patriarch of the great citie of Alexandria: and Iudge of the world: he is ſaid to weare two Crounes. St. Morke was the firſt Biſhop of Alexandria.

The Abaſſin Chriſtians.

THE Abaſsin Chriſtians inhabit the Ahaſſin Empire in Aethiopia, Quadus in Compend univerſ: lib. cap. 20. Poſtel. compend. Coſmog. pag. 63.Matthias Quadus. boundeth the Abaſsin Empire on the North with Nubia et Bugia, on the Eaſt with the red ſea, and Barbarick Gulph, to the Kingdomes of Aiana and Dangali, on the ſouth, to the mountaines Lunae; on the weſt with Manicongo, the floud Niger, the kingdome of Nubia and Nilus Some report this Emperors dominion to be as great as Europe. But Mr. Brerewood maketh it equall in dimenſion with Germany, France, Spaine, and Italy. For the Emperour he is called Commonly Presbiter Iohn or Negus but of the Abaſsins Ioaanes Belul. Zaga Zabo apud damian: a Goes pag 241.pretious Iohn or high Iohn, he is the moſt potent Prince of Africa.

The title of this great Emperour runneth after this manner David ſupreme of his kingdomes, p. 45and beloved of God, the pillar of faith, ſprong from the ſtocke of Iudah, the ſonne of David the ſonne of Salomon, the ſonne of the pillar of Sion, the ſonne of the ſeed of Iacob, the ſonne of the hand of Mary, the Sonne Nahu after the fleſh, the ſonne of Saint Peter and St. Paul by grace, Emperour of the higher and leſſer Aethiopia, and of the moſt large Kingdomes, Dominions, and Countries of Goa, Caffares, Fatigar, Angola, Barn, Baliguazae, Adea, Vangne, Goyam, where are the fountaines of Nile, Amara, Baguamodri, Ambea, Ʋanguci, Trigremaon, Sabaim, the birth place of the Queene of Saba, Barnagaſſum, and the Lord of all the Regions vntounto the confines of Aegypt.

They conceive themſelves to be deſeended from Salomon and the Queene of Suba Maqueda.

The Armes of the Kingdome are reputed to be the ſame with thoſe of the tribe of Iudah, the Lyon Rampant in the feild Or, and their motto is, The Lion of the tribe of Iudah ſhall overcome.

It is written, the Emperour to have ſet before him at his mea…e,Godignus cap. 6, pag, 25, de Abaſſ rebus. a veſſell full of Aſhes, to put him in minde of his Mortality.

The Abaſſins reckon a ſucceſſion of Chriſtian Emperours from Abraham, called the Saint, Who was Emperor Anno 470.Alvares cap. 13. in Purchas. The Prets or Emperours dwell in a movable citie of tents, on feſtival dayes he vſeth red tents. About 50000 Mules attend the Prets campe to remoue his carriages.

p. 46They call themſelues as we do foreign Ithiopia wian In Arabike are called foreign Elhabaſchi vulgarly the Abaſsines … presbiter ſignifieth Apoſtolike in Arabike.Scaliger de Emen de temporum pag. 680.

For their Eccleſiaſticall government:Eccleſiaſticall government. Myrae: de notitia epiſcop. lib. 1 cap. 21 pag. 56. They are ſubiect to a Patriarch of their owne whom they call Abunna.

Their Abunna, when Alvares, was in Aethiopia, was called Marke, Aluares cap. 14.a Reverend old man aged about 110: a man very gracious in his ſpeech never ſpeaking without bleſſing God, and giving thankes: his apparell was white; his upper garment like a Cardinalls cloake buttoned before. When he goeth out of his tent he rideth upon a Mule well attended having a Croſſe in his hand and three croſſes carried on ſtaues about him.

Some do report that there are in Ethiopia 127 Archbiſhops.Godig: de Abaſſin. rebus. lib. 1. cap. 32. pag. 195.

Aluares reporteth in Macham Celacem which is the Church of the holy Trinitie,Alvares cap. 14. he ſaw 200 mitred preiſts together, and 64 Canopies carried over them.

Their Churches are builded round and very rich with hangings of cloth of gold, Velvet and plate

They have many goodly Monaſteries: to the Monaſterie of the viſion of Ieſus belongeth about 3000 Monks.Alva, cap, 2.

p. 47In Europe there was litle knowledge of theſe Abaſsine Chriſtians untill the Portugalls had footing in the Eaſt Indies, Damia Goes de Aethiopum moribus. Idem pa. 161.about the yeare 1486. Iohn King of Portugall ſent Alphonſus a Pavia and Petrus a Covilham to Preſter Iohn. They ſaild to Caire like marchants & agreed one of them to goe into India, and the other into Aethiopia: Peter having ſeene Goa and Calecut and other places in India returneth to Caire to meete Alphonſo where he heard of his death, and receaved alſo letters from the King of Portugall, that they ſhould not returne without ſeeing Preſter Iohn; Peter writing back what he had ſeene in India, traveleth into Ethiopiae to the Emperour, and delivereth King Iohns letters to him, but could never get leaue of the ſaid Emperour to returne, but lived richly there.

Afterwards the King of Portugall ſent divers men,Idem pag. 169. and amongſt others Francis Alvares his Chapline who remained in Ethiopia 6 yeeres, and hath written a booke of the religion and and cuſtomes of the Ethiopians. This Aluares returning, brought letters from the Emperour of Ethiopia to the Pope, which were delivered to him in Bonnonia in the preſence of the Emperour Charles the 5.An 1533. Damia Goes pag. 171. VponUpon the receipt of which letters there was great Ioy; and a report of a great Countrie of Chriſtians in Africk as bigg as all Europe that had ſubmitted themſelves to p. 48the Pope: and eſpecially in that time when dyuers Princes in Germanie,Tum primum luſitanos adijſſe Aethi opidni cum fidem ca tholic…m Lutherus deſer…t Godig. de Abaſſ rebus lib. 1, pag. 145: cap 23. Dam. a Goes pa. 203. de Aethiopū moribus. and King Henry the eight, had with drawne themſelves from the Roman Church, David Emperour of Aethiopia ſent a learned Biſhop called Zabazago into Porgall, a man of admirable faith, learning and Eloquence, whoſe confeſſion of Faith is ſet downe by Damianus a Goes.

The Pope ſendeth a Patriarch (with others into Aethiopia) one Johannes Berniudes a Spaniſh Frier, there went with him 400 ſhot and ſome pioners out of the Portugall Jndies; their commander was Don Chriſtopher a Gama, who arrived in Aethiopia, anno 1538, and was ſuffered their to remaine, vntill Precious Iohn had vanquiſhed the King of Adell, by the help of the ſaid Portugalls. But the ſaid Patriarch was compelled to returne being accuſed of Sacriledge, for ſtealing a veſſell of gold out of a Church, and with this meſſage that the Emperour would not ſubmit himſelfe to the Biſhop of Rome.

Afterwards, their were 13 Ieſuits choſen by Ignatius Eoiola, Godig. de abaſſ: reb. lib. 2. cap. 15and others to be ſent into Ethiopia, of which one of them had the title of Patriarch, to wit Joannes Nonius, Barrtius and two of Biſhops, the Patriarch dyed and never ſaw Aethiopia, to whom one of the Biſhops Androas Orviedo ſucceeded in his Patriarch all title, be failing with the Portugal ſhipps to Goa in the Eaſt Indies, the p. 49vice-roy ſent a Meſſenger firſt into Aethiopia, to know whether the Emperour would receive ſome learned men Portugals, ſent to him from the Pope, and the King of Portugall, which he refuſed not.

Where vponupon the Vice-roy ſent the ſaid Patriarch Andreas with ſome Ieſuits, and twentie attendants according to the dignitie of his perſon, who landed at a Port in the Red Sea, neere to the Citie of Arquick, in the yeare 1557. From whence he went to a Citie called Baroa, where an Ethiopian King called Barnagaſſes, received the Patriach with great honour, from thence the Patriach was 50 dayes going to the Emperour Claudius, who receiving his letters, told him that he would never yeild obedience to the Biſhop of Rome, he gave him leave to teach the Portugals, but forbad him to ſpeake on word to his Abaſſines, and that he would not ſuffer the Roman yoke to be layd on him or his, Claudius the Emperour dying, Adamas ſucceeded, who baniſhed the ſaid-Patriarch Andreas.

All theſe Chriſtians before named, are not ſubiect to the Pope, except before excepted.

In Europe the Papiſts inhabit ſomewhat above a fourth part. The Proteſtants, Muſcovits, and Greeke, Chriſtians inhabit, the reſt of it with ſome Turkes, who are mingled with the Greeks, and make one third part with them, ſome ſay p. 50much leſſe: Bellonius writeth the Greek Rites, Aſſerlmus Graecauica Eccleſia ritus latius patere quā latina. lib. 1 cap. 35.to extend farther then the Latine: which may be true of the Latins in Europe onelyonly.

In Aſia, the ſecond part of the old world, and Africa the third part, the laſt (whereof is three times bigger than Europe) and Aſia bigger then the other both) The Pope hath very little. Poſſevine the Ieſuit writeth,In apparatu de Maronitis. Maronitae Libani Montis in Syria incolae, ſub corum Patriarcha, pietatem et fidem erga Romanū ponti ficem et ſedem Apoſtolicam uni ex omnibus Orientis populis ſat integrā a tempore Innocencii 3. retinuerunt. that the Maronites of mount Lybanus only of the Eaſt, kept faith to the Church of Rome.

And this may ſerve to confute them that would empale the Church of God, within the limmits of the Roman Church, and pretend that all the Chriſtians of the world, are ſubiect to the Pope, but only a few Proteſtants in Europe, for here you may ſee, that the Church of God is not tied to Rome onelyonly, but that it is Catholike, and vniverſall, diſperſed vponupon the face of the whole earth; and as God hath been mercifull to vsus, and cauſed his face to ſhine vponupon vsus, ſo his wayes are knowne vponupon earth; and his ſaving health amongſt all Nations, therefore let the earth prayſe thee O God, yea, let all nations praiſe thee.

To this relation of the habitations of the Chriſtians not ſubiect to the Pope, I thinke good to give the Reader this Caveat, towit, The Pope to make his Iurisdiction to ſhew greater then it is, giveth many titles to his followers of thoſe Churches which he hath not to doe with p. 51all. As to one he giveth the title of the Patriarch of Conſtantinople, to another of Aethiopia, Bermudes was called Patriarch of Aethiope Smith of Calcedon Fleming Archbiſhop of Dublin &c.ſo alſo he gives the title of other Biſhopricks in Greece, England and Ireland &c. So alſo their writers in ſome of their bookes, Write falſe ſtories & tales, to make his Iuriſdiction & Church ſeeme greater then it is, as for example,In a booke printed at Coloin intituled Relationes hiſtoricae duae duarū illustrium legaticuum &c. Cardinall Baronius writeth a booke, and therein publiſheth to the world, the ſubmiſſion of the Patriarch of Alexandria, and of the Aegiptians, and Aethiopians, which never was; which Treatiſe is intituled, A relation of the Legats of the Church of Alexandria, to the Apoſtolike See. The Cardinall in the beginning of the ſaid booke, ſetteth downe, the great providence of God in governing his Church, for whereas a few franticke people had forſaken the Roman See; now the Patriarch of Alexandria and all the Provinces of Aegipt, and Aethiopia; had ſubmitted themſelves to the Roman Church, and he ſetteth downe the ſubmiſſion of the Patriarch in theſe words: In the name of the Father, Sonne and holy ſpirit, of one God. In the name of God moſt compaſſionate, and mercifull; Everlaſting, glorie be to God, ſalvation is from the Lord: O God give vsus thy Salvation.

Humble Gabriell by the grace of God ſervant of the See of Saint Marke, in the Citie of Alexandria in Aegipt, and in all other places thereunto adjoyning in the ſouth Maritime and in p. 52Ethiopia the 97 of the Patriachs ſucceſſor to S. Marke the Evangeliſt, wiſheth health, and offereth the ſpirituall kiſſe, to the Father Lord, Father of Fathers, Prince of Patriarchs, being the 13 of the Apoſtles of our glorious Lord Ieſus Chriſt. And of the Evangeliſt, the fifth, Succeſſor to St. Peter the Apoſtle. He after ſetteth downe his ſubmiſſion at large in this Treatiſe, which is publiſhed by it ſelfe and alſo ſet downe in the latter end of his ſixt Tome of his Annalls, Thom: a Ieſu: de conv: omn: gent: lib.7. pa. 1. cap. 6. pag. 363. Tempore Clementis 8 legatio ficta Alexandrinae eccleſiae ad Romanum pontificem de lataeſt quae Marcus Patriarcha et cū …o omnes Aegipti provintiae, aliaeque ſibi coniunctae, ipſum (ut par eſt) ſummum eccleſiae caput univerſaſemque agnoſcebant Paſtorē ut late in fine: 6 Tom. Annal. Cardinalis. Baronius ſcripſit Re tamen poſtea diligentius examinata cuiuſdam Bartouis impoſtoris fuiſſe mendatium ac figmentum apparuitwhich hiſtorie is meere falſe and feigned as Thomas the Ieſuit ſaith.

In the time of Pope Cement the 8. a feigned embaſſage was brought from the Church of Alexandria to the Roman Biſhop, in which the Patriarch and all the provinces of Aegipt and others adjoyning, did acknowledge him (as it was fitting) the cheife and univerſall Paſtor of the Church, as Cardinall Baronius hath writton in the end of his 6 to me, but the matter being more dilligently examined, appeared to be a meere lye and a fiction of a certeine Impoſture Bartouis.

In Africa are The Cophtie VnderUnder the Patriarch of Alexandria And the Abaſſin christians in Aethiope VnderUnder theire Abunna or Patriarch

America and the Chriſtians therein

AMerica was diſcovered about 142 yere ago,diſcovered Anno 1492. in which the King of Spaine hath four regions with ſome Ilands, the Regions are new Spaine, Caſtilla del Oro, Peru, and part of Braſile: which are ſuppoſed to be a ſixt part of America. In the firſt 40 yeare after the diſcoverie thereof, theſe regions with the Ilands, were almoſt depopulated, the Natives being either ſlaine: conſumed in the mines,Nos autem pro certo affirmare a… demus iis quadraginta annis quibus Iberi cruentam ſuam tyr annidem … ercuerunt ultra d… odecim milliones hominum fato ſunctos eſſe. in narratione rerū indicarum pag 7. or carred into captivitie; Biſhop Caſaus in his booke to Philip Prince of Spaine writeth of the conſumption of 12 millions of men; and that in Hiſpaniola, there were not 300 natives left, and of a very ſmall remaine in the other Ilands, and in New Spaine it ſelfe. Complaint being made to the noble Emperor Charles the fift, he by his proclamation, freed theſe Indians from ſlaverie, and gave them the ſtate of free men.

For the converſion of theſe Chriſtians, it ſeemeth to be coact,Oviedo hiſtor Indiae occidental's lib. 1 cap 4 Oviedo reporteth that in Cuba there was ſcarce any one, or but vey few p. 54that became Chriſtians willingly. And what manner of Chriſtians theſe were you may iudg by Benzos report of New Spaine, Benzo hiſtor: novi orbis lib. 2: cap. 19 apud Brer.(viz) that they had nothing almoſt belonging to Chriſtianitie, but onelyonly the bare name of Chriſtians: I hope it is better now.

This Church is Governed by foure Archbiſhops, and foure and twentie inferior Biſhops.

In America there be divers plantations of the Engliſh, Dutch, and French, and there are now more Engliſh in Ʋirginea onelyonly then were left of the Natives in New-Spaine after the depopulation before named, I reade of abovt eight thouſand Natives remaining there then.