Queries Propounded to the Bowers, Appendix
AN APPENDIX.
CHristian Reader, I shall for thy better satisfaction concerning the bowing of the naminge of Iesus, and clearing it to be no dutie of the Text, recite the opinions of 6. our learned Writers, concerning this very Point, registred in their authorized Workes: I shall begin, with that famous learned divine William Alley, Bishop of Exeter,Bishop Alley. Divinity Lecturer at Pauls, in the first yeare of Queene Elizabeth, In his Poore Mans Library, Tom. 2. Miscellanea Praelectionis, 3. & 5. London, Cum gratia & privilegio Regiae Majestatis, 1571. fol. 42, 43, 88, 103, 104. God the Father gave unto Christ (sayeth hee) not only the glory of his body, but also the glory of his name: As it is written by Paul, Phil. 2, 9, 10. Hee gave him a name, which is above all names, that In (so hee …wice renders it) the name of Iesus every knee should bow, both of things in heaven, of things in earth, and of things under the earth. These wordes (writes hee, answering the Papists, objecting it for proofe of their Maginarie Purgatorie,) are not to be understood of the worshipping of God; for, this worship, standeth not in this, that the knee should be bowed, but doth especially require the spirituall effects and motions of the minde. Paul, there, speaketh of the great authority and power, which is committed and given to Christ, by which power every creature of Heaven, Earth, and Hell, is made subject unto him, even the Divell himselfe, with all the wicked and damned Spirits, will they nill they are all under his feete, and the words which goe before shew this sufficiently, for it is said, God gave him a name, that is above all names, that all knees should bow in that name; which words if yee will apply unto the divine worship, as though they, which worship God be in Purgatory; Then must you grant also, that the Divells and all the damned Spirits doe worship Christ. Nomen, Name in this is taken for dignity and honour, and so it is used allmost in all tongues, especially in the Scriptures, it is a familiar speach. Paul therefore, by this word, Name, signifieth high and great power to be given to Christ, and Christ, to be sett in cheifest degree of honour, that there may no dignity be found like, either in heaven or in earth. It is to be wondred of some which doe co-actly restrai…e this Sentence of Paul to the two Syllables of this name Iesus, Paul speaketh of the whole Majesty of Christ. For, they which doe consider and have no further respect, but only to the two syllables of the name, doe like as one would discusse and finde out by this word, Alexander, the great prowesse of the name which Alexander gatt him. But I pray you how *And are not many of our Prelates, Ministers, and people, now, in this rega…d as foolish as they?much more foolish are the Sorbonists, which gather by this place of Paul, that the knee is to be bowed, as often as this name Iesus is pronounced, as though this word were a word, which hath in the very so…nd all the power included. But Paul speaketh heer of the honour, which is to be given to the Sonne of God and to his Majesty, and not to the Syllables either sounded or written: And in this behalfe how much (I pray you) did the pelting Pardoners, deceive the people in selling this name in goulden or painted Papers; as though they might obtaine, either remission of Sins, or else the favour of God thereby? Thus much Bishop Alley.
Reverend Doctor Gervace Babington,Bishop Babington. Bishop of Worcester in his exposition of the Catholike Faith, in his Workes London, 1622 Pag. 195, 196, 197. D…termines also, thus of this Text, and Ceremonie: The Papists, (sayes hee,) strangely descant of this holy name Iesus, but whether such stuffe be worth the touch, I referre it to you. Surely to rake up this channell were to stirre up a great deale of foule matter. For, in truth, the follies of their Writers, he…ein, are most monstrous. But, sayd I follies? I might say more and say but right. Then hee relates their descants on this name and the strange Misteries they have found in it, to make it venerable and worthie cap and knee: After which he sayth, I thinke the place to the Philippians (c. 2, 9, 10.) not well understood hath and doth deceive them. Indeed, they are easily deceived, that will not search for truth, and they are justly given over to strong delusions, that delight in errour, and have not a love to the truth; otherwise, the place to the Philippians would not be mistaken. But looke wee a little at the same, and marke from whence the Apostle tooke it, and compare spirituall things with spirituall things. The place is borrowed from the Prophet ‡Isaiah, 45.23.Isay, and therefore by conference evident, that the word, name, signifieth power, glory, honour, and authority, above all powers, glories, honours and authorities; and bowing the knee, signifieth s…bjection, submission, and obedience of all creatures to his beck, rule, and governement. For, what materiall knees have things in heaven, hell, &c. This knew the ancient Father S. Origen, and therefore writing upon the 14. to the Romans, where these words be againe, hee saith, Non est carnaliter hoc accipiendum, quasi caelestia, ut Sol, Luna, Angeli, genua aut linguas habeant, sed genuflectere signi…icat cuncta subjecta esse & cultu… Dei obedire: These words are not to be taken carnally, as though things in heaven, as the Sunn, Moone, Angells had knees or tongues; but to bow the knee signifieth, that all things should be subject, and obedient to the Service of God. This knew S. Ierome also, and therefore he saith, Non at genua corporis, sed ad subjectionem mentis & inclinationem spectat, Sicut David dicit, adhaesit pavimento anima mea. It doth not belong to the knees of the body, but to the subjection and bowing of the minde; as David saith, my Soule cleaveth to the earth or dust; noting his inward humiliation, not a reall and outward matter. For, shall wee thinke (saith hee) that either heavenly things,*1. Kings, 19.18. or all earthly things have knees? No, I say againe, but by this phrase of speach, is meant subjection, whereof bowinge of the knees is a signe. As when he saith, I have left mee 7000. men which have not bowed the knee to Baal: That is, which have not bine subject to that Idoll. Fornicator libidini genu flectit &c. The Fornicatour is said to bow his knee to Lust, the covetous man to his riches or desire, the proud man to his pride, &c. because they are subject to these things. Et toties Diabolo …lectimus, quoties p…ccamus; And so oft wee bow to the Divell, as wee commit sin; sayes this good Father. The like in effect, have, Theophilact, Beda, Ambrose, the Glosse, and some of their owne Papists. Imperio ejus subjiciantur Angeli, homine…, Daemones. To his rule and governement shall be subject Angells in heaven, Men or Earth and Divels under the Earth. This is to bow the knee to him, and this is for him to have a name above all names. Let it suffice both for answer to the place of Philippians and for declaration of this popish ignorance and errour. Great is the j…dgement, certainely, when men hauehave eyes and see not; ear…s and yet heare not; hearts and yet understand not, and God in mercy avert it from his people more and more. After which, hee thus proceeds. This Title of Christ is given to our Saviour, to distinguish him from others that were called Iesus as well as hee, who were many, (the name in those places and times being usuall) as Iesus the Sonne of Nun, Iesus the Son of Iehozadeck,Iose…hu…. Iesus the Son of Syrack, Iesus Iustus, Coll. 4, 11. and many more;Heb. 4, 7. but none of all these was Iesus Christ.Aag. 11, 1. Therefore this addition of Christ,Ezra. 3, 2. you see, makes a difference betwixt this one Iesus and all those. And by the way (if I should touch it againe) doth not even the common use of the name shew, that the place of the Philippians is not literally to be understood? For, how could that name be a name above all names, which so many had as well as hee, if you respect the literall name? Therefore, needs, by name, must be meant some other thing (as you heard before) even power, authority, rule and governement, which is in Christ above all others. Secondly, this title …heweth his office… for, it signifieth annointed. And this againe shewed the grosse ignorance or will…ull malice of Papists in so extolling the bare name Iesus. For, whether is gre…ter, Henry a proper name, yet common to many of his Subjects, or, King a name of office peculiar to himselfe? Mary or Queene, Iohn or Earle and Lord? As, then Henry and King be, so is Iesus and Christ: Therefore judge, whether is greater if wee were to stand upon names and literall rules. This have some of their owne well seene and confessed: But I had rather al eadge the Scriptures. First t…en co…sider, the first tydinge brought of his happy Birth under the Shepheards, marke now the Angells content not themselves to say, Luke. 2, 11…VntoUnto you is borne a Iesus or a Saviour, but they adde much more comfort,Note this. which is Christ the Lord. Thereby preferring this Iesus before all that ever were so called by a title of his office. The like wee reade in Mathew, ‡Mat. 1, 16Of whom is borne Iesus, which is called Christ. In *Iohn 7, 43Iohn wee read of a dissention &c. not whether hee were Iesus or no, but whether hee were Christ; knowing the greater moment to be in that. Againe, … ‡Iohn 9, 22Law was made to excommunicate whomsoever duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page cōfessed him to be Christ, not against calling him Iesus. In the same place you see the poore man which had received sight to fall downe and worship, when hee heard the Title of the Son of God, & not doing it before in that sort, though hee knew his name to be Jesus. In the 10. of Iohn,Iohn 10, 33 they would have stoned him for saying he was the Sonne of God, and called it Blasphemy, but they did not for the name of Iesus. In Luke they demaund of him,Luke 22, 67. Art thou the very Christ? not art thou Iesus? for, so they called him without offence; and when they heard his answere, they rent their cloathes: Thereby declaring how farre greater it was to be Christ, than to have the litterall name of Iesus. All which places, with many more ought truely to teach and perswade our Soules, to looke for his Office, that hath this name, which is so comfortable, and not to be children playing with letters and sillables, and adoring titles which that honour, that is due to the Person, as these fond men doe, salving all the matter with *Vsed by Bp. Andrewes, M. Page, & their followers.a foolish distinction of concomitancie, by which all Idolatrie may be as well excused. Thus this learned pious Bishop also.
Learned Doctor William Whitaker,Doctor Whitaker. Regius Professour of Divinity in Cambridge, in his answer to Wm. Reynolds the Rhemist. Cambridge, 1590, Pag. 398, 399. writes thus of this Text and Ceremony. Concerning putting off our capps and making courtesies at the name of Iesus, M. Reynolds is very earnest, and concludeth in the end, that I am an Atheist and make no account of Christ, for denying that, seing wee yeild this honour of capp and courtesie:, to the letters, name, seale, and seate of the Prince. If this be a true argument (M. Reynolds) as you in your vehemency would have it seeme, How cometh it to passe, that Gods name among you is not honoured with like reverence of capp and knee, whensoever it is heard? Will you put of your capp, when the Prince is named, and will you make courtesies at the Popes name, at his Triple Crowne or Crosse, and will you never once stirre your capps or bow your knees when God is named? Is this your Religion? Is this your fashion? Then let me conclude against you, as you have done against me, that you are by your owne, argument very Atheists, such as make no account of God himselfe, for, otherwise this conclusion of yours: (that I am such a one, for not honouring the name of Iesus in such sort) is falsely though most maliciously devised. The Iewes and Infidels have abhorred the name of Iesus, I grant, but no more the name of Iesus, than the name of Christ, seeing Iesus is Christ, and Christ hath as much deserved to be hated of them as Iesus, Christs name may a thousand times be heard amongst you, and no man mooveth capp or knee, Iesus is no sooner sounded, but every man by and by putteth of his capp, and scrapeth on the ground with his foote; And yet not allwayes, or in all places, but in the Church and especially at reading of the Gospell. This may breed a more dangerous opinion, than any it can remoove, that Jesus is better than Christ is, and more worthy of reverence, which is wicked to imagine.
The same learned Doctor also in his preface,Doctor Whitaker to his answer to Saunders his Demonstration concerning Antichrist, mustering up diverse absurd consequences of the Papists and Iesuites, from sundry Texts of Scripture; as, Christ entred into Peters Ship; Therefore the whole Church is Peters; to wit, the Popes Ship. Barnabas layd downe the whole price of the feild hee sold, at the Apostles feete: therefore the Popes feete are to be kissed. With many such like consequences; He concludes with this, as the grossest of all the rest. A Name above every name is given to Christ, that in the name of Iesus every knee should bow; therefore as oft as wee heare the name of Iesus mentioned, wee must uncover our heads, and bow our knees. After which hee thus proceeds: When (I say) men shall heare these and infinite such like expositions, and argumentations of these New-masters, if there be any sense left in them, not onelyonly of the Holy-Ghost, but likewise of common judgement, they cannot thinke, that a religion grounded upon those foundations, can be firme and certaine, to be preferred before all others.
For yet further proofe in this 4. place, take also M. Cartwrights testimonie, who brings in the Rhemists writing thus;M. Cartwright. (just as our Patriotes of bowing at the name of Iesus, now both write and preach:) They by the like wickednesse charge the faithfull people for capping and kneeing when they heare the name of Iesus, as though they worshipped not our Lord God therein, but the Sillables or letters, or other materiall elements, whereof the word written or spoken consisteth; and all this by Sophistications to drawe the people from due honour and devotion towards Christ Iesus, which is Sathans drift, by putting Scruples into poore simple mens mindes at his Sacraments, his Saints, his Crosse, his Name, his Image, and such like to abolish all true religion out of the World and to make them plaine Atheists. But, the Church knoweth Sathans cogitations and therefore by Scriptures and reason, warranteth and teacheth all her children, to doe reverence whensoever Jesus is named, because Catholikes doe not honour these things, nor count them holy for their matter, colour, sound and syllables, but for the respect and relation they have to our Saviour, bringing us to remembrance and apprehension of Christ, by sight, hearing, or use of the same signes; Else; why make wee not reverence at the name of Ie…us the Sonne of Syrack, as well as Iesus Christ? And it is a pittyfull case, to see these profane subtilities of Hereticks to take place in religion, which were ridiculous in all other trade of life. When we heare our Prince or Soveraigne named, wee may without these scruples doe obeysance, but toward Christ it must be superstitious. Thus the Rhemists. To whom M. Cartwright thus replies: This dirt which they dash us with, is as well made of them, as throwne by them. For it is false, that wee will have no reverence to be given to the name of Iesus; wee say, that there ought to be no other honour, or reverence given to it, than to the name of Christ, of Lord, of God: And further wee say, that this supplenesse of your knees, in bowing at the name of Iesus, is nothing but a mask to hide the straitnes and numbnesse of all the joynts of your heart and Soule in your submission, to the Commandement of Iesus. For, it is well knowne that your knees which are cammel like in the courtesie which you give to this name, are joyntlesse and Elephantlike in your obedience unto his precepts, to whom this Name appertayneth. Againe, wee testifie that this is a Will-worship, not onelyonly trouble…ome to the assemblie, by irksome scraping of the pavement and unseasonable interruption of that which is read or preached, but pernicious also in regard of the suspitiō, that it may move of the inequality of the Per…ons in Trinity, whilest a title of the Sonne being honoured with capp and knee, the other Persons have neither bonnet vailed, nor foote mooved to testifie any honour to them. The vaunt of Scripture for proofe of this worship must needs avaunt. For this, being the onelyonly stay and prop, which they can pretend out of Scripture, makes nothing for it.
First, for that this name of Iesus in this place signifieth not any title or note whereby Christ is called, but his Authority and whatsoever is glorious and excellent within him, as in diverse places it doth likewise appeare.
Secondly, for that hee understandeth not by this word, knee, the member of the body whereby they honour, but (by a borrowed speach) the subjection and bending of all creatures unto the infinite Power of Chr…st, so that the soules departed, and Angells (which have no knees) are subject to this courtesying, as well as men living upon earth. If therefore the heavenly Spirits can yeild this subjection unto Christ without courtesying at the name of Ie…us, it followeth, that this Exposition of bowing the knee is farre from the meaning of the Apostle in that text.
Thirdly, for that the kneeling and courtesying heere spoken of, is performed as well by the wicked and di…obedient, as by the holy and obedient Spirits; it is plaine, that all kinde of reverence being a voluntary and frank worship of Christ, after the prescript of his word is without warrant of the place. This Scripture making nothing for them, their reason, allthough it were likely cannot beare it out. And whereas they would free themselves from superstition in syllables, because they bow not at the name of Iesus the Sonne of Syrach, as to Iesus the Sonne of God, whilest the knee jumping with the very first utterance of the word of I…sus preventeth oftentimes the pronunciation of the words, of, the Sonne of Syrack, the very danger therefore of communicating of this worship with others, which they would have proper to our Saviour Christ, might easily have admonished them of the insufficiency of this Service. And, seeing the name of Iesus in the Sonne of Nun, and in the High-Priest of that name, of whom onelyonly wee are assured that they were rightly thus called, is the same with the name ascribed unto Christ,Mark this. wee see not by wha… reason honour may be withdrawne from the one which is given to the other, especially considering they had not this title of Iesus in their owne right, but in the right of Christ, whose figures and lively representations they were. And if others might withhould it, yet you which give the same honour to the Image, which you give to the thing it selfe, cannot be conceived, so to doe. What will you answere to this, that as you are in danger of superstition in the former point; so in this you are charged with profanenesse, who neither capp nor knee at the name of Jesus out of the thing, when the name is the same, and as well to be honoured without, as within the Church? Which Service you profane in the Crosse,Note this. whereunto you doe honour or homage, as well when it standeth in the feild, as when it is erected in the Church or Chancells. To your other reason, that in reverence wee uncover our heades at the name of Princes: Wee answere, that, if it were so; the civill hono…r is not tyed to such strict lawes, as is the Divine, therefore there is greater freedome of choice in the one than in the other. And it is knowne what is sayd of civill honour, that it rather standeth on the wil and judgement of the Giver, than of the Taker, which is cleane contrary in the honour of God, which dependeth on the pleasure and commandement of him that taketh it, not of him that giveth it. Thus farre M. Cartwright.
To him I shall annexe that late learned and reverend Divine Doctor Henry A…ray,D. Ayray. Provost of Queenes Colleidge in Oxford, who upon this text of the *Lecture 30, upon, Phil. 2. Pag. 345. to 348.Philippians, writeth thus: And hath given him a Name, &c. Where wee are not to understand that God gave unto Christ after his resurrection any new Name, which hee had not before. For, as before, so after, and as after, so before, hee was, and is called the Wisedome of God, the Power of God, the true Light of the world, Faithfull and true, Holy and just, the Apostle and High-Priest of our profession, a Priest for ever, after the order of Melchisedech, the Saviour of the World, the Prince of Peace, the Mediatour of the new covenant, the Head of the Church, the Lord of Glory, Iesus Christ, the Sonne of the Father, the Sonne of God, and God. Neither had hee any name after his resurrection which he hath not before. But by a name in this place is to be understood, Glo…y, and Honour, and Dominion, and Majesty, and Power ouer all things created (as the same word is, elsewher used, as Ephes. 4, 21.) So that, when it is sayd, God hath given him a name above every name; The meaning is, that God having raised up Christ Iesus from the dead, hath so highly exalted him in the heavenly places, thath he hath given him all Power, both in Heaven and Earth, all Dominion over all creatures whatsoever, and the same glory, which he hath with him, from the Beginning, so that now he raigneth and ruled with him, King over all, and blessed for ever. Which hee there proves and paralells with Heb. 2, 9. Ephes. 1, 20.21. Iohn, 17, 5. Matth. 18.18. and then conclude… thus: To knitt up all in a word, Christ, God and Man, after his resurrection, was crowned with glory and honour, even such as plainely shewed him to be God. There to rule and raigne as soveraigne Lord, and King, till he came in the clouds, to *Accipit potestatem judicandi sicut Paulus Apostolus ait, Et dedit ei nomen, quod est super omne nomen ut in nomine Iesu omne ge… flectatur. St. Isiodor. Hispal…nsis Comment. in Gen c. 30. p. 301.2.judge both quick and dead: After which, hee proceeds in these wordes:(y)Ibidem Pag. 153, 154, 155. Where by the name of Iesus wee are not to understand the bare name of Iesus, as though it had the vertue in it, to drive away Divells, or as though at the very sound of it, all were to bowe their knees; For, at the name of Saviour (which is the same with Iesus) none boweth, and t…e name of Christ, Emanuell, of the Sonne of God, of God, which are names no lesse precious and glorious, than is the name of Iesus True it is that bowing at the name of Iesus, is a custome, which had been much used, and may without offence be retained, when the minde is free from supe…stition; But to bow and kneele at the very sound of the name, when wee only heare the name of Iesus, sounding in our eares, but know not what the name meaneth, savoureth of superstition. By bowing the knee, the Apostle heer meaneth, that subjection which all creatures ought continually to performe, and which all creatures shall performe to Christ *Quando nosiris adspicimus oculis ineffabile c…elorum Regnum, rursusque ex alia parte conspiciemus supplicia horrenda, tormentaque expaveseenda revelari atque apparere Mediū vere horum adsistere omne hominum gentes omnemque Spiritu… à primo formato Adam: …que ad ultimū omnium hominū, cunctosque faciem praecedentes atque adorantes, secundum illud Scripturae, vivo ego dicit dominus: quia mihi curtantur omne genu. Tune quoque Sermo implebitur Apostoli dicentis in nomin… Iesu Christi, omne genu slectetur caelestium, terrestium, & infernorum, & omnis lingua cantilebitur, quia Domin… Iesus Christus in gloria Dei Patris, Eph. Syrus de apparit Crucis tempore judicij, p. 230. p. 703.in that day, some unwillingly and to their confusion, as the Divells and wicked men their instruments; for, so the Lord by his Prophet useth the same phrase of speach, where hee sayth *Isai. 45, 23.: Every knee shall bow to mee, that is… shall be subject to mee and worshipp mee. Here then is a duty prescribed, necessary to be performed of every Christian, which is, to glorify him who is exalted in the highth of glory, both in our bodies and in our Soules, to worship him with holy worship, to subject our selves to him in all obedience unto his heavenly will. For, worthy is the Lambe that was killed to receive all power, and wisedome, and strength, and honour, and praise and glory. The Angels in heaven, they glorify the name of Iesus, in that they are allwayes ready to execute his will, and doe whatsoever hee commandeth them. This also is that holy worshipp wherewith wee ought to worshipp him, and to glorify his name, even to be *Apoc. 5.12.Hearers and Doers of his will in his word, to obey his will, to walke in his Lawes, and to keepe his commandements; not the bare and outward capping, and kneeing of the name Iesus, but principally obedience to his will, that is named, is the honour, which here hee accepteth of us. For, as, not every one that sayeth Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdome of heaven. So, not every one that boweth at the name of Iesus, shall enter into his Kingdome, but hee that doth …is will, and walketh in his wayes. Saul when hee was send to slay the Amalekites, thought to honour God greatly by sparing the best of the Sheepe and Oxen, to sacrifice unto him; But it was sayd unto him *Marke this Bowing.: Hath the Lord as grea… pleasure in burnt offerings and Sacrifices, as when his voyce is obeyed? Behould, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken is better than the fatt of Rames: So you happly think you honour our blessed Saviour greatly, when you bow your selves at every sound of his*1. Sam. 15.22. name; but behould, to obey his will is better than capping and kneeing, and all outward Ceremonies whatsoever. Yet mistake mee not, I beseech you, as though I thought, that the names of Iesus C…rist, of the Lord, of God, of the Father, of the Sonne, or of the Holy-Ghost, were names of ordinary account or reckoning, or to be passed over, without reverence, as other names; Nay, whensoeuer wee heare or speake or think of them, wee are to reverence the Majesty of God signified thereby. And fearefull it may be to them, that thinke or speak of them prosanely, or slightly, or upon each light or trifling occasion, or o…herwise than with great reverence and feare, that the Lord may not hould them guiltlesse. *Mark this,But this I say, that neither the sound of those Syllables of Iesus, nor the name of Iesus, should af…ect us more than any other names of Christ, as though there lay some vertue in the bare word. But whensoever wee heare, or thinke, or speake of him, wee are to reverence his Majesty, and in the reverend feare of his name to subject our selves unto his will. This is a precept of that duty, whereby wee must glorifie Christ Iesus. After this in th… 3. Lecture hee proceeds to proove, That by bowing of the knee in this Text, is meant the subjection of all creatures unto Christ, and that this text shall be actually and principally …ulfilled, before his Tribunall onelyonly in tho *Sede à dextris meis, donec mundi finis & consummatio veneri…, & mittam te judicem vivorum & mortuorum: Et TVNC s…ectet omne genu caeles…ium, terr… strium & inferorum potentiae tuae, tuique Inimico …rosternentur velu… calcandum Scabellum pedum tuorū & reddes unicuique secundum opera sua. Haec veritas sit interpretatur & exponit si modo velis assentire & approba…e Gregentius Archiepisc. Tepheusis, Disp. cum Herbano Iudaeo, Bibl. Patris Tom. 1.5… ps. 1, p. 924.generall day of judgement. So that by his expresse resolution hee concludeth.
1. First, that this name Iesus is not the name above every name mentioned and intended in this Text of Phil. 2.9.10.11.
2. Secondly, that bowing or capping at this name is not heere enjoyned.
3. That no more capping or bowing is to be given to the name Iesus, then to any other names of Christ or God.
4. Fourthly, that the bowing and capping at this name onelyonly is sup…rstitious, and attributes some vertue to the letters and syllables of the name it selfe.
5. Fif…ly, that the bowing of every knee here mentioned, is and shall be ‡Dum dicit sancta sanct…, populus vicissim cl…mat, unus Sanctus, unus Iesus Ch…istus in gloria Dei Patris. Quod à Paulo scriptum resonabit in extrema die, quando Iesu f…ectetur omne genu, & omni… lingua confitebitur, &c. Simton. Thess. Archiep. de D. Templo. Bibl. Patr. T 12. ps. 1. p. 880.p…incipally performed in the day of judgement, before Christs Tribunall, and not till then.
6. Six…ly, Hee heere tacitely intimates, that such as are most observant of this Ceremony, are ignorant supersticious pe…sons, and most disobedient to Christ, in their lives and actions; and that wee cannot bow to one name of Christ, as, to his name Iesus, more than to another, without appa…ent Superstition.
Finally, our learned Doctor William Fulke, in his Confutation of the Rhemists Notes and Testament, on Phil. 2. Sect. 2.8.10. determines thus: First IT IS CERTAINE, that the bowing of the knee at the sound of the name of Iesus IS NOT COMMANDED NOR PROPHECIED IN THIS PLACE. But it pertaineth to the subjection of all Creatures to the judgement of Christ, when not only Turkes and Iewes, which would y…eld no honour to Jesus, but even the Devills themselves shall be constrained to acknowledge that he is their Iudge. Secondly, the capping and kneeling at the name of Iesus is of it selfe an indifferent thing (therefore no duty of the Text) and therefore may be u…ed superstitiously as in Popery, here the people stoup at the name when it is read, not understanding what it meaneth, or, what is read concerning him. And also in sitting and not veyling at the name of Christ, Emanuel, God the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy Ghost, and bowing ONLY at the name of Iesus. It may be used also well (perchance) when the minde is free from Superstition, in signe and reverence of his Majesty, and as in a matter wherein CHRISTIAN LIBERTY OVGHT TO TAKE PLACE. And DVE REVERENCE may be yeelded to our Saviour (and so the very words of the 18. Canon which our Bishops much insist on, fullfilled) without any such outward Ceremony of capping and kneeling.
Thus this great Mall of the Papists Doctor Fulke; whom Doctor Willet followeth in his fore-cited passages. What the Fathers and forraine Writers have determined of this Ceremony, hath beene elsewhere manifested, not one of them making it a duty, either commanded or insinuated by the Text; I hope therefore, the zealous Patriots of this new-coyned duty, will forbeare the urging of it, untill they shall proove it a duty of the Text, by argument, scripture, reason, and authority, not meere will, and power, their present eagern…ss…, in enforcing it on men, against their conscie…ce and the expr…sse s…atute of 1, Eliza. c. 2. (which inhibites all other rites, and Ceremonies to be used in time of divine Service or Sermons, than those prescribed in the Booke of Common Prayer, which doth not so much as once mention, muchlesse enjoyne the Ceremony) shewing to be a mee… superstitious humane invention, to usher in, advance and sett forward some Popish designes, (as, bowing to Communion-Tables, Altars, Crucifixes, Images and the Hostia,) not any divine institution, tending to the advancement of Gods glory, Christs honour, or the peoples spirituall good, for then these superstitious Popish Innovators, would never be so zealous to promote it, with such tyranny, violence, and earnestnesse, as now they doe, without either Law, or statute to authorize them.
FINIS.
End of the text · William Prynne, Queries Propounded to the Bowers (1636)