A Quench-Coal — William Prynne

A Quench-Coal · William Prynne

THE SECOND PART OF THE QVENNCH-COALE.

IN this part of my discoursel purpose by way of Corrullarie to p…opound some few Quaeres ip these our New Doctors & Innouat…rs, together with the reasons why I … propose these doubts & Questions to th…m.

The first Quaere is this: What is the true & finall end they ayme at, in erecting Altars, styling Communion Tables Altars, & placing them Altar-wise, & in christening themselves againe by the name of Preists, (not as it is vsed for a contract of the word Presbyter, which signifieth properly an Elder or Minister of the Gosple, but of the word Sacerdos, denoting a sacrificing or massing Preist.

It is a Rule both in Philosophy & Diuinitie,aAquinas 1… 2…. quaestiō 1. Artic 1. 2. 1… Quaest: 6. Ar 1. 2. Omnia agunt propter finem; All things (especially all Rationall agent) aime at some vltimate, vttermost, or finall end in all their Actions; Much more then in their serious writings & Polemicall discourses; We know againe that it is an vndoubted Maxime in the Schooles; thatbAquinas 1… 2…. Quaest 1. Ar. I…. Ar 32 … 2. 2… qu. 189. Ar, … finis & causa finalis est primus in intentione, vltimus in executione agentis. The first thing in Intention of the agent, though the l…st in execution; And thatcAquinas 1… 2…. qu. I. Art. 3 qu 96 Art. 1. 1. 2…. qu. 8. Art. 2. So Occhum, Scotus, Bonavēture. Aegydius. Durādus. Lambard. Medis Vil la, Bacon. & all the Schoolmen. Keckerman. Zabarell. Magyrus. Ruuio. & all Logiciaha. Omnia med in sum et agunt propter finem, all middle causes are and worke only to produce the end: Et non sunt volita nisi propter finem.

These things being undoubted truths past all dispute; And it being as true likewise, that Altars themselves & Preists being but instrument & subordinate relatine things, … for some other vse, & the …nation of Tables Altarwise being but … ceremony the vtmost end or final cause therof being of themselves, (since none is so simple to ses vp an Altar only because he would have an Altar, or to turne the Lords Table Altar-wise, only because he desires, it should be so plated: or to style himselfe affoctedly a Priest, only for the Titles sake, & no more, but for some further end, all these serving to no vse or purpose at all simplie considered, but only with relation to some further end:) The sole Question then wilbe, what this end should be? To which if our Innouators & late Colliar would giuegive a direct Answer in down right English termes; it can be no other but this; That the end they strive for, in contending for Altars, Priests, & turning Tables Altarwise, is only to vsher in a Sacrifice, into our Church, since Cardinall Bellarmine & B. Morton in his Institution of the Sacrament twice printed of late l. 6. c. 5. sect: 15. p. 46. expresly resolve. That Preists, Altar & Sacrifice are relatives, & hauehave mutuall & vnseperable dependance one on the other; & since there can be no other use of these but only for sacrifice, as both theeGē. 8. 20. Levit. 1. 6. to 9. c. 2. & 9. c. 7. 31. Exod. 20. 24. scriptures, and thefBellarm. de Missa. I. 1. c. 2. Sum. Angelica Tit. Altar: Papists acknowledge, & the Coale ingenuously confesseth: p. 8. 14. 15. 16. But what sacrifice is this? Certainly that sacrifice which may now be brought into our Church, can be no other, but that which formerly, vponupon the beginning of reformation, was cast out: but that sacrifice was only the Idolola…rous Popish sacrifice of the Masle: Therefore this certainly is the Sacrifice they would bring in againe, by these Altars, Preists, & Communion Tables seated Altarwise.

If they reply that they doe it only for the more decent celebration of the Lords Supper.

I answer, that a gFox Acts & Montiments. p. 121. 1212. B. Morton Institution of the Sacrament: p. 463.Table is farre more decent for such … purpose, then an Altar; a Table posture, then an Altar situation; & a Minister, then a Preist: since we neuer read in scripture of any supper, or eating at an Altar, since Christ himself instituted the Supper at a Table; (which Table, if we believe thehMagnū Chron: Belgio…m. Cronickle… of Flaunders, Gharles the Emperor Anno 1350. remoued from Noremberge to Prague, as most precious relique, which theiThomas Beconlikeliques of Rome. Church of Rome flath yet to shew, if you dare belieue them, though shee neuer consecrates the Sacrament … it, (which me thinkes shee should then dve, I but in an Altar, … at an Altar, & since we finde no mention in scripture, of any Preists, but only of Apostles and Ministers … at this Table, If they reply; as thekPage … Coale doth, that they … only to him) … Commemoratue Sacrifice, which our Church allowes, not … Prepitiatory, as the Papists make their Masse.

I answer first, that our Church allowes not so much as of a Commemoratiue Sacrifice, neither doth shee in her Homilies, or Articles stile the Sacrament of the Lords Supper so, much lesse in her Common prayer Booke, Injunctions, Canons or statntes: neither, doth the Colier alledge one passage in any of all these, to proue this bold assoueration, either p. 8. or p. 15. 16. where like a beggerly Pedlar, he layes open all his shrids & stolen wares.

2. The Church of England (euen in that very homilie he cites p. 8.) expresly condemnes this Commemroratory Sacrifice in these words;lHomilie of the wor thy receiving of the Sacramēt. part. 1. p. 198. Edi…. 1632. Wee must take heed then (saith the Homily,) least of a Memory, it BE MADE A SACRIFICE. If not A SACRIFICE, then not a commemoratiue Sacrifice, vnlesse they will grant a commemoratiue Sacrifice, to be no Sacrifice, which is a contradiction; & to say, we must take heed, least of the MEMORY, we make it A SACRIFICE: Is all one as to say: wee must take heed that we make it not a commemoratiue Sacrifice; a Memorie, & a Sacrifice, being here put in direct opposition & contradistinction one to an other in this clause, & in the following parts of the Homily; which 4. seuerall times, cals the Sacrament, A MEMORY, A COMMEMORATION, AND OUTWARD TESTIMONY of Christs death, but neuer a Sacrifice commemoratiue or Propitiatory: Both which it expresly clubs downe in these words:mP. 200. Now it followeth, to hauehave with this knowledge a sure & constant saith, not only that the death of Christ, is avay lable for a redemption of all the world, &c: but also that he made vponupon the Crosse, A TRVE AND SVFFICIENT SACRIFICE for thee, a perfect cleansing of thy sinns, so that then acknowledge no other sauiour, redeemer. Mediator, Advocat, Intercessour, but CHRIST ONLY.

Herein thou needest no other mans helpe. NO OTHER SACRIFICE (therfore neither commemoratiue, … propitiatory: for this vniuerfull Negatiue includes both) or … NO SACRIFICING PREIST … New Preist… observe this well to which they hauehave subscribed) NO MASSE, (let those who labour might and maine to usher it into the Church by degrees, consider this.) No meanes established by mans injunction; Therefore no A t…r, Preist, Sacrifice, or Table seated Altar-wise; All which this homily strikes dead at once; and our Common-Prayer-Booke and 39. Article too, almost in the selflame words.

3. A commemoratiue Sacrifice is a meere Bull, and contradiction: For as the picture of a man is no man, or of fire no fire; or of a Chalice, or Sacrament, no C…alice, or Sacrament; So the commemoration of Christ Sacrifice, is in truth no Sacrifice, nor kinde, nor species of a Sacrifice, but only a shadow or memoriall of a Sacrifice. So that this is but a Mountebancks chear, and distinction to delude children & fooles with all, not warranted by any Scripture or judicious Orthodox divine.

4. The Sacrament neither is; nor can be a sacrifice, for every sacrifice whether legall, or Euangelicall, is a religious seruice, holocast, worship, or … offered up by men to God himselfe. Numb 28. 2. 3. 4. Psal. 4. 5. Psal. 5…. 14. Psal. 66. 15. Mat. 3. 3. Rom. 12. 1. H…b. 9. 14. & 5. 1. 7. Heb. 13. 15. 1 Pet. 2. 5. Whence the Booke of Common-prayer, after the receiving of the Sacrament, prescribes this Eucharisticall prayer: And thus we offer & present unto thee O Lord our selues, our sules & bodies to be a reasonable, holy, & livelie SACRIFICE unto thee, &. But in the receiving of the bread and wine in the Sacrament, we offer up nothing unto God, but only God tenders his Sonne, with all the benefits of his death and passion unto us; As the words take & rate this, the prayers before and after the Sacrament, the Scriptures, and every mans experience withesseth. Therefore it can by noe meanes be tearmed a Sacrifice; Whence the Homille of the Sacrament tearms our thanksgiving to God after the Sacramēt received, and at other times a Sacrifice, p. 103. as the Apostle expresly doth Heb,. 13. 15. & the Psalmist before him. Ps. 107. 22. Ps. 116. 17. Ps. 54. 6. Ier. 33. 11. Almos 4. 5. Ion. 2. 9. But never tearmes the Sacrament it selfe thus, because it neither is, nor can be a sacrifice commemorative, or propitiat…rie, unlesse with reference to this thanksgiving, and to the whole act and service, not to the consecrating and distributing of the bread and wine, as B sh: … proves at large Instit. of the Sacram. l. 6. throughout.

5. This Homily … times together her case the Sacrament a Table & Lords Table, never a Sacrifice, an Altar, or Sac…ment of the Altar; Admitt the Homilie granted it to be a Sacrifice, which it doth not, yet it is such a Sacrifice as needeth neither Preist, Altar, or Tables situated Altar-wise, euen by the Homilie and Booke of Common-prayers resolution; Therefore no such Romish Massing Sacrifice, as these Innovators would obtrude by crast and power upon us, which stands in need both of a Preist, an Altar, or Table placed Altar-wise… or of the name of a Sacrifice, to make people reasly to esteeme in so.

6. Nemorepente for turpissimus: … Romish Novellers dare not discover themselves, or proceed so farre at the first dash, for feare of prevention and strong opp …; but they will usher in things by certaine insemble degrees, step by step, till they have brought in the whole body of Popery at last. First then wee most hauehave Communion-Tables only turned Altar-wise; Then wee must hauehave them termed Altars; Next wee must sett up Altars indeed; Then wee must cringe to, and adore them; after that hauehave a Preist, to write on them; then a commemorative sacrificrenly to bee off red on them. And thus farre wee have already proceeded in many places AND GENERALL IN ALL COLLEGIATE AND CATHEDR ALL CHVRCHES (as the Colier in formes his friend and …eader both: p. 1. and 27: The Ring-leaders and most … … corrupt examples to reduce us backe to Rome, that …unded them: And now must wee and Rome bee brought …gether …, as muthally to embrace and … each other: the next step must be, to make the Sacrament a propiriatory sacrifice, as the Papists doe, who first proceeded … this method, and held it but commemorative, as appeares by all their ancient Schoolemen. And then when the thing itselfe is once gott in… the name of it …yet too grosse and odio… will quickly follow, it shall then be rebaptized with the name of Masse, by these its Godfathers; who as they have already pleaded for its Popish title: The Sacrament of the Altar, because the statute of 1. E. 6. c. 1. stiles it the Sacrament of the body & blood of Christ, commonly called (to witt by the Papists in those dayes, not the Parliament or Protestants)qCol. p. … 16. 17. The Sacrament of the Altar: So they will by the selfesame reason call it by the name of the Masse, and justify this Title of it, by the Masse itselfe, to be lawfully warranted both by Prince, P… late, Preist, & the whole Parliament, because the statute of a and 3. E. 6. c. 1. (and the Booke of Common-prayer established by it) there stiles it: The holy Comm…nion commonly called THE MASSE (to witt by the Papists and ignorant people of those times, the Masse being not quite abolished till this law was made.) Though the very intent of this Law was to abolish the Masse, and the name of Masse, … is cleare by the body of the Act, the Booke of the Commo…-prayer then sett out, and since corrected; the Homily of the worthy recei…ing of the Sacrament fore cited the 31. Article… with all the surnamed writers, Injunctions, and Cannons of our Church (and neither old Doting Shelford, nor his so…e the Colier, dare deny;) even as the end and true scope of the she statute of 1. E. 6. c. 1. was to abolish both the name … Sacrament of the Altar; Though th…se ignorant Scrib… would justifie both the lawfullnes of Altars, and of term… the Lo…ds supper the Sacrament of the Altar from th… against the meaning of the Law, as I have already … fested.

Since therefore it is cleare by the Colier, that the … and their Confederates … some notable designes in … upon the established doctrine and discipline of the Church… which he tearmesrColefron… the Altar. p. 4. line 19. 20. A GOOD WORKE (J would it were so) NOW IN HAND (which wee finde too true, and since this good worke, is just like Coliers worke and Character by the printed (yea his owne) happy premunition trulysEpistle to the reader I am to advertise thee, &c. Thou wouldest take notice (and so many doe) that the Romā … is the words of the Author ROMAN, to witt, by Altars, and Preists, and Tables turned Altarwise to usher in Masse with its Name and Sacrifice into our Church, for which all things are now ready prepared in all Cathedrall & Collegiate Churches; It is high time for us to propound this first question to these domestick …ialists what their intentions are, to stoppe their further progresse, both by a linely discovery and strenuous opposition of these their Antichristian Romish designes, and to admonish them, and all others, in the words of our owne established tOf the Sacram. part. 1. p. 198.Homily: BEFORE ALL THINGS this wee must be sure of, especially, that this supper be in such wise done, and ministred as our Lord and Saviour did, and commanded it to be done, as his holy Apostles used it, and the godly Fathers in the primitive Church frequented it. For (as the worthy man S. Ambrose saith) he is unworthy of the Lords Table that otherwise doth celebrate the Mystery, then it was delivered by him: Neither can he be devout that otherwise doth presume then it was giuen by the Author, but when the Author gave it, he gave it not a Sacrificing Shave… Masse-Preist, he gaue it not at an Altar, but at a table, and that situated in the MIDDEST table-wise, as J hauehave manifested, to his Disciples sitting; not kneeling round about ituWhich some scā dalously terme: An unreverēs & unseemly gesture, as if Christ & his Apostles were unreverent, & instituted & received the Sacramēt in an unreverent & unseemly manner.. Therefore we must be sure so to minister if we will be either worthy of the Lord or devout, we must then take heed (as it is now …gh time so to doe it) lest of the memory is be … a …; lect of a Communion it be made a private ea… (therefore of having our tables at the time of its celebration placed Altar-wise, at the remotest East end of the Chan…, brought in with private Masses, & for that purpose onelyonly … le… of two parts we have but one, least applying it to the dead, wee loose the fruite that be alive: hol…some counsell & necessary doctrine for these present times, as the 34. Article tearmed the Homilies, with which I shall close up this first quaere.

QVESTION II.

The second Question I would propound to these Novelle…s is this. That since they will now stile themselves and be called of others only Preists, (so Shelford tearmed himselfe … the Title page of his unlearned Treatises, and many others have done in late prin…ed Sermons & PamphletswIn imita…ion of Popish Preists who… so title themselves in the fronts of their bookes. what kind of Preists they are, & wherein their Preisthood consists. If they say, they are only spirituall Preists, and have only a*See Bishop Mortons Institution of the Sacrament Edit. 2. lib. 6. c. 3. Sect. 1. 2. 3. spiritual Preisthood, …o…ffer up the spirituall sac…ifices of prayer, …, thanksg…uing almes, righteousnesse, broken and contr… hearts, and their owne bodies & soules to God; that every Christian is as much a Preist, even by Christs owne institution a themselves, and hath the s…lfesame Preisthood that they … Rev. 1. 6. 1. Pet. 2… 5 … Exo… 19. … And so they doe all they can …o ingrosse this Title as peculiar to themselvs, which is common to every Christian. If they meane by Preists nothing … Pres…yters xB. Morton. Ibid p. 415. 461, and intend no more by their name and Preisthood but only the Eldershippe & Ministrie, let them enjoy that Title and office in Peace, I quarell not with them; Only this I must informe them… That such Preists need neither Altar nor Sacrifice, but … expresly debar…ed from both by G…d himselfe, 1. Cor. 9. 13. 14. c. 10. 16. 17. 18. 21. Hebr. 7. 12. 13. 14. But if they meane by the word Preist, yD. Reynolds confer. with Hart. p. 446. to 473 D. Fulke Rhem. Testament. Notes on Heb 7. c. 9. 10.…, or S…cerd…, a sacrificing Preist, or a Preist waiting at, or upon the Altar; as it is cleare they doe, both by their writings; their prayers before their Sermont, (where they pray for the Preist… ) … serve & wai… a… the Altar… their erecting and pleading for Altars and Commemorative Sacrifices at least, … evident … and shall then inquire of them, what … Sacrificing Preists they are, and of what order their Preisthood is? In Scripture I read only of 4 kinds of Preists and Preisthoods; Preists (Heb. c. 5. & 7. & 8. & 9. & 10. Levit. c. 1. vers. 12. Exod. c. 28. & 29. & 30.) after the order of Aaron… Preists after the order of Melchizedech, (2 Kings 17. 32. 1 Kin: c. 12. 31. 32. c. 13. 33. 2. Kin: 10. 18, &c.) Preists of Baal, and Preists of the high places, or Idol Preists. The two first of divine, the two latter of Diabolicall institution: Since which there hath sprung up of late in the Church another d…stinct generation of Preists, commonly called by the name of Masse-Preists; and those are both of Papall Diabolicall institution. Other sorts of Sacrificing Preists then these I neither know nor read of. The sole question then will be, of which of those of 5 sorts of Preists our Novellers & Altar-panons are? If of the first sort; that is directly abolished, changed & abrogated by our Saviour. Heb. 7. 11. 12. c. 8. 6. to 13. & cap. 9. 10. throughout. Col. 2. 14. 15. 16. And those who crie downe the name and sanctification of the Lords day Sabbath as zHeylyn. Pocklinton & others.…wish; will not I hope tear…ne themselves in the order of Aarons Preists, aB. Morton Instit. of the Sacrament. …6. c 3.which is farre more Jewish; Of which sort of Preists they cannot be, vnlesse they are lawfully descended from the tribe of Leui, Num. 3. 6, &c. c. 16. 1, & Iosh, c. 13. v. 14. & 33. Psal. 135. 10. Mal. 2. 4. 8. Hebr. 7. 5. If of the order of M…chizedech, that is peculiar only to our Saviour, subsisting personally in him alone; and incommunicable to any other, as the Apostle directly resolves, Hebr. 5. 9. 10. c. 6. …. c. 7. throughout …. …. 9. 10. As all authors interpret, old and new writers acknowledge, and among them Mr. David Dickson in his bPag. 134 135 142. 144. 145. See B. Morton his Institution of the Sacrament. l. c. 3. throughout, and in the proceeding and ense…ving …hapters. D Fulke and Mr. Cart…rig… in the con…utation of the R…em. Testament on Hebr. 7. & 8. & 9 & 10. to the same…pose.commentarie a short explanation on the Hebrewes 7. An: 1634… where he layes downe the conclusion fully warranted by the Apostles text.

1. That to make any Preists in the new Testament by special office beside Christ, is to rent the Preisthood of Christ, and to make it imperfect like Aarons, which for the same reason that it had many Preists, was weake, imperfect & inferiour to Christs.

2. That to make Preists by office in the New Testament, to offer up any corporall sacrifice is to make Christs Preisthood seperable from his owne person, which is against the nature of Christs Preisthood, which can not pas…e from one to another. Hebr. 7. 24.

3. That to make plurality of the Preists in Christs Preisthood, Vicars, or Substitutes, or in any respect, partaker of the office with him, is to praesuppose that Christ is not able to doe that office alone, but is either dead or weake that he cannot fulfill that office; contrary to the text which saith: Because he continueth for ever, he hath an unchangable Preisthood, or a Preisthood that cannot passe from one to another. Hebr. 7. 24.

4. That whosoever communicateth Christs Preisthood with another, besides his owne person, maketh Christ not able alone to saue to the uttermost, those that come unto God by him.

5. That the Scripture knoweth no Preist, but the Leviticall Preists of Aarons post…rity, for the time of the Law… Or else that one Preist that was made by oath in the time of the Gospell, besides these the Apostle knoweth none, neither were there any other in his time in the Church.

6. That to have Preists now, after the similitude of Preists under the Law, were to renounce the difference which God hath made betwixt the Law and the Gospell.

7. That to make a Preist in the Gospell, who is not consecrated by an Oath, to abide for evermore in the office, but may be changed, and another come iu his place, is contrary to Evangelicall Preisthood.

8. That to make Plurality of Preists in the Gospell, is to alter the order of Melchizedech sworne with an Oath, and to renounce the worke sett betwixt the Law and the Gospell.

9. That to make a man Preist now, is to marre the Sonne of Gods priviledge; To whome the priviledge only belongeth.

10. That to make a sin…ull and weake man Preist now, is to weaken the Preisthood of the Gospell, and make it like the Law.

11. That as long as Christs consecration lasteth (which endureth for ever) none must medle with his Preistly office.

12. That to adde unto it, and to bring in as many Preists now, as did serve in the Temple of old, is to provoke God, to adde as many plagues, as are written in Gods booke, upon themselves, and their Preists also.

All which considered; I hope these Novellers dare not say, they are Preists after the order of Aaron, much lesse of cSee Bis-Mortō his Institution of the Sacrament. l. 6. c. 3. 4. 5. 6. throughout.M…lchiz…dech, which is peculiar to Christ alone.

P…reists of Baal, or Idol-Preists, J presume they neither will, nor dare stile themselves.

If therefore they be Preists of any order, they are, and can be no other but S…minary or Masse-Preists: and if they are such Preists in truth, as their writing and practises declare them; Then let them be gone packing to Rome their mother, or to some English Seminaries or Cloysters, where they may say and sacrifice Ma…e.

Sure ourdOf the worthy receiving & esteeming of the Sacrament, p. 200. Homilies informe both them and us that we have no need of Masse or Sacrificing Preists, neither yet (thankes be to God) have wee any Masses to be chaunted, (unlesse our Cathedrall divine service may be so tearmed, which comes nearest Masse of any) in our Parish Churches, standing in need only ofe2 Tim. 4 1… 2. 1 Tim. 3. 2 Preaching Ministers, not Sacrificing Masse-Preists, condemned by our statutes, as direct Trayt…rs… to our King and State f27. Eliz. c. 2 See Rastall Recusantes, Ie…uites, Seminary-Preistes, Rom. service and Sacramēnts, &c.: And if those Jnnovators will-needes enroll themselves in this order of Preists, I should not envy them the horne of a Tyburne …ippert, to grace their order and neckes with all, nor yet the shaving of their Crownes to the very shoulders (…o use Father Latymers speeches)… which they well demerit, in stead of that Egreg…am verò laudem & spolia ampla, which pricke them on to as…ume this new title & office of Preists and Preistshood.

QVESTION III.

The third Question J shall propose to them (and all our Prelates) is this, what Law, Canon or ground they have for the Consecrating of Altars: (a Ceremony already begun at Wolverhampton, as you have heard, which will shortly creepe up by degrees in other places:) Or for Consecrating Churches, Chappels, or Churchyeards? Statute I am certaine there is none for it, yea sure I am that all the statutes againstgSee Ra…all Title Mort: Mort. concerning divine service and Sacraments, and the Booke of Common-prayers, with divers of our learned Writers are against it.

To make this cleare in few wordes.

1. First it is apparent that every Consecration of a Church, Chappell, or Church-yard makes a Mort:

This is the expresse resolution of the whole Parliament & Realme in the Statute of 15. R. 2. c. 5. Rastal. Mort. …. and 13. E. 1. c. 32. against Crosses.

But Mort: are directly against the Lawes and Statutes of the Realme, as appeares by Brook, Fiz: and Rastall in their Titles Mort: Therefore these Consecrations are so too.

2. Secondly, they are expresly opposite to the Statutes of 2. and 3. E. 6. c. 1. 5. and 6. E. 6. c. 1.

If these statutes with that of Jac… c. 5. were duely executed, we should not have so many of those bookes in the Realme as now they are, which are freely printed, and sould openly in every Stationers shoppe. 1. Eliz: c. 2. 8. Eliz: c. 1. and 3. and 4. E. 6. c. 10. 12.

All which for the abandoning of all superstitious service, and to take away all occasions of dive sity, of opinions, rites & Ceremonies in our Church, clearely and utterly abolish, & extinguish and forbid for ever to be used, or kept in this Realme all bookes, called Missals, Breviaries, Officials, Manuals, Processionals, Legends, Primers, or other Bookes whatsoever, heretofore used for service of the church, written or printed in the English or Lattin tongue; With all other manner of Rites, Ceremonies, divine service, Consecrations, or publike formes of prayer, then such only as are mentioned and prescribed in the Booke of Common prayer and other rites aud Ceremonies of the Church of England, and in the Booke of Ordination, ratified by these Acts; In neither of which is there one syllable or Title extant, concerning the Consecration of Churches, Chappels, or Church… yardes, or Altars, nor any forme of prayer prescribed for the purpose, as there is both for the Administration of the Lords supper, Baptisme, whether publike or private, Mariage, Buriall of the Dead, Churching of Women, visitation of the sicke, confirmation of Children, Ordination of Deacons and Ministers, Consecration of Archbishops and Bishops, and …ll other thinges our Church deemes lawfull or necessary.

Since therefore these statutes have professedly in direct tearmes abolisl…e … those Popish Books and P…mers hSee summa Angelica & Rosella Tit. consecrat. &c. Et ratr. de Consecrationis distinct. 1. & 16. Anton… Corseti R…portoriū Tit. Consecratio.wherein the manner prayers, and service, for consecrating of Churches, Chappels, Church-yards, or Altars, are prescribed and established in their places, the Booke of Common-prayer, and Ordination of Ministers, wherein there is not one syllable concer…ing any such consecrations, nor any forme of prayer or service, instit… ted for all or either of them, as there is for all other rites & Ceremonies which our Church holds necessary: And since they expresly prohibite all other Rites, Ceremonies, Formes of Prayer, and Consecrations, then such as are comprised and prescribed in th…se two Bookes; It is infallable that they have utterly abolished, and abrogated this Ceremony of Consecrating of Churches, Church-yards, Chappels, and Altars, as Iewish, Popish, Superstitious, or at least superfluous, and quite excluded it out of our Church.

As for our Canons, Homilies, I…junctions, and Articles of Religion, there is not in all, nor any one of them inferred …re title concerning these Consecrations; Which condemne and exclude them by their silence; TheiOf the Idolat. The right use of the Church, the time and place of prayer. Homilies likewise have some glances against them: For our writers, Mr. Tyndall in …is obedience (page 136. 152.) of a Christian man, William Wra…ghton in his hunting and Rescuing of the Romish Fox, Iohn Bale B: of Osyrus in Ireland in his Image of both Churches in sundry places; Thomas Becon in his Reliques of Rome, kFoli… 91. 92. 93.Mr. Cal…r hill in his booke against Marshall, lPage 210 414Mr. Fox in his booke of Martyrs.

And many other of our writers hauehave expresly censured and de…ed those Consecrations, as Superstitious, Iewish, Popish, and Antichristian, styling them conjuring rather then hallewing of Churches, Chappels, and Altars, inv…nted only for profi…, and reserved only to Bishops for gaine sake.

And to name no more, reverent Pilkirg…on sevea…ely censures these Consecrations in these ensewing wordes:mExposition of Ageus, c. 2. v. 2. 3, and c. 1. v. 7. 8.

The Popes Church hath all things pleasant in it to delig… the people, but where the Gospell is preached, they knowing that God is not pleased but only with a pure heart, they are con…ent with an honest place, appointed to resort together in, though it were never hallowed by Bishop at all. It is written nActs 7that God dwels not in Temples made with handes, nor is worshipped with any worke of mans handes, but he is a …spirit, an invisible substance, and will be worshipped in spirit and truth, not in outward wordes only of the …ippe, but with the deepe lighes and groanes of the heart, and the who…e power of the mind, & earnest hearty calling on him in prayer by faith? And therefore he doth not so much require of us to build him an house of stone, and timber, but hath willed as top1 Tim. 2. pray in all places, and hath taken away that Iewish and Popish holinesse, which is thought to be more in one place then in another. All the Earth, is the Lords, and he is present in all places, hearing the petitions of them that call upon him in faith.*Note this. Therefore those Bishops which thinke with their conjured water, to make one place more holy then the rest, are no better then the Iewes, deceaving the people, and teaching that only to be holy, which they have censed, crossed, oyled, and breathed upon. For as Christ said to the woman thinking one place to be more holy to pray in then another.qIohn 4 Woman, believe me, the time is come wh…n ye shall worshipp neither at Jerusalem, nor in this hill, but the true worshippers shall worshipp God in spirit and truth: So is it now said, the place makes not the man holy, but the man makes the place h…ly, and ye shall not worshippe your Jdols, Stockes, and Stones, neither at Wilsingham, Ipswich, Canterbury, nor Sheve, for God chuses not the people for the places sake, but the places for the peoples sake… But i… ye be in the middest of the feild. God is as ready to heare your faithfull prayers, as in any Abbey or Burrey, yea a thousand times more, for the one place he hates, as defiled with Idolatry, and the other he loves, as undefiled and cleane. If the good man lye in prison, tyed in chames, or at the stake burned for Gods cause: That place is holy: For the holinesse of the man, and the presence of the Holy Ghost in him; As Tertullian saith, yet there should be common places appointed for the people to assemble and come together in, to praise our God, &c.

Those who in the Apostles times were buried in no Church or Church-yard, nor Christen moldes (as they be called, when it it is no better then other Earth, but rather worse, for the conjuring that Bishops use about it.) It appeares in the Gospel by the Legion living in graves, the Widdows Sonne going to buriall, Christ buried without the city, &c. That they buried not in hallowed Churches by Bishops, but in a severall place appointed for the same purpose without the city, which custome remaineth to this day in many godly places.

As it then was lawfull and no hurt to the dead, so it is now, and one place is as holy as another to be buried in, saving that comely order requires the bodies not to be castaway, because they are the Temples of the Holy Ghost, and shall be glorified at the last day againe, but seemely to be buried, and an honest place to be kept severall from Beasts, and unreverent using of the same, for the same purpose.

IT IS POPISH TO BELEEVE that which the Bishops doe teach: That place to be more holy then the rest which they have hallowed, as they say, with their conjured water, crossings, censings, processions, &c.

But blessed be that God our Lord, which by the light of his word doth confound all such wicked and fond fantasies, which they devise to fill their bellies, and maintaine their authority by: Although these Ceremonies in the old Law were give by Moses for the hardnesse of the people to keepe them exercised, that they fall not to the Idolatry of the Gentiles; yet is there no mention of these in the new Testament, nor yet commanded now, either to us o… them, but forbidden to be used of all, both of us and them.

We be no longer under shaddowes, but under the truth.

Christ hath fulfilled all, and taken away all such darke kind of Ceremonies, and hath placed the cleare light of his Gospell in the Church… to continue to the end.

Thus and much more this Bishop, who liberally censures all Lordly Non-preaching Dominering Bishops, tearming these creatures ravening Wolves, Ly…ns, Beares, and such other ravening Beasts, for mercilesnes, rap…ne and cruelty.

If then these Consecrations be thus contrary to our S… tutes, Common…prayer… bo…ke, H…milies, Canons, Article…, Injunctions, Writers, and thus derived by this reverent Bishop himselfe, in a Booke printed at Lord… n… … An: 1562. (the same yeare, he 39. Articles of Religion were promulged and ratified,) I would gladly know by what Law or Authority our Bishops or their Delegates now take upon them, to consecrate Churches, Chappels, Church yards, and Altars, accounting them alltogether prophane; unlesse they have defiled, conjured, (I should have said consecrated) them with their new devised Ceremonies, Orisons, Consecration, Rites, and Ceremonies, takenout of Popist Masse-bookes, Ceremonials, Rituals, at large related in Summa Rosella, Summa, Angelica, Bochellous, Gratian, Ivo, Lyderwood, Hostrensis, with other Canonists in their Tales of Consecration of Churches and Altars, and treatises of this subject, deserving rather derision then imitation.

If they have no Law at all for it, but only the Popes Canon Law, (as they have not) aboli shed by sundry r2. 25. H. 8. c. 19. 20. 21. 27… H. 8… cap. 15. 37. H… 8. c. 17… 32. H. 8. c. 3acts of Parliament, is derogatory to the Kings prerogative, the subjects liberties, and the Lawes and Statu…es of the Realme; Then why are they now of late so madde upon these consecrations, as things of infinite moment. How hotte they have beene upon consecration of Altars, appeares not only by the new consecrated Altar at Wolverhampton, of which before, but like wise by the new erected and much adored high Altars in most Cathedrall and Collegiate Churches, in M…ga…len Colledge … Oxford, in Clare-hall, Petorhouse, Queenes Coll…dg…, with di…en other Colledges in the Vniversity of Cambridge, solemntly dedicated with some kinde of consecration, adorned with Tapors, Candlestickes, Basons, Crucifixes, Crosses, rich Altar-clothes, clasped brave Bookes, with Crosses in steed of Bosses, Crimson and Scarlet Cuinions, rich hangings, and dayly adred with superstitious idolatrous geniculations, to the great greife of all good Christians, who mourne to see these Fountains of learning thus desperately poysened & disguised with the Reliques, Sorceries and Ornaments of the Romish whose; Whom the divinity Professour of Cambridge D. C…llins in … publike Sermons hath of late yeeres much ext…lled, like an Apostazing Pander, preaching openly in S. Maries Church… That it is sitt w…e should meet the Papists halfeway, both in preaching and practise; Which he and others there have not o… done, but almost if not quite r…n…hon… unto them, as as aDeus Natura & Gratia, in sund…e pages.Franciscu de Sancta Clara (that moderne Reconciler) vaunts it sundry places of his printed Booke; To the great incouragement and triumph of all the Roman Faction; Who vau… that… they need no step one foote to us, who are running withal speed to come home to them, unless Gods present plagues … judgments for our desperate Apostasie stay our progresse, and some stoute private Champions and royall Edicts encounter us in the way to Rome, to drive us home againe, for never a Prelate will or dares to doe it, many of them spurring us … in this holy pilgrimage to S. Peters Chaire, (whencebSunday no …abbath p. 2… 48. Edit 1. D. … lington tells us they derive their Pedegree,) with all their mig… and man: How earnest and zealous our Prelates have b… in their consecration of Churches, Chappels, and Church-yards, placing great holinesse in this Ceremony, yea and necessity too; And evident, not only by their latecSee Bis: …audes Wrens, Pearce, Whites, and other of their Articles to this purpose visitation Articles, wherein they take great care of the holy consecrated graund they have hallowed with their Rochets, that it be by no meanes prophaned, but likewise by sundrie late consecrations, and contests about this Ceremonie, I shall instance only in … particulars, omitting*Cre… Church, the Chappell at Hamors…th, & others. all the rest, together with the solemne consecration of the foundation stones of the repaire of Paules, (which were very solemnely blessed by the Bishoppe, who hath farre more charity towards sencelesse stones, then men, whom he can finde spare howres to curse, excommunicate, imprison, dismember, and what not, but not to blesse or preach to.)

The first instance I shall pitch on, is that of S. Giles Church in the Feildes.

This Church about 9. yeares since, was new repaired in some of the wals, leds, and seats, & all divine offices, Sacramēts, preaching of divine service was celebrated in it, after its repair for two yeares space or more, (time enough one would think to consecrate it, if prayer, preaching of Gods Word, holy exercises, and Sacraments can make places holy:) All this time it was thought holy enough without any such consecration, by D. Mountaine then Bishop of London: But his Successour, after a yeares space (I know not upon what grounds, or humour, much lesse by what law or authority) would needs have the Church consecrated, though not new built, but repaired, …n which case by the dSumma Angelica Tit. cons… cratio Ecclesiae.Canon Law there needes no fresh conse…ration.

The Parish at first oppose it, but the present Bishop will not be foyled in this Laudable worke, whereupon he seque…ters the Church for a month or 3 weekes space, lockes up the …oores, suffers neither divine service, nor Sermons, nor Sacraments (except Baptisme) all that while, to the great disturbance of the Parishioners; At last af…er much adoe, and the expence of 50. or 60… in fees and entertainment, the Bishopp solemnely consecrates it,*See Pontificale Episcoporum de consecratione Ecclesiae. Mr. Calfe hill his answer to Marshall. F. 93. 94. 95. 96. after the old Romish manner (there being no Protestant forme prescribed by our Church) a crucifix, condemnedeOf the Perill of Idolatrie. expresly by our Homiles, being first sett up in the glasse window, to h…ll…w it in a legall forme though the fees for consecration werefSee Summa Angelica & Rosella Tit: Symonia. Symony by the Canon Law, and gSe… Brook Fitz. habent & Ristal Tit. extortion.extortion by the Common Law, and so illegall by both.

The 2. instance, is that of the new Chappel in the Kings Bench prison, buil… by St. Iohn Lentall.

After it had been built & used as a Chappel aboue a yeares space, I know not by what Law, it must needs be consecrated, or else threatn…d to be sequestred and interdicted.

The present Archbishoppes surrogate, & Bishop Wren, by late delegation under the Archbishop forsooth, would doe the feat, but not under 30…. fees at least, that was the lowest they would stoop to; So pure and innocent are these holy Consecrations and Consecratours from Symony and extortion; This price being in a manner agreed upon (hough somewhat an overhigh rate for so short a work…) D. Cu…le Bishop of Winchester hearing of it, alledged it was within his …, and t…e of… reit belonged not to them, but to him to consecrate; And because he would be sure to prevayle, he profered to hallow it gratis, and take nothing but a dinner for his paines, which the other would have besides their 30….

Hereupon S…. Iohn Lentall yeelds, that he should have the h…nour to consecrate it.

A weeke or two before this consecration, some Popishly affected person or other, had caused the picture of Christ and his 12 Apostles to be hung up in th… Chappel, contrary to the Homilies and Doctrine of our Church, the which some more honest minded persons rased and defaced.

The B…shop comming to consecrate the Chappel, since Easter last*1636., esples the defacing of these Images, & was very angrie at it; Telling Sr. Iohn, that had he knowne of the defacing of these holy Images, which ought to be respected before he came thither, h… would not have consecrated the Chappel till they had beene repaired and beautefied againe; Ye… since he was come, he would consecrate it as it was, but gave Sr. Iohn a speciall charge to see these holy Reliques of Rome repaired with all speed, which thereupon being done, hath driven many from the Chappel.

By which true relation of this Consecration, we may see what an holy c…re our devout Prel…t… have of preserving & setting up these Images and Pictures, which the veryhOf the Perill of Idolatrie. The Right use of the Church. The Time and Place of Prayer. Homilies and subscribed Doctrine of our Church injoyne, them in all especiall manner to deface, pull downe, and cast out of all our Churches, as things that doe not adorne or consecrate, but most fil…hely defile, idulterate, and prophane them. Ex…ungue Leonem, you may know what and whose creatures they are, and what they ayme at, by their clawes.

The third instance J shall nominate, is now very fresh in memory.

D. Lawde Archbishop of Canterbu…y, contested lately with the Vniversity of Cambridg…, pretending that he by his Metropoliticall authority ought to visit them.

The Vniversity on the other side alledged; That their Vniversity it selfe, and many of their Colledges, were of the Kings foundation, and so of right i2 H. 5. c. 21. H. 8. c. 21. Cooks Iustitutes: f. 344. a. and other Law books there citedexempt from all Episcopall ju…isdiction; That they were not under the Bishop of the Diocesse his visitation, therefore not under the Arch-bishops; That every Colledge had its proper visitours, appointed by the Charters of their foundation, with his Majesties and his Royall ancestours speciall appointment, & therefore ought to be visited by no other.

That the power and right of visiting the Ecclesiasticall State and persons… especially of the Vniversities, was a cheefe flower of the Crowne united to it, by expresse words, in two severall Act… of Parliament, to witt, 26. H. 8. c. 1. 1. Eliz. c. 1. And also by 37. H. 8. c. 17. 8. Eliz. c. 1.

That the Kings Majestie alone by the Canon Law and those statutes was the sole visitour of the whole Realme; That no Bishop could keepe any visitation, no not in his owne Diocesse, but by speciall Pate…t and Commission under the Kings broad Seale authorising him, and that in the Kings name and right alone, not his owne, as these Statutes of Ed. 6. c. 2. and all the Bishops Patents in Edward the 6. time made according to this Act, expresly define.

That they were bound by their oath of Supremacy and allegiance to his Majestiel1. Eliz. c. 1. to defend this right of his, to the uttermost of their powers, and by their oath to maintaine his Priviledges.mAntiqu. Ecces. Brit: in late Fox Acts and Monumēts p. 1774. to 1782.

That no Archbishop since 25. H. 8. c. 1. (except Cardinall Poole by a Commission from the Pope, as his Legate and Delegate in Queen Maries time) had ever attempted and presumed to visit the Vniversity in his owne Metropoliticall right, and that it was never visited before that time by any B. as Metropolitan, but only asnAntiqu: Eccles. Brit: passim. the Popes Legate, and by vertue of his Buls: That King Henry the 8 King Edward the 6. Queene Elizabeth, and King Iames, did visit it by their Commissioners, & no Archbishop in their time durst presume to visit it by his Archiepiscopall power only: Thato36. H. 8. p. 13. Robert Holgate Archbishop of Yorke, in King Henry the 8. his dayes, with other Bishops, and all the Bishops what soever in King Edward the 6. time, were forced to tal…e speciall Patents and Licenses from the King, enabling and authorising them in precise words, to visit their Diocesse and execute Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction, and that only Nomine, vicè, & autoritate Regis, which they could not do without such Patents.pSee 5. H. 6. parts. …. in this Ro…s.

That no Bishop or Ordinary, without a speciall Patent or Commission, can or dares to visit any one of the Kings free Chappels, much lesse then, any of his Vniversities, which are more peculiar to his Majestie, and more to be respect…d, and of they did, they incurred a Praemunire.qCooks Institut. F. 334. a: Brooke Praemunire. 21. 21. E. 3 60. a:

Therefore if the Archbishop would come to visit them in his owne name and right as Archbishop only, they must and would withstand him, according to their oaths, and duties, both to his Majestie & the Vniversity; But if he wo…ld come as the Kings visit u… and substitute only, and in his name and right alone, with a speciall Commission or Patent under his great…eale, they would willingly submit to his visitation, otherwise not.

This contestation grew so great, that at the length it came to be heard and descided before his Majestie, and his honourable privy Counsell at Hampton … … Whereupon the ope…ing &… hearing of the case (pretended by the Vniversit…es & Arch-bishops) was whether his Majestie, or the Arch-bishops, or which of them should be supreme in causes Ecclesiasticall, and sole visitour of the Vniversities in Law & righ… The Arch-bisop declared, that he desired not to visit the Vniversity out of any ambition or desire of Innovation, &c. But only to rectify some enormities of l…ng Continuance; And what were they? There were some Chappels belonging to certaine Colledges in that Vniversity, the which had never yet been consecrated, and yet divine service & Sacraments were ministred in then, and had beene so for many yeares, and for instāce he named E…nuel Colledge for onerSe Speeds History of great … p. 106… 1068. (which hath been used as a Chappel ever since the yeare of our Lord 1524) and Sidney Sussex Colledge Chappell, used from An: 1598. till this present.

So that the consecration of these two Chappels were the principall cause (at least pretence) of this great contestation before the Arch-bishop and Vniversity.

A weighty matter, God woot… to trouble his Majestie and whole Counsell with, when as there is neithersPopes (& so Bishops) have no scriptures for their hallowing of thinges. B. Pilkington on Aggeus. c. 2. 2. 10. Scripture, Law, nor Canon of our Church in force, to justifie such a consecration, but Lawes and authoriti… store against it.

tExposit: on Aggeus 1. v. 78. De vita & Obitu M. Buceri.Bishop Pilkington,uActs and Monumēts p 1777. to 1788. Walter Haddon. Mr. Fox, and others much jeare and deride the madnesse, folly, and superstition of Cardinall Poole, and his Deputie visitors of this very Vniversity of Cambridge, for digging up Mr. Bucers and Paulus F…gius bores out of S. Maries Church i… Cambridge, …. yeares after they were interred; And interdicting, and n…w con…ecrating the Church againe as prophaned by them, for feare their Masses and divine service, there used, should be nothing worth, the place being made prophane and unholy by these Heretickes funerals, as they judged them: When as the Church was holy enough to say Masse in for three yeare space before, & all that would not heare it… must be imprisoned, although the parties lay there buried.

And is it not then a farre greater madnes superstition, and ridiculous frenzie for our dominering Arch-Prelats, to deeme these two Chappels prophane places, unfitt to administer the Sacraments, a…d celebrate divine service in, because never yet consecrated by a Bishop, not only after three, but almost threescore yeares use and practise of divine service, Sermons and Sacraments in them; Whē as neither his predecest…rs Whi… gift, Bancroft, and Abbot, (men very ceremonious, and much addicted to superstition) ever so much as moved any such question concerning the necessity of their consecration. And there is no such Canons, Law, and Doctrine to enforce the consecratiō of them now, as were to justifie thexSe Summa Angelica & Rosella Tit. Consecratio Ecclesiae. rehallowing of S. Maries, in Queen Maries time, which the Popish Canon Law then approv…d.

O that these great Prelates were as zealous to preach the word of God, and patronize the authorized Doctrines of our Church, as they are for these superstitious, ridiculous Romish trifles, fitter for Schoole-boyes to sport themselves with all, then for great and grave Bishops (ever imployed in the highest State and Church affaires) to trouble both the Vniversity, King, Counsell, and themselves with all.

If any here reply, that theyIoannis de Aton C…nstit: Dom: Othonis de consecrati…nis Eccles: f. 5. 6 7. Counsell of London An: 1236. under Cardinall Otho the Popes Legate, first of all ordained and decreed here in England, that Churches should be consecrated, whereas before that time, (as the words of the Constitution witnesse) divers Cathedrals and Parochiall Churches in England had been built many years before, and used as Churches, and yet were never consecrated: J answer, that it seemes till this Constitution, even in those times of superstitious grosse blindness, Consecration was not held a thing of any moment or necessity, much lesse then should it be so reputed now.

Yet as those ancient Churches must then, for this Legates gaine be all consecrated within a certaine space, that he might have a round fee from every of them, or else be wholy suspended and interdicted, so must these ancient Chapples now, by this Popish Canon.

After this Constitution, the Bishops byz15. R. 2. c. 5. Rastall Mort. 8. Bulls from the Pope tooke upon them to consecrate Churches, Chapples, and Church-yeards, in their owne names and rights, till the abolishing of the Popes usurped power, and restoring the Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction to the Crowne. An. 25. H. 8. c. 19. 20. 21. & 26. H. 8. c. 1.

After which Acts the Bishops durst not consecrate any Chapple, Church, or Church-yeard, till they had obtained a speciall License from the King, under his broad Seale, for them and their successours, enabling and authorizing them to doe it; Which Licence they (after much suite to the King, Henry the 8.) obta…ned in the 31. yeare of his reigne, the Coppy whereof I shall sett here downe.

a31 H 8. In the Patent Rols: pars 4….The King to all men, unto whome these presents shall come greeting. Know yee that wee, out of our speciall grace, certaine knowledge, and meere motion, have granted and given License, and by these presents for us and our heires doe grant and give License, as much as in us is, to the most reverend Fathers in Christ, Thomas Arch-bishop of Canterbury, and Edward Arch-bishop of Yorke, and to the reverend Father in Christ, John Bishop of Bath and Wells, and also to all other Bishops and Suffraganes within our Realme of England, that they, and every … them may consecrate any Churches, Chappels, or Church-yeards, in our Kingdome of England already built and finished, as well for the administration and receiving of all Sacraments and Sacramentals to be ministred in them, o… any of them; As for the use of the buriall of dead pers…ns within the same Churches, or Church-yeards, and eueryevery of them, &c.

And wee further will and grant by these presents, tha… our Chancellour of England shall make or cause to be made, and deliver or cause to be delivered to any of the foresaid Arch-bishops and Suffraganes from time to time, as often as there shall be need, so many, and such a number of our Letters Patents, with speciall and sufficient words a…d clauses to be made in due forme of Law, for the execution of the Premises, and to be sealed under the great Seale, as shalbe necessary and fitt for the premises or any of them, by his discretion, &c. Notwithstanding the Statutes of Mort: &c. In witnesse whereof, &c. Witnesse the King at Westminster, the 1…. day of November in the 31. yeare of the reigne of King Henry the 8, &c. Teripsum Regem.

From which Patent (truely transcribed out of the Rolls, where it it is in Lattine,) I observe:

First, that the Arch-Bishops had then no Lawfull right … power at all to consecrate Churches, Chappels, or Church-yeards, without a speciall License from the King himselfe, under his Great Seale: Therefore by like reason not to keep Consistories, Visitations, inflict Ecclesiasticall Censures, suspend or silence Ministers and the like, without such a speciall grant or Licence: And so their Episcopall jurisdiction, not …ure divino, but meerly humane by the Kings grant and institution.

Secondly, that after such a License given them by the King, under his great Seale, they cannot, yea ought not by Law to consecrate any Church, Chappel, or Church-yeard, without suing forth a spec…all Patent out of the Chauncery, under the Great Seale, particularly and by name authorizing them with sufficient words and clauses, to consecrate such & such a Church, Chappel, or Church yeard in speciall, (much more then must they have the like speciall Patent, and Commission, to keep Courts, Visitations, suspend or silence Ministers, and the like,) which Licenses and Commissions now they sue not out, but goe on of their owne heads, in and by their owne Episcopall authorities for the most part, for which a Paemunire lies against them.

Thirdly, that every consecration is, and makes ab15. R. 2. c. 5. Rastall Mortmanie. 8 3. Mortmani…; Therefore it is against the Law, and must have a speciall License and warrant from the King, under his Great Seale, as this Patent prescribes.

Fourthly, this Patent allowes neither the Bishops, nor their Officers, to take any fees at all, for any such consecrations; Therefore the fees they *30…. 40…. a Church or Chappleexact for them, are meere extortions, for which an Inditement or Bill lyeth in the Sta-chamber.

Fifthly, they cannot inforce any man, or Parish, to have their Chappels, Churches, or Church-yeards consecrated, unlesse themselves require and desire it may be done, as some words in the Patent (which for brevity sake I have omitted) manifest, and the words may, nor shall consecrate, implieth as much.

Sixtly, that this gives them no power at all to consecrate Altars or Altar-clothes, (which have acSum… Angelica Tit: Consecrat: Altaris & Pontificale Romanum. distinct peculiar forme of Consecration) but only Churches, Chappels, & Church-yeards.

After this Kingd37. H. 8. in the R…s pars prima Henry the …. in the 37 yeare of his reigne, by his Letters Patents to the Bishop of Oxford, among other things, granted him power to proceed to the Consecration of Churches and Church-yeards within his Di…cesse. Moreover without speciall grant from the King they had no such power; For which cause it was then specially inser…e… into this and other Bishops Patents.

And thus long the Consecration of Churches with all other Popish Superstitions and Ceremonies almost continued in use.

But upon the change and reformation of religion, (which is worthy of observation) i… quite vanished away, as did many other Popish Superstitions, by the abolishing of the Masse…Bookes, Primers, and Ceremonials, which prescribed the manner and forme of Consecrating Churches, Chapples, and Church-yeardes, by the Statutes of 2. &. 3. E. 6. c. 1. & 3. & 4. E. 6. c. 10. Whence I finde not in all the Patents made to Bishops in King Edward… dayes by the provision of the statutes of 1. E. 6. c. 2: One syllable authorizing them to consecrate Churches, Chapples, or Church-yeards, though all other parts of Ecclesiasticall and Episcopall jurisdiction (as keeping of Courts, Visitations, Probale of Wills, granting of Letters of Administration, suspending of Ministers upon *Note this: Bishops then could not suspēd or deprive Ministers, without a speciall Patent or Commissiō, and that upon just and Lawfull causes, warranted by some statute there in force: Ergo now they cannot doe it. And not one of thē having such a Pa…ent or Commissiō at this day from the King, all their suspensions and proceedings against Ministers and others are meere Nullities.Legall and just groundes &c. be particularly granted them in those Patents: Yet how? To be executed only NOMINE VICE ET AVTHORITATE NOSTRIS REGIIS, in o… owne Royall Name, Stead, and Authority, not their owne, as the Patents of Scory, Couerdale, 5. Ed. 6. parsf: in the Rolls, with many others testify: Neither have any Bishops since Henry the 8. this clause of Consecrating Churches, Chapples, … Church-yards, inserted into heir Patents in these latter dayes, from the King, under his Great S…ale, authorizing them to keep Consistories, Visitations, prove Wills, grant L…ters of Administration, Suspend, Silence or deprive Ministers or inflict any Ecclesiasticall Censures upon any Subj…ct.

Therefore they have not authority at all in point of Law, to execute any of those particulars, aud what ever they doe in any of them is Coram non judice, and but a meere Nullity, especially their Consecration of Churches, Chapples, Church-yeards, Altars, for which they have neither Patent… Statute, Article, Injunction, Canon, or Orthodox Writer of our Church: Or for those long eFox Act… & Monuments. p. 1147 999 5. & 6. E. 6. c. 3.since antiquated Bacchanalian feasts of Dedication, which they would nowfDedicacion for sport at the end. receive.

But of this enough for this present, in which I have been the more prolix, because it is a poiet of Law, not hitherto discussed fully, by any that I have mett with.

QVESTION IIII.

The 4. Question I shall propound, is this: What Law or Canon there is to enjoyne Ministers, to read the Epistle and Gosple, or second service at the High-Altar or Lords Table (or to suspend them if they refuse to doe it) when there is no Communion.

The reason of this demaund is five-fold:

1. Because in truth there is no Statute, Law, Injunction, or Canon extant, prescribing any such thing.

2. Because the Rubricke before the Communion ordaines, that the TABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMMVNION shall stand in the body of the Church or Chancle WHERE MORNING AND EVENING PRAYER BE APPOYNTED TO BE SAID, and the Preist standing at the NORTH SIDE of the Table, shall say the Lords prayer with thi collect following. &c. And the Rubricke at the end of the Communion ordaines thus: VponUpon the Holy-dayes if there be no Communion, shall be said all that is appointed at the Communion, untill the end of the Homily, concluding with the generall prayer, &c. But it sayth not, that it shall then be sayd at the Communion Table: Whence I observe:

1. That the… Rubricke ties not the Minister to say second service at the Lords Table, but at such times only as there is a Communion.

2. That when he reades service at it, the Table ought not to stand Altar-wise against the East-wall of the Church, but … be removed and placed in the body, or MIDDLE of the Church, or Chappel, where Morning and Evening Prayer be appointed to be sayd: So as the Pr…st ought not to goe up to the Table or high Altar, but they ought to be removed and brought downe to him, as is cleare by th…s Rubricke, and more perspicuous by Queen Elizabeths Injunctions, and the 82 Canon forecited, if you read: Whence I argue thus:

The Minister ought not to read Second service at the Altar, but then only, when it is removed and brought downe into the body and middle of the Church or Chancel to celebrate the Communion at, as the Rubricke, Injunction & Canon resolve: But the Table is not thus to be removed or placed but at the time of the Communion (unlesse they will grant, that it ought alwayes to stand in the middest of the Church, or Chancel, which they profestedly deny) witnesse the Rubricke Institution and Canon: Therefore they ought not to read Second Service at it, but only when there is a Commi…ion.

Thirdly,The third reason of the …. because the Rubricke before Te Deum saith, that the Epistle and the Gospell shall be read where the two Lessons are with a loudvoayce, that the people may heare the Minister that read…th them, and the Minister Atanding and turning himselfe, as …he may best be heard of ALL such as be present: Therefore this is direct, that the Second Servic… (whereof the Epistle and Gospell are a part) must be read in the Reading P…w, where the Lessons are, when there is no Communion; Because there, he may best be heard of ALL present, and that he must not turne his fuce East, but West to the people.

Fourthly, because the Table is instituted and placed in Churches,4. Reasons not to read divine Service at, but to Consecrate and minister the Lords Supper at; This is the sole use for which it serves: As the Font, is ordained only for Baptism…, the … for reading, and the Chest or p…oremans lo… in every Church for Almes: So it for the L: S… as is clear by 1 Co… 10. 16. 21 C. 11. 20. 2…. &c. The Common-prayer-booke; The Homilies of the worthy receiving of the Sacramnt…, of the right use of the Church, of the R…pairing and keeping cleare of Churches.

Queen Elizabeths In…unctions & Canons sett ou… 1511. p: 18. and Can: 1603. Can: 8…. 82. 83. 84. with all writers old and new I ever mett with all, have the Licenses and Injunctions run thus:

Whereas her Majesty understandeth, &c. And Tables placed for ministration of the holy Sacrament, according to the forme of Law therefore provided: Hence Mathew Parkers visitation-Articles An: 1560. Art. 2. thus: Whether have you in your Churches, &c. A comly and decent Table FOR the HOLY COMMVNION, &c. The Canons in Convocation Anno 1571. p. 18. thus: Church-wardens shall see, there be a faire repaired Table, which may serve for the Administration of Holy Communion, and a c…eane Cloth to cover it; A convenient Pulpit, whence the Heavenly doctrine may be taught, &c. The 28. Can: 1603. thus: Whereas we have no doubt, but that in all Churches within the Realme of England (therefore in Cathedrals too, which had then no Altars) convenient and decent Tables are provided and placed (to what end? to read Service at? No; But) for the celebration of the holy Communion, &c. And likew…se that a convenient seate be made for the Minister to READ SERVICE IN: With a comly & decent Pulpit for the preaching of Gods word Can. 83.

Since then the use of the Table by these and infinite other testimonies, yea by the resolution of all (our *Have you a decent Communion Table to administer the Sacrament or Communiō at? This is the ordinary Article in all visitations.Pre…utes …isitation Articles) is only instituted for the celebration of the Lords Supper at it; And the 28 Canon, with the Rubricke before T… Deum expresly confines the reading of divine service to the Ministers State appointed for that purpose: It is cleare, that the Minister ought not to read Second Service at the Table, but only when there is a Communion: That the reading of Service at it on other times, is a meere abuse and perversion of that end, for which it was instituted: And Bishoppes may with as much reason and Law enjoyne them to reade Second Service, at the Font, in the Pulpit, or at the Poore mans box, as at it.

Fifthly,The 5. reason. Because the Queenes Injunctions, the 82 Canon, and Arch bishop Laudes very first Article for his Metropoliticall visitation expresly prescribe:

That when ever the Minister shall reade Service at the Table, it shall be placed in so good sort within the Church or Chancle, as thereby the Minister shall be the more coveniently heard of the Communicants in his prayer and administration, and the Communicants also more conveniently, and in more number may communicate with the said Minister: Which words, compared with the Rubricke before Te Deum, are a direct resolution, that the Minister ought not to reade any prayers at the Table, but when there is a Communion; Which being most cleare;

No Bishoppes may or ought to enjoyne Ministers to reade Second Service at the Table or Altar, when there is no Communion, neither can they suspend any for not doing it.

And if any Bishop persuade or enforce Ministers to reade Service thus, both the Bishop and they (as D. Wre…. B…shop of Norwich, with many of his Clergie have done) incurre the penalties of the Act of 1 Eliz. c. 2. and may be indited, fined and imprisoned for it by this Law; It being a saying of divin… s…rvice in another manner and forme, and an using of other rights and Ceremonies then are prescribed in the Booke of Common-prayer; Which together with the Queens Injuctions and Canons) condemnes this Innovation, which was never used or urged in Parish Churches till now; Neither is there any president for it in Antiquity, but only in Popish Churches of late yeares.

All that can be alledged for it is that whichgSermon of Gods House: p. 20. Shelford and the hA Coale from the Altar. p. 11. 27.Colier produce for Altars, and bowing to them; The practise of our Cathedrall and Collegiate Churches, being most Popish, corrupt, and most opposite to our Lawes and Canons of all other in their i Crucifixes, Images, Tapors, Altars, Altar-adorations, Vestments, Chaunting, lascivious Musicke, Gesticulations, with a World of other Romish Antichristian Reliques and Ceremonies: (All which are condemned by the Homilies against the Perill of Idolatrie of the time and place of Prayer: The Common Prayer-Booke: 3. & 4. E. 6. c. 10. & 1. Eliz. c. 2. 3. Iac. c. 5. and all our writers till of late) being fitter our detestation then Imitation.

To which I answer:

1. That we must live by precepts, not Examples; Our Cathedrals in this, and sundrie other particulars, are contrary to our Lawes and Canons in point of practise, therefore to be detested. corrected, and reformed by our Lawes, and made like to other Churches; Not our Laws, Canons, and Churches to be squared by them, the worst of any.

2. The Rubricke of the Common Prayer-Booke, in the end of the Communion, prescribes in direct termes; That in Cathedrall and Collegiate Churches, where be many P…eists and Deacons, they shall ALL receive the Communion with the Minister EVERY SVN-DAY AT THE LEAST, except they have a reasonable cause to th… contrary; By which it is cleare, that there ought to be a Communion celebrated every Sunday in every Cathedrall & Collegiate Church, and that every Preist and Deacon of the Church ought then to receive it with the Minister, unlesse he hath a reasonable cause to the contrary: And who can this Minister be but the Bishop? Ergo Bishops are but Ministers, and ought to receive the Sacrament every Sunday in their Cathedrals: Ergo to be alwayes Resident at their Seas, and no dancing attendance on the Court.

The last clause of this Rubricke relates only to all the Preists and Deacons receiving with the Minister, not to the Sacraments administration by the Minister, for that ought to be every Sunday without intermission.

Thus was the Sacrament dayly administred in every Cathedrall and Collegiate ChurchiIvo Denetalium: pars 2a. c. 25. 26 28. 29. 34 25 August. Epist. 118 ad Ianuarium. Cyprianus de coena Domini. Ambros. l. 4. de Sacramentis c. 6 anciently, and in Queen Elizabeths dayes; And so it ought by Law to be now; And this was the reason why Second Service for the Communion was read every Sunday and Holy-day at the Lords Table in those Churches, because they had a Communion on those dayes.

But now the Substance of the Communion is quite omitted and discontinued, and not so much as looked after by our Bishoppes and Cathedrall men; and the Ceremony, to wit…, the use of reading second service at the Table (now fo… …oo…h at the High Altar, as they call it,) only retained and urged; Which ought not to be read there by Law, as I have manifested, unlesse there be a Commnion, and then only at … Lords Table, as the Rubricke in the Communion, the Queens Injunctions, and 28. Canon prescribe, not at an Alta.

Our Bishops therefore must now either pull downe their High Altars in their Cathedrall and Collegiate Churches, and administer the Sacrament in them every Sunday and Holyday at the Table, (and the standing in the middest, not … Quire where all may heare, not at the upper end, where … can …eare whats read, as in Paules and other Cathedrals, … the Vergers by holding up their Verges are appointed to give notice to the Cheristers and others, when to say AMEN, … that they heare not what is read) as the Common Prayer-Booke injoynes them; Or else give over their reading of the Second Service at their High Altars or Lords Tables, situated Altarwise, reading it only in their Pewes, appointed for that purpose, as they do in Parish Churches, else they may be lawfully indicted, fined and imprisoned for it, as egregious viol…ters of the statute of 1… Eliz. c. 2. and of the Common Prayer, that they seeme so much to stand upon.

QVESTION V.

The 5 Question I shall propose is this; What Law or Canon is there for the building of Churches and Chapples East and West, or placing the Chancle or Quire at the East end of them, kSee Hospinian de Origine Altarium & Templorum. And the Authorities in the beginning forecited.Statute or Canon of our Church and State J know not any; and for pract se it hath beene otherwise.

The Temple of Ierusalem and its Sanctuary flood otherwise: And the Iewish Synagogues anciently and now were built round, or in an Oual manner, as was the Great Temple built by Helena and Constantine the great over the Sepulcher at Ierusalem: The famouslWalafridus Strabus de Rebus Eccles. c. 1. Eusebius Eccl. Hist. l. 10. c. 4. Church of Tyre, built by Paulinus Bishop of that city, was otherwise situated: For the Sermon made in the prayse thereof, which fully discribes it, informes us; That the great Porch of the Church was at the East part of it, reaching very high EAST-WARDS unto the Sunne-beames, and that there was a seperation with great distance, betweene the Sanctuary or Temple it selfe and this Porch: The Sanctuary therefore being a great distance from the Porch, and the Porch standing thus Eastw…rds; It is certaine, that the Chancle or Quire of this Church stood either in the middest, or West end of it, not at the East in the middest whereof (the same Sermon informes us) the Altar stood.

The Coliars strange glosse to evade this direct a…thority, p. 53. (That this Altar stood along the Easterne Wall of this Chancle, which may well be interpreted to be in the middle of the Chancle in reference to the North and South.) is a direct forgery contrary to the words of this Sermon, which sayth, th… the Porch stood Eastward, and the Sanctuary a great distance from it, in the middest of which the Altar stood. So as it could not possibly stand along the East wall or end of the Church, being so farre remote from and beyond the Porch, which stood Eastward.

Since this time the Churches (as I have else-where manifested) have been diversly situated according to the conveniency of the place; Some being round or Ouall; Others square; Others standing North and South, as … the Savoy Church, with divers of the Kings owne Chapples; And the Chapples of Sundrie Colledges, Hospitals, Noblemen and Gentlemen; And if this be not sufficient, the very late Popish Chapple at Somersett-house; with the new Church in Court Garden, which as it stands not now perfectly East and West, so at first the Chancle of it stood towards the West part; Which some Prelates (without Law, Canon, and reason, I know not upon what superstitious overweaning conceit) commanded to be altered and transformed to the other end, to the great expence of the builder, the hindrance, and deformity of that good worke, which yet must not be used for a Church, because not consecrated by a Bishops co… ring white Rochet; Which consecration I have manifested to be against Law, & utterly exploded as a Romish Relique.

If then there be no Law or Canon for the building of Churches or Chapples, East and West, or placing the Chancle in the East end of Churches, as is apparent, there is not; There cannot then be either Law or Canon for the placing or rayling … of our Communion-Tables against the East wall of Church or Chancles Altarwise; Being the end for which J moved the Question.

And as there is no Law for this situation of the Table or Chancle, so as litle Antiquity.

For in Durantus his time (one of the latest authorities Bish…p Iewel quotes) who lived not above 400 yeares since, the Altar stood in the middest of the Quire, and not close against the wall, as is evident not only by the words Bishop Iewell …ites, but by other passages: By the: Altar (mRationale Divin l. 1. c. 2 nu. 15. sayth he) our heart is understood, which is in the MIDDEST of the body, ficut Altare in MEDIO ECCLESIAE, as the Altar is in the MIDDEST of the Church.

Moreover he informes us,n…. l 1. c. 7. nu 15. that in consecrating the Altar, the Bishop septies Altare CIRCVIT, goeth ROUND ABOUT the Altar 7 times (which he could not doe stood it Altarwise as now, close to the Easterno wall,) to signify that …e ought to take care for all, and be vigilant for all, which is signified by CIRCUITUM, by his compassing or going round the Altar.

And if this be not sufficient, (out of Isiodor oDe officijs, l. 1. c. 3, Amalarius pDe Ecclesiasticis officijs, lib. 3. c. 3., Fortunatus qDe Instit. Clericorum: l. 1. c 33., Rabanus rRationale Divin. l 1. c. 1. nu 18., Maurus sPage 56., and others fore-cited) he thus defines a QuiretPage 56., Chorus est multitudo exsacris coll…cta, & dictus Chorus, quód initio in modum CORONAE CIRCUMARAS starent, & ita psallerent: Enough to Answer the Coliars uDe Ritibus Eccles. l. 1. c. 17. nu. 1.idle euation of his authority.

This ancient definition of a Quire is since repeated and approved by DurantusuDe Ritibus Eccles. l. 1. c. 17. nu. 1. Bartholomeus Gavantus xCommēt. in Rutr. Missale: par: 1 Tit. 15. Sect. 2and other late Popish writers.

Enough to prove that how ever Romish or English Altars have been lately situated against the East wall of the Quire, yet ab initio non fuit sic: it hath been but of late times so, even as the Papists themselves confesse.

Hence our Learned Dr. …ulke yCap. 17. Sect. 15., as in the places fore-cited, so in his Defence against G…egory Martin writes thus:

The Table anciently stood as men might stand ROUND ABOUT IT, AND NOT AGAINST A WALL, AS YOUR POPISH ALTARS stand, which is easy to prove, and hath often times been proved, and it seemes (sayth he to Martin of the PapistszLib. 6. c. 5. Sect. 15. p. 462. Edit. 2.) you confesse as much; VVhichWhich words of his are both cited and approved of by Bishop Morton (who concurs both in words and judgement with him) in his two late Editions of his Institution of the Sacrament.

This Hospinian aDe Origine Altarium.proves by sundry authorities, and by that of the Counsell of Constantinople foreign. which Survis, Crab, Binius, and others render CIRCVMCIRCA ALTARE, round about the Altar, as the word doth properly signify even inbActs 14. 28. Iob. 10 24 Exod. 39 25. 26 Sacred Scripture, & other authours, as Bishop Iewel, & Bishop Morton both resolve.

I shall therefore close up this Quaere with the words of the Iesuite c19. 12. Num. 1. 50. Iosh. 6. 3. 4. 2 Sā. 5. 9. Exod. 16. 13. 2 Cron. 4. 3. 2 Kings 6 14 15. Iob. 16. 13. Psal 7. 7. Ps. 17 9. Ps. 18. 4 5 Ps. 22. 12 16. Ps 88. 17. Ps. 103 3. Ps. 118. 10. 12. Jonab. 2 3. 5 Luk. 21 20. Heb. 11. 30. c. 12. 1. Rō. 20 9. … Jeue. 3. Qu. 83. Disp 233. co. 2. n. 20Vasquez, more moderate, then many of our Novellers, Nihilominus certum est, &c. Although there be many Authours (to witt of late time, which he there cites) for the placing of Altars towards the East; Yet it is certaine, that it is NO SINNE or offence to situate not only lesser Altars, but likewise the High Altar (and Quires and Chancles too, which he there speakes of) towards other climates or parts of the world; For this tradition (how-ever some urge it as necessary, and a binding Law) non est de earum numero quae sub praecepto nobis volita fuerunt; It is not of the number of those traditions, which have been left unto us under any precept; VVhichWhich he proves out of the forecited words ofdDe rebus Eccles. c. 4. Walafridus, Strab…, adding out ofeEccles. Hist. l. 12. c. 24. Nicephorus, that men have dive…sly ordered those things in former times.

Which the example of the Church of Antioch doth manifest out of fEccles. Hist. l. 5. c. 21.Socrates, wherein the Altar stood westward, it being free for Christians in these things, vel hanc vel illam consi…tudinem amplecti to embrace either this or that custome in the si…uation of their Altars, (Lords Tables) and Quires: Much more the… to rayle in, or not rayle in their Altars or Lords Tables Altarwise at the East end of the Quire, or to come up to the rayle (asgVisitatiō Articles for Norwich Diocesse. Bishop Wre… will now inforce all his Diocesse by his new iuvented Articles, to receive, contrary to the custome of all our churches from Queen Elizabeths time till now, yea contrary to the practise in the dayes of Popery, and in the primitive time when the Laity came not into the Quire or Chancle to receive, but only to offer, as is evident by Concilium To… et …um 4. Can. 16. in choro clerus communice…; Extra Chorum populus. Concil: Eluber: Can. 76. Sardicense Can. 10. Agathense: Can. 2. 5. 50. Cypr. Epist: 52. Innocentius. 1. Epist. 22. Niciph: Eccles: Hist: …. 12. c. 41. Chamir. l. 9. de Coena Domini. c. 1. Dr. Featly his grand sacraledge, p. 391. with others forequoted.

And the Rubricke of the Booke of Common-Prayer, sett forth in 2. and 3. Ed. 6. which appoints the people to be placed in the Quire, the men on the one side, the women on the other side, and there to receive.

And likewise King Iames his Proclamation, new printed before the Bookes of Common-Prayer, admonisheth all men that hereafter they shall not expect nor attempt any further alteration in the common and publicke for me of Gods service from this which is now established, &c. it being necess…ry to use constancy in the holding of the publicke determinations of States, for that such is the unquietn…sse and unstedfastnesse of some dispositions (as Wren & other Novellors, and the Colier now) affecting every yeare new formes of things, as if they should be followed in their unconstancy, would make all actions of States ridiculous and contemtible; VVhereas the stedfast maintaining of things by good advice established, is the Weals of all Common Wealthes, which J would wish our Novellers to ruminate upon.

QVESTION VI.

The 6. Quaere I shall put to these Innovatours, is this: VVhat Statute, Canon, Scripture, An…iquity or reasons they have for bowing to or towards Communion-Tables or Altars; VVhether their cringing and bowing be a divine ado…ation, or only a civill worship? And how it differs from the Pagans and Papist, bowing, and practise of adoring Altars, Crucifixes, Crosses, and Images, which our Homilies with all our Orthodox writers define to be Idolatrie.

This Question is T…partie, and the cheife of all the rest not hitherto debated fully in print by any; J shall therefore crave leave to be the more copions in it, beginning with the first branch thereof:

Law, Canon, Injunction, Constitution of our Church, enjoyning and prescribing any such bowing or Ceremonie, I never yet, met with any, no not in times of Popery, except that ofiFox Acts & Monuments, p. 1781. Cardinall Pooles Popish Visitours in Queen Maries dayes, in the Vniversity of Cambridge, fore mentioned.

Scripture there is not any direct in point, only some texts are strained and miserablie perverted to this purpose. As kSee Shelfords Sermō of Gods house: p. 18 19 20. Bishops Mortons Institution of the Sacrament. Edit 2. p. 463.1: Psal. 5. 7. and Psal. 138. 2. In thy feare will I worship towards thy holy Temple; The nearest texts they can ci…e for their purpose, and yet farre enough from it.

For what Logician will not deride this argument:

David would and did worship towards the Temple at Ierusalem.

Ergo we must bow downe and worship to or towards our Altars or Communion Tables:

David and the godly Israelites being in their houses or else-where out of the Temple, worshipped, that is,l… King. 8 29 30. 33 35 Dan. 9. 10 prayed towards it;

Ergo Christians when they come in or goe out of our Churches, must bow downe to the Table or Altar.

VVhat coherence of vigour is there in this argument? What beast had he reason would thus dispute? Had they hence inferred, Ergo, we must alwayes adore, bow downe to, or worship God towards (not in) our Churches and Chaples: This had been a more probable inference, though unsound; Because the Iewes worshipped and prayed towards their Temple only, which is vanished; Not towards their Synagogues, of which our Churches is rather patternes and successours, then of the Temple, which was but one, not many, and that a type of our Saviour, abolished shortly after his death, nor of our Churches built long since after another forme, and to an m2 Ch…ō, 7. 12. See the Homily of the right use of …he Church.other purpose then it.

But to answer the texts fully:

1. First, the worship towards the Temple, here mentioned, was not bare bowing downe of the body only (as these Novellers dreame) to, or towards it, or the Altar or Temple, but a praying towards it, as is evident, by Psal. 28. 2. 1 King. 8. 20. 30. 33. 35. 38. 42. 44. 48. 2 Chron. 6. 20. 21. 24. 26. 29. 34. 38. Dan: 6. 10. Therefore it warrants no bowing to or towards the Altar or Lords Table without prayer.

2. Secondly, it was a worship towards the Temple only, not towards the Altar in the Temple; And so makes nothing for bowing towards the Altar or Table; For the Church or Chapple it selfe is neither.

3. Thirdly, it was only a turning with the face towards the Temple; Not any genufl…ction or chringing to the Temple: But this bowing of our Novellers, is not simply towards, but likewise to the Altar, asnExposition of the Catechisme in the Communion-Booke towards the end. Reeue, & oSunday no Sabbath: p. 50.D. Pocklington acknowledge; Now bowing to, and towards the Altar, are in some respects two distinct things; Therefore this worshipping towards the Temple, no warrant for any bowing to a Table or Altar,

4. Fourthly, this worshipping towards the Temple is taken two manner of wayes in scripture; Improperly and Properly: Improperly for a praying in some private place, not only out of the Temple, but even out of the sight and veiwe of it.

Thus Daniel even in Babylon prayed 3 times a day towards Ierusalem: Dan. 6. 10. And so did all the Iewes where ever they were, whether in captivity exile or their owne Country, 1. King. 8. 30. 35. 38. 44. 48. and other fore-cited texts.

Properly: For worshipping or praying in the Temple: as, 1. King: …. 29. 30. 33. 42. 2. Chron: 6. 20 21. 27. 26. 29.

Take it in either sence, and it will not avayle our Novellers, David in his private devotions, even out of the sight and veiwe of the Temple, did worship or pray towards it; Ergo we at our coming in and going out of the Church, when we see the Table or High Altar must bow downe to or towards it; or David did worship God towards, that is, in his Temple.

Ergo, they must bow and worship to or towards the Altar or Table, (for in them or either of them they cannot locally worship God, unlesse they will make new formes of Altars and Tables, and be mewed up within them by …ike Popish authority) are but frenticke ridiculous consequents; Yet the best that can be drawne …om these texts, to justify these Ceremonies.

5. Fiftly, the Iewes had good warrant and ground to worship and pray towards the Temple For:

1. First, they had a divine premission and authority, if not a precept so to doe.

2. Secondly, a promise from God himselfe to heare & gra… their prayers made towards the Temple;

Both which appeares by the forequoted texts of the Kings, Chronicles, Daniel, and the Psalmes. Viz: 1 King. 8. 39. 30. 33. 35. 38. 42. 44. 48. 2 Chron. 6. 20. 21. 24. 26. 29. 34. 38. Dan. l. 10. Psal. 5. 7. Psal. 28. 2. Psal 138. 2.

But we have no such permission or precept to bow to or … wards Altars or Tables, but a direct precept against it, which many read at the Altar & Table, (to witt, the second Commaundement, Exod. 20. 5. Thou shalt not bow downe to them, nor worship them; extending as well to Tables as to Images, Idols or any other creatures) though they presently breake it by bowing unto the Table or Altar.

Neither have we any promise of reward, or of answering our prayers made to us, for this cringing to Altars and Tables.

Their practise thereof warrants not ours.

3. Thirdly. the Temple was a speciall and lively type of our Saviour Christ himselfe, (as Divines generally accord,) and that in many respects, too tedious here to mention.

Wherefore the Iewes were thus to worshipqSee the Commentatours on 1 King. 8. 2 Chor. 6. Ps. 5. 7. & 138. 2. & Dan. 6. 10 towards the Temple, to teach them alwayes to looke forwards towards Christ, which was to come in the flesh, as to their only Sanctuary, helpe and refuge in all conditions, the only Mediatour and intercessour, to whom they must pray, the only High Preist, Sacrifice, Oblation and Altar they must depend on typified by the Temple, but never towards Synagogues.

Now these reasons of their worshipping towards the Temple make nothing for the cringing and congewing to Communion Tables & High Altars.

4. Fourthly, the Temple was the place of Gods speciall presence, which God had chosen for himselfe to dwell in, and to put his name there, where all the Isralites were every yeare by speciall commaund from God, to meet & to worship him, and this among others was one cause of their praying towards it. Deut. 12. 11. 12. 1 King. 7. 29. 30, &c. Psal. 122. 3. 4.

But our Innovatours cannot produce one Syllable in Scripture to prove, that the High Altar or Communion. Table is the speciall place of Gods presence, the place which he hath chosen to place his name there and to dwell in; Sure the Scriptures informes us, that VVHERESOEVER two or three (Mat. 18. 20.) are gathered together in Christs name, there is he in the MIDDEST of them; And thereupon commaunds us: To pray EVERY where, &c. 1 Tim. 2. 8. because God is now every where alike present by his Grace: Therefore no ground have they to worship or bow either to or towards it, as they doe.

5. Finally, the Jewes whether they were East, West, North, or South from the Temple, or it from them, worshipped and prayed towards it.

But our Innovatours, as they will have all Altars stand Eastward, so they will terminate and direct their worship only towards the East, and Altars standing towards the East.

These texts therefore, with Davids worshipping towards the Temple (on which they principally relie) make nothing at all for the bowing to Altars and Tables, which no Fath…r or Orthodox exp…siter that I have seen, ever deduced from the Scriptures.

Yea, but if these doe not avayle them, Mr. Shelford (in his Sermon of Gods house, p. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22.) acquaints us with some others that will: as, Psal. 99. 5. Exalt yee the Lord our God, and worship at his footstoole:

E…go, the first reverence that we must make when wee come into the Church, is to bow to the Lords Table, which Saint Paul calls the Lords Altar, and to worship God towards it.

Oh sencelesse Divinity, and childish Logicke! Who ever read of such dist…acted inferences? Had the Psalmist sayd we will worship at the Altar; Or had this footestoble, here mentioned, been the Altar, or this worship, a meere bowing of the b…dy towards the Arke, or to it, and not a praying or sacrificing only before or at it, there had been some shaddow of worshipping, that is, of praying and sacrificing to God at the Altar, but not of bowing to, or towards it, much lesse to or towards the Lords Table, which is neither an Altar, no… h…th any Analogie with the Altar, nei her is it so tearmed by Saint Paul, as this D…eamer doteth, as I have else where proved at large. But since, we read not in Scripture, that David ever worsh…pped or bowed to or towards the Altar; And this s…o es…le here, by his owne confe…on wasrSee Bis…p. M…rt. u…itution of the Sacrament. p. 463. the Arcke, but by Davids owne exp…sition Gods holy mountaine o…. H…ll Z…on, Psal 99. 9. And this worshipping, not a bow…ng, but prayer: Therefore here is not the least countenance for this Ceremonie.

Yea, but if these texts fall sh…rt, yet others come fully home: as Exod. 12. 27. Then the peopl. bowed themselves and worshipped. Ergo Potlid: Therefore we must bow downe, and worsh…p the Al…ar or Communion Table.

Had th…se either b…wed themselves to or towards the Altar, the inference had been somewhat tolerable, though nothing to the purpose, for bowing to Lords Tables; But seeing they bowed only to worship God by praysing him, or praying to him (their bowing it selfe being not their worshipping, as these Dreamers fancie, the texts themselves distinguishing the bowing from the worship, and worship from the bowing) and since the first of these bowed themselves when and where there was no Altar neare them; And the second not to or towards the Altar, but unto God; Therefore can they vvith no more probability hence inferre the lawfulness of meere bovving to or tovvards the Altar or L. T. then they ca… hence make good that these bovved themselves to, and vvorshipped tovvards the Altar, which is certaine they never did.

The other … of Is…y. 45. 23. and Rom. 24. 11. (meant only of the bowing and subjection of men to our S…viour Christ himselfe, not to Altars or the name Iesus, as S P…ul here expresly resolves) are so impertinently cited by Mr. Shelso… *Sermon of Gods house, p. 18.to this purpose, that they need no answer.

All men shall bow to Christ himselfe at the day of judgement: …, they must bow to or towards Lords Ta…les and C…mmunion Tables now; Being a consequence, nor tolerable in a B…dlam, much lesse in an ancientsIn the …ncomia… verses before his booke. highly applauded Divine, by Ignoramusses of his owne straine.

Yea but if these texts miscary (yet say some) that oftD Walburton D…me of Wels, in a Sermon, and others in their Sermons. Isay. 36. 7. and 2 Chron. 32. 12. Hath not the same Hezechiah (sayth rayling Rabshaketh) taken away his High places, and his Al…ars, and commanded Iudah and lerusalem, saying, yee shall worship before one Altar, and burne incence on it?

1. I answer, first, that this is only the rayling speech of Rabshaketh, not the dictate of Gods infallible Spirit, therefore no authenticke proofe.

2. Secondly, the first part of it is a direct untruth, why not the latter too, there being no such commaund of Hezechiahs in Scripture, for the Isralites to worship before one Altar?

But admitt there were:

3. Yet thirdly, I say, that this Commaund to worship before the Altar, makes nothing for worshipping or bowing to the Altar, much lesse the Table; No more then David lifting up his hands towards Gods holy Oracle: Ps. 28. 2. proves that we ought to lift up our hands towards the Table or Altar, when we come in, or depart out of the Church, or when ever we make prayers unto God.

For first, this worshipping before the Altar was not any Genuflection, or bowing to or towards it, but a bringing of an Oolation or Sacrifice to it, and burning incense on it, as the next words expound it, and Gen. 8. 20. 1 King. 3 4. 2 Kin. 16. …2. 13. c. 18. 22. Ps. 43. 4. Ps. 51. 19. Ps. 118. 27. Isay. 56. 7. Mat. 5. 23. compared together, testify:

Or else, it was only a standing upright, and praying to God before it, o… neare it, without any incuruation of the body to or towards i…: 2 Kin: 8. 21. 22. 2 Chron. 6. 12. Luk. 18. 11. 13. Neither of which warrant or enforce any bowing to or towards it: No more then the Rubricke in the Common-prayer-booke, prescribing the man a…d the woman to kn…le downe in some convenient place nigh unto the place where the Table standeth, when they are Churched, there to p…ay-implyes; That they ought to use to bow to or towards the Table.

Secondly, because they might worship before the Altar, without any bowing or particular inclination of the body to it, as we use to kneele and pray before the Font at every Christning, before the Minister and Pulpit at every Sermon, before the Grave at every funerall, before the Reading Deske at every Common-prayer, Mourning or Evening, and yet bow or cringe our bodies to or towards neither of them, out of any respect at all unto them; Neither doe we the like to the Sacrament or Lords Table when we receive his Supper though most kneele before it then.

So that J may now safely conclude, that there is no Scripture at all for this new Ceremonie, the rather, because Exod. 20. 23. 24. 25. 26. Dan. 27. 5. Iosh. 8. 31. God commaunds his Altars to be made only of Earth or unhewne stones, without any Image or Picture on them, to withdraw the Iewes from bowing to them, being made of so base materials, enjoyning them also not to goe up by steps to his Altar (as our Novellers doe to their High Altars,) that their nakednesse be not discovered theron, which would hauehave been more discouered by bowing and stoping downe thereto, then by assending to it by steps.

As for Psal. 95. 6. it is as extravaga…t to this purpose as the rest; The Table being not our Lord and maker, before noted, towards whom this text enjoynes us to kneele and fall downe prostrate: Which I have sufficiently answered in refelling them, and therefore passe it by.

But are there no Fathers or Antiquities for bowing to Altars and Lords Tables?

To Tables certainly, not one, unlesse that of Nazianzen concerning his MotheruOratio 28 de Funere Patris p. 472. Quod venerādae Mensae nunquam terga verteret, be wrested to this purpose contrary to the sence; To witt, that shee never turned her wSee Ps. 21 12. Ier. 2 27. c. 32 33. 2 C…ron. 29. 6. where the like phrase is used.backe upon the Lords Table, by neglecting to communicate, when ever the Sacrament was administred at it; Which is farre enough from bowing to it: The Table there being put for the Sacrament it selfe, adminis…red thereon, as it is in Sundrie such passages in the Fathers, Nicephorus Greg. f. 10. Cent. Magd. 8. Col. 677. Cent. 9. Col. 243. and others.

For bowing to and towards Altars there are some seeming Passages in Antiquity, the cheife whereof J shall recite and answer, omitting the residue as impertinent.

A Quench-Coal, Inquiry 2

p. 201THE SECOND PART OF THE QVENNCH-COALE.

THE SECOND PART OF THE QVENNCH-COALE.