A Quench-Coal, Inquiry 2 · Part 1 – Part 2
These are the only Authorities yet behind.
The first is that of the fift Generall Counsell (Surius Tom. 2. p. 440. See Bish. Mortons Institution of the Sacram: l. 7. c. 3. Sect. 3. p. 5. 15.) of Constantinople, Actio. 1. where Iohn the Patriarch speakes thus: Haec patienter sustinete fratres, & prius A DOREMUS SANCTUM ALTARE, & post hoc do vobis responsionem: Et cum intrassent ad Sanctum Altare, permansernnt clamantes; Multi enim Imperarores, &c.
To vvhichwhich I answer:
First, that this Patriarch speakes plainly of adoring the Altar it selfe, not to or towards it, or of the Hostia upon it; VVhichWhich our bowers themselves confesse to be Idolatrous.
Secondly, the ensewing vvords prove, that this adoring the Altar, was only a going to the Altar there to pray, not a bowing to the Altar it selfe, of vvhichwhich there is not a word, unlesse wee will make this Patriarch a grosse Idolater in adoring the very Altar; From which the Lollards both in France and England were so farre averse, that they were called Pileati or Oeputials by the Papists, (Antiqu: Eccles. Brit. 295.) …ó quod Altare praetergressi ex Pontificis instituto pixide incluso pi…ei honorem non deferant: Because they would not putt of their Caps to the Pix or Altar, when they passed by them. And if they would not so much as move their Caps to them, much lesse did they bow their knees or bodies to or towards them.
This president therfore, take it in one sence or other, wil not advantage our Nouellers, vnlesse they will confesse, that they adore the Altar it selfe, and not God towards it, which makes them grosse Idolaters.
The second Authority.
The second, is that of Cardinall Pooles Deputie visitours in Queen Maries bloody dayes, who among other Noble Acts in that visitation, decreed and prescribed (Fox Acts & Monuments, p. 1781.) how many Pater Nosters and Ave Maries every man should say, when he should enter into the Church, and in his entrance AFTER WHAT SORT HE SHOULD BOW HIMSELFE TO THE ALTAR; And how to the Maister of the house.
This Authority, I confesse Is full, for bowing not to the Hostia only, as the passage in Bishop Morton would fable, but to the Altar it selfe.
But yet observe, first, when and by whom this Ceremonie was prescribed: In Queen Maries dayes, by professed Papists, and Champions for the Church of Rome.
Secondly, to whom it was prescribed, only to Schollars in the Universitie, and no others.
Thirdly, with what this Ceremonie was attended; VVith Pater Nosters and Ave Maries.
Fourthly, to whom it is likewise extended; To the Maister of each Colledge, as well as to the Altar, and that in the Church it selfe.
Therefore certainly they then reputed it no religious worship or divine adoration, as most now esteeme it.
Jf our Bishops and Novellers will take this for their patterne and president, (some of them being not ashamed to magnify Queen Maries, and depresse Queen Eliz abeths day…. See Dr. Dupra his preface to the Vniversity Statutes at Oxford) I shall then conclude with Dr. Pocklington; (Sunday no Sabbath, p. 2. 48.) That they are lineally discended from S. Peters Chaire a… Rome, and with a late Iesuite, which I have not yet seen, but heard of; That the Iesuites need write no more for the Sac…ifice of the Masse, for that we are writing for and setting up Altars so fast in England, that they hope to see Masse there very shortly (if these may have their will at least, and God and his Majesty prevent it not with speed.) But if they are ashamed of such a president, let them with like shame henceforth abandon such an Antichristinn Romish practise.