Apology for Indulging Just Christian Liberty, Section 3

Apology for Indulging Just Christian Liberty · Section 3

p. 119SECTION III.

What was the true Chronological, Original, Beginning and Progresse, of the Ceremony of Bowing at the Name of JESUS; and by what Popes, Popish Indulgences, Artifices, Feast…, Councils, Authors, it was first Introduced, Prescribed, Propagated? Very necessary for the Information of others, and Determination of all Controversies concerning it.

IT is an unquestionable truth attested by many Fathers, Council…, and Ecclesiastical Histories, aaTertullian de Corona M…litis, lib De Ieiunio lib. Origen H…m. 4. in Numeros, Cyprian Serm. De Oratione Cent. Magd. 7, to 8. c. 6. De Oratione. Here p. 74.That the Primitive Christians, and Churches of Christ, for above 850. years after our Saviours Birth, in all their Assemblies on Lords d…es throughout the year, and between Easter and Whitsontide, did never use to bow their knees, no not in the very duty of Prayer it self, but prayed and performed all other Holy duties to God and Christ standing, in memory of Christs Resurrection from the dead: And that all the Orthodox Christians constantly asse…ted against the Arrians, and other Hereticks, bbS…e A…hanasiu… his Creed, Qu…d Christus …it Deu…, and the Orations, T…eatises of Nazionzen, B…fil, Hila…y, Cy…ill, Greg…ry Nyss…n, and …ther Fa…hers against the Arri…ns.that the Three Persons of the sacred Trinity, as they were co-eternal, and co-equal, so they were to be equally worshipped, adored, honoured with one and the self-same worship and veneration; for which end (some write) they invented the use of Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; and …aptised all they admitted as Members into the Church, in their Three Name…, according to our Saviours Precept, Mat. 28 19. This being undeniable it thence inevitably follows, that during all this tract of time, they never p. 120used to bow their knees at or to the name of Jesus, when read or rehearsed in their publick Assemblies on those daies; whence it is we find no mention at all of any such duty or Ceremony used in any Father, Council, **See Centur. Magd. 1. to 12. cap. 6. De Ri…i… & Ceremoniis.Historian, or other Author, for above a thousand years after Christ, who doubtlesse would have recorded it, especially in their Commentaries on Isaiah 45. 23▪ and Phil. 2.9, 10, 11. had there any such practise been used, or duty or Ceremony prescribed by these Texts, as some late Divines a verr, without any prose or shadow of Authority.

Anno 1…3….Pope Iohn the 20. who swayed the Popedom about the year 1030 is the first I read of (and that only in one late Protestant Writer, but no other Author, who as I suppose mistakes Pope Iohn the 20. for 22. of which **Pag… 1…3.hereafter, out of Salmeron the Jesuit) that set a…roach this Ceremony of bowing at the name of Iesus: of whom Sir Edwin Sands, in his Europae Speculum, Hagae 1629 page 16▪ writes thus. By grant from Pope John the 20th … every inclining of the Head at the name of I…sus, gets 20 years pardon; a matter in Italy no not to this day unpractised. And to grace that Ceremony the more, I have heard sundry of their renowned Divines teach in the Pulpit: that Christ himself on the Crosse bowed his Head on the right side, to reverence his own name Jesus which was **Mat. 27.37. Iohn 19.19, 30. Anno 1160.Matt 27:37John 19:19John 19:30written over it. (A Monkish Fable) This is the highest pedegree of this late upstart Ceremony, that I have hitherto met with.

Petrus Bles…nsis Arch-deacon of Bathe, who flourished about the year 1160. aaBibl. Patr: Colon. Agrip. 1618. Tom. 12. pars 2. p. 881. D.Sermo 28. De A…sumpsione B. Mariae, hath this ensuing Passage. Non frustra consuevit Eccl…sia intercessionem beatae Virginis affec…uosius caeter is implor are, ita quod audit… ejus nomine bbWhich may be either intended to worship and pray to her, or else to bow at the …e…it…l of her name.genua terrae affigat; imo pro nominis reverentia quasi mare confrag…sum sonant vota populorum. And in the Margent there is this Note, Mariae genua flectuntur. Which Passages seem to imply, that men did then use to bow the knee to, and do reverence at the name of the Virgin Mary: p. 121but that they did so at the naming of Iesus, I find no Authority at all in this Writer.

Lucas Tudensis, Anno 12…0.who wrote about the year of our Lord, 1220. Adversus Albigensium Errores, cc…ibl. Patrum, Tom. 13. p. 266. B.C.E.lib. 2. cap. 14 writes thus. Qui humilitate superbiae principem vicit, humilitate nos contr… potestates aerias semper pugnare docuit: quod ipse & fecit t…mpore carnis suae quando non recto capite, sed inclinato emisit spiritum. Inclinenius nos & illi capita nostra, non solum mentis, sed & corporis, laudes & gratias persolventes, eiqui pro nobis peccatoribus se misericorditer inclinavit. Sed sunt nonnulli qui superbiae spiritu tumefacti, (de quibus valde dolendum est) qui etiam cum ‖‖It seems they then bowed, not stood up at Gloria Patri.Gloria, vel Laus Deo recitatur in Ecclesia, contemnunt, aut erubescunt, Regi Regum Iesu **To Jesus Christ, not to Iesus only.Christo inclinare; coram transeunte Cruce, vel Christi Evangelio non assurgunt: in celebratione Missae Sacerdote se ad eos vertente & Dominum annunciante inclinari contemnunt: ad benedictionem Pontificis caput nudare negligunt▪ & quod omnino nesarium est, & haeresi proximum, cum elevatur corpus Christi à Sacerdote in sacratissimo Ministerio Missae, vel alias defertur, erubescunt vel refugiunt suppliciter adorare. Hoc max. no…nulli faciunt Curiales, qui consuev: terrenis Principibus flexis genibus & nudo capite ministrare, O stulta dementia, &c. Hunc er…o tantae promissionis accepta fiducia totis nisibus col…demus: illi simplicitate recta humiliemur, illi mentis & corporis capita non verecundemur nudare & inclinare, quia Deus fortis pro nobis infirmis se inclina vit; ut homo infirmus fie…et, ut humana firmitas soliditate perpetua firmaretur. A passage which may happily imply, that in those times men did use to bow their Heads (not Knees) to Jesus Christ the King of Kings, who bowed his Head for them: But this was not as I take it, at every recital of his name Jesus in the Epistle, Gosple, Masse, Sermons, or Prayers in the Church (of which there is not a sylable in this Author) but at Gloria Patri, the lifting up of the Hoas… in time of p. 122the Masse, or at the passing by of the sign of the Crosse, or Host in procession, as the sence and words import.

Anno 1230.Sanctus Franciscus, St. Francis, the Arch-Freer, who lived about the year 1230. in his Litera ad Sacerdotes, hath this ensuing Clause, **Bibl. Patr. Tom. 3. p. 351. ….Salutem in eo qui redemit & lavit not in sanguine suo: Cujus nomen audientes adorate eum cum timore et reverentia proni in terra; Dominus Iesus **Bibl. Patr. Tom. 3. p. 351. ….Christus, altissimus filius nomen illi, qui est benedictus in secula, Amen. Which implyes an Injunction from this Arch-Freer, St. Francis, to those of his Order, for adoration of the Lord Jesus Christ at that time, by bowing their Heads with fear and reverence to the ground, when these his Names were mentioned all together.

**Ibid. Tom. …3.452. H.Freer David de Augusta:Anno 12…0 who flourished about the year 1240. De 7. Processibus religiosi, cap. 11. writes thus, Sunt exteriores caeremoniales observantiae; ut inclinationes, genuflectiones in horis, pulsationes, & omnes gesticulationes, quibus Claustrales utuntur in divino offi…io, vel aliis, quibus saepe minus virtuosi majorem vim faciunt, quam aliqui perfecti, & magis devoti. Which seems to imply, that Monks in those daies (for of them he writes) did use duckings and gen…flections, either to the Host, the Crucifix, the Altar, and it may be to the name of Jesus, though not particularly expressed; in which Ceremonies, the less vertuous, saith he, were for the most part more devout than the most religious:Anno 1262.

‖‖Mich. Loch mair Serm. 20. De Circumcisione Domini. L.Pope Vrban the 4th. about the year 1262. (as some report) gave an indulgence of 30. daies to all confessed and holy contrite Persons, who devoutly bowed to the Name of the Lord Iesus.

These are the only passages I find in all Antiquity before the Councill of Lions, which gave any probable colour to the use or practise of this Ceremony; which was never established in the Church, till Pope Gregory the 10th. his Papacy (to whom most ascribe its very Original) who in the Popish Council of Lions, Anno 1273.in the p. 123year 1273. made this Decree. ddSee Sexti Decretalia lib. 3. tit. 23 c. 2. f. 187 Cent. Magd. Basiliae, 1574. Cent. 13. Col. 919.934, 935. Greg. 10. Decretalium, l. 6. De Immunitate Ecclesiae, cap. Decet▪ Antoninus Hist. pars 3. Tit. 20. c. 2. f. 56. Bernard. Senensis, Serm. 49. Carolus Stengelius De Ss. Nomine Iesu, c. 23. p. 123.Decet domum Domini sanctitudo: decet ut cujus in pace factus est locus, ejus cultus sit cum debita veneratione pacificus. Sit it aque ad Ecclesias humilis & devotus ingressus; sit in iis qui…ta conversatio, Deo grata, inspicientibus placida, quae considerantes non solum instruat, sed & reficiat. Convenientes ibidem nomen illud, quod est super omne nomen, a quo aliud sub coelo … datum hominibus, in quo salvos fieri credentes oport…, nomen videlicet Jesu Christi, qui salvum faciet populum suum a peccatis eorum, exhibitione reverentiae specialis attollant: & quod generaliter scribitur; ut innomine Jesu omne genu flectatur, singuli singulariter in seipsis implentes (praecipuè dum aguntur Missarum sacra mysteria) gloriosum illud nomen quandocunque recolitur, flectant gen…a cordis sui, quod vel capitis inclinatione testentur. This is the highest Antiquity, that any eeSee Bernardinus Senensis, Sermo. 49. …a…olus Stengelius De…ss. Nomine Iesu. c 23. & Salmeron, Operum tom. 3 tract. 3… p. 335. &c who can raise this Ceremony from no high…r pedegree.Papist or Iesuito hath hitherto found out, to justifie their bowing at or to the name of Jesus. Yet this Constitution binds men onelyonly to bow the knees of their hearts, (not of their bodies) at the naming of Jesus, and of Christ too; (and that especially whiles the Masse is acting) which bowing of the heart they must testifie, by the inclination of their heads, not bowing of their knees.

After this, Pope ffIohannes 22. ducentos dies verae indulgentiae omnibus qui ad nomen Iesu genua flecterent, vel caput inclinarent, vel tunderent pectus largitus est: Salmeron Operum, Tom. 3. p. 335.Iohn the 22. about the year 1330. to induce men to the practise of this Popish Ceremony, did (as Salmeron the Jesuite records) grant 200. dayes of true indulgence to all who should bend their knees, or incline their heads, or knock their breasts to or at the name of Iesu…. Therefore it was then no received duty of the Text, this Pope enducing the People to use it, only to gain his Indulgences.

Anno 1350. **Lect. 134 in lib. Sapientiae, c. 11. f… 126.Robert Holc…t our Popish Schoolman in his Lectures upon the Book of Wisedom, Anno 1350.writes thus of p. 124this Name and Ceremony aaPsal. 41.…0.Ps 41S…c…ndum nomen tuum Deus, sic & laus tu… in fines terrae. Hoc bbA gross mistake, this Name Iesus being not then given to Christ: not mentioned nor intended in the Psalm: but the Name Lord, or God, as v. 1, …, 8, 14. resolves.nomen est Iesus: de quo Math. Vocabis nomen ejus Jesus, ipse enim s…lvum faciet populum suum a peccatis eorum. Solent enim multum amantes de personis amatis facere cantilenas, eorum nomina exprimendo. Igitur de hoc nomine Iesu, idem faciamus… …xta illud Psalmi; Laudabo nomen Not Iesus.Domini cum cantico, & mag…abo …um laude. Est igitur notandum, quod illud nomen, est nomen honoris & excellentiae. Phil. 2. dedit ei nomen quod e…t super omne nomen, ut IN nomine Jesu omne genu flectetur co…lestium, terrestrium, & infernorum. Vnde secundum sacros Canones, quando hoc nom…n I…sus pro…ertur in Ecclesia, omnis Christianus inclinari docetur cum capite; quamvis tàm hoc, quàm Nota.multa alia spiritualia in quibus lucrum divitiarum non consistit, a Praelatis hujus temporis negliguntur. Whence it is apparent, 1. That he deemed this Ceremon… no duty of the Text, but a thing only injoyned by the Canons forecited. 2ly. That this Ceremony, though injoyned by Canon, was yet wholly neglected and not used nor urged by the Popish Prelates of his Age; why then should any Protestant Bishops presse it now? 3ly. That in those times men were only required to bow their Heads, not knees, at the naming of Jesus; a thing not prescribed, by this Text of Phil. 2. which speaks only of the knee. 4ly. That Lord, God, are the Names mentioned, Ps. 48.10. not Iesus.

Since he, about the year 1430. one Bernardinus of Sennes a Franciscan Freer, and a Popish ggSee Marty…i…gium Romanum, & Opme… Chronogr: p. 414.Canonized Saint, a great lover and admirer of the name Jesus, hhCarolus S…engelius▪ De…ss Nomine Iesu, cap. 29 p. 157.159.did earnestly exhort the People in all his Sermons and publick exhortations (especially in his 49. Sermon now in print, De Glorioso nomine Iesu Christi, wherein he attributes what ever the Scripture speaks of Christ himself to his very name Iesus, ashhCarolus S…engelius¶ De…ss Nomine Iesu, cap. 29 p. 157.159. Stengelius with others since have done, to make an Idol of it) That they would give devotion, bowing and reverence to the name of Jesus, which is above every p. 125name, in which every knee doth bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth: neither is there any oth…r name under heaven given to men, in which they can be saved. This Supe…stitious, Popish Fryer in his 49. Sermon w…ites, That the name of Jesus was adored and worshiped of all Creatures, that every creature did bow its knee to his name; when as Miracles are daily wrought in the Creatu…e in his name: That Jesus is a glorious name, and wor…hy of all worship; whence it may worthily and truly be said, and devoutly believed, that when Paul was rapt into Paradice, and heard secret words, which are not lawfull for any to utter, he then p…rfectly learned, that the name Iesus was to be adored of all men. Nota.Therefore retu…ning from heaven, and remembring the foresaid words, and how all the glorified Citizens in heaven bowed their knees and worshipped I…sus, at the recital of this his name, and under…tanding that all infernal Spirits, and those who are yet travellers upon earth ought to do the lik… : he commanding all men in the Spirit of God, writ in this Text of Phil. 2.9, 10, 11. That IN the name of Iesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, earth, and under the earth, &c. which the Church, willing to have every man observe, commanded men to bow the knees of their hearts in the time of Mass when the name Jesus was mentioned, citing the Canon of the Council of Lions, (‖‖Here p. 1…3… forecited) to prove it. And the better to d…aw the People to ado…e & bow to the name of Jesus, he iiCarolus S…engelius ibid p. 159, 160, 161. Molanus Histo… De Pic…uris & Imag Antw. 1617. l. 3. c. 1. Ant…ninus p…s 3. histor. tit 24. cap 3. Salme…o… ▪ Operum tom. 3. tract. 37. p. 335.did use about the end of his Sermons, to shew unto them a Picture, in which the Name JESUS was written in golden Letters, enclosed on every side with Sunne beames; or a Glory: which Pictured name (the 12▪ rayes whereof he expresseth in his Se…mon) the People beholding did most devoutly adore, with bended knees. For which Fact of his being complained against by some who maligned his fame, to Pope Martin the 5th. this Pope when as he had heard his Answer, gave him free liberty, not only to preach, So writes Salmeron.but likewise p. 126to carry about and shew unto the people this picture of the name of Jesus. From aaMolanus De Pictu…is e…lmag l. … c. 1. & 18.which pattern of his, all pictures of the name of Jesus, both in Glasse-windows, Popish Authors, Masse-books, & elsewhere, were at first derived. Indeed bbPars 3. Hist Tit. 24. c. 5. see S…engelius, p. …9, 160Antoninus records, that Pope Martin enjoyn'd him that he should no more shew this picture unto the people, left some superstition, or scandal should be raised in the Church by this his novelty: which Injunction he obeyed. But Pope Clement the 7th. (as ccDe Picturis l. 3. c. 1. & 18. See Stengelius p. 162. & Dr. Fulks Notes on the Rh…mish Testament… …n Apoc. 13. sect. 7, 8, 9.Rev 13Molanus records) at the request of the Freers Minorites, ordained, that all thei… Order, and the Nuns of the Order of St. Clare, should use this picture of the name Iesus, which they were backward else to use.

This Ceremony, it seems, was not yet so generally received as the Papists did desire,Anno 1431. and therefore the Popish Council of Basil, Anno Dom. 1431. ddSu…us Concil. …om. 4. p 61. a.Sess 21. Tit. Quomodo divinum officium in Ecclesia celebrandum sit: decreed, That all Canonical persons, in all Cathedral and Collegiate Churches, whiles they were saying their Canonical Hours, when the glorious name of Jesus was named, should bow their Heads, (not knees:) The words of which Dec…ee are these, Statuit igitur sancta Synodus, ut in cuncti… Catbedralilus ac Collegiati… Eccl…s…is, &c. Hor as Canonicas dic…uri, &c. Cum dici…ur Gloria Patri, Filio, & Spiritui Sancto, omnes consurgant Cum nominatur gloriosum illud nomen Iesus, in quo omne ge… fl…ct…tur Coelestium, Terrestri…m, & Inferno…um, omnes capu… inclinent.

Anno 14…About the yea… of our Lord 1490▪ Michael Le…hmair, Doctor of Divinity, and of the Pope… Canon Law, & Eccl…siae Pata…si… anoni…, in his …20. Se…mon, de C…r…oncis…one Domi…, K. I. writes thus of the Vene…ation of the name …e…us, and what indulgences were g…anted by …eve…all Pope… to s…ch who bowed to it. … & vene…a… deben… nomen Iesu Ad …o… …, & …nclinatione: the …st p. 127duplicate page p. 126duplicate page p. 127whereof he thus proves and prosecutes. Quarto, inclinatione, prout docet Apostolus ad Phil. 2. In nomine Jesu omne genu flect…tur Coelestium, Terrestrium, & In…ernorum: Et lic… Nota.ub…cunque auditur nominari hoc pret…osum nomen Iesus, debeamus caput (not g…n… ) cum maxima Reverentia inclinare, hoc tamen pr…cipue est …en…m in Ecclesia, pra sertim dum celebrantur …ss…rum solennia. Ita statuitur in C. decet. de Immun. Eccl. l. 6. Vbi dicit Textus, Convenientes fideles in Ecclesia; gloriosum illud nomen Jesus quando…unque …ecol…ur flectant genua **Not Corporis.Cordis sui, quod capitis inclinatione testentur; Propterea summi Pontifi…s plur…mas concesserunt Indulgentias …is qui se d…vote et Reverenter inclinant audiendo in Eccles…a hoc nomen Iesus. Vnde re…ert Petrus de Palude, Lector palaci… Romae, postea Cardinalis, in Expositione Psalmi 123. quod Dominus Hof…ien. Cardinalis praedicans publicè in Sermone, dixit, quod vidisset Bullam Apostol…am in qua concessae fuissent indulgentiae unius anni of 40. di…rum, flectenti genua ad nomen Domini Iesu. Item Dominus Urbanus Papa quartus, omnibus vere confessis et contritis dedit 30. dies indulgentiarum. Ad quod Johannes 22. Sermonem ad populum faciens Avinione, adjecit dies totidem. Et …ic sunt 60. dies totiens quotiens quis devote dixerit (not genua flexerit unto) Iesus Christus, in fine salutationis angelicae. He immediately subjoyns. Item Clemens 5. in Concilio Viennensi, dedit etiam unum annum Indulgentiarum de Sancto Evangelio. In principio …rat verbum, &c. quicunque legerit vel audierit post benedictionem in Missa, in memoriam & gratiarum actionem Dominicae incarnationis, a qua fluxit fontaliter sal… humani generis. Et quicunque in fine cum dicitur; Et verbum caro factum est, Geniculaverit, crucemque cum osculo fecerit, habet 40. dies Indulgentiarum: & sic de hoc Evan…elio habentur Indulgentiae unius anni & 40. dierum. Ide… Symbolo Niceno cum in Missa legitur vel auditur; Et homo factus est. Ex his ha…etur quantum reprehendendi sunt qui audit… p. 128Missa vix expectant Sacerdotis B…nedictionem, Non curantes hujusmodi Indulgentias, nam et Laici videntes Sacerdotes genua flectere, Nota.s…militer facere deberent, et per hoc se reddere participes illarum Indulgentiarum. Here we have the full true Pedigree and Progresse of bowing at the recital of the name of Jesus, & other sentences of Scripture, especially in the Celebration of the Masse, and the several Indulgences granted by Successive Popes, to induce the people to the practise of these genu-flections; which yet he complains many then neglected, not caring for these large Popes Indulgencies, purchased at so cheap a rate, as the bare bowing of their heads or knees, as aforesaid.

Anno 1500.Not long after this, about the year of Christ 1500. or sooner, the Popes, with some Popish Prela…es, Priests, and Monks, when their Indulgencies would not prevail so much as they expected, to draw the people to these genu-flections, and induce them to a more constant universal adoration of, and bowing to the name of Jesus, compiled a particular Psalter, which they intituled Iesus Psalter, printed at Antwerp 1505. in Latine, since translated into English by Laurence Kellam, and printed at the end of his Manuel of Prayers, Duaci 1603. which Psalter begins thus.

Phil. 2. In nomine JESU omne genu flectatur, Coelestium, Terrestrium, & Infernorum; & omnis lingua confit…atur, quia Dominus Iesus Christus est in gloria Dei Patris, which is likewise repeated after the first and tenth Petition. It consists of 15 Petitions, The 1: Petition is, Iesu, Iesu, Iesu, mercy; 10. times repeated one after another, without intermission: The 2. Petition, Iesu, Iesu, Iesu, help me; The 3. Petition, Iesu, Iesu, Iesu, strengthen me; The 4. Petition, Iesu, Iesu, Iesu, comfort me; The 5 Petition, Iesu, Iesu, Iesu, make me constant and stable; The 6. Petition, Iesu, Iesu, Iesu, light me; The 7. …etition, Iesu, Iesu, Iesu, grant me grace to dread thee; The 8. Petition, Iesu, Iesu, Iesu, grant me to love thee; The 9. Petition, Iesu, Iesu, Iesu, p. 129grant me grace to remember thy death; The 10. Petition, Iesu, Iesu, Iesu, send me here my Purgatory; The 11. Petition, Iesu, Iesu, Iesu, grant me grace to flee evil company; The 12. Petition, Iesu, Iesu, Iesu, grant me grace to call for help to thee; The 13. Petition, Iesu, Iesu, Iesu, make me to persever in vertue acceptable unto thee; The 14. Petition, Iesu, Iesu, Iesu, grant me grace to fix my mind on thee; The 15. Petition, Iesu, Iesu, Iesu, give me grace to order my life to thee. Each of these 15. Petitions are thus trebled ten times over one after another, the name Jesus being 30 times repeated together in each Petition, and 54. times more in other larger Petitions, between each of these, in all ‖‖Is not this Battology an express violation of Mat 6.70 Bu… when ye pray use not VAIN REPETITIONS as the Heathens do▪ for they think they shall be heard for their much speakingMatt 6:70504. times, but his name Christ not once mentioned, nor any other of his names but Lord alone, and that rarely; which name Jesus is as oft to be bowed to & adored as thus recited, by their Injunctions, Canons, to wit, 504▪ times in one half hour.

Moreover to propagate this Ceremony and bowing to and at this name,Anno 1506. they not long after compiled **Printed together in Sacrae Litaniae variae, Antwerpiae, 1629. p. 15, to 34.5. Speciall Psalms, in honorem nominis Iesu, with the Letters I. H. S. and a Crucifix in the midst of the H. prefixed to them; together with Letaniae de Nomine Iesu, wherein the name JESU is repeated no lesse then 74. times together, with several titles added to it, as I…su potentissime, Iesu perfectissime, &c. miserere nobis, Libera nos I…su, Parce nos Iesu, exaudi nos Iesu, &c. At the end whereof follows this Prayer for those who devoutly adore and bow to the name Iesus upon Earth. ‖‖Printed also in Officium beatae Mariae secundum riium Sacrum, f 170God, who hast made the most glorious name of Iesus Christ …hy only Son amiable with the chief affection of sweetnesse to thy faithfull ones, and dreadfull and terrible to evil Spirits, mercifully grant, that all those who devoutly **Viz. by bowing unto it, when it is pronounced, as Stengelius understands it.worship this name of Iesus on Earth, may receive the sweetnesse of its holy consolation in this present world, and in the world to come may obtain the joy of endlesse exultation and blisse in Heaven, by the same our Lord Iesus Christ thy Son. The benefit of which Masse-Prayer, our modern Advocates for bowing at and to the name of Jesus, with all their p. 130over-zealous Proselytes, may do well to claim.

Anno 1510.About the year 1510 Richardus Hampole an English Popish Priest writ a Treatise, ‖‖…ohanne. Baleus Centur: Scriptorum▪ Brit pars ult. p. 167.De Veneratione Nominis Iesu, mentioned by Bishop Bale (and if I mistake not) extant in his Opuscula Varia, Ms. in the famous University of Oxford) to promote the adoration of, and bowing at and to the Name of Iesus.

Anno 1514.Not long after (as I conjecture) there were special Liturgies, compiled and published for the self-same end by the Popes and Popish Priests direction, intituled, **Printed Antw 1629. with other Litan…ae Variae p. 64. to 96.Litaniae Passionis Domini nostri Iesu Christi; beginning with this Text of Phil. 2 8, 9, 10, 11. (recited at large) wherein the name Iesus is repeated no lesse than 164. times one after another, with Miserere nobis Iesu, Liberanos IESV, …xaudi nos Jesu, subjoyned to each petition, as in the precedent Liturgies of the Name Jesus. They likewise then compiled printed, published, used Horae de Nomine Iesu, & Dulcissimi nominis Iesu. And, Vesperae in veneratione nominis Iesu, editae à devoto Ricardo de Hampole, printed in Horae beatitissimae Virginis Mariae ad legitimum Ecclesiae Sarisburiensis ritum, Parisiis 1519 f. 169, 170, &c. In which I find on the 7th. of August, in the Kalendar printed with it, and in other Popish Kalendars, a special Feast, dedicated likewise to the Name of Jesus, intituled, Festum dulcissimi Nominis Iesu, Minus duplex; which Feast Pope Clement the 7th. (about the year 1524.) as S… Nominis Iesu cultus, p. 162.Stengelius, and ddDe Picturis … Imaginibus, …. 3. c. … & 18.Molanus inform us, appointed to be generally observed as Minus duplex, a lesse double Festival, famous among many Churches, and amongst the common people. Thus one Superstition, Idolatry to this Name, begot another.

These Popish Letanies, Howers, Vespers, Psalters, Festival of the name Jesus, purposely invented to promote its adoration, to which the people were formerly very backward, brought bowing to it into general practise & request in most Churches then leavened with Popery, the Priests and People usually bowing their Heads, Knees, and putting off their Hats to it when p. 131rehearsed in Epistles, Gosples, Masses, Sermons, and Divine Offices.

And hereupon the Provincial Popish Council of Sienna, Anno 1…24.or Sennes, in the year 1524. (following the pattern of the Council of Basil) Decreta Morum, c. 18. established the use of this Ceremony, in all Collegiate & Cathedral (not other) Churches, in these following words, vizt. ‖‖Surius Concil. tom. 4. p 740▪ 741. Bochel. lib. 4. tit. 1. c. 2 p. 543. vid. ibid.Et ut in majoribus Ecclesiis cultus Dei vivi sanctior, juxta majorum traditiones in melius reformetur: statuimus, ut in Cathedralibus & collegiatis & conventualibus Ecclesiis, horis debitis, &c. Horas autem canonicas dicturi, &c. Cum nominatur illud nomen gloriosunt, Iesus; in quo omne genu flectitur coelestium, terrestrium & infernorum, omnes caput (not genu) inclinent. Phil. 2.Phil 2And Decreta **Surius ibid. p. 731.Fidei c. 14. this Council also draws this Argument from this very Ceremony, to prove the lawfulnesse of worshiping the Image of Christ & Saints. Et nos quidem non quasi ante Divinitatem, ante imagem prosternimur; sed illum adoramus, quem per Imaginem aut passum, vel in throno sedentem, recordamur. Et dum per ipsam picturam quasi per scripturam, ad memoriam Filium Dei reducimus, animum nostrum de resurrectione laetificat, aut de passione mulcet, non majore quidem idolatriae periculo, quam cum nomine Iesu omne genu flectitur coelestium, terrestrium & infernorum. Phil. ….Quem enim vocabula cursim auribus insinuat, hunc eundem fidelibus oculis imago sedulò repraesentat, &c.

In the year of our Lord 1526.Anno 1526. the Synod of Carnotum (or Chartres) in France, ‖‖Bochel. l. 4. tit. 1. c. 3. p. 544.decreed thus for the use of this Ceremony. Nullus in Ecclesia maximè dum sacra aguntur ambulet, v…getur, aut discurrat. Magis autem monemus omnes & singulos ut illis Ecclesias ingredientibus sit bumilis & devotus ingressus, & intus quieta conversatio, intontis precordiis, devotis insi…ant orationibus, & dum sacra aguntur, gloriosumque nomen Jesu recolitur, flecta…t audientes genu…, aut capitis inclinatione suam Salvatorem testentur.

Not long after this,Anno 154…. the Diocesan Popish Synod of p. 132‖‖Surius Concil. t…m. 4 p. 810.Augusta, Anno 1548. cap. 23. in more obscure terms, prescribed this bowing, &c. to all Ecclesiastical persons, not only at the recital of the name of the Body or Bloud of CHRIST (not Jesus) but of the Virgin Mary too. The Can…n runs thus: Cum autem Deo Opt. Max. Creatori & Redemptori suo honorem, timorem & reverentiam homo tanquam creatura habeat; multosque videmus ea in re damnata ignavia de…ides esse; omnibus Ecclesiasticis personis nost…ae Dio…oesis distinctè p…aecipiendo mandamus, ut post haec summa pietate Deum ubique & honorent, & timeant, praecipuè vero in templo humiliter revereant…r & vene…entur. Et quum in nomine Domini nost…i Jesu ‖‖Both name… are here expressed. Phil. 2.Phil 2Ch…isti omne genu co…lestium, terrestrium & inferorum flectendum sit; volumus, ut omnes quotiesc…nque in sac…i… Concionibus, aut Missis nomini… sa…gui…is vel corpo…i, ‖‖Not Iesus.Christi, a…t Dei genetricis Mariae Virgini… fiat mentio, a…t quando canticum, Gloria in excelsis, aut gloria tibi Domine, aut Evangelii initium, aut Nativitatis **Not Iesus.Christi ex Virgine, & inca…natio in Symbolo, aut gratiarum actio in p…aesatione, aut h…j…smodi alia in divinis officiis canuntur, vel commemorantur, detecto capite, genibusq…e flexis, ante ‖‖NotaAltare, vel ut locus tempusq…e postula verit, Deo (ma…k it, not to the Name Iesu… ) rev…rentiam exhib…ant debitam, & populum ad ejus rei imita…ionem ve…bis factisque commoveant atque hortentur. Here are more bowings prescribed than to the Name o… I…sus only.

Anno 1519.The very next year a…ter, in the Provincial Popish Synod of ||Sur…us tom. 4. p. 809.Mogun… or M…ntz, under Sebastian the Archbishop, Anno Dom. 1549. cap. 59 (not Anno 813. as some mistake it, and …o make this Ceremony above 400. antienter than it is) which hath …his title to it. M…ssa, quo gestu, & qua devotio…e audienda: this Ceremony was thus enjoyned: Sedulò commonendus est populus fidelis, Clerici etiam per P…aelato… debit… animadversione inducendi, ut in celebratione Missarum, adversus tantum myste…ium, quantum quisque p. 133que per valitudinem potest, etiam corporis gestu reverentiam quandam adhibeant: videlicet, ut dum in Collectis, pro communi orbis terrarum incolumitate ad Deum preces funduntur, ipsi quoque tanquam hujus sac…ae Communionis cives, suas p…aeces cum oratione publica conjungant, & vultu ad ‖‖Nota.altare verso, aperto & demisso capite stantes, gestum orantibus convenientem prae se fe…ant. Pa…i …eligione ad nomen Salvatoris nostri Iesu ‖‖Iesus and Christ are here bo…h united.Christi, similiter ad Evangelium, Magnificat; Benedictu…, Nunc dimittis, Gloria in Exce…si…, Gloria Pat…i, caeterasque id genus officiorum partes, sic genuum flectione, ape…tione capitis, ac totius corpo…is gestu se componant, ut ad ea quae ibi aguntur animum intendere videantur.

Thomas Beacon in his Displaying of the Popish Masse,‖‖Vol. 3. of his works printed 1563. f. 39. printed in the year 1563. writes thus, This use is observed at this day in the Popish Masses, The People stand up when the Gosple is read, And make Courtesie when they hear the Name of IESVS, but they understand not one word.

In the Roman Missal, reformed and set forth by Pope Pius the 5th. Anno Dom. 1570. among Ritus, Celebrandi M…ssam, I find this Rubrick, ‖‖M…ssale Romanum, Salmanticae, 1588. p. 26.De ordine sedendi, standi, genuflect…ndi in Missa; wherein there are these directions and prescriptions, when the Mass-Priest in saying his Masse, or the Deacons and People, ought to bow the Knee. Gen…flectit qu…ndo oportet, Genuflectit quando legitur Ev…ngelium. In principio, ad illa verba: & verbum caro facta est. & evangelium cum natus esset JESUS, ad illa verba in fine: & procidens adoraverunt eum. Item Evangelium feriae quar…ae post Dominicam qu…tam Quadragesimae, ad illa verba in fine: & procidens adoravit e…m. Et cum Diaconus cantat illa verba, ipse versus librum, celebrans & circumstantes versus Altare Gen…flectunt. Subdiaconus vere tenens librum, & Acolythi candelabra, non genuflectunt. Item genuflectit in Dominica p. 134Palmarum, & in Missis de Cruce ad illa verba in Epistola, In nomine Iesu omne genu flectatur: Et ad Passionem quando Christus expi…avit. Item quando legitur Passio, ad illa verba expiravit.

From which passages it is very observable, 1. That the Roman Missal it self, though reformed by the Decree of the Council of Trent, and this Popes command; and since revised by Pope Gregory the XIII. Anno 1573. doth not promiscuously enjoyn the Priest, Deacon or People to bow their knees at every recital of the name of Jesus in the Epistle, Gosple, or Masse, though enjoyned by the forecited Popes and Popish Councils, and then▪ commonly practised by the ignorant Lay-people, who understood not what was read in an unknown tongue. 2ly That it prescribes the Priest and People to Bow their Knees at the …ecital of these several intire Sentences in the Gosple, Masse and Passion: And the Word was made Flesh; And they fell down and worshipped him; And falling down he worshipped him; He gave up the Ghost: Not at the bare mention of any of Christs Names; nor yet at this Sentence, When Iesus was born; though his Name Iesus be mentioned the…ein. 3ly. That on Palm-sunday it self, and the Masse of the Crosse; when this very Text of Phil. 2.9, 10, 11▪ That IN the name of Iesus every Knee should bow: it prescribes the Priest to bow, not AT or to this bare name Jesus; but at the recital, end of the intire Clause and Words, as Ad illa verba in Epistola resolve, and assure us, not at every mention of his name Jesus.

In Missa Votivae de S. Cruce, p. 54. at the end of this Missale Romanum: this Text of Phil. 2. v. 8, 9, 10, 11. is read as the Epistle: and over against these words, Vt in nomine Iesu omne genu flectatur coelestium, terrestrium, & inferuorum, there is printed in red Letters in the Margin, HIC G…NV FLECTI…VR, to wit, after the recital of all the intire Sentence, not p. 135at the very pronunciation of the name Iesus, much lesse unto it at every recital thereof. After which follows these Versicles, Dulce lignum, dulces claves, O Crux benedicta, quae sola fuisti digna sustinere Regem coelorum & Dominum, allelujah. Dicite in Gentibus, quia Dominus regnavit a ligno: allelujah. Adoramus te Christe (not Jesu) & benedicamus tibi, &c. Tuam Crucem adoramus Domine; not his name Jesus when mentioned in any of the Prayers of this Masse, but his Title Dominus, no lesse than 3. several times repeated. So as the Compilers of this Masse, these Prayers, of Missa Votiva de S. CRVCE, & Festum duplex Triumphi CRVCIS, reputed not the name Iesu, the name above every name intended in this Text, but his Name Lord, which every tongue shall confesse, quia DOMINVS Iesus Christus in gloria est Dei Patris, as they all read this Text; upon which they also ground their adoration of the Crosse of Christ, and this Prayer for its adorers, inserted into Missae propriae Sanctorum Hispan. p. 114. Deus, qui per Crucem tuam populo in te credenti triumphum contra inimicos concedere voluisti, quaesumus, ut tua pietate adorantibus Crucem, victoriam semper trib…as & honorem. Qui vivis & regnas; as other Papists …ounded their **P. 127, 128, 129.formentioned Iesus Psalter, Psalmes in honorem Nominis Iesu, Litaniae de Nomine Iesu, Horae de Nomine Iesu, Vesperae in Veneratione Nominis Iesu, Festum minus duplex De dulcis. nomine Iesu; and a Prayer for those who adore the Name Iesus thereon; all standing on the self-same Basis, equally admitted, embraced, or rejected upon the self-same grounds; which I desire all considerate conscientious Protestants seriously to observe, who may as justly adore the Cros… as Name of Iesus.

In the year of our Lord 1578. Anno 1578.**Lour. Bochel. Decret. Eccles. Gal l. 4. Tit. 1.… 14. p. 546.Titus 1:14Synodus Ebroicensis held in France, made this Decree for all Church-wardens under their Popish Jurisdiction to put in execution. Editui circumspiciant quid quisque aget in Ecclesia, & quomodo se g…rat a minimo usque ad maximum; si …aput aperiat, genua cum opus est flectat, Officio divino p. 136animum & aures adhibeat, si orationi incumbat, Agente… contraria cum aliquae reverentia & modestia objurgent, & ad Officium cogant: the intent of which Canon perchance extends to bowing the knee at the n…ming of Jesus, and the Virgin Mary, as well as to kneeling at Collects and Prayers.

Anno 1583.The Popish Council of Rhemes since that, viz. Anno Domini 1583. as aaDecreta Ecclesiae G…ll…anae l 1. Tit. 2. c. 22. p 21.Titus 2Bochellus records, made this Decree or Canon following: In pronunciatione nominis Iesu, & cùm dicitur versus, Gloria Patri, capu… aperiant & inclinent. That in the pronouncing of the name Jesu, and when the verse, Glory be to the Father, was said or read, men should uncover and bow their heads. Which Canon extends not unto Women,bb1 Cor. 11.5, to 16.1 Cor 11:5–16 who ought not to uncover their heads in the Church, much lesse to come thither like so many Strumpets, with cc1 Cor. 11.5… to 16. … Tim. 2.9, 10. 1 Pet. 3▪3, 4. Synodas Taron. 1583. & Concil Bitur. 158…. apud Bochel. Decr. Eccl. Gal. l. 6. Tit 9 c. 1…, 12. See my Vnloveliness of Love-locks p. 12, to 23.30, 31 32 & 43, to 5….1 Cor 11:5–161 Pet 3:31 Pet 3:4cut, broidred, powdred hair, as our Viragoes do of late: whereas the words of Phil. 2.9, 10. In the name of Iesus every knee should bow, extend to women as well as men, and rather to womens bowing, (who in their courtesies bow both their knees full low) than to mens; who in their common courtesies or legs at the name of Jesus, or to men bow ddSee Gen. 41 43. Matth. 27.29. Rom. 11.4.Gen 41:43Matt 27:29Rom 11:4only one, not both their knees: whereas this Text requires every knee to bow, and so enjoyns the bowing of both knees, not one alone; the courtesies of women, not heads, caps, or legs of men, here prescribed to bow at Gloria Patri.

The Popish Council of Bitures, alias eeB…chell Decr. Eccl. Gal l. 1. Tit. 7. …. 28. p. 8….Concil. Bituricense, Anno 1584.the very next year following: viz. Anno Domini 1584. promulgated this Canon to the like effect. In fine Psalmorum, & ubicunque Gloria sanctissimae Trinitati redditur, omnes consurgant, & in invocatione …ominis Iesu, genu flectant: Which may be construed as well of kneeling only in the invocation of the name of Jesus in Prayer, as of bowing at the pronunciation of his name Jesus.

Besides these severall Popish Councils, the Sorbonists about the year 1540. from Phil. 2.9, 10. as Mr. Calvin, p. 137Marloret, and **See here, p. 29, 49.others on that Text record, began to publish and teach this Doctrine, that as oft as the name of Iesus should be m…ntioned, (as in some Portuasses and Masse-books it is repeated ffSee Iesus his Psalter, here p. 128, 129. Bp. Babingtons Exposition of th… Catholick Faith p 195. Here p. 42, 43.20, 30. yea 504. times together) so often men must bow their knees: for which Doctrine, write Calvin, Marloret, …nd Bishop Alley, they are more than ridiculous. Plusquam ridiculi sunt Sorbonici Sophistae, &c.

After these, the Rhemists about the year 1582. in their Notes in their Rhemish Testament, Anno 1582.on Phil. 2.9, 10. ggSee Dr. Fulk and Mr. Cartwrights Answer to the Rhemish Testament, Ibid. Here p. 36▪ to 41.sect. 2. and on Apoc. 13. sect. 7. set on this Ceremony in an higher strain, where they write thus. By the like wickedness… the Protestants charge the faithfull people for capping or kneeling, when they hear the name of Iesus, as though they worshipped not our Lord God therein, but the Syllables or Letters, or other materiall Elements, whereof the word written or spoken con…isteth: And all this by Sophistications to draw the people from due ho…our and devotion toward Christ Iesus, which is Satans drift, by putting scriples into poor simple mens minds, about his Sacraments, his Saints, his hhHis Crosse, his Name, &c. are here coupled together, and bowed to alike.Crosse, his Name, his Image, and such like, to abolish all true Religion out of the world, and …o make them plain Ath…i…s. But the Church knoweth Satans cogitations, and therefore by the Script…re and reason, warranteth and teacheth **Note.all her Children to do re…erence wh…soever Iesus is named, b…cause Catholicks iiWhat difference then can any Protestant bower at the name of Iesus make between his bowing and the Papists? which Protestants formerly condemned, and yet many of them … contend for.do not ho…our these thing…, nor count them holy for their matter, colour, sound and syllables, but for the respect and relation they have to our Saviour, bringing us to the remembrance and apprehension of Christ, by …ight, hearing, and use of the same signs, else why make we not rever…nce at the name of Jesus the Son of Syrach, as well as at Iesus Christ? And it is a pitti…ull case to see these prophane subtleties of Hereticks to take place in Religion, which were ridiculous in all other trade of life. When we hear our Prince or Soveraign named, we may without th…se scruples do obeysance. But towards Christ it must be Superstitious. And here it is much to be noted, that the Protestants pulling down the p. 138kkWhich some Protestan…s, in name at least, begin now to set up again, to please the Rhemists & PapistsImage of Christ out of all Churches, and the sign of the Crosse from mens foreheads, and taking away the honour and reverence of the name of Iesus, do make room for Antichrists Image, and mark, and name. Thus the Rhemists, whose steps and genius some modern Protestant advocates and Patrons of bowi…g at the name of Jesus, do follow to an hairs breadth, though **See He…e p. 36, to 53.Dr. Fulk, in his Answer to the Rhemish Testament, Notes on Phil. 2. sect. 2. and on Apoc. 13. sect 7. Dr. Whitaker in his Answer to William Reynolds the Rhemist, Cantab. 1590. p. 398, 399. Mr. Cartwright in his Answer to the Rhemish Testament, llWhere he pithily dispu…es this point. as also in his first Reply to Bish…p Whitguists Answer, p 163. and in his 2. Reply, p. 215.Notes on Phil. 2. sect. 2. and elsewhere, Dr. Willet in his Synop…is Papismi, Century 2. Error. 51. Dr. Ayri… in hi… Lectures on Phil. 2.9, 10. And above all other, that Reverend Father of our Church, Gervase Babington, Bishop of Worcester, a professed Opposite to this Popish Ceremony, in his Exposition of the Catholick Faith, in his Works in Folio, London 1622. part 2. page 195, 196, 197. expresly condemn this Doctrine, this Ceremony of theirs, as a grosse ridiculous Popish Error, which is no wayes grounded on Phil. 2. vers. 9, 10. as all these, together with Pareus, mmHeidelburgiae 1613.Commentariu… in cap. 14 ad Romanos, vers. 11. Col. 1475, 1476, 1477. Iohannes Brentiu…, in his nnF…ancofurti 1548. fol. 54, to 58.Explicatio in Epist. Pauli ad Philip. cap. 2. vers. 9.10. (who writes thus, Quod a…tem Paulus ait, Vt in nomine Jesu omne se genu …lectat, &c. non sic intelligendum est, quod necessarium sit, ut prolato hoc nomine, homines semper externae genua fl…ctere debent, haec est quidem Puarilis Caeremonia, & propter pu…ros usurpanda aliquoties, &c.) Calvin, Marlorat, Olevian, Beza, on Phillipp. 2. ver. 9, 10, 11. Iohannes Piscator, ooHe…born… 1616.Scholia in cap. 2 ad Philip. vers. 9, 10. pag. 1166. and Obser. 6. ex vers. 10. pag. 1162. to omit all others formerly quoted, do largely prove:

Pope Clement the 8. Anno Domini 1600. corrected and published his ppEdit▪ Parisiis p. 1633.Caeremoniale Episcoporum, which he prescribed to be used in all Churches, especially Metropolitan, Cathedral, and Collegiate, without alteration p. 139or addition thereunto, as his Bull prefixed to it attests; afterwards dedicated to, and approved by Pope Vrban the 8. In this Caeremoniale l. 2. c. 8. De Missa solemni Episcopo celebranti, p. 206. there is this pres…ription to the Deacon who reads the Gospel in the Masse, celebrated by the Bishop. Tunc manibus junctis pro sequitur Evangelium, Et cum profert nomen Iesu, vel Mariae, inclinat se, sed profundius cum dicit Iesus, quod et omnes faciunt. But this bowing is only when the Gospel is reading, and that to the name of Mary, as well as of Iesus, but somewhat lower to the name of Iesus, then of Mary.

Since these, I find some private Popish Authors, (especially the Iesuits, who deriving their Name and Order from the name of Iesus, do most stickle for this bowing at and to the name Iesus) who have qqAs I hear of some Protestants writing for this Ceremony too, as hot as any Iesuits, viz Giles Widdows, Mr. Page.written in defence and Patronage of this Popish Ceremony. As namely one Alphonsus Salmeron a famous Jesuit, in his Works at large 1612. Tom. 1. Prolegomenon. 24. De Dignit. & Majest. Evang. p. 387, 388. writes thus, That certain Popes of Rome, (forecited by Lochmair, and among the rest, rrOperum Tom. 3. Tract. 37. p. 335.Pope Iohn the 22 who granted an …ndulgence for 200. dayes to all who should either bow their knees, or incline their heads, or knock their breasts at the name of Jesus) have taught, that men are to bow their heads or knees at the naming of Iesus, to represent the great humiliation and exaninition of Christ: And That a certain Monk was …ffed by the ssIt seems the Devil is be…ter pleased with this bowing▪ than Christ.Devil (not by Christ, which is observable) for omitting this bowing, &c. And Operum Tom. 3. Tract. 37. Vocatum est n…men ejus Iesus. p. 335. he records, That the name of Iesus is worthy all worship, genu-fl…ction, and adoration, in whi…h name Paul would have every knee to bow, both of things in Heaven, and things in Earth, and things under the Earth. For this name, whether it be pronounced with the mouth, or heard with the ear, or ttLet our bowers at the sound only of the name o… Iesus note this well & answer it as they can.where ever it is written, painted, or ingraven, is worthy Divine Worship; not for the bare word, writing, p. 140or picture it self, but for the signification of it; as uuYou see h…w the Papists rank these three together, the adoration of the Cross▪ the Image, and the name of Iesus.the Crosse and Image of Christ are deservedly adored with the worship of Lat…ia, for the type and mystery represented in them, &c. The same Doctrine we shall find in Cornelius a Lapide, a Jesuit, in his Commentary on Phil. 2.9, 10 in Antonius Scaynus Salodiensis, Paraphras. in Epist. ad Philip. cap. 2. vers. 9, 10 Venetiis 1593. fol. 142. in Iohannes Molanus, Historiae S. Imaginum, Antwerp. 1617. lib. 3. cap. 1. pag. 244, 245. and in xxPrinted Augustae Vind…licorum 1613. where there is much written of this name to little purpose.Carolus Stengelius, SS. Nominis Jesu, cultus & Miracula, cap. 23. where he quotes this Text of Phil. 2 9, 10. and the Decree of Pope Gregory the 10. informing Protestants Ibid. p. 125, 126. That Papists honour not the …etter…, Syllables, or sound of the name Iesus, but the thing contained and signified together with the sound and Syllables: But some (saith he) may say, Why do we bow at the name of Iesus, rather than at the name of Christ? I Answer, Because Christ is not a proper name, but a declaration of Christs Kingdom and power: But yyThis is Bishop Andrews his Reas…n too, See his Sermons, p. 475, 4…6, 477. Here re…uted p. 57… 110, 111.Iesus is a proper name, which he hath bought with his great pain, and hath received as a reward of his labour. For alth…ugh this name was imposed on him in his very Circumcision, and promised to him in his Conception, yet both these were done, because he ought to do that in his time, which the name doth signifie; to wit, to save his people. Paul therefore affirms, that this name was given to him, because he actually performed this with his great pain. Phil. 2. He humbled himself, therefore God hath highly exalted him, and given him a name above every name: that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, &c. Therefore this most honourable name is given, because he merited it. zzThis is Mr. Widdows his Reason, see his Confutation p. 6. and 30 to …2. and 81, 82.The name it self is thus honoured, because he hath merited it. As oft therefore as we Catholicks honour the name of Iesus by bowing the knee, so oft we give unto him due and deserved honour, which he hath merited with a great price, so oft we do that we ought and are bound to do; not only out of congruity for the greatnesse of the benefit conferred upon us, but also out of debt, by reason of the **So Bishop Andrews res…lves too, here p. 56, 58.will and precept of the eternall p. 141Father; who hath therefore given this name unto his Son, that aaIn nomine, not, ad nomen, which signifie…h to, not at the name; Here p. 2, to 10.in this name every knee should bow▪ that all should worship this name, and in worshipping should confesse, that Iesus is in the glory of his Father. But as oft as the Hereticks (who utter & hear this name without any reverence, because they have not the Holy Ghost) do not worship this name, as oft as they refuse to bow and worship, as oft as they deride others who worship and bow the knee unto it, bbSo writes Mr. Widdows too, pag 6, 14, 15, 16, 17, 25, 26, 74, 86, 8…, 88, 90. and Bish…p Andrews, here p 56, 58.so oft they violate the precept and will of God the Father, so oft they do injury to God the Son, and deny him his due honour, so oft they contradict th… Apostle, so oft they scandalize, or rather deride the Church of God: Finally, so oft they do acceptable service to the Devil, ccYet Salmeron informed …s bef…e, that the Devil cuff…d a Monk for omitting it; & therefore he is rather the Author, th…n the hinde…er of this bowing.who hath in an especial manner taught them this, and by th…m doth propagate this impiety unto others. This and much more to like purpose doth this Benedictine Fre…r, Stengelius, write, and publish in print Anno 1613. which I thought good in part to transc…ibe, because it is almost verbatim the same with Bishop Andrews Sermon, (who took his materials and reasons from him) and with Mr. Widdows, and other late Protestants writings, and ddSee Bp. Andrews Sermons in Folio p 475, 476, 477. Mr. Adams his Sermons p. 1203. Dr. Wrens Sermon Febr. 12. 1627 p 16, 18.Sermons to this purpose; between whom and these there is now no difference at all in this point of bowing at the naming of Jesus, for ought that I can find, and so they are both accorded in this particular.

This is the only true genuine Pedegree and progresse of this much pressed Duty, and admired Ceremony of bowing at the name of Iesus, that I in my poor reading can find in all Antiquity, or the Jesui…es and Papists themselves yet really produced. If better, graver, or more learned Heraulds can derive its Parentage higher, (as ‖‖Bp. Andrews & Mr. Widdows, who misquote some Fathers for it: whereas Bp. Whitguift, and Zanchius write only, That it was an antient custome and practise in the Church, but quote no Authorities to prove it, because in truth there are none extant to prove it antienter than this its pedeg…ee.some have vainly endeavoured, to deduce it from the Fathers, and the constant practice p. 142of the Primitive Church; when as I am confident upon most diligent search and good inquiry, that there is no one Father, no antient nor modern Writer extant, to prove or warrant what they assert, as the **See Lame Giles his Haltings, p 7.8 31, …2 Here▪ p. 101 to 105.examination of their alledged testimonies will at first discover,) I shall be willing to be corrected and instructed by them. But if they must needs concurre with me in this its Popish Original & Progress which I have here faithfully set down; (as I presume they must, since Popish Priests, Monks and Iesuites, who have been most inquisitive in discovering its original, have raised the injunction and practise of it, no higher than the Popes I have recited:) let them now at last for very shame (unlesse they intend to turn Champions for Romish Inventions, Superstitions, Innovations, unknown to the primitive Church and Christians;) contend no more for such a pretended Duty, or Ceremony, which had no other real Fathers, but the forenamed Popes, Popish Councils, Writers; no other Mother, Nurse, Midwife, but the Antichristian Church of Rome, with whose Popish Ceremonies, Reliques, Altars, Images, Crucifixes, Genuflection…, Bowings and such like abused idolatrous, ddSic n…ta Romana superstiti…, quorum … si percenseas, ridend… quam …n…lia, mu…a etiam miserand… sunt Minucius Felix Octav p. 76.supersticious Rites, which get ground apace upon us) the reformed Church of England, with all her faithfull Bishops, Ministers, Members, (especially since the prodigious, unparallel'd hellish Powder plot should stand at everlasting defiance; for fear ee2 …es. ….10, 11.12.God give us over to strong delus…ns to beli…ve and embrace her other impious lies and errors by degrees, to our damnation; and then showre down his long threatned Judgements on us, (of which the **This was wri… ten, printed, An 1630.late revived Plague and feared Famine, should now in time admonish us) to our eternal ruine. What therefore Tertullian writes of Stage-playes, which had the very Devil himself for their original Author, (as he, with ‖‖Cyprian De spectac. lib. … De …. Dei, … 6.others largely proves, enough to cause all Christians, who in their very Baptisme have renounc…d the Devil and all his works, &c. with p. 143care and conscience to abandon them) ffDe spectaculis libr. c. 8.Facit ad origini… maculam, ne bonum existimes quod initium à malo accepit: the same shall be my conclusion in the point in question; Bowing at and to the name of Iesus had its original, growth, progresse from the Antichristian Popes and Church of Rome, who propagated it by their Masses, Letanies, Feasts, Canons, Councils, Indulgences, Pictures ggSee the Council of Senn…, the Rhemists, Sal. mer…n… Stengelius and Fulk qua supra.to justifie, their idolatrous bowing to Images, Crucifixes, Hosts and Altars, as I have fully manifested in the premises.

How then any zealous, judicious Protestant Bishops, High Commissioners, Ecclesiastical Officers can justly censure, suspend, molest, excommunicate any conscientious aaAs Mr. Sam… VVard, Mr. Snelling and others. See Canterburies D…om. p. 94, 152, 361.Ministers, or Christians in their High Commission, Consistories, Visitations, for not bowing at the name of I…sus, as a Duty of the Text, or nec…ssary decent Ceremony, or declaring the Reasons of their omission or non-usage thereof, let the impartial Readers hereof determine, and their own Consciences resolve. It was Tertullians conclusion in the Case of Stage-playes, bbDe Spect. lib. c. 10.Oderis itaque Christiane cujus auctores non poteris non odisse. And judicious ccLocorum Com. De Tradit. sect. 5. p. 421, 422.Musculus his resolution. It is not fit that these things which are rather superstitious than religious, or have so great a shew of Superstition, should be retained in the Church. God forbid that I should maintain any Traditions, or Worships which are Popish. And I call them Pop…sh Traditions, which either of their own nature, or by abuse do serve unto Popish impiety, superstition, and blindnesse; all which (I am perswaded) ought to be detested, as much as possible. Let it be all our Bishops too: especially since the Church and Parliament of England themselves in their Preface to the Books of Common-Prayer in King Edward the Sixth and Queen Elizabeths reigns: Of Ceremonies why some be abolished, and others retained, thus determine of them.

Of such Ceremonies as be used in the Church, and have had their beginning by the institution of p. 144man: some at the first were of godly intent and purpose devised, and yet at length turned to Uanity and Superstition. Some en…ed into the Church by indiscreet Devotiou, and such a Zeal as was without Knowledge; and for because they were winked at in the beginning, they grew daily to more and more Abuses, which not only for their unprofitablenesse, but also because they have much blinded the People, and obscured the Glory of God, are worthy to be cut away and clean rejected. And whereas in this our time the minds of men are so diverse, that some men think it a great matter of Conscience to depart from a piece of the least of their Ceremonies they be so addicted to their old Customs, and lest any man should be o…ended whom good reason might sati…fie) here be certain Causes rendred, why some of the accustomed Ceremonies be put away, (particula…ly, Howers, Psalters, Letanyes, Feasts, Ado…ation of the name of Iesus, as well as Altars, Tapers, Copes, Images, Albes, Crucifixes▪ Processions, Adoration of and bowing to or toward Altars, Crosses, the Hostia, &c.)

Some are put away, because the great excesse & multitude of them hath so increased in these later daies, that the burthen of them was intollerable; whereof **Ad I…arium, Ep. 119. Se…. Antiq…. Eccl. Brit p. 4.St. Augusti…e in his time complained, That they were grown to such a number, that the …state of Chr… stian people was in a worse case (concerning that matter) than were the Iewes: and he advised, That such a Yoke and Burthen should be taken away, as …ime would serve quietly to do it.

Let our Prela…es … it … their … under … of Ex…ommunica…n … upon Ministers and others.But what would St. Augustin have said, if he had seen the Ceremonies of late dayes used among us? whereunto the Multitude used in his time were not to be compared. This our excessive multitude of Ce…emonies we…e so great, and many of them so dark, that they did more con…ound and darken, than declare and set forth Christs Benefits unto us.

And p. 145besides this, Christs Gosple is not a Ceremonial Law (as much of Moses Law was) but it is a Religion to serve God, not in ‖‖Why sh…uld any then be imprisoned, excommunicated, deprived of his Ministry and Benefi…e for not using Ceremonies of mens inve…ting?bondage of the Figure, or shadow, but in the freedome of Spirit, being content only with those Ceremonies, which do serve to preserve Order and Godly Discipline.

Furthermore, the most weighty cause of abolishment of certain Ceremonies, was, That they were so far abused, partly by the superstitious blindness of the rude and unlear…ed, and partly by the unsatiable …varice of such as sought more their own lucre, than the Glory of God, that the Abuses could not well be taken away the Thing remaining still.

Those be taken away that were mo… abused, and did burden mens Consciences without any cause.

We think it convenient that every Country should put away such Ceremonies, which from time to time they see most abused, as in mens Ordinances it often chanceth diversly in divers Countryes.

Whether all or some of these Passages may not be justly applyed to thi… Bowing at the Name of Iesus only, as likewise to kneeling at the Sacrament, upon due consideration of its original Author…, Promoters, and Pr…mises abuses, I refer to every mans conscience to resolve.

Especially because it puts a difference, disparity▪ inequality, not only between this Name Iesus, and all other Names, Titles, Attributes of our Saviour, and the Name…, Titles of God the Father, and Holy Ghost ▪ but a visible undenyable inaequality and disp…rity between their sacred Persons, though co…ternal and co…qual by our Churches **Athenesius … Nice…s Cree…s.Creed, and Scriptures resolution, and to be equally worshipped, …dored, reverenced, bowed unto by all Orthodox Believers; whose Persons are never adored, worshipped, or bowed unto in the Church when their Name… or Titles are mentioned▪ nor yet the Person of God the Son, when any other of his p. 146Names are uttered, but only the Person of Iesus (or rather his name alone) when I…sus is either read, heard or seen. Which as it apparently thwarts that express Text of Iohn 5.22, 23. The Father hath committed all …udgement to the Son, that all men should honour the Son, even as (that is in the self-same manner, form) they honor the Father, not otherwise, nor more frequently, devo…tly, reverently than they honour the Father, at and to whose person they bow not their Knees or Head▪ when his name is recited; as usual they do by standing up at and honouring all three persons alike in their frequent repetitions of, Glory be to the FaFather, and to the Sonne, and to the Holy Ghost, without bowing at or to all or any of their Names: So it seems to put an inequality and disparity between their sacred Person… and Sovereign Divine Authority, and to advance Iesus the Son, above God the Father, and Holy Ghost

Especially when all their three names are joyntly read and repeated together in one Verse, Prayer, Sentence, as at the end of every Morning Prayer. The grace of our Lord JESUS Christ, th… love of God (the Father) and the most comfortable fellowship of the HOLY GHOST, be with us all evermore. Amen. At the end of every Evening Prayer and Communion, The Peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God; and of his Sonne JESUS Christ our LORD. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy Ghost be amongst you, and remain with you alwayes. Amen. In the Apostles Creed, (repeated every Morning and Evening prayer.) I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in JESUS CHRIST▪ his only Sonne our LORD, which was conceived by the Holy Ghost, &c. I believe in the Holy Ghost, &c. And in the Nicen… Creed, used every Sunday and Holiday (to omit A…ana…ius his Creed, the Letany, Form of Baptisme, p. 147the Collect, Epistle and Gosple Trinity Sunday, they are all mentioned together) I believe in one God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, &c. and in one LORD JESUS Christ the only begotten Sonne of God, begotten of the Father before all Worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, being of one substance with the Father, &c. And I believe in the Holy Ghost the LORD and giver of Light, proceeding from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Sonne together is worshipped and glorified. If any Pagan, Turk, Jew or sober judicious Christian should come into our Churches when these Prayers, Creeds, are read▪ and observe both Ministers and People to bow their Bodies, Heads, Knees, with extraordinary reverence and adoration at and to the Name Iesus only, when mentioned in them, but not at or to his other Names Lord, Christ, only SON of GOD, God, very God, thus coupled with, & immediately preceding, following his Name Iesus, yea not to bow to the person of Jesus as represented to them by these other glorious Names: nor at the Name God, as it comprehends the whole Trinity in Unity, or denotes the persons of God the Father, or God the Holy Ghost; nor yet at or to the name Person, or sence, (to use Bishop Andrews words▪) will they not all then necessarily conclude and resolve, that this Name Jesus is more adorable▪ honourable, worshipfull, holy, divine, than all those other Names and Titles coupled with it? Yea, that the person of Jesus himself is more adorable, honourable, glorious, divine, when represented to our minds by his Name Jesus, than by his other Names, Titles of Christ, Sonne, Sonne of God, LORD, GOD, very God? That this Name Iesus it self addes special adoration, veneration, honor, worship to his Person, Deity; not his Person, Deity to his Name? or that his Person, Deity accumulate more honour, glory and worship to this Name alone, than to all or any of his other p. 148Names, Titles? Yea would not those Infidells conceive, that Jesus was one Person, thing, and God, Christ, Lord, Sonne of God, &c. another Person or thing inferiour to, and lesse venerable, adorable than Jesus? And that the Person of Jesus who is onelyonly thus devoutly bowed to when his name Jesus is recited in these Prayers, Creeds, is exalted far above God the Father, and God the Holy Ghost, whose names and Persons are neither thus adored, worshipped, bowed to, nor honoured by them, when thus coupled, recited, and represented to our minds at once in one Sentence, Prayer, Creed? And doth not this bowing directly contradict those very Creeds, wherein we professe these three Persons to be coet…rnal together and coequal, to be neither greater nor less than another, and the Holy Ghost with the Father and the Sonne together to be worshipped and glorified? No doubt it doth in a very high degree, a… every mans Conscience upon serious deliberation will inform him; and these ensuing Histories in some so… demonstrate.

It i… storied of ee… Eccles. Hist. lib. 5. cap 16. Centar Magd. 4 col. 994.Amphilochius, Bishop of Iconium, that to c…nvince the Emperor T…eodosius of hi… Error in tollerating the Arrians (who den…ed the Deity of Christ the Son of God, whom they adored not▪ with divine worship, but only God the Father) that comming one day to his Court, and beholding Theodosius, and his Sonne Arcadius, newly made joynt Emperour, and invested in equal imperial Power with his Father, standing both together; he pu…posely bow…d hims…lf and made low and accustomed reverence to Theodosius the Father, without doing any reverence to, or taking notice of Arcadius his Son and Fellow Emperour, in equal honour and power with him. Whereupon Theodosius being very angry with this Bp. for this contempt & neglect of his Son Arcadius in not bowing & doing any obeysance to him, and sharply reprehending him for it as an injury and affront to himself; Amphilochius wisely replyed, p. 149that he did it on set purpose: and then said, Thou seest hereby, O Emperour, how hardly thou sufferest the ignominy and neglect of thy Sonne, yea verily thou art exceeding angry with those who insult over, and refuse to reverence him; I would therefore have thee believe me, that God the Governour of this World, doth in like manner detest those who adore not and speak blasphemies against his only Sonne▪ and that he hates them as ungratefull towards their Saviour and Patron. Whose purpose when the Emperour had by this means understood, admiring both his Deeds and his Words, he forthwith made a Law, prohibiting the Assemblies of the Arrian Heretickes. And may we not then justly fear, by parity of reason, that God the Father, and God the Holy Ghost will, be as much offended with those, who bow and do Divine adoration and reverence only to Iesus the Son when ever this Name of his is mentioned, and yet do no reverence of bowing or adoration to the Father, or Holy Spirit when their Names are mentioned and Persons represented to their mindes together with, or before or after the Name, Person of Jesus, in the self-same Chapter, Sermon, Collect, Prayer, Creed, or Verse? No doubt they will.

ffActs and Mon. vol. 3 p. 486, 496, 649, 660.Mr. Fox records of our Archbishop Cranmer, Bishop Ridley, and Bishop Latymer, that when they were brought before the Popes, Cardinal Pool…, and Queen Maries Commissioners at Oxford, sitting joyntly together upon them to convince and condemn them of Heresie, they all severally of set purpose, put off their Caps, and bowed their Bodies and Knees with great reverence and humility to the Queens Commissioners, but would neither put off their Caps, nor bow their Bodies or Knees to the Popes and Cardinals Commissioners, nor shew the least reverence to them, because they had abjured and renounced the Popes authority; Whereat those proud Commissioners p. 150w…re so incensed, as taking it for an high contumacy and affront to the Popes, Cardinals Persons and Authorities (whom they then represented) that they not only▪ severally and openly reprehended them for the contempt, and expostulated the affront with them, but caused their Caps to be pulled off by their Officers; These Commissioners putting off their Caps, and making reverence when ever the ggFox Acts and M…n. …ol. 3 p. 487, 496, and Here, p. 42.Popes name was read or mentioned, without yielding any such reverence at all to the Name of God, Christ, or Queen Mary. And may we not from thence discern and conjecture how much God the Father, and God the Holy Ghost are dishonoured, slighted, contemned, yea in some sort un-godded, and how far Jesus the Sonne his Name, Person are advanced, adored above their Names, Person, when the one of them is so frequently honoured, adored, worshipped with bowed Heads, Knees, Bodies, and veiled Caps by most, and the other two reverenced by none at all, as if they were mere Cyphers; yea not so worthy honour, worship, as the Names, Persons of Iesus, of the Pope, or of the Virgin Mary, at or to whose Names or Persons, they only use to bow their Knees, Heads, and do obeysance in an extraordinary manner and excesse of veneration whenever they hear their sound? Let all Christians then (especially those Bishops, Clergy-men who are most zealous for this Duty or Ceremony) take special care, that under the specious pretexts of uncommanded reverence and devotion, they relapse not by degrees to Popish Superstition and Idolatry, in giving as much or more honour to the very Name of Iesus first,hhSee H…a, Offi…ium, …sal…erium, Rosarum, …it…niae beat… Mariae, Crucis, N…minus Iesu, of which the…e are divers sorts. and next by the like reason to his Cros…, Image, Picture, Representative breaden body, yea to Mary the Mother of Iesus, by Bowings, Adorations, Holy daies, Howers, Primers, Rosasaries, Offices, Prayers, Collects, Oblations, Indulgencies, than to the Person and Deity of Iesus, or to the Names, Person of God the Father, and God the Holy Ghost, as p. 151they do in the Church of Rome; from whose grosse Superstitious, Idolatrous, **Thus prayed against in the Letanies in the Common-Prayer Books of King Edward the Sixth, and in the Book of Ordinations, though now expunged. From all false D…ctrine and Heresie, from the Tyranny and detestable Enormities of the Bishop of Rome, Good Lord deliver us.detestable Enormities, excessive, superfluous, unnecessary Ceremonies, unknown to Christ himself, his Apostles, and the Primitive Churches, Fathers, Christians, and from all approaches to them, Good Lord deliver us, Amen and Amen.

FINIS.

ERRATA.

PRay correct these Pres…-errors and omissions. p. 15. l. 11. read send. p. 24. l. 38. fignant, r. signall. p. 41. l. 14. r. thing. l. 33. r denying it. p. 44. l. 4. body. p. 55. l. 21. et, r. ut. p 57. l 8. his, r. this. p. 58. l. 37, 38 r. therefore brief…y. p. 59. l. 34. bow, his, r. bowing, this. l. 35. at their, r. at Emanuel. l 36. dele which. p. 62. l. 19. more, r. much. p. 66. l. 31. nor, r. not. p. 67. l. 9. r. ended, they sate down purposely to receive the Lords Supper SITTING. p. 68. l. 16. r. Martyrs upon this account. l. 23. r. Pos…il. p. 87. l. 10. dele and. p. 111. l. 36. r. proper to. p. 112. l. 29. r. the… falseness. p. 114. l. 11. r. pronounced.

Margin. p. 18. l. 14. r. cun…. p. 37. l. 11. r. c. 41.

End of the text · William Prynne, Apology for Indulging Just Christian Liberty (1662)