Why Some do Not Conform to Common Prayer, Section 4 · Part 5

Why Some do Not Conform to Common Prayer · Section 4 · Part 5

p. 49Orationes dicendae cum Sacerdos induitur Sacerdotalibus paramentis.

CƲm lavat manus; Ad Amictum dum ponitur ſuper caput; Ad Albam, cum ea induitur; Ad Cingulum, cum ſe cingit; Ad Manipulam, dum imponitur brachio ſinistro; Ad ſtolam dum imponitur collo; Ad Capſulam cum aſſumitur. Are the ſame with thoſe forecited, which the Biſhop uſeth when he putteth them on.

If theſe reſpective Veſtments and Prayers be neceſſary or convenient for Prieſts and Biſhops, then certainly for all other Chriſtians too.

TheaaP. 12, 13, 30, 32, 38, 39. Roman Pontifical, in the Title De Clerico faciendo, preſcribes, that when any Clerk or Clergy-man is to be made, quilibet ordinandorum habere debet ſuum Superpellicium ſuper brachium ſiniſtrum, & candelam in manu dextra: and after their ſhaving by the Biſhop in four places in their heads, and ſome Prayers, Croſſes and Benedictions, (there at large recited) the Biſhops ſitting with his Miter, and taking in his hand the Surpliſſe, ſaith unto them all. Induat novum hominem, qui ſecundum Deum creatus est, injustitia & ſanctitate veritatis, & mox imponit illud (Superpelliceum) cuilibet repetendo, Induat te, &c. immitens uſque ad ſcapulas, & immediate trahens, ſi unum tantum ſit Superpelliceum, ſicque facit uſque ad ultimum, qui eo totaliter induitur. After which, in the Title De Minoribus Ordinibus, follows this Rubrick: Ordinandi omnes ad quatuor minores Ordines, eſſe debent Superpelliceis induti, cum candela in manu dextra. And in the Rubrick, De Conſecratione Diaconi & Sacerdotis, it writes, Eis igitur amictu, Alba, cingulo, et manipulo paratis, ac ſtolam in ſiniſtra manu, et candelam in dextra, ac dalmaticam ſuper brachium ſinistrum tenentibus, &c. the Archdeacon preſents them to the Biſhop to be ordained. Poſt haec Pontifex accipiens Stolam, &c. et Dalmaticam, induit ea quemlibet ſucceſſivè uſque ad humeros, et ſic uſque ad ultimum, & hoc, ſi una tantum ſit Dalmatica: Si verò quilibet ſuam habet, tunc ſingulos ſua totaliter induit, dicens cuilibet; p. 50Accipe ſtolam ✚ candidam de manu Dei, &c. Induat te Dominus indumento ſalutis, et veſtimento laetitiae, et Dalmatica juſtitiae circumdet te ſemper, in nomine Domini. R. Amen. Their**Ibid. p 49. 58. Ordination being ended, in loco convenienti ſacras vestes deponunt. So in the Conſecration of a Biſhop elect, among other things, Veſtments for his Conſecration, there are prepared,**Pontificale Romanum, p. 57, to 81. Item Paramènta omnia Pontificalia, coloris tempori & Officio Miſſae convenientis, videlicet, ſandalia, amictus, alba, cingulum, crux pectoralis, ſtola, tunicella, dalmatica, chiroticae, planeta, mitra auriphrygiata, annulus pontificalis, baculus paſtoralis & manipulus, &c. Adſunt duo ad minus Epiſcopi aſſiſtentes, qui induuntur Rocheto, & ſi ſint regulares, ſuperpelliceo, amictu, ſtola, pluviali, coloris tempori & Officio Miſ…ae convenientis, & mitra ſimplici alba, & quiſque habeat ſuum Pontificale. After many Prayers, Croſſings, and other ridiculous Ceremonies, Epiſcopi aſſiſtentes ducunt Electum ad Capellam ſuam, & ibi depoſito pluviali, Acolythi induant illum ſandalia, ipſos Pſalmos & orationes conſuetas legente. Deinde tunicella, dalmatica, caſula, & manipulo induitur, quibus indu…us incedit ad ſuum altare, &c. After which his Miter, Ring, Paſtoral ſtaff are conſecrated, put on, and delivered to him by the Biſhop, with many Prayers, Solemnities, Croſſings, Bowings, Kneelings, Proſtrations, changes of habits, places and antique Geſtures, fitter for a Stage than a Church. When an Archbiſhop is conſecrated, he hath a Pall put on, and ſuperadded to all theſe forecited Veſtments, which muſt be uſed only upon certain ſpecial feaſts and occaſions, put on with the like ſuperſtitious Ceremonies and Formalities, recorded in the Roman Pontifical: the ſerious peruſal whereof, and of Durantus his Rationale Divinorum, l. 3, 4. is ſufficient to make all grave, judicious, ſober Chriſtians, to na…ſeate ſuch theatrical diſguiſes and Veſtments, on which grave old Biſhops over-much dote, as little Children uſe to do on their Babies, Toyes and Rattles.

The firſt forein Synod wherein I find the uſe of white Garments and Surpliſſes preſcribed to Prieſts, Canons, p. 51Chaplains, is that held under**Bochellus Decret. Eccleſ. Gal. l. 6. Tit. 7. c. 24, 25▪ p 1020. 1221. Galo and Simon the Popes Legates in France, Anno Dom. 1215. which among other Decrees proving the luxury, pride and exceſſes of Prieſts Garments; expreſly prohibited them to wear Garments of any other colour but white; or black, or red, and commanded, ut ſine **So Surplices are frequently ſtiled Therefore Puniſhments, rather than Ornaments.Suppliciis (Superpelliceis) vel tunicis lineis, vel capis clauſis extra domos ſuas de caetero non incedant; that from thence forth they ſhould not walk abroad out of their Houſes without Surpliſſes, or linnen Coats, or cloſe Hoods: But this Decree relates rather to their ordinary wearing Habits, than to their ſacred Veſtments, and enjoynes them to wear Surpliſſes and white Garments as well in their Houſes as in the Church; wherefore it adds,**Bochellus Decret. Eccl. Gal. l. 3. Tit. 1. De Eucharistia. c. 32. 15. 62. See c. 43, 44. 45.Titus 1 Nullus permittatur deſervire altari niſi in Superpellicio vel capa clauſa. After which it ſubjoyns, Sacerdos fine Diaconus corporalia ſaepe abluat, indutus Superpellicio, in vaſe mundo ſpecialiter ad hoc deputato; omnes verò ablutiones, ſi fieri poteſt, in piſcina reponantur, vel ſaltem primae, caeterae autem in baptiſterio. Here Prieſts, and Deacons are made Lawndreſſes to waſh their Corporals, arrayed in their Surpliſſes when they waſh them, and the water wherein they waſh them muſt be reſerved in a conſecrated Ciſterne, or in the Font as holy, and one ſuperſtition, foppery begetting another, till endleſſe, it proceeds further; Item linteamenta Altaris & indumenta Sacerdotalia non niſi a Sacerdote vel Diacono, vel aliqua bona matrona vel virgine, ſine appoſitione aliorum pannorum, convenienter, quando opus fuerit abluantur, ita ut munda & nitida conſerventer; quia nimis abſurdum, ſordes eſſe in vestibus ſacris, quae dedecerent etiam in profanis. **Bochel. ibid. c. 114, 115, 116, 117, 118.The like concerning their waſhing, was decreed in the Synod Eccleſiae Trecenſis in France, Anno 1427. and by other French Synods.

The next Synod (preſcribing the uſe of Surpliſſes under pain of Excommunication) in the time of divine ſervice, is the Popiſh Synod of Poictiers in France under Americus, Anno 1367. which thus decreed, **Bochel. Dec…. Eccl. Gal. l. 6. …. 17. c. 31. p 1322.Praecipimus ſub paena excommunicationis, quod cum Clerici, p. 52ſeu Capellani in Eccleſiis parochialibus adſtant adminiſtrantes cum divina celebrantur, honeſte Superpelliciis ſint induti.

TheaaBochellus Decret Eccleſ. Gal. l. 3. Tit. 1. c. 5. p. 304.Titus 1 Synodalia Eccleſiae Trecenſis in France, An. 1427. thus decree the wearing of Surpliſſes by Prieſts, Attendat etiam Sacerdos vel Clericus miniſtrans in Miſſa, ut ſe habeat honeſtè, & ſi fieri poteſt, capam habeat ſ…u Superpelliceum quo ſit indutus, marime in ſolennitatibus. They ſubjoyn, if the Prieſts noſe in ſaying Maſſe chance to bleed, and any of the blood fall upon his Surpliſſe, after the blood ſtopped, he is to proceed in his Maſſe, having firſt waſhed his hands in ſilence, mutatis tamen prius veſtimentis Sacerdotalibus, & pannis altaris, ſi ſint ſanguine maculati.

bbBochellus Decret Eccleſ. Gal. l. 1. Tit 6 c. 54. p. 60.John Damboiſe Biſhop of Lingon, in a Synod held in France, Anno 1491. made this Decree, That all having Benefices with Cures ſhould wear Surpliſſes at Maſſe, Veſpers, and in the Celebration of all Divine Offices. Praecipimus omnibus & ſingulis Presbyteris beneficia Curata habentibus aut regentibus ut dum ipſos pro Miſſa, Viſperis, aut aliis officiis Divinis in eorum Eccleſiis Celebrandis aut dicendis intereſſe contigerit, ſint decenter et honeſte Superliciis induti, et ſine ipſis ad Divina Officia publice accedere non praeſumant.

ccBochellus Decret Eccleſ. Gal. l. 3. Tit. 1. c. 78. p. 371. c. 114. p 378.Titus 1Synodus Synonenſis in France, An. 1524. enjoyns the Prieſt to wear a Surpliſſe when he carries the Sacrament to ſick perſons. Quotiens contigeri… Sacerdotem deferre ſanctam Euchariſtiam ad infirmos, habeat Sacerdos Superliceum et Stolam, & incedat tàm …undo quàm redeundo uſque ad Eccleſiam in habitu decenti, faciatque ante ſe deferri lumen, & campanulam pulſantem praeire.

ddIbid. c. 79. p. 311. c. 91. p. 374.Synodus Carnotenſis in France, An. 1526. ordained the like in theſe words, Ordinamus, quod ubi ad infirmos deferendum erit corpus Chriſti. Sacerdos delaturus primum lavet manus, deinde induat Superliceum, et ſtolam ſuperpo…at, incedenſque cum honeſtate, reverentia & honore, orationes & preces ad Deum fundat, faciat lumen ante ſe deferri tàm eundo quàm redeundo, & campanulam pulſari.

p. 53The Synod of Paris, Anno 1557. decreed Su…pliſſes to be worn at Mattins, Maſſes, publick Prayers, Litanies, Confeſſions, and at Celebration of the Euchariſt, Marriage, and extreme Unction. eeBochellus l. 6. Tit. 17. de veſtibus & Dornatu Clericorum, c. 20. p. 1020.Parochi corum Vicarii & caeteri Sacirdotes, in divinis obſequtis M…ſſ…rum Matutinarum & V…ſp…rarum, in ſupplicationil us publicis, Lit…aniis & confeſſ…n…bus Supplicus u…antur, in Euchari…ae verò Matrimonii, & Extremi Ʋnctionis adminiſtratione, ſlolam addant Suppel …iis. After this ffBochellus l. 3. Tit. 17. c. 14. p. 1018, 1019.Synodus Aquenſis in France, Anno 1585. made this Decree concerning Clergy-mens wearing of Surpliſſes and other Veſtments, Clericalis ordinis homines, cum Eccleſia verſantur quo tempore Superpelliceum induere non debent, ne ſint ſine toga exteriori, praeſertim horis quibus divina celebrantur, aut populus ad Eccleſiam accedere ſolet: Nec verò abſ…ue ea etiam in Diaeceſanis locis, vicis aut pagis prodeant, niſi cum eos pedibus iter facientes viae difficultas & longitudo aliter cogit, Superpellicits, cum Eccleſiae uſus id poſtulat, omnes utantur, quae non lacera ſint, non ſordida, et quae etiam manicas habeant. Superpellicea autem illa quae manicis carent, & quae non Superpelliceorum ſed Mantilium nomine potius digna ſunt, omnino prohibemus. Canoniciverò Catbedralium & Collegiatarvm, quo tempore Cappa induuntur, ii Rocheto induantur ſub Cappa. Cleric… autent cum Superpelliceis fuerint induti, nullo modo in manibus flores, nec aliud quod statui ſuo & Eccleſiae non conveniat, habeant; non vagentur per Eccleſiam, nec deambulent, nec circumourſitent, ſed graves ſemper ſint in inceſſu & sta…. Singuli autem praeterea praeſertim qui in aliquo minorum ſaltem ordinum ſunt, proprium Superpelliceum habeant, quo …tiam in Eccleſia, cui aſcripti ſunt et alibi, cum ipſi ſuis fungi muneribus contigerit uti poſſint. Si quis perſonatus, veſtes Clericales aut Monachales, vel ad eorum formam induerit, & is qui eas aſſumpſerit, & is qui accomodarit, graves poenas ſubeant. Qui verò Clericus, cujuſvis etiam gradus ordinis, dignitatis in aliquo de praemiſſis non obtemperaverit, is praeter poenas jam inflictas, aut ſalutari poenitentia, aut pecunia, aut ſuſpenſione ab ordinum munere, et p. 55beneficiorum adminiſtratione, aut ipſis etiam beneficiis, aut carcere, aut exilio, aut pluribus ſimul ex iis paenis, aut gravioribus pro modo culpae, Epiſcopi arbiratu mulctetur. Qui iterum in eadem re peccaverit, duplicata paena pro ratione criminis, ab codem plectur.

This Synond likewiſe decreed, that the Pariſh Prieſt who is to carry the Euchariſt to ſick Perſons, do wear a Surpliſſe, and proceed in this manner, **Bochellus, l. 5. Tit. 1. c. 79. p▪ 373.Titus 1Ʋbi manus laverit, tum Superpelliceo, Stola, pluviali ubi poteſt indutus, ad altare genibus flexis oret. Sacerdotes verò caeteri Clericive qui comitantur Superpellicem adhibeant. Si Canonicorum capitulum ſit, cappam vel almutiam, aliudve indumentum, ut illis in choro moris eſt. Reliqui fideles bini proſequantur capite aperto, & quamplurimi candelis accenſis, ac primo loco viri, in quibus ſcholares ſanctiſſimi Sacramenti praecedant, poſtremo foeminae: Omnes, praeſertim Eccleſiaſtici homines, hymno, & Pſalmos paenitentiales, alioſve intima animae pietate, ſim…l cum Parocho, ſed alternatim pronunciant, atque alii etiam religioſi orent. It likewiſe adds, **Bochellus Decreta Eccleſ. Gal. l. 1. Tit. 7. De celebratione Miſſae c 5 p. 60.In celebratione Miſſae Sacerdos ne ſe confer at ad altare, niſi Clericum in decenti habitu, & cum Superpelliceo mundo cum manicis, ſibi inſervientem habuerit; injoyning the Pariſh Clerke to wear a Surpliſſe as well as the Prieſt.

This laſt French Popiſh Synod preſcribes the conſtant uſe of Surpliſſes to all Canons, Prebends, Pariſh Prieſts and Curates under ſeveral Eccleſiaſtical and Temporal puniſhments, with greateſt rigour and ſeverity; when as Ordo Romanus Antiquus de Divinis Officiis, & Miſſa, the Roman Pontificals, Ceremonials, Miſſals, in their Rubricks of ſaying or ſinging Maſſe, prefixed to them, do only enjoy their uſe without any penalties Eccleſiaſtical or Civil expreſſed in them, to be inflicted on NonConformiſts thereunto.

For the uſe of Surpliſſes in our Britiſh Churches, during the Britons or Saxons times, I remember nothing in Canons or Hiſtories; only our Alchuinus, Tutor to Charls the Great, An. 800. De Divinis Officiis, c. 38, 39 writing p. 54of the ſeveral Veſtments wherewith Prieſts were clad in the Old Teſtament, aaOpera Luttiae. 1617. col. 1085, &c.obſerves, Habent etiam nunc Miniſtri Eccleſiae Christi ſuperhumerale quod amicium vocamus, quando ad altare miniſtrant; quod fit ex lino puriſſimo. Per linum quod ex terra ſumitur, & per multos labores ad candorem ducitur, deſignatur corpus humanum, quod ex terra conſtat. Sicut ergò linum per multos labores ad candorem reducitur, ita corpus humanum multis calamitatibus attritum, candidum & purum eſſe debet ab omni ſorde peccatorum. Poſteà ſequitur Pederis, quae vulgo Alba dicitur; ſignificat autem perſeverantiam in bona actione. After which he mentions the Stola, Dalmatica, Ca…ula, uſed by Prieſts; and Pallium Archiepiſcoporum, to diſtinguiſh the Archbiſhop from his Suff…agans, ſubjoyning, Stepha…u…s natione Romanus ex Patre Labio (ut legitur in geſtis Pontificalibus) …nſtituit Sacerdotibus Levitiſ que Veſtes ſacras in uſu quotidiano non uti niſi in Eccleſia. Whether any of theſe Garments were then uſed in England, or the ſame with Surpliſſes for faſhion, as colour, I cannot define. The firſt mention I obſerve in our Hiſtorians of Surpliſſes and their wearing by that Name, is in the year of our Lord, 1237. the 21. of Henry the 3d. where **Hiſt. Angl. Tiguri. 1589. p. 431. 432. Londini, 1140.Mat Paris records, That Otto the Popes Legate ſummoning all the Popiſh Biſhops, Abbots and Clergy to a Council in Pauls Church, London, to which he went in great Pomp, entering the Church he put on his Pontifical Garments, and among the reſt a Surpliſſe, which he thus expreſſeth: Pontificalibus ſe induit, ſcilicet Superpelliceo, et deſuper cappa Chorali pellibus variis furrata, et mitra; et precedentibus Archiepiſcopis Cantuarienſi et Eboracenſi cum cum proceſſione ſolemni, cum cruce & caeriis acconſis et cum Letania. The ſecond day the Council being begun, miſſi ſunt ex parte Domini Regis, Comes Lincolnienſis Johannes, et Johannes filius Galfridi, et Gulielmus de Raele, Canonicus ſancti Pauli, ut dicto Legato ex parte Regis et Regni inhiberent, ne ibi contra Regium Coronam et Dignitatem aliquid ſtatuere attemptaret, et remanſit ibi, ut hoc obſervaretur, Gulielmus de Raele Capa canonica et p. 56Superpelliceo, aliis reedentibus. By which it ſeems the Canons ſate in this Council in their ‖‖See Spalm…n & Gul. Somneri Gloſſerium Tit. Capa, Cappa. Simeon Dunelmenſis Hiſt Col. 61.Canonical Caps, or Coules and Surpliſſes, as well as the Popes Legate himſelf. Anno▪ 1247. (the 31. of King Henry the 3d. his Reign) Praecepit Dominus R…x ut omnes Presbyteri Londinienſes feſtive veſtiti Superpelliciis et Capis, …um ſuis Cl…ricis decenter vest…tis, cum vexillis, crucious et caereis accenſis, die eraſtina, **Mat. Paris, Hiſt. Angl. p. 713.viz. S. Edvardi ſummo mane ordinatè et reverenter convenirent apud S. Paulum, to a accompany the King, Biſhops, and Nobles, thence to the Church of Westminster in ſolemn proceſſion to bring the viol of Chriſts blood, ſent to the King from Jeruſalem (who carried the viol himſelf from Pauls to Weſtminſter, under a Canopy) which they accordingly performed; the Maſſe Prieſts of that Age uſing Surpriſſes in their Proceſſions here in England. About the year, 1290. John Peckham Archbiſhop of Canterbury, appropriating the Church of Preſton to the Monks of Canterbury, and endowing a perpetual Vicar in it, granted in the Inſtrument, that the Monk…, ††Chronica W. Th…rne. Col. 2120.Onera reparationis et rejectionis Cancelli praedictae Eccleſiae de Preſton intus & exterius, necnon et inventionis librorum, Veſtimentorum Superpelliceorum, & ornamentorum dictae Eccleſiae, quae per Eccleſiarum Rectores inveniri & reparari debent aut ſolent, ſubeant. Which intimates that Prieſts and Vicars did then uſe to wear, and find their own Surpliſſes, and that by the ſame Archbiſhops Provincial Conſtitutions, who decreed, ‖‖Provincialis G…lielmi Lindw…de, l. 3. De Euch…ſtia, fol. 180.Digniſſimus ut Sacramentum Euchariſtiae circumferatur cum debita reverentia ad Egrotos, Sacerdoti ſ…ltem induto Superpelliceo gerente orarium cum lumine praevio in lucerna, cum campana, ut populus ad revetentiam debitam excitetur qui ad proſternendum ſe, vel adorandum ſaltem humiliter, informatur Sacerdotali prudentia, ubicunque Regem gloriae ſub panis latibulo evenerit deportari, The original ground of kneeling at, as well as to the Sacrament. This is the 1. Conſtitution in our Engliſh Church I have yet obſerved, preſcribing Prieſts to wear Surpliſſes when they delivered the Euchariſt, or caried it to ſick Perſons, on which Lindwode hath this Gloſſe, …t p. 57ſic tolerare potest licet Minister Sacerdotis non ſit indutus, Superpelliced, licet honestus ſit quod ipſius Miniſter Superpelliced induatur conſiderata qualitate Beneficii et facultatibus ejuſdem. Which intimates that Pariſh Clerks ſhould wear Surpliſſes as well as Prieſts.

Robert Winchelſie,**Provincialis Gul. Lindwode l. 3. De Eccleſiis edificandis, f. 182 Joannis de Aton Conſtitutiones Provinciales f. 146 b. his next ſucceſſor in the See of Canterbury, as Lindwode, or Simon Iſlip, as John de Aton records, about the year 1300. decreed, what Popiſh Trinkets, Books, Ornaments, Veſtments ſhould be provided in every Pariſh Church by the Pariſhioners, amongſt which he enumerates, Dalmatica tunica & cum Capa de Choro, tria Superpell…cea, unum Rochetum: On which Lindwode hath this Gloſſe, Tria Superpellicea ad uſum ſcilicet trium Miniſtrorum Eccleſiae, vizt. Sacerdotis, Diaconi & ſub Diaconi. Rochetum, quod differt à Superpelliceo, quia Superpellicium habet manicas pendulas, ſed Rochetum eſt ſine manicis, & ordinatur pro Clerico Miniſtraturo Sacerdoti, vel forſan ad opus ipſius Sacerdotis in Baptizando pueros, ne per manicas ipſius brachia impediantur. His next Succeſſor Walter Raynods, decreed, **Provincialis Gul. Lyndwode, l. 1. De Officiis Archidiaconi. fol. 38.That Arch-deacons amongſt other things, ſhould take care that there ſhould be in every Pariſh Church, ad minus duplicia Sacerdotalia Vestimenta (the one for Lords dayes, the other for holydayes, as Lindwode Gloſſeth it) & ut honor debitus divinis Officiis in omnibus impendatur, praecipimus etiam, ut qui altari miniſtrat Suppelliceo induatur. On which Lindwode hath this Gloſſe, vizt. Presbytero celebranti aſſiſtens, et idem in Miſſae tempore miniſtrans: vel potest intelligi de Sacer dote quovis tempore accedente ad altare ut aliquid faciat vel diſponat circa corpus Chriſti, ut videlicet, illo tempore ſit indutus Suppelliceo, et juxta communem intellectum die ſupplicio, i. e. veſte linea ad talem uſum praeparata, de qua tamen veſte non memini me legiſſe in toto corpore Iuris Canonici vel civilis nec etiam in ſacra Scriptura: ſit tamen de eo mentio 1. de Eccleſ. edif. c. ut Parochiani, et potest ſignificare per tunicam Lineam qua induebantur filii Aaron, in veteri l…ge, de qua legatur, Exod. 28. ac finem, ſed eſtimo quod propriè Suppllicium eſt indumentum de pellibus p. 58confectum, ſed in noſtro communi uſu, intelligatur ut prius dixi.

The uſe of theſe Rochets, Surpliſſes, and other Maſſing Veſtments introduced by Popiſh Councils & Decrees to celebrate the Maſſe, & Maſſe Prieſts, Prelats officiating in them at their conſecrated Altars, (who likewiſe clad and wrapped up their conſecrated Hoſt or Breaden God in a pure white linnen Corporal, by the preſcription of the ſelf-ſame Conſtitutions, Canons, Miſſals, Pontificals, Ceremonials, Rituals, which enjoyn Rochets, and Surpliſſes) continued in our Church till the aboliſhing of all Romiſh Maſſes. Pontificals, Miſſals, by K.**See 1 E. 6. c. 1. 2, & 3 E. 6. c. 1. 3, & 4 E 6. c. 10. 5, & 6 E 6. c. 1. Fox Acts and Monuments, vol 2. p. 658, to 670. …d. the 6. and his Parliaments, by certain ſteps and decrees in the 1, 2, 3, 4▪ 5 and 6▪ years of his Reign, not without ſome oppoſition, and an open Rebellion in Devonſhire, Cornwall, and other places, by Popiſh Priests and their Confederates. In the firſt Edition of the Book of Common-Prayer, E. 6. c. 1. not only all‖‖See Dr. Corn. Burges his reaſons ſhewing the neceſſity of Reformation p. 33, 34. Bowing to, and towards the Altar, and Hoſtia, praying towards the Eaſt, ſtanding up at Gloria Patri, the Goſpels, Creeds, bowing at the Name of JESUS, reading ſecond ſervice at the High Altar when there was no Sacrament there adminiſtred, with other Ceremonies preſcribed by former Maſſebooks, Breviaries, Pontificals were aboliſhed and left out of the Bubricks, as ſuperſtitious, uſeleſſe, offenſives but likewiſe the wearing of Palls, Planets, Chimer…, Lawn Sleeves, Sandalls, Copes, Hoods, and other Veſtments, (except only a Rochet, to be worn by Archbiſhops, Biſhops, and Surpliſſes only by Prieſts and Deacons) were totally laid aſide as Popiſh ſuperfluities, or unneceſſary Diſguiſes; and it was generally expected by divers zealous Proteſtants, that Rochets, Surpliſſes, and ſquare Caps, would have been then likewiſe taken away upon the ſame accout, being all appurtenances to the M…ſſe▪ Maſſe-Prieſts, and only preſcribed by Popes and Popiſh Miſſals, Pontificals, Canons, Decretals. But the King and Counſel not holding it neceſſary or convenient to reform all things together at p. 59firſt, but by degrees; retained and enjoyned the uſe of the Surpliſſe and Rochet, by this Rubrick prefixed to the Order for Morning Prayer. And here is to be noted, that the Miniſter at the time of the Communion, and at all other times in his Miniſtration SHALL USE NEITHER AL BE, VESTMENT, NOR COPE; but being Arch-biſhop or Biſhop, HE SHALL HAVE AND WEAR A ROCHET; and being a Prieſt or Deacon, HE SHALL HAVE AND WEAR A SURPLISSE.‖‖Fox Acts and Monuments, vol. 3. p. 146, 147. Dr Heylins Hiſtory of the Reformation of the Church of England, p 90▪ to 98. Mr. John Hooper (a learned Divine in great reputation with the People, Lord Protector, and others for his excellent conſtant daily preaching and piety) being ſoon after elected Biſhop of Glocester, ſcrupling to wear a ſquare Cap, Rochet, Surpliſſe, and refuſing to be conſecrated in his Pontificalibus, reputing them as TRIFLES, tending rather to SUPERSTITION than otherwiſe: and learned Peter Martyr (then Regius Profeſſor in the Univerſity of Oxford) though a Prebend of Chriſt-Church, conſtantly refuſing to wear a Surpliſſe in the Quire there at any time; and in a Letter to a private Friend, July 1. 1550. (deſiring his judgement concerning ſquare Caps and Surpliſſes) declaring, That though they were things indifferent in themſelves, which make no man of themſelves godly or ungodly by their uſe or forbearance; yet he thought it moſt expedient for the good of the Church, that they and all others of that kind ſhould be taken away when the next opportunity ſhould preſent it ſelf: becauſe where ſuch Ceremonies were ſo ſtifly contended for, which were not warranted and ſupported by the word of God, commonly men were leſs Solicitous of the ſubſtance of Religion, than they were of the circumſtances of it. ‖‖Tho Beacon, his compariſon between the Lords Supper and the Popes Maſſe. f 100. 101, 102, 103. & Catechiſm, f 485, 486. in his works.And John Alaſco, Tyms, Mr. John Rogers, Mr. John Philpot, and other learned Proteſtant Miniſters then denying to wear theſe Veſtments, yea decrying them as Superſtitious, Popiſh, Maſſing attire, altogether as unfit for the Miniſters of the Holy Goſpel, and Evangelical Biſhops, as thoſe other Veſtments then aboliſhed; And Mr. Calvin, p. 60‖‖Excogitavit haec avaritia qua ſe Hypocreſ…s …uco ad hunc modum vinditat. Nobis Chriſtus uni…e ſpectand… eſt. Quicquid aliter geritur atque ipſe geſsit, flagitium eſt De luxu mundi Eccleſiastic… juſt… liber extruandas eſt ſi quis d…gne ve…t confutare. Zuinglius, De Canone Miſſa Epicheriſis operum, pars 1. f. 187.Zuinglius, with other eminent Proteſtant Divines, quite exploding their uſe in forein Churches and declaring their judgements againſt them to the Lord Protector, Cranmer, Ridly, and other Biſhops; thereupon in the parliament of 5, & 6 E. 6. c. 1. the Common-Prayer-book was reviſed, amended in ſundry particulars, the forecited Rubricks expunged, and**See Dr. Corn. Burgeſs his reaſons ſhewing the neceſsity of Reformation, &c. p▪ 33▪ 3…. the uſe of the Rochet, Surpliſſe, and Veſtments preſcribed by the Book of 2, & 3 E. 6. quite laid aſide, the reaſon whereof are expreſſed in the Preface to the Book, why ſome Ceremonies were continued, and others laid aſide, and in the Articles of Religion ſet forth by Edw. the 6th. Anno 1552. Artic. 21. 23. Neither were they actually or legally revived by the Common-prayer-book reviſed, corrected ratified by the Statute of 1 Eliz. c. 2. that Act injoyning all things to be done according to the Book of 5, & 6 Ed. 6. and none other or otherwiſe, in which there was nothing concerning theſe Garments.

What hot, unchriſtian Schiſmes, Conteſts about Rochets, Surpliſſes, the form of Biſhops Prieſts ordinary Veſtments, and Formalities afterwards ſprung up between our moſt zealous Proteſtant Biſhops and Miniſters, in the firſt 7. years of Q. Elizabeths reign; you may read at leaſure inppSee p. 115, to 122, 12…, 143, 134, 139, 140, 158, 259, 164. to 269, 174, 175, 176. Dr. Heylins late partial Hiſtory of the Reformation of the Church of England, and of Qu. Elizabeth, wherein he layes many black aſpertions upon K. Edw. the 6. himſelf, his Government, the L. Protector, ſundry of our godly Biſhops, Martyrs, Divines at home, and Peter Martyr, Calvin, Zuinglius, Alaſco, B…za, with other chief Proteſtant Divines of reformed Churches abroad, worthy the F…rula. Theſe controverſies about Church vestments, &c continued all her reign, growing every year higher and higher, every Parliament in her time (as appears by the Journals) being troubled with many Petitions, Bills againſt them, which the Biſhops by their power in the Lords houſe ſuppreſſed; and the world was filled with Books pro & contra concerning them; as the Books of Mr. Cartwright, Mr. Ʋdal, Penry, Martin Mar-Prelate, Altare Damaſ…num; A Brief Diſcourſe against the outward apparel, p. 61and miniſtring Garments of the Popiſh Church, printed 1…78. A Diſcourſe, whether it be a Mortal Sin to tranſgreſſe the commandements of Civil Magistracy, concerning the Apparel of Ministers. The Declaration of certain Ministers in London, refuſing to wear the Apparel preſcribed. Mr. Philip Stubs, with ſundry more on the one ſide, and Queen Elizabeths Advertiſements in the ſeventh year of her Reign, by her High Commiſſioners advice; Archbiſhop Whiteguiſt his Anſwer to the Admonition to the Parliament; and Defence of his Anſwer againſt the Reply of T. C. 1574. in Fol. Dr. John Bridges his Defence of the Government now eſtabliſhed in the Church of England, 1584. Mr. Rich. Hooker of the Laws of Eccleſiaſtical Policy, 1593. with others on the other hand evidence.

Neither did theſe unneceſſary, unhappy Controverſies, about Prieſts Veſtments and Ceremonies, which perplexed our Church, and gave great advantage to our Romiſh Adverſaries, expire with Queen Elizabeth, but ſurvived, and grew to a heighth at the beginning of K. James his Reign; who to ſilence or allay them, appointed a ſpecial**See the Conference at Hampton Court, printed 1604. p. 76, &c. Conference at Hampton Court, between the Biſhops and Non-Conformiſts Party (whereof Learned Dr. Ranolds was one) about Reformation of Church matters, Anno 1603. which many hoped would have put a period to theſe Conteſts; but inſtead thereof did much increaſe them, through the Biſhops obſtinacy, potency, pride; who refuſing to comply with the moderate, juſt defires of their Fellow-Miniſters, and Proteſtant Chriſtian Brethren in ſome ſuperfluous Trifles, particularly concerning the wearing of the Surpliſs, then, and yet commonly termed A Ragge of Popery: ſoon after in their Convocation held at London, 1603. preſcribed the conſtant wearing of Surpliſſes, (and Copes, Hoods beſides) not only to Cathedral Church-men, but likewiſe to all Miniſters, Curates reading Divine Service, or adminiſtring the Sacraments, in Pariſh Churches or Chapels, and likewiſe to Fellows and Scholars in the Univerſities; (for which there was no former binding Law p. 62nor Canon) by theſe enſuing Conſtitutions.

Canon 16, and 17. In the whole Divine Service, and Adminiſtration of the Holy Communion in the Colleges and Halls in both Univerſities, the Order, Form and Ceremonies ſhall be duely obſerved as they are ſet down and preſcribed in the Book of Common-Prayer, without any omiſſion or alteration, (even in the faulty old Engliſh Tranſlation) all Maſters and Follows of Colleges and Halls, and all the Scholars and Students in either of the Vniverſities, ſhall in their Churches and Chapels, upon all Sundayes, Holy-dayes, and their Eves at the time of Divine Service, wear Surpliſſes, according to the Order of the Church of England, (which had no ſuch Order that I can find before) and ſuch as are Graduates, ſhall agreeably wear with their Surpliſſes, ſuch Hoods as do ſeverally appertain to their Degrees.

Canon 24. In all Collegiate and Cathedral Churches, the Holy Communion ſhall be administred upon Principal Feaſt-dayes, ſometimes by the Biſhop if he be preſent, and ſometimes by the Dean, and ſometimes by a Canon or Prebendary, the principal Miniſter uſing a decent Cope, and being aſſited with the Goſpeller and Epiſtolar agreeably, according to advertiſements publiſhed by Queen Elizabeth, An. 7.

Canon 25. In the time of Divine Service and Prayers in all Cathedral and Collegiate Churches, when there is no Communion, it ſhall be ſufficient to wear Surpliſſes, ſaving that all Deanes, Maſters and Heads of Collegiate Churches, Canons and Prebends, being Graduates, ſhall daily at the times both of Prayer and Preaching, wear with their Surpliſſes ſuch Hoods as are agreeable to their Degrees.

Canon 58: Every Miniſter ſaying the Publick Prayers, or miniſtring the Sacraments, or other Rites of the Church, ſhall wear a decent and comely Surpliſſe with Sleeves, to be provided at the charge of the Pariſh. And if any queſtion ariſe touching the matter, decency or comelineſſe thereof, the ſame ſhall be decided by the diſcretion of the Ordinary. Further more, ſuch Miniſters who are Graduates ſhall wear upon p. 63on their Surpliſſes at ſuch time, ſuch Hoods as by the Orders of the Ʋniverſities are agreeable to their Degrees; which no Miniſter ſhall wear (being no Graduate) under pain of Suſpenſion. Notwithſtanding, it ſhall be lawfull for ſuch Miniſters as are no Graduates, To wear upon their Surpliſſes inſtead of Hoods, ſome decent Tippet of Black, ſo it be not ſilk. After which followes this 74. Canon, preſcribing the form, ſpecies of their ordinary wearing Apparel.

The true, antient and flouriſhing Churches of Chriſt being ever deſirous that their Prelacy and Clergy might be had as well in outward reverence, as otherwiſe regarded for the worthyneſſe of their Miniſtry, did think it … by a preſcript form of decent and comely Apparel, to have them known to the People, and thereby to receive the honour and eſtimation due to the ſpecial Meſſengers and Miniſters of Almighty God. We therefore following their grave judgement, and the antient Cuſtome of the Church of England, and hoping that in time newfangleneſſe of Apparel in ſome factious Perſons will dye of it ſelf, do conſtitute and appoint, That the Archbiſhop and Biſhops, ſhall not intermit to uſe the accuſtomed Apparel of their degrees. Likewiſe all Deans, Maſters of Colledges, Archdeacons, and Prebendaries in Cathedral and Collegiate Churches, (being Prieſts or Deacons) Doctors in Divinity, Law, and Phyſick, Batchelers in Divinity. Maſters of Arts, and Batchelers of Law having any Eccleſiaſtical living, ſhall uſually wear Gownes with ſtanding collers, and ſleeves ſtraight at the hands, or wide ſleeves as is uſed in the Univerſities, with Hoods or Tippets of Silk or Sarcenet, and ſquare Caps. And that all other Miniſters, admitted, or to be admitted into that Function, ſhall alſo uſually wear the like Apparel, as is aforeſaid, except Tippets only. We do further in like manner ordain, That all the ſaid Eccleſiaſtical Perſons above mentioned, ſhall uſually wear in their Journeyes Cloakes with Sleeves, commonly p. 64called Prieſts Cloaks without Gards, Welts, long Buttons, or Cuts. And no Eccleſiaſtical perſon ſhall wear any Coif, or wrought Nightcap, but onelyonly plain Nightcaps of black ſilk, Satten, or Velvet. In all which particulars concerning the Apparel here preſcribed, our meaning is not to attribute any holineſſe or ſpecial worthineſſe to the ſaid garments, but for decency, gravity and order, as is before ſpecified. In private houſes, and in their ſtudies, the ſaid perſons Ecclefiaſtical may uſe any comely and Scholar-like Apparel. Provided, that it be not cuts or pincks, and that in publik they go not in their Doublet and Hoſe, without Coats or Caſſocks: and that they wear not any light-coloured Stockings. Likewiſe poor beneficed men and**Such are moſt of our Biſhops, Deans, Chapters Curates, to their infamy. Curates (not being able to provide themſelves long Gowns,) may go in ſhort gowns of the faſhion aforeſaid.

Thoſe who will take the pains to compare theſe Canons of our Proteſtant Biſhops and Clergy with the Canons and Conſtitutions of our Popiſh Archbiſhops foreceited, or John Peckhams & John Stratfords Conſtitutions, ‖‖See Joannis Langeeruſius, de vita & honestate Eccleſiaſticorum l. 2. c. 2, 3, 4.De habitu & honeſtate Clericorum, recorded by John Aton, and William Lyndwode; the premiſed Popiſh French Synods, Canons, and ſundry others collected by Laurentius Bochellus, Decreta Eccleſiae Gallicanae, l. 1. Tit. 7. l. 3. Tit. 1. l. 6. Tit. 17. Shall at firſt view diſcern that they were almoſt verbatim taken out of them, and more extenſive than they in relation to all Scholars and Students in both Univerſities, who were never before by any Popiſh Councils, or Popes Decrees enjoyned conſtantly to wear Surpliſſes in tme of Divine Service and Sacraments.

Theſe Conſtitutions and Canons (never approved nor aſſented to by the Lords and Commons then or afterwards aſſembled in Parliament, but by the King alone under his Great Seal, and ſo not binding to the Subjects in their Liberties or Freehold, againſt Magna Charta, ch. 29▪ and ſundry other Acts recited in Raſtal, Tit. Accuſation, and the Petition of Right) inſtead of allaying, compoſing p. 65the Spirits, wounded the conſciences, and augmented the number of Nonconformiſts, many hundreds of godly preaching Proteſtant Miniſters, Scholars, who could not conform unto them, being thereupon ſuſpended, deprived, and thruſt out of their Benefices, Curatſhips, Fellowſhips, Scholarſhips, to their own and their Families ruine, and many learned hopefull Scholars inforced to deſert our Univerſities, decline the Miniſtry, and betake themſelves to other callings, and perſons of leſſe piety, worth, merit, thruſt into their places, the Miniſtry, by our Biſhops and High Commiſſioners, and ſome of them impriſoned, fined, forced to forſake the Kingdom, and flie to forein Countries or Plantations, to the great grief and diſcontent of their People, friends, allies, and moderate Proteſtants; which occaſioned‖‖See Th… Whe…hall of the Abuſes now in the Church of Chriſt 1906. See a Chriſtian and modeſt offer, &c. and a moſt indifferent Conference between the Prelates and late ſilenced Ministers, printed 1606. The Linco…nſhire Ministers Apology. A Reply to Dr. Mort…s general Defence of the three nocent Ceremonies, and Dr. John Burgeſſe his Anſwer rejoyned thereunto, and the Authors quoted therein, Land …n 1631. Neceſſity of … and hundreds more. many new books of Controverſie and Apologies on both ſides touching Church Veſtments, Ceremonies, and many great complaints, animoſities againſt the Biſhops and High Commiſſioners, during all King James and King Charles late Reigns, till at laſt they were both ſuppreſſed by publick Acts, Ordinances, and ejected by force of Armes in England and Ireland as well as Scotland, which their moderation and prudence in diſpenſing with theſe unneceſſary Formalities, might eaſily have prevented, and their rigorous re-inforcing of, or over-eager contending for them againſt the Letter and purport of his Majeſties late pious and gracious Declarations, after ſo long a diſcontinuance and univerſal diſlike by all ſober-minded men in this time of diſcontent, may without Gods infinite mercy and miraculous Providence, end in their ſecond ſubvertion, and future ſuppreſſion, which they ſhould timely conſider, as well for their own preſervation, as his Majeſties and his peoples general ſatisfaction, and the Churches publike Peace, Unity, after ſo many dangerous Schiſms, and Convulſions.

Having given you this account of the true original inſtitution, preſcription, progreſs, forms of conſecration, and putting on of theſe Pontifical and Sacerdotal Veſtments p. 66in the Churches of Chriſt, of the principal Papal, Epiſcopal Decretals, Councils, Canons, that enjoyn them, and Scriptures, Arguments againſt them, I ſhall in the next place examine, anſwer the Scripture Texts, Arguments produced by Popiſh Prelates, Canoniſts, School-men and our own Proteſtant Biſhops, Writers, for their uſe and continuance in the Church, which in my apprehenſion are very impertinent, weak, contemptible, unable to ſatisfie any tender Conſcience, or judicious ſober Chriſtians Judgement, though highly magnified and cryed up with great gravity, ſerioſity by ſome Reverend Prelates and Clergy-men, as well as many illiterate Novices.

The 1. Texts produced for the inſtitution, Argum. 1.uſe of theſe Prieſt Garments, under the Goſpel, are Exod. 28. 2, to 43. c. 29. 5, to 30. c. 31. 10. c. 45. 19, 20, 21. c. 39. 1, 14. c. 40. 13, &c. Levit. 6. 11. c. 8. 2. 13. c. 16. 4, 23, 24, 32. Numb. 20. 16, 18. N…. 7. 70, 72. Ezra. 2. 69. Ezech. 42. 14. c. 44. 7, 19. Where God commanded Moſes (the chief civil Magiſtrate) to make holy Garments for Aaron the High Prieſt, for glory and honour, to miniſter before God in the Prieſts Office, (which Garments are there at large deſcribed;) and to make Coats, B…nnets and Girdles for Aarons ſons, for Glory and Beauty, and to make them linnen Breeches to cover their nakedneſſe, which ſhould reach from their loynes even to their thinges, and to put them upon Aaron and his Sons when they come into the Ta…ernacle of the Congregation, or when they come near unto the Altar to miniſter in the holy place, and to conſecrate and ſanctifie Aaron and his Sons, that they miniſter to God in the Priests Office, that they bear not their iniquity and dye. And to take of the blood that is upon the Altar, and put it upon the tip of the right ear of Aaron and his Sons, and upon the great toe of their right foot, and ſprinkling the blood and the anointing oyl (there preſcribed) upon Aaron and his Sons, and their Garments, and he and they ſhall be hallowed and their Garments with them. Which Garments being accordingly made by B…zaliel, by Gods preſcription, were put upon Aaron and his Sons, who were conſecrated by p. 67Moſes, together with their holy Garments, wherein they & the ſucceeding High-Prieſts, and Jewiſh Prieſts uſually miniſtred to the Lord: whence they were ſtiled, Prieſts Garments, and holy Garments, which they were to put on when they miniſtred to the Lord, and to put off when their miniſtration was ended, as theſe Texts at large atteſt; From whence Al…uinu… de Divinis officiis, c. 38, 39. Honorius Augustodunenſis, in his Gemma Animae l. 1, & 2. Thomas Waldenſis, Doctrinalis Tom. 3. Tit. 4. c. 29. De ſacris vestibus quibus Sacerdos intrat ad Miſſam, Gulielmus Durantus, Rationale Divinorum, l. 3. the Roman Miſſal, Pontifical, Ceremonial, and all who write of Biſhops and Prieſts Veſtments under the Goſpel, and their Conſecrations, **See Dr. Reinolds Conference with Hart, ch. …. div. 4, 5.derive both their pattern and legitimation.

To which I anſwer,Anſw. That theſe Texts are ſo far from juſtifying, that they are the ſtrongeſt Arguments that can be againſt the Veſtments of Prieſts and Prelates now contended for, upon theſe ſeveral accounts.

1. All and every of theſe Aaronical Veſtments under the Law, were particularly invented, preſcribed, together with their matter, form, colour, uſe, by God himſelf in preciſe terms, not by Moſes or Aaron and his Sons alone, according to their own fancies. But the Veſtments, Garments, Rochets, Surpliſſes of Popes, Archbiſhops, Biſhops, Prieſts, Deacons now contended for, were neither particularly invented, preſcribed by God himſelf, or Chriſt, either in reſpect of their matter, form, colour, uſe, directly or indirectly, nor by any one Text in the Old or New Teſtament, but merely invented, preſcribed by Popes, Archbiſhops, Biſhops, Prieſts, Monks, according to their own vain doting fancies. Therefore no wayes juſtified but condemned by theſe Texts.

2ly. All theſe Garments were made, and the conſtant uſe of them in Divine ſervices and adminiſtrations, punctually enjoyned by Gods ſpecial Command, warrant, law, not by Popes, Biſhops, Councils, Decretals, Injunctions, Conſtitutions, Canons, Viſitation Articles, alone, as all Pontifical, Sacerdotal Garments, Rochets, p. 68Surpliſſes, Hoods, and other ſuch Trinkets are.

3ly. They were all put on Aaron and his Sons, and both of them conſecrated together, by Moſes alone, the chief civil Magiſtrate; not by any Pope, Biſhop, Prieſt or other Eccleſiaſtical perſon, who now**See Ponti…icale R…manum, Caeremoniale Epiſcop…um. My Ʋn…ſh…ing of … and …. Biſhop Halls Divine Right of Epiſcopacy and Remonſtrance Mr. Sanderofts Conſecrations Sermon on Tit. 1. 5. newly printed.Titus 1:5 only ingroſſe and claim the right of ordaining, conſecrating all Archbiſhops, Biſhops, Prieſts, Miniſters, Deacons, Eccleſiaſtical perſons, together with the hallowing of their Garments, Rochets, Surpliſſes; and deem it no leſſe than Sacrilege and U…urpation for Kings or Civil Magiſtrates to ordain or conſecrate any of them, or order ought concerning them, but at their requeſts, and as their Subſtitutes.

4ly. Theſe Garments of theirs were different both in matter, kind, form, faſhion, from Rochets, Surpliſſes Al…ees, Hoods, Planets, Dulmaticks, Chymeres, Palls, Stoles, Pectoral Cr…ſſes, Caſſ…ckes, Gownes, Black Silken Girdles, Copes, Miters, ſquare Gaps, and other Veſtments now uſed, contended for by Ceremonial Prelates and Clergy-men. Therfore not warranted but condemned by theſe Texts.

5ly. Theſe Garments were preſcribed to Aaron and his Sons to put on only when they went in to the Tabernacle, Altar, Temple, to offer up Levitical Sacrafices and Services unto God; not when they prayed, preached, inſtructed the people in their ſeveral Cities, Synagogues, or in their Kings Pallaces, as theſe Texts reſolve. Therefore no preſidents for Biſhops, Prieſts, or Deacons to imitate when they preach, read Prayers, officiate or adminiſter Sacraments in Cathedrals or Pariſh Churches and Chapels.

6ly. Aaron the High Prieſt and his Succeſſors, with his Sons and Jewiſh Prieſts Sacrafices, Prieſthood, Altars, Veſtments, were all temporary, typical, utterly aboliſhed by the incarnation, paſſion, ſacrifice, reſurrection, aſcention of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, (who they typiFIed, ſhadowed,) as inconſiſtent with, and not fit to be continued under the Goſpel; as the Epiſtle to the Hebrews, Galatians, Romans, Colloſsians, Acts 15. and whole New Teſtament, all p. 69Commentators on them, Old and New, reſolve; eſpecially Hebr. 7, & 8, & 9, & 10. Therefore theſe Veſtments may not, ought not to be revived, continued under the Goſpel, unleſſe we will revive the Aaronical Prieſthood, High Prieſt, Prieſt, Levites, with their Sacrifice…, Altars, Tabernacle, Temple, and all other Levitical Ceremonies, Veſtments in ſpecie, and renounce both Chriſt himſelf, with his Prieſthood, Miniſtry, and the Goſpel.

7ly. None were to put on or wear theſe holy Garments but Aaron and his Sonnes, who were all Prieſts by birth and ſucceſſion, not election and ordination, as all Apoſtles, Biſhops … Miniſters, Deacons were, and yet are; who being none of the Tribe of Levy, or Sonnes of Aaron by natu…al generation, can claim no Title by the Law to their Prieſtly Garments, much leſs by the Goſpel, which thus expreſly reſolve…, Hebr. 7. 12, 13. For the Prieſthood being changed, there is made of neceſſity a change alſo of the Law: For he of whom theſe things are ſpoken pertaineth to another Tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the Altar, and of which Tribe Moſes ſpake nothing concerning Prieſthood. An unanſwerable Text againſt all Evangelical Biſhops, Miniſters, Deacons, claimes and pretences (eſpecially being Gentiles, not Jewes by birth, and Chriſtians by regeneration) to Aaronical, Levitical Prieſtly Veſtments or Ornaments; which Text I deſire them all to anſwer at their leiſures.

8ly. If any allege,Objection. they onelyonly uſe theſe Garments by way of alluſion or imitation, not preſcription.

I anſwer,Anſwer. 1. That they have no Precept nor warrant in the Goſpel for this their alluſion or imitation, but direct Precepts, warrants, cautions againſt it, as inconſiſtent with the Goſpel, and Salvation too, Hebrews 6 & 7, & 8, & 9, & 10. c. 12. 27, 28, 29. c. 13. 10, 11. Col. 2. 14, to the end, Phil. 3. 2, 3. Tit. 1. 10, 11. Gal. 4. 30, 31. c. 5. 1, 2, 3, 4, 11, 12. Acts 15. 2ly. They have no Preſident from the Apoſtles, or primitive Chriſtians, Churches p. 70for above 300. years after Chriſt.**Exod. 28. 42. … 39. 28. Lev. 6 10. c. 16. 4 23 32. 1 Sam. Ezech. 44. 17, 19. 2 Chron. 5. 11, 12.Exod 28:42Exod 28:39Exod 28:28Lev 6:10Ezek 44:17Ezek 44:192 Chr 5:112 Chr 5:12 3ly. If our Biſhops, Prieſts, Deacons will imitate them in their Garments, it muſt be in faſhion, ſpecies, form, end, uſe, as well as matter and colour, the beſt, realleſt imitation. Our Biſhops, (or the Pope, who pre…end themſelves the High Prieſts Succeſſors, though they can never prove it) muſt then wear a Brestplate, ephod, robe, broidered coat, miter, girdle, of the ſame materials, form as Aarons were. And our Pri…ſts, Deacons, muſt wear fine linnen Ephods, Breeches, Bonnets, and none but linnen, not ‖‖Ezech. 44. 1…, 18.Ezek 44:1Ezek 44:18woolen Garments on them, whiles they miniſter, nor any thing that may cauſe ſweat; and lay aſide all their Surpliſſes, Hoods, Gownes, Copes, Caps, Caſſocks of wool, ſilk, ſatin, …, velvet, which now they uſe; elſe they do not imitate but prevaricate from this preſident. 4ly. Then none but Biſhops, Miniſters, Deacons, nor any Scholars in Colleges, Halls, nor Singing-men, Choriſters, and others not in ſacred Orders, muſt wear Surpliſſes, as now they are enjoyned by the **Here, p. 67.forecited Canons; ſince none but Aaron and his Sonnes alone were to wear theſe holy Garments.

5ly. All theſe their Garments muſt be conſecrated in the ſelf-ſame manner as theirs were, 1. By Moſes the chief Civil Magiſtrate; not by††Miſſale Romanum, Benedictiones diverſae & Pontificale Romanum. Archbiſhops, Biſhops, Prieſts or Presbyters. 2ly. With ſprinkling of blood and holy anoynting oyle upon the Tip of their Ears, Bodies, Garments, after they were put upon their Backs, without any ſolemn Prayers, Holy-water ſprinkled, or Croſſes made on them, as their Epiſcopal Veſtments, Surpliſſes, and Albees are now hallowed, not upon their bodies, but before they muſt wear or put them on.

Upon all which conſiderations, they muſt now quite diſclaim theſe Texts of Scripture, and Aaronical, Levitical Garments, as fatally deſtructive to thoſe they contend for, upon what ridiculous reaſons, ſimilitudes, diſſimilitudes, and myſtical Monkiſh reaſons and myſtical ſignifications, you may read in Al…uinus De Divinis Officiis, cap. 38, 39. Honorius Auguſtodunenſis in his Gemma Animae, lib. 1, 2. & Gulielmus Durantus in his Rubrick p. 71to his Rationale Divinorum, lib. 3. De Indumentis, ſeu Ornamentis Eccleſiae Sacerdotum, atque Pontificum, & aliorum Miniſtrorum; which I ſhall here at large inſert in his own words for the Readers information, conviction, reformation, or ſhame of all over-eager Contenders for theſe Veſtment, and Ceremonies, grounded upon moſt ſtrange, abſurd, fanatick reaſons, alluſions, and ſuperſtitious ridiculous myſtical whimſies, frenzies, perverſions of Scripture, which all ſober Chriſtians cannot but reject with greateſt contempt, though inſiſted on with much gravity and feroſity by ſome who would be reputed the Chief Fathers, and Pillars of the Church.

IN quotidiano uſ… non eſt veſtibus ſacris utendum,Gul. Duramus R…t. Divinorum, l. 3. ad notandum, quod ſicut mutationem habitus ſecundum literam facimus, ita & ſecundum ſpiritum agamus. Non ergo cum veſtibus communis vitae uſu pollutis in ſancta ſa…ctorum ingrediamur, ſed cum conſcientia munda & veſtibus mundis & ſacris ſacramenta tractemus, de Con. di. i. c. 1. Unde Stephanus papa de Con. di. 1. Veſtimenta. Statuit ſacris veſtibus, non niſi in Eccleſiaſticis & Deo dignis officiis uti & Ezech. xl. iij. Non ſanctificabant populum in veſtibus ſuis. Habet ergo Hiero Religio. divina alterum habitum in Eccleſiaſticis officiis, alii in communi uſu, ut cuncto populo Chriſtiano exemplum praebeat bonae convarſationis: quatenus loci prius ſordes novi Chriſto ſiant homines. Exuit enim tunc ſacerdos Veterem hominem cum actibus ſuis, & induit novum qui ſecundum Deum creatus eſt. Per veſtes quoque quibus in ſacris utimur tantum; non omnia ſacramenta fore populo revelanda, intelligimus, xlij. diſt. in mandatis. §. ſiq. iij. nolite. Et nota, quod tempore Ludovici Imperatori… filii Ca…oli magni, Epiſcopi & Clerici cingula auro texta, exq…iſitas veſtes & alia ſecularia ornamenta depoſuerint.

Sacrae autem veſtes à veteri lege videntur aſſumptae, praecepit enim Dominus Moy…, ut faceret Aaron Sacerdoti & filiis ejus veſtes ſanctas, in gloriam & decorem, ut loti, & ſacris veſtibus induti fungerentur officio in ſacris. p. 72Exo. xxviij xxxi xxxv. & xl. c. Docuit enim Dominus Moyſem per. xl. dies facere Pontificalia & Sacerdotalia veſtimenta Sacerdotibus, & Levitis ſuis ornamenta quoque & linteamina: ſed & Maria texuit & fecit illa in uſum miniſterii Tabernaculi ſaederis. Et Eccleſiaſti. xlvij. dedit in celebrationibus decus, &c. Quaedam tamen ab Apoſtolis ſumuntur, ſed tam illae quam iſtae virtutes deſignant, vel myſterium incarnationis. Sane Pontifex celebraturus exuit veſtes quotidianas, & induit mundas & ſacras. Et primo ſandalia calciat, ut ſit memor Dominicae incarnationis. Secundo, ſibi ponit amitum, ut motus & cogitatus fauces & linguam cohibeat, ut fiat cor mundum ſpiritum rectum percipiens in viſceribus innovatum. Tertio, albam talarem, ut habeat mundiciam carnis perſeverantem. Quarto, ſingulum, ut impetus luxuriae refrenet. Quinto, ſtolam in ſignum obedientiae. Sexto, tunicam jacentinam. i. coeleſtem converſationem. Septimo, ſuperinduit Dalmaticam, id eſt ſanctam religionem, & carnis mortificationem. Octavo, Cirothecas ut declinat vanam gloriam. Nono, annulum ut diligat ſponſam, i. Eccleſiam ficut ſe. Decimo, Caſulam, i. charitatem. Undecimo, ſudarium, ut quicquid fragilitate vel ignorantia peccat ponitentia tergat. Duodecimo, pallium ſupponit, ut ſftendat ſe imitatorem Chriſti qui langores noſtros tulit. Decimotertio, mitram, ut ſic agat quod coronam mereatur percipere aeternam. Decimoquarto, baculum, i. auctoritatem poteſtatis, & doctrinae. Et poſtea tabeta calcat, ut terram deſpicere & amare coeleſtia diſcat. Omnibus autem praemiſſis veſtibus induitur à miniſtris, quia ei ut veſtes i…duat ſpirituales angeli ſuff…agantur, vel quod vicarius eſt Chriſti, cui angeli miniſtrant & omnia ſerviant. R…ſus, pontifex verſus aquilonem aſpiciens, quamvis verſus orientem ſeu verſus altare ſi ſit magis accommodum reſpicere poſſit, tanquam advocatus & pugil cum hoſte pugnatu…us antiquo, veſtibus ſacris, quaſi armi induitur, juxta Apoſtolum ut jam dicetur. Primo, ſandalia pro ocreis, habet, ne quid maculae vel pulveris affectionum p. 73inhereat. Secundo, amitus pro galea caput contegit. Tertio, alba pro lorica totum corpus cooperuit. Quarto, cingulum proarcu, ſub-cingulum pro pharetra a…mit, & eſt ſub-cingulum illud quod dependet a cingulo quo ſtola pontificis cum ipſo cingulo colligatur. Quinto, ſtola collum circumdat quaſi haſtam contra hoſtem viprans. Sexto, manipulo pro clava utitur. Septimo, caſula quaſi clipeo tegitur, manus libro pro gladio armatur. De cingulis etiam**Where he gives other myſtical reaſons for them. aliter dicetur infra. Haec itaque ſunt arma quibus Pontifex vel Sacerdos armari debet contra ſpirituales nequicias pugnaturus. Nam ut inquit Apoſtolus: Arma maliciae noſtrae non ſunt carnalia: ſed ad deſtructionem muniminum potentia. Et in alia Epiſto… Epheſ. vi. c. Induite vos, inquit, armatura Dei, ut poſſlitis ſtare adverſus inſidias diaboli. State ergo ſuccincti lumbos veſtros, in veritate, & induti lorica juſtitiae, & calciati pedes in preparatione Evangelii pacis, in omnibus ſumentes ſcutum fidei, in quo poſitis omnia tela nequiſſimi ignea extinguere & galeam ſalutis aſſumere: & gladium ſpiritus, quod eſt Verbum Dei. Haec quidem armatura eſt praemiſſa ſeptuplex veſtis Sacerdotalis ſignificativa, ſeptiplicis virtutis Sacerdotis; & repreſentativa Chriſti veſtium, quibus indutus fuit ipſe paſſionis, prout infra dicetur. Provideat ergo diligenter Epiſcopus & attendat ſtudioſe Sacerdos, ut ſignum ſine ſignificato non ferat, i. ut veſtem ſine virtute non portet: ne forte ſimilis ſit Sepulchro à foris dealbato, intus vero omni ſpurcicia pleno. Quiſquis, n. ſacris indumentis ornatur & honeſtis moribus non induitur quanto venerabilior apparet hominibus, tanto redditur indignior apud Deum: Pontificalem itaque gloriam non jam honor commendat veſtium: ſed ſplendor animarum: quoniam & illa quae quondam carnalibus blandiebantur obtutibus ea potius quae in ipſis erant intelligenda poſcebant: ut quicquid illa velamina in fulgore auri, in nitore gemmarum & in multimodi operis varletate ſignabant, hoc jam in moribus actibuſque, clareſcat: cum & apud veceles reverentiam ipſa ſignificationum ſpecies obtineret, & p. 74apud nos certiora ſint experimenta rerum quam enigmata figurarum, prout haec & alia in Pontificali, ubi agitur de Epiſcopi conſecratione leguntur. Sic itaque munitus ad certamen cum ſpirituali nequiciae in coeleſtibus, & pro ſedanda in ſubditos judicis ira ad altare procedit: & per conſeſſionem diaboli renunciat Dominio, & ſeipſum accuſat; populus vero quaſi pro ſuo pugile oraturus in profeſtis diebus terrae proſternitur, dum autem ille orationes & alia recitat, quaſi totis viribus cum diabolo pugnat. Dum diaconus in jejuniis ante Evangelium caſulam ſuper humerum replicat, quaſi gladium contra hoſtem vibrat. Dum Epiſtola legitur voce praeconis, imperatoris edicta dantur; cantus ſunt tubicinae praecentore, chorum regentes ſunt duces exercitum ad… …nam inſtruentes, quibus laſcentibus alii ſubveniunt. Cantus autem ſequentiae eſt planſus ſeu laus victoriae. Dum Evangelium legitur hoſtis quaſi gladio vulneratur: aut exercitus poſt victoriam diſperſus adunatur. Epiſcopus praedicans eſt imperator victores laudans, oblationes ſunt ſpolia quae victoribus dividuntur. Cantus offertorii, eſt triumphus qui debetur imperatori. Pax autem in fine datur, ut populi quies hoſte proſtrato inſinuetur. Et deinde populus data licentia per ite Miſſa eſt, cum gaudio de victoria & pace obteuta ad propria redit. Celebraturus itaque Miſſam Epiſcopus aut Presbyter, indumentis ſuo ordini congruentibus ſe exornat & veſtium cultui actionis quoque conveniant ornamenta, c. di. rationit. Circa quod notandum eſt quod ſex ſunt indumenta Sacerdotibus & Epiſcopis communia, quia & ſex ſunt in quibus communis Presbyterorum & Epiſcoporum poteſtas conſiſtit. Novem vero ſunt ornamenta pontificibus ſpecialia, quia & novum ſunt in quibus ſpiritualis Epiſcoporum poteſtas conſiſtit. Per hunc Ergo communium & ſpecialium indumentorum numerum, communitas & ſpecialitas poteſtatum inter Epiſcopos & Sacerdotes ſignificatur, de quo in parte praecedenti dictum eſt ſub tit. de epiſcopo. Hoc etenim tam in novo quam in veteri teſtamento legitur conſtitutum, ut Pontifices praeter communes veſtes p. 75habeant ſpeciales, ſed ibi quatuor erant communes, & quatuor ſpeciales prout dicetur ſub tit. de legalibus indumentis, quod ſiquidem ratio miſtica poſtulabat: nam illae datae ſunt carnalibus & mundanis, quoniam quaternarius numerus convenit carni propter quatuor humores, & mundo propter quatuor elementa. Haec autem ſpiritualibus & perfectis data ſunt. Nam ſenarius numerus qui perfectus eſt, quia redditur ex ſuis partibus, aggregatis perfectis convenit. Unde & ſexto die perficit Deus coelum & terram, & omnem ornatum eorum; ſed & cum in plenitudine tempore ſexta veniſſet aetate, ſexto die ſub hora ſexta redemit genus humanum. Senarius ergo numerus perfectus eſt, quo ſuo ordine numeratus perficitur. Nam cum unum duo & tres dicuntur, ſenarius numerus impletur; vel quia in tribus partibus dividitur, i. in ſexta tertia & dimedia, vizt. in uno duobus vel tribus. Novenarius etiam ſpiritualibus convenit, quia novem ſunt ordines angelorum qui ſecundum prophetam per novem gemmarum ſpecies deſignantur. Quindecim ergo ſunt ornamenta Pontificis, quindecim virtutum gradus ipſo numero deſignantia, quos per quindecim cantica graduum Pſalmiſta diſtinxit. Veſtes enim Sacerdotales virtutes ſignificant, quibus debent Sacerdotes ornari, ſecundum illud propheticum: Sacerdotes tui induantur juſtitia & ſancti tui exultent. Quae talares dicuntur, quia talus finis eſt corporis, per quod oſtenditur quod non ſufficit opus bonum inchoare niſi ſtudeatur perſeveranti fine compleri, prout ſub ti. de tunica dicetur. Sic ergo noſter Pontifex plura quam octo induit veſtimenta, quamvis Aaron non niſi octo habuiſſe legatur, quibus moderna ſuccedunt, quod ideo eſt quoniam oportet juſtitiam noſtram magis habundare quam Scribarum & Phariſaeorum, ut intrare poſſumus in regnum coelorum. Poteſt etiam dici, quod noſter Pontifex octo habet à capite uſque ad pedes: exceptis veſtimentis pedum & manuum, ſcilicet amictum, albam, cingulum, & ſtolam, duas tunicas. caſulam & pallium: veſtimentum potius pertinet ad noſtrum quam ad Aaron, quia p. 76noſtris dictum eſt, euntes in omnes gentes, &c.

Denique praeter praemiſſas veſtes ſacris ordinibus & miniſtris deputatas, eſt & alia quaedam veſtis linea quod ſuperpellicium dicitur, quo quibuſlibet ſerviciis altaris & ſacrorum vacantes ſuper veſtes communes uti debent, prout in ſequenti ti. dicetur. Superpelliceum autem propter ſui candorem, mundiciam ſeu puritatem caſtitatis deſignat. Juxta illud, Omni tempore veſtimenta, id eſt opera tua ſint candida & munda, propter nomen vero ſuum carnis mortificationem figurat. Dictum eſt enim Superpellicium, eo quo antiquitus ſuper tunicas pellicias de pellibus mortuorum animalium factas induebatur, quod adhuc in quibuſdam Eccleſiis obſervatur, repreſentates, qd. Adam poſt peccatum talibus veſtitutus eſt pelliciis. Tertio, denotat innocentiam, & ideo ante omnes alias veſtes ſacras ſaepe induitur, quod divino cultui deputari innocentiam vitae cunctis virtutum actibus ſuper ponere debent. Juxta illud Pſal. Innocentes & recti adheſerunt mihi. Quarto, propter ſui latitudinem congrue charitatem deſignat. Unde ſuper prophanas & communes veſtes induitur ad notandum quod charitas operit multitudinem peccatorum. Quinto, propter ſui formam quod in modum crucis formatur, paſſionem Domini figurat, quodque illud gerentes crucifigi debent cum viciis, & concupiſcentiis: Fiunt autem Superpellicia in quibuſdam locis de criſmatibus lineis, quae ponuntur ſuper infantulos baptizatos, exemplo Moyſi, qui de purpura & biſſo, & aliis à populo in tabernaculo oblatis, fecit veſtes quibus Aaron & Filii, ejus induerentur quum miniſtrabant in ſanctis, Exod. xxxix. c. Eſt etiam & alia veſtis quod pluviale vel cappa vocatur, quod creditur à legali tunica mutuata. Unde ſicut illa tintinabulis, ſic iſta ſimbris inſigitur, qui ſunt labores & hujus mundi ſolicitudines. Habet etiam caputium, quod eſt ſupernum gaudium, prolixa eſt uſque ad pedes, per quod perſeverentia uſque in finem ſignificatur. In anteriori parte aperta eſt, ad denotandum, quod ſanctae converſantibus vita pater aeterna p. 77ſe… quod eorum vita patere debet aliis in exemplum, xi. q. iij. non ſunt in fi…e. Rurſus per cappam glorioſa corporum immortalitas intelligitur, unde illam non niſi in majoribus feſtivitatibus induimus, aſpicientes in futuram reſurrectionem, quando electi depoſita carne binas ſtolas accipiente i. e. requiem animarum & gloriam corporum. Quae cappa recte interius patula eſt, & niſi ſola neceſſaria fibula inſuta, quia corpora ſpiritulia ſacta nullis animam obturabunt anguſtii…: ſimbriis etiam ſubornatur, quia tunc noſtrae nihil deerit imperfectioni, ſed quod nunc ex parte cognoſcimus tunc cognoſcemus ſicut & cogniti ſumus. Quidam au…em haeretici garriunt, nuſquam reperiti in novo teſtamento, quod Chriſtus vel Diſcipuli ejus praemiſtis veſtibus induerentur, reprehendentes nos temere, quia talibus utimur ornamentis, quoniam ſicut Jo ait Dom. ſurgens de caena poſuit veſtimenta ſua & poſtea alia nunquam accepit niſi ſua. Nos vero, ut dicunt, plura alia quam veſtimus reveſtimus in miſſam qua caenam ipſam imitamur, & Dominus ab his qui volunt ambulare in ſtolis, nos cavere praecepit, dicens, Cavete à Scribis qui volunt ambulare in ſtolis; dicunt enim quod hoc facimus ut juſtiores & excellentiores populis appareamus, contra illud, Vos eſtis qui juſtificaſtis vos coram hominibus, Deus autem novit corda veſtra, quia quod hominibus altum eſt, abhominatio eſt apud Deum. Error autem iſte ex praemiſſis apertiſſime confutatur. Legitur quoque Ezech. xlii. & xliv. Cum ingredientur ſanctuarium meum & accedant ad menſam meam ut mihi miniſtrent & cuſtodiant ceremonias meas, veſtibus lineis induentur, nec aſcendet ſuper eos quicquam laneum. Cum ingredientur atrium exterius ad populum, exuent ſe veſtimentis ſuis in quibus miniſtraverant, & non ſanctificabant populum in veſtimentis ſuis. Et nota, quod hoſtiarii, lectores, exorciſtae & accoliti veſtibus albis utuntur, videlicet Superpelliceo, amicto, & alba, & baltheo, ut Angelos Dei miniſtros per caſtitatis mundiciam imitentur, & eis in carne glorioſa effecta ſpirituali quaſi p. 78in albis veſtibus ſocientur. Inde eſt quod potius lineis veſtibus utuntur, quia ſicut linum multo labore ad candorem perducitur, fic neceſſa eſt per multas tribulationes ad Regni gloriam pervenire. In concilio Magon. xi. q. 1. Epiſcopus Presbyter, ſtatutum eſt, quod Epiſcopus in ordinatione ſua recipiat orarium baculum & annulum, Presbyter orarium & planetam; Diaconus orarium & Dalmaticam; ſub-Diaconus patenam & calicem, & cum degradantur ea perdunt. Et in Concilio Toletano, xciij. di. Diaconus, in conventu ſtatutum eſt quod Diaconus tempore oblationis tantum, ſcil. quando legit Evangelium, utatur Alba & Dalmatica. Notandum quoque eſt quod veſtes Evangelici Sacerdotis aliud deſignant in capite ſcilicet, in Chriſto; aliudque figurant in membris, quamquam & caput & membra Sacerdoti…nomine nuncupantur: ad caput dicit Pſalmigraphus: Tu es Sacerdos in aeternum ſecundum ordinem Melchiſedech▪ Ad membra vero dicit Apoſtolus; Vos eſtis genus electum, regale Sacerdotium. Exponenda ergo ſunt eorum myſteria. Primo ſecundum quod membris, conſequenter ſecundum quod capiti ſcilicet Chriſto conveniunt, prout in quolibet capittulo diſtinguetur. De ornamentis autem & palleis & veſtibus Eccleſiae vel altaris, in prima parte dictum eſt, ubi agitur de picturis. Porro ſex indumenta Sacerdotibus & Epiſcopis communia ſunt haec; amictus, alba, zona, ſeu cingulum, ſtola, manipulus, planeta. Novem vero pontificibus ſpecialia ſunt haec, caligae, ſandalia, ſuccinctorium, tunica, Dalmatica, Chirothecae, mitra, annulus, baculus paſtoralis. De quibus omnibus ſingulatim proſequimur, & etiam de ſudario, & de pallio, & de coloribus quibus Eccleſia in Eccleſiaſticis utitur indumentis, & de legalibus indumentis ſive veteris teſtamenti.

After which he proſecutes at large in ſundry diſtinct Chapters, the reaſons of inſtituting each of theſe particular Pontifical, Sacerdotal Veſtments, and their myſtical p. 79tropological ſignifications, with ſuch frantick, ridiculous conceits, and impious pervertings, wreſtings of ſacred Scriptures, as would affect all conſciencious ſober Chriſtians with grief and indignation, and others with more laughter than any Enterlude or Puppet-play. I ſhall only tranſcribe this Chapter De Alba, or the white Surpliſſe, the Veſtment now moſt in queſtion▪

POſt amictum, camiſiam ſive albam Sacerdos induit; quae membris corporis convenienter aptata, nihil ſuperfluum aut diſſolutum in vita ſacerdotis aut in …is membris eſſe debere demonſtrat. Haec ob ſpeciem candoris mundiciam demonstrat; ſecundum quod legitur; Omni tempore vestimenta tua ſint candida. Fit autem de biſſo, vel lino, propter quod ſcriptum eſt, biſſum ſunt ſanctificationes ſanctorum. Est autem biſ…us linum egyptiacum. Sic…t enim linum vel biſſus candorem quem ex natura non habet multis tonſionibus attritum acquirit per artem, ſic & hominis caro mundiciam quem non obtinet per naturam, per exercitia bonorum operum multis cogitationil us macerata, ſortitur per gratiam. Sacerdos ergo ſecundum Apostolum, caſtiget corpus ſ…um & in ſervitutem redigat, ne forte cum aliis praedicaverit, ipſe reprobus fiat. Habet autem alba capu…ium, quod eſt profeſſio castitatis. Habet etiam linguam, quae ſignificat linguam ſacerdotalem quae ligat contumaces & abſolvit penitentes. Rurſus haec veſtis quae in veteri ſacerdotio linea, vel pedis grece, ſeu tunica talaris dicebatur, ſtricta fuiſſe deſcribitur propter ſpiritum ſervitutis Judaeorum in timore. In novo vero larga est propter ſpiritum adoptionis in libertate qua nos Christus liberavit. Quod autem aurifriſium & gramata diverſis in locis ac variis operibus ad decorem habet, illud inſinuat quod propheta dicit in Pſalmis, Astitit regina à dextris tuis in veſte deaurata circa. varie. Rurſus alba cingula ſtringitur, ut omnis voluptas carnalis aſtricta intelligatur, dicente Dont. Sint lumbi veſtri praecincti. Manicae quoque tam albae quam etiam tunicellae convenienter debent eſſe ſtrictae, non minus laxae, ut labantur & brachia nudentur, habentes in ſummitatibus aurifriſia, ad deſignandum aureos torques, quia brachia nuda beati Martini miſſam celebrantis miraculoſe decenter operuerunt, prout p. 80in ſexta parte ſub ejus feſto docetur. Per albam etiam qua corpus à ſurſum uſque ad deorſum tegitur, ſpes quem ex gratia provenit ecceleſiae deſurſum, & ex meritis eccleſiae deorſum figuratur. De hac Apoſtolus ad Roman viij. Spe ſalvi facti ſumus. Quia vero uſque ad talos deſcendit, perſeverentiam deſignat, prout tactum est prope in prohemio hujus partis. Porro, ſecundum quod capiti, ſcilicet Christo, advenit alba quae est lineum veſtimentum longiſſime diſtans à tunicis pellitiis, quem ex mortuis animalibus fiunt, quibus Adam veſtitus eſt poſt peccatum, novitatem vitae ſignificat quem Christus & habuit & docuit & tribuit in baptiſmo; de quo dicit Apostolus; Exuite veterem hominem cum actibus ſuis, induite novum qui ſecundum Deum creatus eſt.

Nam in transfiguratione reſplenduit facies ejus ſicut ſol, & veſtimenta ejus facta ſunt alba ſicut nix, ſemper enim veſtimenta Chriſti munda fuerunt & candida, quoniam peccatum non fecit, nec inventus eſt dolor in ore ejus. Haec etiam veſtis repreſentat albam veſtem in qua Herodes illuſit Chriſto. Luc. xxiij.

In anſwer to this Popiſh chaff I ſhall only propound the Poets interrogation to the Readers of this irrational Rationale, Spectatum admiſſi riſum teneatis amici?

I now proceed to their ſecond Scripture reaſon for the uſe of White Surpliſſes and Rochets,Arg. 2. which is this, White, and white Garments are a ſign or badge of holyneſſe, innocence, purity, joy and gladneſſe, as is evident by Pſal. 51. 7. Iſay 1. 18. Dan. 11. 35. Rev. 3. 4, 5, 18. c. 4. 4. c. 6. 2, 11. c. 7. 9, 13, 14. c. 19. 18. Eph. 5. 25, 26, 27. Eccleſ. 9. 8. Therefore Biſhops, Miniſters and Deacons ought to wear White Rochets, Surpliſſes and Albees in time of Divine ſervice and Sacraments. Thus Alcuinus, Honorius Auguſtodunenſis, Thomas Waldenſis, Gulielmus Durantus, Archbiſhop Whitguift, Mr. Hooker, and ſundry other Writers argue.

p. 81To which I anſwer,Anſwer. 1. That White is not alwayes a ſign, badge of Purity and Innocency, but oft times of Corruption, Defilement, Guilt, & that in the Scriptures, Prieſts and Prelates account. As 1. in the Caſe of Leproſy (the worſt,aaLevit. 13. 38. 44. 45.Lev 13:38Lev 13:44Lev 13:45 uncleaneſt of all Diſeaſes) a white ſcab, ſpot, ſkin, was a ſign, ſymptome, conſequent of the plague of Leproſy; whence it is recorded ofbbLevit 13, & 14▪Lev 13 Miriam and ccNumb. 12▪ 10. 2 Kings …. 17.Num 12:10Gehazi, when ſmitten miraculouſly by God with leproſy for their Sinnes, that they became leprous, and went out a Leper as white as Snow. 2ly. In the Caſe of Hypocriſie, eſpecially in falſe Prophets, Prieſts and Clergymen, againſt whom Chriſt himſelf gives this deſcription, caution, Mat. 7. 15, 16. Beware of falſe Prophets, who come unto you in Sheeps cloathing (which is commonly ddEzech. 27▪ 18. Rev. 1. 24▪ Iſay 1. 18.Ezek 27:18Rev 1:24Isa 1:18white, as Wool is) but inwardly they are ravenous Wolves, ye ſhall know them by their fruits; compared with Mat. 23. 2, to 12. Mar. 12. 38, 39, 40. Beware of the Scribes and Phariſees, which love to go in Long-cloathing, (long**See page 12…. 123. white Surpliſſes, Gownes, Gaſſocks, Cloakes, as Biſhops, Prieſts, Deacons uſe to do) which devour widows houſes, and for a pretence make long Prayers; But all their works they do to be ſeen of men: They make broad their Philacteries and enlarge the borders of their Garments: And love the uppermoſt rooms in Feaſts, and the Chief Seats in the Synagogues: And greetings in the Market place, and to be called Rabbi, Rabbi: But be ye not called Rabbi, for one is your Father which is i… Heaven, and all ye are Brethren. Which Text our famous ApoſtleseeWickliff Di… logorum, l. 4▪ c. 16, 17. De Pap…. c. 12. John Wickliffe and others applyed to the Popiſh Prelates and Clergy, their Surpliſſes and Veſtments,ffDoctrinalis, Tom. 3. Tit. 4. c. 29. 30. as Thomas Waldenſis, and others relate: together with that of Matth. 23. 25, 27, 28. Wo unto you Scribes and Phariſees, Hypocrites, for ye make clean the outſide of the Cup and of the Platter, but within they are full of extortion and exceſs. Thou blinde Phariſee, cleanſe that firſt within the Cup and Platter, that the outſide may be clean alſo. Wo unto you Scribes and Phariſees, Hypocrites, for ye are like unto whited Sepulchers, which indeed appear White (or beautifull) outward, but are within p. 82full of dead mens bones, and of all uncleanneſſe: Even ſo ye alſo (in your long white Surpliſſes and Prieſtly Garments) appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of Hypocriſie and Iniquity. Upon which account Paul ſtilesggActs 23. 3.Acts 23:3 Annanias a whited Wall. hhDegradandus indumentis Sacerd…talibus, ſi Sacerdos ſit, induitui▪ & ſic de reliquis Ordinibus, Pontificale Romanum p. 456, to 462. Fox Acts and Monuments vol. 3. p. 998, 999.3ly. Popes and Biſhops themſelves when they degrade any Clergy-man or Biſhop for Hereſie, uncleanneſſe, or any other ſcandalous crime, apparel him firſt in Surpliſſes, Rochets, and conſecrated Veſtments; after which they diſrobe him of them: and when they inflict penance on Adulterers, Adultereſſes, Whores, Bawdes, Whoremaſters, and other ſcandalous, unclean Offendors, they cauſe them to ſtand in white Sheets or Surpliſſes in the Church before all the Congregation to their ſhame, by way, of puniſhment. Whence the Synods under Galo and Simon the Popes Legats; the Synods of Paris **Here, p. 51, 53.forecited; and other Authors uſually ſtile a Surpliſſe, Supplicium, a Penance or Puniſhment, becauſe Offendors did Penance in a Surpliſſe or White Sheet. Therefore Surpliſſes and white Garments even in Churches are a badge of Guilt, Infamy, as well as of Innocency, purity, and honour. 4ly. St. Hierome himſelf,iiLib▪ 1. Adverſ. Jovinianum. and Caelius Rhodiginus out of him, cenſure the wearing of white Garments by Monks, kkAntiqu. Lect. l. 5. c. 13. p. 220.as a badge of Luxury and Pride, not Innocency, purity or humility. And is it not ſo in Biſhops, Prieſts, Deacons, who thereby will not only difference themſelves from,llPontificale Romanum p. 13. but advance themſelves above Lay Chriſtians; as appears by this Prayer in the Roman Pontifical, when they put on their Surpliſſes, and Prieſts Veſtments at their ordination, as Clerks, Omnipotens ſempiterne Deus, propitiare peccatis noſtris, & ab omni ſervitute ſaecularis habitus hos famulos tuos emunda, ut dum ignominiam ſaecularis habitus deponunt, tua ſemper in aevum gratia perfruantur, &c. And theſe words of the Archbiſhop to the King at the time of his Coronation, when he placeth him in his Throne,aaMy Signal Loyalty and Devotion of Gods true Saints, &c. to their Soveraigns, Part 2. p. 287, 179, 190, 231. Stand and hold faſt from henceforth that Place, whereof hitherto thou haſt been heir by the ſucceſſion of thy Forefathers, being now delivered unto thee by the p. 83Authority of Almighty God, and all the Biſhops and Servants of God; (clad in their Pontificalibus) and as thou ſeest the Clergy to come nearer unto the Altar (than others, in their white Rochets, Surpliſſes,) ſo remember, that in places convenient, thou give them greater honour. Finally if white Garments be a token of Innocency, purity, then Porters, Carters, Groomes, Virgins and Country Laſſes, who uſually go clad in White Frockes, Waſtcoats, Garments all the day, week, year long, ſhould be more holy, innocent, pure than Biſhops, Prieſts, Deacons, who wear them only for a few hours in the Church, and are clad in Black Garments only all the day, week, year, which are as contrary to Innocency, purity, as white is unto black.

2ly. White is not alwayes a badge, or Garment of Joy, but oft times of Mourning and Grief, as in the Caſes of pennance and degradations forecited; and in theſe enſuing Preſidents.bbGenialium Dierum, l. 3 c. 7. Alexander ab Alexandro, ccDe Moribus Gentium.Bremus andddRomanae quaestiones. others record, that the Grecians, Spartians, Argivi, Syracuſians uſed to put on Albas vestes white Garments, when they mourned for their deceaſed Friends and Kings, in which they followed their Corps to their Graves, involved uſually in white Winding ſheets and Cere-cloathes; Plutarch, andeeProblematus, Locus, 120. de Veſtitu. Aretius out of him informs us, That the Roman Matrons, mourned in white Garments. InffPurchas Pilgrimage, l. 1. 4. cap. 19. China at this day the Nobles and better ſort of Women uſe to mourn in White array; The better ſort ofggSands Europae Speculum, Purchas Pilgrimage, l. 3. c. 12. Turks uſe to mourn in White; and in Japan White is a Funeral colour, Black a Feſtival. Yea,hhLinſ…h…t, l. 1. c. 22 Purchas Pilgrimage, l. 5. c 15. p. 667. at this Day theiiBenedicti Are…i. Problemata L…us 120. p. 36… …, Antiqu. …onviv. l. 2. c. 26. Queens of France after their Husband Kings deceaſe wear White Garments during their Widow-hood, in token of Grief and Retiredneſs: and in many places of England when any Maids dye before mariage, other Virgins uſe to accompany their Hearſe to their Graves in white Waſtcoats, Gloves, Ribonds; Therefore white Garments cannot be of themſelves, a badge of Joy, Chearfullneſſe, Triumph, for then white Winding-ſheets ſhould be, wherein we all inter dead Corps.

p. 843ly. White Garments are no peculiar badge of Evangelical Biſhops or Miniſters of the Goſpel, and that only in Divine adminiſtrations; For as I never read that Chriſt or his Apoſtles, or the primitive Evangelical Biſhops, Miniſters, Deacons, or for above 350. years after Chriſt uſed any ſuch Veſtments, Surpliſſes, Rochets in Divine adminiſtratious, which doubtleſſe they would have done had they deemed them neceſſary, decent or expedient; ſo on the contrary, I read, 1. That the aaStrabo, Solinus, Pomponius Mela, Alexder ab Alexandro Gen. Dierum l. 5. c. 18. f. 291. & Boemus De Moribus Gentium.Tapyrae, Bactriani, Iberi, and other barbarous Nations about Hyrcania, compell their Women to wear and walk abroad Albis Tunicis in White Coats, and ſhort cut hair; when as the Men only wear Black Vestments, and let their Hair grow long. 2. That the Romans in their Circentian Playes had 4. Factions, clad in 4. ſeveral ſorts of coloured Garments,bbAlexander ab Alexandro Gen. Dicrum… l. 5. c. 8. f. 263. lib. 6. …. 1… f. 664. (juſt like the Popiſh Prieſts and Prelates) according to the four ſeaſons of the year; to wit, in Green-coloured Garments, dedicated to the Spring: in Roſe-coloured Veſtments, devoted to the Harveſt: in Violet-coloured, conſecrated to Winter: ccAntiqu …ect. l. 14. c. 16.and in White Garments, dedicated to Autumn, when men (as well as fruits and leaves) uſually drop into their Graves. And that the Romans uſed to reſort to, and behold their Playes, Toga Candida in a white Gown or Surpliſſe, which was no act of Religion, but Paſtime. 3ly. That thoſe who ſtood for any elective Offices among the Romans were uſually clad in white Garments, from whence they were ſtiled Candidati, as Caelius Rhodiginus proves at large out ofddHiſt. Rom l 4. Titus Livius, eeProblemata.Plutarch, ffHiſt. Naturalis. l. 8.Pliny, ggDigeſtorum. l. 1. De Officio Quaeſtoris.Ʋlpian, Juvenal and others; which Candidates hhAlexander ab Alexandro Gen. Dierum, l. 3. c. 17. f. 153. Paulus Aemilius Conſul legem tulit ad populum, qu… nè cui ſuffragii, cauſa munus dare liceret multipliti poena inter dixit. Poſtea lege Calphurnia his qui mercede corrupti aut munere deliniti Candidatis obviam iſſent, quique precio illos ſectarentur; aut SI PRANDIUM AD CAPTANDOS ANIMOS, AUT SI QUID MUNERIS EXHIBITUM FORET, praeter poenas legibus conſtitutas, etiam …ECUNIARIA MULCTA FUIT. Id quod Fabia lege cautum, &c.uſually bribed the People to gain their Voyces with mony, meat, drink, feaſts, (notwithſtanding many ſucceſſive ſevere Lawes made againſt it) as too many Knights, p. 85Citizens, Burgeſſes now uſe to bribe their Electors before and at every Parliamentary election, with Gifts, Feaſts, and drunken entertainments, for which they deſerve expulſion out of the Houſe of Commons, far better than ddCooks 4. Inſtitutes. p. 23.Thomas Long, who in the Parliament of 8. Elizabeth was expelled the Commons Houſe, upon examination of his Caſe, only for giving the Maior of Weſtbury (in Wiltſhire) 4. l. to be elected a Burgeſſe to ſerve in that Parliament for this his corrupt dealing (which was to poyſon the very Fountain it ſelf;) and the Maior fined and impriſoned; whereas ſome now ſpend one, two, or three thouſand pounds a piece in Countries to be elected Knights: and others one, two, three, four or five hundred pounds a piece or more to be choſen Citizens and Burgeſſes for the laſt, & this approaching Parliament, in Bribes, wine, ale, beer, tobacco, feaſts, and drunken entertainments, (which will hardly produce a ſober Parliament, and for which the Elements now mourn, yea drop down ſhowers of Wrath upon us) for which bribery they well deſerve to be caſt out of the Parliament-houſe,eeAlexander ab Alexandro, Gen. Dierum, l. 3. c. 17. Quoties contrae ambitum iſtorum qui appetunt Majeſ…iatus pluribus lebus à Romanis obvium item fit. and fined treble the value of their Bribes and Expences, to his Majeſty; ſince the Pagan Romans were ſo juſt as by the Law of C. Petilius Tribune of the people, to impoſe a fine and penalty of ambition upon Q. Coponius, quod vini amphoram ei cujus ſuffragio magiſtratum petebat, dono dederat. And if his giving but a Quart or Pottle of Wine was reputed a Bribe deſerving puniſhment, what do they demerit who give whole Tuns, Buts of Wine, and many Barrels of Ale, Beer to their Electors for their Voyces? Yea thoſe Mercinaries who thus unworthily ſell their Voyces, deſerve to be for ever diſabled to have any voyce in future Elections; and this Roman Law is now fit to be enacted among us, Ʋt in petendis honoribus, candidati ſine toga ad Comitia deſcenderent, ne pecuniis in ſinu reconditis tribuum ſuffragia mercarentur. 4ly. That the idolatrous ffHierom. Comment. in Ezech. c. 44. Alexander ab Alexandro. Gen. Dierum, l. 6. c. 12. f. 34…. Conference at Hampt…n Court, p 76. Gul. Stuckius Antiqu Conviv. l. 2. c. 26.Ezek 44Priests of Iſis amongſt the Aegyptians, when they ſacrificed to this Idoll, did ſhave their Crowns, and wear white Surpliſſes, Garments, (juſt as the Popiſh Prieſts do now) above a 1000. p. 86years before Chriſtians took up this faſhion; and theggAlexander, ab Alex. Gen. Dierum▪ l. 6. c. 19. f. 364. Roman Matrons in the Feaſt of their Goddeſſe Ceres, did annually ſacrifice to her, veſte candida, in a white Garment, ut tunc Diis gratum eſſe cenſerent, ſi à laetis, nec à funere pollutis celebraretur. 5ly. That thehhBochellus Decret. Eccleſ. Gal. l. 5. Tit. 2. c. 3▪ p. 702, 706. Seldens Titles of Honour, part … c. 8. p. 222.Titus 2 four Monks of St. Denis Abbey in France, who carry the Canopy over the viol of Holy Oyl (pretended to be ſent from Heaven) at the French Kings Coronation, albis induti, are arrayed in white Surpliſſes and Rochets, though not in holy Orders. 6ly. That our Biſhops themſelves, and the Abbot formerly, but now the Dean of Weſtminster, at our Kings Coronation, ſtripping off his ordinary Apparel, put on him aiiMy ſignal Loyalty and Devotion of Gods true Saints and pious Chriſtians to their Soveraigns, part 2. p. 131, 237, 242, 244, 253, 255, 391▪ Tho. Walſingham, Hiſt. Angl. p. 295, 296. Collobium, Dalmatica, or cloſe Pall, linnen Gloves and Sandals, immediately after his conſecrating, as they uſe to do on Biſhops and Prieſts, of whoſe holy Veſtments, theſe are parcel. Either therefore they muſt acknowledge our Kings to be Biſhops and Prieſts as well as themſelves, or diſclaim theſe Vestments as proper or peculiar to Biſhops, Prieſt and Clergy-men.

4ly. Admit white Garments, Rochets, Surpliſſes a Badge of Innocency, Purity, Holyneſſe, as is pretended, and therefore fit to be worn in time of Divine ſervice and Sacraments by Biſhops, Prieſt, Deacons, and other Eccleſiaſtical Perſons; Then it will certainly follow from hence.

1. That all Chriſtians whatſoever ought to wear white Surpliſſes, Rochets, Albees, as well as Popes, Archbiſhops, Metropolitans, Biſhops, Arch-Deacons, Deans, Prebends, Prieſts, Miniſters, Deacons, and other Church-men. 1. Becauſe they are all equally purified, waſhed from their ſins externally by Baptiſme, and internally by the blood of Jeſus Chriſt, yea juſtified, ſanctified, and made holy without ſpot or blemiſh; as well as any Prelates, Prieſts or Clergy-men whatſoever, Eph. 5. 25, 26, 27. Rev. 1. 5, 6. c. 7. 14. 1 John 1. 9. c 2▪ 1, 2. 1 Cor. 6. 11. Tit. 3. 5▪ Hebr. 10. 22. Pſalm. 51. 7. Iſay 1. 18. 2ly. Becauſe they are all commanded to be pure, holy, blameleſs, undefiled in all manner of converſation, and godlyneſſe, even as p. 87God is holy, as well as Clergy-men. Upon which account they are uſually ſtiled Saints, holy men, holy brethren; and redeemed by Christ for his very end, that they ſhould walk before and ſerve him in holyneſs and righteouſneſs all the daies of their lives, 1 Pet. 1. 15, 16. Rom. 11. 49. c. 19. 2. c. 20. 7. 2 Pet. 3. 11. Eph. 5. 25, 26. Col. 3. 10, 11, 16, 17. 1 Theſ. 5. 16, 23, 27. Hebr. 3. 1. Rev. 1. 5, 6. c. 3▪ 18. c. 7. 14. Lu. 1. 74, 75. Tit. 2. 12, 14. Rom. 1. 7. c. 6. 1. 4, &c. c. 8. 10, 11, 29, 30. Epheſ. 4. 24. c. 1. 4. Phil. 1. 1. Philem. 5. 7. 2 Cor. 1. 1. c. 13. 13. Col. 1. 2, 4, 12, 26. Rev. 15. 3. c. 19. 8. Pſal. 34▪ 1. Pſal. 62. 8. Pſal. 106. 3. 1 Tim. 2. 8. 3ly. Becauſe they are all equally a choſen generation, a royal Priesthood, a holy Nation, a peculiar people, yea made Kings and Priests to God the Father by Jeſus Christ, as much as Prelates and Clergy men, 1 Pet. 2. 9, 10. Rev. 1. 5, 6. c. 9. 10. c. 20. 6. Exod. 19. 6. 4ly. Becauſe God is no reſpecter of Perſons, (eſpecially in his immediate worſhip, ſervice) but in every Nation he that feareth God, and worketh righteouſneſs is equally accepted of him, Acts 10. 34, 35. 1 Pet. 1. 17. Epheſ. 1. 6. 5ly. Becauſe all the Saints and redeemed of Chriſt, have equally waſhed their garments, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, and are arrayed in Spiritual (not Corporal) white garments, as well as Prelates and Prieſts, Rev. 3. 4, 5, 18. c. 6. 11. c. 7. 9, 13, 14. c. 19. 8. Therefore if neceſſary, decent expedient in Gods Divine ſervice, all Lay Saints ſhould wear them as well as Biſhops or Clergy-men.

2ly. Then it will neceſſarily follow, that not only Prelates and other Clergy-men, but likewiſe all Chriſtians ſhould wear Rochets, Surpliſſes, and white Veſtments at all times, as well as in time of Divine Service, of Sacraments adminiſtrations; eſpecially in all their private Prayers, Devotions in their Cloſets, Houſes, Families, (where Biſhops, Prieſts, Deacons themſelves uſe not to wear them) and in all places as well as in Cathedrals, Churches, Chapels, ſince they ought to be alwaies holy, innocent, undefiled, white, pure in all their actions, converſations, ſhowing as lights of the world in the midſt of a polluted p. 88and perverſe generation, as 1 Epheſ. 1. 4. c. 5. 26, 27. c. 4. 22, 23, 24. Phil. 2. 15. 1 Pet. 1. 15, 16. 2 Pet. 3. 11. and other forecited Texts reſolve.

3ly. It was **…ea… Magd. 4▪ c. 6. … 419, 420. Cent. 5. Col. 658. Cent. 6. Col. 334 Cent. 7. Col. 147. Cent. 8. Col. 189. Cent. 9. Col. 314. Cent. 10. Col. 293. Cent. 11. Col. 262. Cent. 12. Col. 875. Cent. 13. Col. 596. Tho. Waldenſis Doctrinalis Tom. 3. Tit. 5. c▪ 52. Gul. Stuckius Ant…qu. Conviv. l. 2. c. 26.an antient cuſtom in the Primitive Church (long before Biſhops, Prieſts or Deacons wore white Rochets, Surpliſſes, and linnen Veſtments) beginning before 300. years after Chriſt, and continuing near 1400. years ſpace, or more, in moſt Chriſtian Churches, to put on long white Robes, Surpliſſes, Garments, on all ſuch Chriſtians as were baptized, immediately after their Baptiſme, in teſtimony of their Purification and waſhing from their ſinnes in their Baptiſm, by the blood of Jeſus Chriſt. Hence Lactantius flouriſhing about 300. years after Chriſt, in his Book De Reſurrectione Christi, hath this elegant expreſſion,

Rex ſacer, ecce tui radiat pars magna Trophaei

Cum puras animas ſacra lavacra beant.

Candidus egregitur nitidis exercitus undi

Atque vetus vitium purgat in amne novo,

Fulgentes animas veſtis quoque candida ſignat.

Et grege de nived gaudia pastor habit.

This cuſtom of apparelling Baptized Perſons in white Robes and Garments, is likewiſe atteſted by Gregory Nazianzen Oratio 3. Ambroſe De Sacramentis, l. 3. c. 1. and De his qui initiantur, c. 7, 8. within 370. years after Chriſt, and not long after by Olympidorus in Eccleſ. c. 9. Gregorius Turonenſis, Hiſt. l. 9. c. 4. and our Venerable Beda, Hiſt. Eccleſiaſtica Gentis Anglorum, l. 2. c. 14. where relating the Hiſtory of our King Edwins and his Peoples converſation to the Chriſtian Faith, and baptizing by Paulinus, Anno Chriſti 627. and of his Sons ſoon after, addes quorum primi Albati adhuc (that is, whiles clad in white Garments after their Baptiſme) erepti ſunt de hac vitae. Abbot Alchuvinus Scholar to Beda, and Tutor to Charles the Great, deſcribing the forms and Ceremonies of Baptiſme about the year of Chriſt 800. p. 89**De Divints Officiis c. 19. De Sabbato ſancto Virgil. Paſchae Operum Col. 1062.records, that the perſon baptized, after his baptiſme, elevatur de fonte, ut per Gratiam ſurgat ad vitam. Deinde Albis induitur Veſtimentis propter Gratiam regenerationis, et caſtitatem vitae, et Angelici ſplendoris decorem. Tunc ſacro criſmate caput perungitur & mystico tegitur velamine, ut intelligat ſe Diadema Regni & Sacerdotis dignitatem po…tare, juxtà Apostolum, vos estis genus electum, Regale, Sacerdotale, offerentes voſmet ipſos Deo vivo hoſtiam ſanctam & Deo placentem. Therefore they are entituled to wear white Garments, Surpliſſes, Rochets, as well as any Biſhops or Prieſts whatſoever, who upon this account ought not to advance themſelves above, or diſtinguiſh themſelves from other baptized Lay-Chriſtians. ‖‖De Institutione Clericorum. l. 1. c. 29.Rabanus Maurus, flouriſhing about 840. years after Chriſt, writing of the Formes and Ceremonies of Baptiſm, relates that after Baptiſm, a white Garment was delivered to every Perſon baptiſed. Poſt baptiſmum traditur Christiano Candida veſtis, quae ſignat innocentiam & puritatem Chrſtianam, quam post ablutas veteres maculas ſtatio ſantae, converſationis immaculatam ſervare debet ad praeſentandam ante tribunal Christi. Cujus verò renati Albis induuntur veſtibus, ad myſterium reſurgentis Eccleſiae futurum. Ʋtuntur veſtibus albis, ut quorum primae Nativitatis infantiam vetusti erroris pannus ſuſcaverat, habitus ſecundae regenerationis gloriae praeferat indumentum. The continuance of this cuſtom in After-ages is atteſted by Vincentius Beluacenſis, ſpec. Hiſt. l. 23. c. 145. Enfordienſis, c. 66. Aponius, l. 6. in Cantica Caut. the Century Writers, Cent. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. c. 6. Tit. De Ritibus circa Baptiſmum, and to name no more, by our Thomas Waldenſis, about the year of Chriſt 1420. Doctrinalis Tom. 3. Tit. 5. cap. 52. ſect. 1, 2. De veſte candida quam accipit baptizatus, which he largely deſcants upon as a badge, of their Purification, innocency, waſhing away their ſins, and making them as white as Snow, and putting on the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, citing Rom. 12. Ezech. 16. Pſal. 50. Exod. 24▪ Heb. 3. Mat. 12. Iſaiah 1. Cant. 1. (all produced by him and other Papiſts, for Biſhops and Prieſts, white p. 90Rochets, Albees, Surpliſſes.) Dionyſius Areopagita, Origen, Ambroſe and Rabanus, to juſtifie this cuſtom, from whence the Lords day, Eaſter week, and the Feaſt of Pentecost, on which Chriſtians heretofore were uſually baptized, and then clad in White Garments, were ſtiled Dominica et feria in albis, and by our Engliſh Calanders, Nation till this day, called White-ſunday, and White-ſontide, becauſe all perſons baptized on them, and Virgins too, were then uſually clad in White Garments. Feria 2. In albis, hac hebdomada (to wit after Eaſter) vocatur, quod Sabbato ſancto baptizati, veſtem candidam, quam in baptiſmo acceperant geſtare conſueverint, ac in ea induti ac albati, uſque ad alterum Sabbatum, quo ſolenni ritu albas deponebant, writes Learned**Gul. … l. 2… ▪ c. 26. Sarius … Tom. 1▪ p▪ 85, 788▪ 49… Tom. 3▪ p. 1…7, 683. 716. Tom. 3. p. 286, 365. … Caſ ſander, De Bap…mo Infantum, and ſundry … Cent. Magd. 4, 5, 6, 7. cap. … …48. George Caſſander. If then this antient cuſtom of Clothing all baptized Perſons in white Robes, Rochets, Surpliſſes, ſo long continued in the Churches of Chriſt, before any ſuch Veſtments wore by Biſhops, Prieſts, Deacons, grounded on the ſelf-ſame Texts, reaſons, and ſome better grounds than Biſhops, Prieſts, or Deacons wearing theſe Garments, he now totally laid aſide, (through the Pride, Uſurpation of Popes, Prelates, Clergy-men, who appropriate them only to themſelves by way of diſtinction from other Chriſtians) without any ſcandal or prejudice to Religion; then à fortiori Biſhops, Prieſts, Deacons Rochets, Surpliſſes, and other Veſtments, may be diſcontinued and laid quite aſide as uſeleſſe, ſuperfluous, if not ſchiſmatical, dividing, diſcriminating Chriſtians from Chriſtians, and Clergy-men themſelves from one another, raiſing many unneceſſary conteſts, inconſiſtent with our Churches peace and unity.

6ly. If a white colour, or white Linnen Garments be badges of innocency, purity, chaſtity, and ſhould mind thoſe who wear them of, and excite them to theſe virtues, as is pretended, then there is no need at all of white Surpliſſes, Albees, Rochets or Lawnſleeves for theſe purpoſes. For 1. every Biſhops, Prieſts, Deacons, and other mans white Skins, (the natural Garment of p. 91his Body, which he wears upon him all his life) or his white linnen Shirt, Waſtcoat he wears day and night, all the week, year long; his white linnen Bands, Cuffs, Handkerchiefs, and linings of his Dublet, Hoſe, or the white Sockes he uſually puts on every day, and not puts off till night, his white linnen Night-cap, Sheets which he lyes down and ſleeps in every night, the white linnen Napkins, Table-cloaths, Towells he daily uſeth the white bread, meat, milk, egges he eateth every meal; the white wax or Tallow-candles he burns; the white ſealings, walls, he beholds in his Houſe, Church, Chapel every day; the white Paper wherein he writes, and all the Bibles, Miſſals, Common-prayers, and other Books, Papers he reads written or printed; the white Corporals; Altar-cloaths he beholds at every Sacraments; the white frocks of Porters, Carters, Millers Grooms, Hoſtlers they daily wear; the white Dublets of, men, Waſtcoats, Peticoats, Aprons, linnen Mautles of every Woman, the white ſleeps, beaſts, foul, birds, ſnow, hail, wool, flax, or radiant light of the Sun, Moon, Stars, and via lactea in the Heavens, might abundantly mind every Biſhop, Prieſt, Deacon, (unleſs more dull and averſe from purity, piety, innocency and ſincerity than any other ſort of Chriſtians) and more effectually excite every Clergy-man, or pious, reaſonable Chriſtian, to innocency, purity, ſincerity, than all their Albees, Rochets, Surpliſſes, or other Church veſtments, which they wear only for a ſhort ſeaſon, not conſtantly all the day, as they do their other induments. And why white Rochets, Surpliſſes, Lawn-ſleeves alone, ſhould be badges, memorials of, or incentives to purity, innocency, chaſtity; rather than all other white ordinary Veſtments, Utenſils, Meats, Creatures: or why Archbiſhops, Biſhops, Prieſts, Deacons, and Clergy-men alone ſhould wear them, when as all wear white ſhirts, bands, cuffs, and other linnen Garments, as well as they, without diſtinction, no ſolid reaſon can be rendered to ſatisfie any reaſonable mans judgement, or conſcience.

p. 927ly. If White be a badge of Innocency, Holyneſſe, chaſtity, purity, as is pretended, then why ſhould not Archbiſhops, Biſhops, Prieſts, Deacons, and all Cathedral-men wear white Hats, Caps, Gownes, Caſſocks, Girdles, Doublets, Breeches, Stockings, Shooes, (but only black, red or ruſſet Veſtments as ſundryppB…chellus De…ret Eccleſ. Gal. l. 6. c. 17. Johannis de Aton. Conſt…t Provincialium, fol. 129, 131, 135. Lyndewood Provincial l. 3. c. 11▪ De vita & honeſtate Cleric. Canon 6. 1603. Can. 74. Popiſh Councils, and our own Canons enjoyn them) as well as white Rochets, Surpliſſes, or Lawn-ſleeves? Or why ſhould they not wear only their ſhirts, inſtead of Surpliſſes, Rochets, upon their Gowns, Caſſocks and wearing Cloaths, or their Surpliſſes, Rochets, Lawn-ſleeves under their other Cloaths, Inſtead of ſhirts? It was a witty Queſtion aqqMr. Iohn …adger… … of the …er Temple who … pratling Girle of ſeven years old demanded of Doctor Laud when Biſhop of London, arrayed in his white Lawn-ſleeves and Rochet. Pray Ʋncle why do you wear your ſhirt upon your Gowne and Sleeves; when other men wear their Shirts under them? At which the Biſhop ſmiling, could return her no Anſwer but this, That it was the cuſtom of Biſhops to do it. And had ſhe demanded of him further, how his white Sleeves & Rochet alone could be a badg of his univerſal Innocency, purity, ſanctity when his Gowne and all the reſt of his Garments were coal-b lack? or, whether his Innocency, purity, ſanctity were not put off together with his Lawn-ſleeves, Rochet, and laid quite aſide till he put them on again? He could hardly have returned a ſatisfactory Anſwer to theſe Demands.

8ly. If Biſhops and Clergy-men wear white Rochets, Surpliſſes in the Church only to diſtinguiſh them from the people, and others not in Orders. Then 1. no unordained Singing-men, Pariſh Clerks, Choriſters, Scholars in our Univerſities, ſhould be commanded, as now, but prohibited to wear Surpliſſes in the Church. 2ly. Biſhops and Miniſters reſpective Conſecrations, Ordinations, preſentations, inductions, inſtallments to their Biſhopricks, & Benefices, perception of their Rents, profits, tythes, and their conſtant preaching, praying, officiating, baptizing, adminiſtring the Lords Supper, and diligent p. 93exerciſing of their Miniſtry in the Church, are ſufficient of themſelves without any Rochet or Surpliſſe, to difference them from the people, As rrMu. 7. 16. 17, 20. Luke 6. 43. 1▪ Tim. 4. 12, 14. 2▪ Tim. 4. 1, 2. 5. 1▪ Pet. 5. 3. Phil. 3. 17, 20.Luke 6:431 Tim 4:121 Tim 4:142 Tim 4:12 Tim 4:22 Tim 4:51 Pet 5:3Phil 3:17Phil 3:20good trees are beſt known by their fruits, not leaves: ſo are good, pious, holy Biſhops, and Miniſters of the Goſpel, beſt known and diſtinguiſhed from the Laity by their good fruits, by their diligent diſcharge of their Duties, Functions; their exemplary, tranſcendent Piety, Charity, Humility, Heavenly-mindedneſſe, and by renouncing the Pomps, vanities, riches, honors of this preſent world, and all the ſinfull luſts of the fleſh, according to their Baptiſmal vow, even as Pope Coeleſtine the 1. aſſerted long ſince in his Epiſtle to the French Biſhop, cited in the Title page. The ſſSpelmarni Concil. p. 293, 294, 259, 246, 264.Council of Calchuth under our King Alſwoold, Anno 787. cap. 3. preſcribes this as the principal badge and duty of every Biſhop, Prieſt, ut diligenti cura ad Gregem ſibi commiſſum praedicet. The Councill of Cloveſho, An 747. and the Excerptions or Canons of Egbert Archbiſhop of York, about the year 750. Decree: Ʋt unuſquiſque Epiſcopus & Sacerdos omnibus Festis & diebus Dominicis Evangelium Chriſti praedicet populo. Ʋt Epiſcopi nullatenus ſecularibus negotiis, pluſquam D…i ſerviſiis (quod abſit, as moſt have done) ſubditi exiſtant, ſed maxime curam animarum habeant, ut ſecundum Apoſtolum, populum Dei ſuis exemplis benè corrigant, & ſanae quoque Doctrinae Sermonibus inſtruant; bonis utique moribus, abstinentiae virtutibus, justitiae operibus, doctrinae ſtudiis adornati. Yea the ttSu…ius Concil. Tom. 3. p. 278, 279.2d. Councill of Cavailon, under the Emperor CHARLES THE GREAT, about the year 810. cap. 1, 2, 4, 5. decreed, according to the Decrees of the holy Canons, and the Doctrine of other ſacred Scriptures; Ʋt Epiſcopi aſſidui ſint in lectione, & ſcrutentur myſteria verborum Dei, quibus in Eccleſ…is Doctrinae fulgore ſplendeant, & verborum Dei alimentis animas ſibi ſubditas ſaciare non ceſſent. Ʋt ea quae legendo perſecutantur, opere compleant**Mat. 4. 17. Pſal. 102. Rom. 2. 1▪ Cor. 14.Matt 4:17Ps 102Rom 21 Cor 14 juxta illud, caepit Jeſus facere & docere. Et memoria ferentibus mandatum ejus, ut faciant ea. Et quia non auditores legis ſed factores ejus juſtificabuntur p. 94Et ut Regnum Dei non est in ſermone ſed opere, ſint ſubditis norma vivendi, ità videlicet, ut & verbis & exemplis populo ad aeternam patriam pergenti ducatum praebent; Ʋt vita eorum & doctrina nequaquam diſcordent, ſed quod dicunt, faciant, & quae faciunt docere ſtudeant, et Praedicatione aſſidua plebem admoneant, & falce justitiae à credentium mentibus vitiorum ſpinas eradicent, & verbi Dei ſemine agros mentis eorum ad faecunditatem perducant. Ʋt humilitatem atque religionem, & in vultu, & in opere, & in habitu, & in ſermone demoſtrent. Ʋt juxta Apoſtoli vocem irreprehenſibiles ſint & moribus ornati, & nequaquam turpibus luchris deſerviant,2 Tim. 2.2 Tim 2 juxtà illud quod ait Scriptura; Nemo militans Deo implicat ſe negociis ſecularibus, ut ei placeat cui ſe probavit. The **Surius Concil. Tom. 3. p. 864.Biſhops in the Council of Paris under Lewis and Lotharius, Anno 829. unanimouſly decreed. Statuimus pari voto, parique conſenſu, ut unuſquiſque noſtrum dictis & exemplis, plebes parochiae ſuae attentius ad meliora incitens, ſtudeat, eaſque ut ſe à malis cohibeant, &c. ſolicitè admoneant, cum itaque praedicatores ſine ceſſatione populo Dei praedicare neceſſe ſit, juxta illud**Iſay. 58.Isa 58 Iſaiae. Clama, neceſſes, quaſi tuba exalta vocem tuam, & annuncia populo meo ſcelera eorum, &c. tum maximè) id facere neceſſe est, quando iram Domini contra populum Dei, meritis exigentibus, graſſari perſpexerint. Juxta illud quod Dominus per Ezechielem Prophetam loquitur, Ezech. 3. 17. &c. & c. 33. 7, 8, &c. Which is ſeconded by many other **Bochel. Decr. Eccl. Gal. l. 5. Tit. 18, De Archiepiſcopis & Epiſcopis & l. 1. Tit. 3. De Praedicat…ae & expoſitione Verbi Dei.Titus 3Councills in and after that age. Hence ‖‖Spelmanni Council. p. 416.Odo Archbiſhop of Canterbury in his Conſtitutions about the year 943. cap. 3. De Officio Epiſcopi, admoniſhed all Biſhops and Preſbyters, Quatenus cum honeſtate & modeſtia, bonis exemplis in ſanctae religionis pietate praedicent, & populum Dei Doctrina ſua erudiant & informent, ut ſuas Parochias omni anno cum omni vigſlantia praedicando verbum Dei circumeant: Abſque ullo timore vel adulatione cum omni fiducia verbum Dei praedicare, Regi, Principibus populi ſui, omnibus dignitatibus, & nunquam veritatem ſubter fugere. Upon which conſiderations our famous Martyr * John Purny preached at Briſtow, An. 1392. Quod quilibet p. 95Sacerdos magis debet demittere Matutinas, Miſſam & Veſperas, & caeteras horas Canonicas quam praedicationem verbi Dei, eo quod ſolum traditione humana ordinantur; and Nicholas de Hereford then publickly taught, Nullas est verè Praelatus, nec habilis ad Praelaciam niſi ſit doctor et praedicator, which poſitions our un-preaching and rare-preaching Prelates then deemed Heretical, though the very doctrine of St. Paul, 1 Tim. 3. 2. 2 Tim. 4. 1, 2, 4, 5. Acts 20. 28. The diſcharge of theſe their Epiſcopal and Sacerdotal duties, would more adorn and demonſtrate them to be Biſhops and Miniſters…, then all their Epiſcopal or Sacerdotal Veſtments, wherewith they now load and make themſelves more unable to diſcharge theſe duties. I ſhall cloſe up this particular with the words of our famous John Wicliff, Dialogorum l. 4. c. 17. De avaritia Cleri. f. 128. Sic intelligunt aliqui dictum Chriſti, Mat. 10. Nihil tuleritis in via, ne peram, &c. Non enim debent viri Apoſtoloci tardari cum alique temporali, quod vel eorum affectionem, vel occupationem, quo ad ſuum Officium impediret. Nuda autem & moderata habitio per vergam geſtam in manibus poteſt intelligi. Ʋnde ſicut oneratus multiplici veſtimento eſt ſaepè per hoc indiſpoſitus ad iter: ſic (Epiſcopus & Sacerdos) oneratus temporalibus eſt ſaepè indiſpoſitus ad prodeſſendum Eccleſiae: Et ad iſtum ſenſum dixit Chriſtus ubi ſupra, neque duas tunicas habeatis, & iſta lex Chriſti eſt fundata in lege Naturae cum qua nemo poterit diſpenſare: Therefore no Popes no Biſhops can diſpence therewith, much leſſe Decree againſt it.

9ly. For the objected Text of Eccleſ. 9. 8. Let thy Garments be alwaies white: if taken only in a**See here, P. 75, 76. miſtical ſence for purity of life, chaſtity, innocency, or juſtification by the blood, robes of the righteouſneſſe of Jeſus Chriſt, as ſome expound the place, it is nothing to the purpoſe; If literally interpreted, it quite ſubverts the Objectors. For 1. It is univerſal, extending equally to all Lay-men and Clergy-men, not confined to Biſhops, Prieſts, Deacons, and Eccleſiaſtical perſons alone, p. 96to whom white Rochets and Surpliſſes are appropriated. 2ly. It is univerſal in reſpect of time and place …oo, Let thy Garments be alwaies white, as well by night as by day; as well before and after Divine Service, Maſſe, Sacraments, as during their Celebration; as well out of Cathedrals, Churches, Chapels, as in them; as well in your eating, drinking, feaſting, and private Family, or Cloſet devotions, as in the Cathedral or Parochial Church or Chapel, at Common-prayers or Sacraments; to which times and places alone the wearing of Rochets, Surpliſſes, principally confined by Popiſh Councils, and our Biſhops Canons, againſt the words of this Text. 3ly. This Text no wayes relates to Common prayers, Divine ſervice or Sacraments in the Church, or to Biſhops, Prieſts, Deacons; (not then in uſe) but to mens **See Gulielm. Stuckius, Antiqu. Conviv. l. 2. c. 26. Here, p. 114.feaſting & joyfull converſation out of the Church, as is evident by the next ſucceeding words, And let thy Head lack no oyntment. Live joyfully with thy wife whom thou lovest, all the dayes of thy Vanity, &c. and the words next preceding, Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart, for God now accepteth thy works. Therefore to apply it only to Divine ſervice, Sacraments, and appropriate it to Biſhops and Clergymen, their Rochets and Surpliſſes, is a moſt groſſe abuſe, and perverſion of this Text, and thexxSee Bochellus Decret. Eccleſ. Gal. l. 6. Tit. 13, 14. Claudius Eſpenſaeus in Tit 2. & de continentia, lib. John Bales Acts of Engliſh Votaries, Biſhop Halls honour of the maried Clergy.Titus 2 Popiſh Canons prohibiting the marriage of Priests, preſcribing the wearing of black Gowns, Caſſocks, by Biſhops, Prieſts, Deacons, (if ever intended in this Text) are diametrically repugnant thereunto. 4. The words are in the Plural Number, Let thy Garments be alwayes white; Therefore Biſhops, Prieſts, Deacons ſhould alwayes wear white Hats, Gownes, Dublets, Stockings, Shooes, as well as white Rochets, Surpliſſes; yea wear their Rochets, Surpliſſes alwayes as they do their Shirts; not wear Black Goats, Gowns, Caſſocks, Dublets, Hoſe at any time, and their Rochets, Surpliſſes only in the Church, as their**See Bochellus l. …. Tit. 17. Councils and Canons preſcribe, point-blank againſt this Text, under ſevere penalties. 4ly. The Roman Miſſals, Pontificals, and Gulielmus p. 97Durantus preſcribe the wearing of other coloured Garments, even in time of Maſſe, Divine ſervice, and Sacraments, beſide White, and the laying aſide of White Garments in the Church it ſelf on ſundry Feſtivalls and dayes of publick worſhip. As namely blacke Vestments, (not white Rochets or Surpliſſes) all the Paſsion week before Easter, on dayes of Affliction, and Abſtinence for ſinne, in Rogations, in Maſſes or Proceſsions for the Dead, from Advent till the Vigills of the Nativity, and on the Feaſts of Innocents; on which Day ſome uſed to weare Blacke, others Red; upon ſundry other Lords dayes and Feaſts they preſcribe Biſhops and Prieſts to wear Red, on other daies Green or Violet vestments, and White only on other Sundayes, Feſtivals, in the Celebration of Divine ſervice and Adminiſtration of Sacraments; whence they ſtyle White, Red, Black, Green, the**Quatuor ſunt principales colores quibus ſecundum proprietates dierum, ſacr…s veſtes Eccleſia diſtinguit; albus, niger & violdis, &c. Durantus Rat. Divin. l. 3. four Principal colours uſed by the Church; to which they reduce theſe five other Colours, uſed likewiſe in the Roman Church, viz. Scarlet, Silken, Violet, Saffron, Roſe-colour, producing ſeveral Texts of Scripture (miſerably wreſted by them) for to prove the uſe of all theſe reſpective Colours in the time of Gods publick worſhip, as well as the uſe of White, ſeconded with ſundry myſtical Reaſons and ſignifications, which thoſe who pleaſe to make themſelves merry with, may read at large in Durantus, l. 3. De quatuor coloribus quibus Eccleſia in Eccleſiasti…is utitur indumentis: Now this objected Text, Let thy Garments be alwayes White, routs all theſe Romiſh regiments of Black-coats, Red-coats, Green-coats, Blew-coates, Yellow-coats, Scarlet-coats, Silken-coats, Roſe-coats, at once, and White-coats too, as appropriated onelyonly to Churches, Divine ſervice, Sacraments, Biſhops and Eccleſiaſtical Perſons. Therefore they muſt henceforth either renounce this their objected Text, or all theſe their ſacred Veſtments and foreceited Robes, to which they are ſo much devoted.

The third Scripture Argument for the neceſſary uſe of white Rochets, Surpliſſes in Divine ſervice and Sacraments p. 98adminiſtration, is from Dan. 7. I beheld till the thrones were caſt down, and the Antient of dayes did ſit; WHOSE GARMENT WAS WHITE AS SNOW, and the hair of his head like the pure wool, &c. compared with Mat. 17. 2. Mark 9. 3. Luke 9. 3. Jeſus taketh Peter, James and John and bringeth them into a high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them, and his face did ſhine as the ſunne, and his Garment was WHITE as the light: (ſo Matthew) And his rayment became ſhining, exceeding WHITE as ſnow, ſo as no Fuller on earth can white them; ſo Mark records it: Ergo, Biſhops, Prieſts, Deacons muſt wear white Rochets and Surpliſſes in time of Divine ſervice and Sacraments in all Churches, Chapels, is but a ridiculous Non ſequitur.

For Firſt, That Text in Daniel relates onelyonly to Chriſt ſitting on the Throne as a Judge, at the end of the world, not officiating as a Prieſt in the Church. Ergo, all Judges muſt wear white Robes, Surpliſſes when they ſit on judgement, is a better inference thence, than that Biſhops, Prieſts, Deacons muſt wear them when they mininiſter in the Church. Secondly, His hair was white as wool, as well as his garment, therefore they ſhould all have white Hair or Periwigs, as well as white Rochets and Surpliſſes, when they celebrate Divine ſervice or Sacraments. Thirdly, Our**See here. p▪ 40, 41. Saviours Transfiguration was miraculous, not ordinary; but once, not weekly; in a high mountain apart, not within a Temple, Synagogue, Church, Cathedral, before three onelyonly of his Diſciples, not the whole congregation or multitude: and his ordinary wearing garments miraculouſly became white and ſhining as the light, not as linnen; and ſo exceeding white as no Fuller on earth can white them, and that onelyonly during this transfiguration, not afterwards. Therefore this miraculous Preſident gives not the leaſt ſhadow of warrant or preſident for Biſhops, Prieſts, Deacons ordinary wearing white Rochets or Surpliſſes when they read Common-prayer, or adminiſter Sacraments in Churches; And they might, like Chriſt, forbear p. 99ſuch white garments, till by miracles their faces become ſhining as the Sun, and their black, ordinary wearing garments become as white and ſhining as his. Fourthly, Our Saviour never put on a white Garment, Robe or Rochet whiles he publickly prayed, preached upon earth; nor yet when he was thus transfigured in the mount, nor did Peter, James or John, who were preſent at, and witneſſes to his transfiguration, nor any other of his Apoſtles we read of, wear any white Rochets, Surpliſſes, or linnen veſtments when they preached or celebrated the Lords Supper, or Baptiſme in imitation of our Saviour white ſhining Garments, neither were they or their garments thus transfigured or made white when preſent at Chriſts transfiguration, or afterward. Therefore Biſhops, Prieſts, Prelates upon all theſe accounts, ſhould henceforth lay aſide theſe veſtments, ſince Chriſt himſelf and his Apoſtles never uſed them; and no longer wreſt our Saviours miraculous transfiguration, and theſe ſacred Texts, beyond all bounds of reaſon, modeſty, Chriſtianity, to maintain their own Popiſh ſuperſtitious inventions, and abuſe the ignorant vulgar with ſuch groſſe deluſions, which all judicious ſober Chriſtians muſt either abominate or deride.

The fourth plea inſiſted on for Biſhops Rochets, and Prieſts white Surpliſſes in time of Divine ſervice and Sacraments, is that of Matth. 28. 3. and Mark 16. 5. At the time of Chriſts reſurrection, an Angel of the Lord deſcended from heaven, rolled back the stone from the Sepulchre and ſate upon it: His countenance was like lightning, and his rayment WHITE as ſnow. And his Diſciples ſaw a young man (to wit this Angel in a young mans ſhape) ſitting on the right hand of Chriſts ſepulchre, cloathed in a long WHITE garment: who ſaid unto them, be not afraid, for ye ſeek Jeſus of Nazareth which was crucified: he is riſen, he is not here: Ergo, Biſhops, Prieſts, Deacons muſt weare white Rochets or Surpliſſes in Divine adminiſtrations.

I anſwer, Firſt, That the Perſon thus clad in a long white garment, was an Angel of the Lord deſcending from p. 100Heaven, not a Biſhop, Prieſt, Deacon or Miniſter. Secondly, His long white Garment was no Rochet nor Surpliſſe. Thirdly, He wore it not at all in any Temple, Church or Synagogue, but once at or in our Saviours Sepulchre. And that but once, at his miraculous reſurrection, not conſtantly or ordinarily: Fifthly, To roll away the ſtone, and inſtruct Chriſts Diſciples of his reſurrection, not to ſay Maſs, preach, or read Common Prayer, or adminiſter the Lords Supper. Sixthly, The Diſciples who ſaw him thus clad never imitated his white garments while they lived, much leſs ſhould Biſhops and Prieſt (who never ſaw him) after their deceaſe, without warrant from Chriſt, the Angel or Diſciples. The ſelf ſame Anſwer ſerves to the Objection from Acts 1. 10▪ where two Angels in the ſhape of men stood by the Diſciples in WHITE apparel, whiles they behold Chriſts aſcention into heaven, and ſpake the words there recorded to them: which Waldenſis, Durantus and others impertinently alleadge, for the uſe of long white Surpliſſes, veſtments, or Rochets of Biſhops and Prieſts in the Church.

5. The Fifth Text produced is that of Rev. 3. 4. Thou haſt a few names in Sardis, which have not defiled their garments, and they ſhall walk with me in WHITE for they are worthy. Ergo, Biſhops muſt wear white Rochets and Surpliſſes in time of Maſſe and Divine Service: Acute Logick, worthy of laughter rather then reply.

For 1. Theſe few perſons in Sardis were neither Biſhops nor Prieſts; theſe words being not ſpoken to nor of the Angel of the Church of Sardis; (whom our Biſhops and Prelatiſts will needs have to be the ſole Biſhop of that C…urch, but to others:) Therefore if any argument may be hence deduced for the uſe of Rochets or Surplices, it is, that Lay Saints who have not defiled themſelves with ſins corruptions of the times, but kept themſelves undefiled, muſt wear Rochets and Surplices, not temporizing Biſhops or Prieſts. 3. They are promiſed, hereafter to walk in white with Chriſt in heaven, and that by way of reward, witneſſe ver. 5. He that overcommeth the SAME SHALL p. 101BE CLOATHED IN WHITE RAYMENT, and I will not blot his name out of the book of life, but I will confeſſe his name before my Father and his Angels; not commanded to ſay Maſſe, or Common-Prayer in the Church on earth by way of duty, miniſtry or diſtinction from other Saints. 3. The white garments here meant, are only the robes of eternal glory in heaven; not white Rochets, lawn ſleeves, or material Surpliſſes, as the abuſers of this Text pretend and muſt acknowledge.

6. The ſixth Text produced for Surpliſſes and Rochets is Rev. 4. 4. And round about the throne, were twenty four ſeats, and upon the Seats I ſaw twenty four elders ſitting CLOATHED IN WHITE RAYMENT, and they had on their heads crowns of gold. Ergo, Biſhops muſt wear white Rochets, Miters of gold, and Prieſts white Surpliſſes.

The ſequel is denyed. 1. Becauſe there is no Biſhop but only Elders mentioned in the Text. 2. Theſe Elders are but twenty four, and they only had white rayment. 3. They ſate in heaven upon Thrones in their white robes, not in any Church or Cathedral on earth. 4. They ſate conſtantly in thoſe white veſtments, and never did put them off. 5. They had no other rayment on them but theſe white robes: Therefore all Biſhops and Prieſts, if they will be like theſe Elders, and purſue theſe preſidents, muſt wear no black doublets, caſſocks, gowns, cloaks, Waſtcoats, but only white Rochets, Surpliſſes as they did. 6. They ſate in them upon Thrones, and had all crowns of gold upon their heads: If this then be a preſident for our lordly royal Prelates, and Clergyes punctual imitation, they muſt all ſit upon thrones with golden crowns on their heads, like Kings, as well as with white Rochets, Surpliſſes on their backs like Prelates and Prieſts; which I preſume they yet dare not do, and his Majeſty with his Nobility will not now ſuffer, ſhould their pride and ambition prompt them to it.

7. The ſeventh preſident inſiſted on is, Rev. 6. 9, 10, 11. Where St. John ſaw under the Altar, the ſouls of them p. 102that were ſlain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held, &c. and WHITE ROBES were given to every one of them.

If any conſequences can be hence deduced, they are only theſe. 1. That thoſe Saints and Laymen, who ſuffer martyrdom for the word and teſtimony of God on earth, ſhall have white robes, not of fine linnen, but of eternal glory, given them by God for a reward in Heaven. Not that Biſhops and Prieſts alone, which were never ſlain nor martyred for Chriſt, and none elſe but they muſt now wear white Rochets and Surpliſſes, on earth.

2. Theſe Souls lay interred, crying to God from under the Altar, to avenge their blood on them that dwell on the earth. therefore they are no preſidents or warrant for Biſhops or Prieſts to wear Surpliſſes or white Rochets when they officiate at or upon their new erected Altars, and diſpence Chriſts Body and blood ſacramentally to their people, in their Cathedrals and Pariſh Churches. 3. Theſe white robes were not material ones, made of …awn or linnen by ſemſtreſſes, nor bought with money; but ſpiritual and heavenly, made, and freely given unto them by God himſelf: therefore Biſhops and Prieſts who contend for material Rochets and Surpliſſes from this Text; muſt now quite renounce them, and produce ſome better proof.

8. This they preſume to do in the eighth place, from Rev. 7. 9, 13, 14. cha. 15. 6. and cha. 19. 14. which I ſhall couple together to make the proof more ſtrong. After this I beheld and a great multitude which no man could number of all Nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues ſtood before the throne, and before the lamb, CLOATHED WITH WHITE ROBES, and palms in their hands. And cryed with a loud voice, Salvation to our God which ſitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, &c. And one of the Elders anſwered ſaying unto me, what are theſe WHICH ARE ARRAYED IN WHITE ROBES? and whence came they? And I ſaid unto him, Sir, thou p. 103knowest: and he ſaid unto me, theſe are they which came out of great tribulation, and HAVE WASHED THEIR ROBES, and MADE THEM WHITE IN THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB; Therefore are they before the throne of God, and ſerve him day and night in his Temple, &c. And the ſeven Angells came out of the Temple, having the ſeven plagues, CLOATHED IN WHITE, and having their breaſts girded with golden girdles. And I ſaw heaven opened, and behold a white horſe, and he that ſate upon him was cloathed in a veſture dipt in blood, and his name is called, the Word of God. And the Armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horſes, CLOATHED IN WHITE LINNEN, FINE AND CLEAN. Ergo, Biſhops and Prieſts, ought alwayes to wear white Rochets and Veſtments in time of Maſs, Sacraments and Divine ſervice.

Can any wiſe men or fools either, forbear laughter at ſuch a ridiculous concluſion from theſe premiſes, as Durantus, Walden with other Papiſts, and ſome of our own Prelates and Ceremony-mongers deduce from them with great ſeriouſneſſe, but little candor and ſobriety.

Eſpecially if they well conſider, 1. That thoſe arrayed in white Robes, Rev. 7. 9, 13, 14. were not Biſhops, Prieſts or Eccleſiaſtical perſons alone, or under any ſuch capacity; but a great number which no man could number, of all Nations and kindreds and people, and tongues. Therefore if any proper conſequence can be hence deduced in relation to white Rochets or Surpliſſes, it is only this, That all ſanctified, regenerate Chriſtians, Saints, of what nations, kindred, people and tongues ſoever, ought to wear white Rochets and Surpliſſes.

Secondly, All this innumerable multitude of all nations and people thus cloathed with white Robes; ſtood clad continually in them before the Throne and Lamb, ſerving God in them day and night, and never put them off, having no other Veſtments beſides, verſ. 15, 16, 17. Therefore if this Text be preſſed home, in relation to p. 104Biſhops, Prieſts, Miniſters, they ought alwayes to wear their Rochets and Surpliſſes day and night, but not veſtment elſe, and never to put them off; and alwayes to ſtand before God in his Temple day and night, as theſe Saints did but never to ſit in their Thrones, Stalls, Pues, nor yet to kneel as they now uſually do.

Thirdly, that Biſhops and Prieſts ought alwayes to have palms in their hands, as well as long white robes and Rochets, on their backs in the Temple, becauſe all theſe white Saints had ſo.

Fourthly, Theſe Saints white robes wherewith they were clad, were only ſpiritual, not corporal or material; even their white and immaculate holineſſe by the waſhing away of their ſins in the blood of Chriſt; as is evident by the Text, theſe are they which came out of great tribulation, and have waſhed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, compared with Rev. 1. 5. Epheſ. 5. 27, 28.

Fifthly, The ſeven Angels comming out of the Temple cloathed in pure white linnen, had the ſeven Plagues, and poured out the viols of Gods wrath upon the earth: Therefore if real Biſhops (as our Prelates pretend the Angels of the ſeven Churches were, ch. 2. 1, 3.) who went conſtantly clad in their white robes, as well out of the Temple as in. It will be no great honour to them to be thus arrayed, ſince they only carried the Plagues, and poured out the viols of Gods wrath upon the earth, when thus arrayed.

Sixthly, If the laſt Text be truly inforced, it will thence moſt properly be inferred, That Biſhops, Prieſts and Clergy-men ſhould alwayes ride and march about upon white Horſes, cloathed in clean and fine white linnen, not on black or bay Horſes, nor in black Canonical coats, caſſocks, cloaks, as now they uſually do. 2▪ That they muſt march many together in Troops and Armies thus arrayed. 3. That all other Chriſtians following Jeſus Chriſt, (the Word of God) ſhould do the like, rather then that they ſhould only ſay Maſſe, read p. 105Common-prayers, Preach, adminiſter the Sacraments in fine white linnen Garments, Rochets, Surpliſſes, in their Cathedral or Pari…h Churches, wherein they never uſe to ride on Horſes, but onelyonly out of them. Theſe are all the Scriptures produced for the juſtification of the uſe, conveniency, and decency of Biſhops Rochets, and Clergy-mens Surpliſſes; which though alledged with very great gravity and ſeriouſneſſe, by choſe who pretend themſelves the moſt reverend, learned Fathers of the Church, are moſt palpable abuſers, and wretched Perverters of Gods ſacred Word, to countenance their own vain Innovations and Superſtitions, as the premiſes demonſtrate.

To draw towards a concluſion of this Diſcourſe: I have oft times admired, that when moſt ſorts of Labourers, Workmen, Servants, ſet themſelves to their occupations and work, they conſtantly put off their outward wearing Garments, and ordinary wearing cloaths, as impediments thereunto, that yet Popes, Biſhops, Deacons, Miniſters, when they are to officiate and labour in the work of their Miniſtry, ſhould put on far more garments on their backs, than they had on before, contrary to the Apoſtles practice, and our Saviours command, who bid them when he ſent them forth to preach, Mat. 10. 10. Mark 6. 9. Luke 9. 3▪ Not to provide, or put on two Coates apiece: which would hinder them in their Miniſtery. We daily ſee Watermen, when they intend to row and ply their Oars, that Carters, Threſhers, Mowers, Reapers, Carpenters, Maſons, Bricklayers, Carriers, Tanners, Butchers, Fullers, when they buckle themſelves to their reſpective works; Footmen, when they travel or run a race; yea, Noblemen, Gentlemen, and others, when they ſeriouſly ſet themſelves to their very recreations in the Tennis-Court, or Field, douſually ſtrip themſelves to their very Shirts or Waſtecoats, that they may more vigorouſly purſue their work, callings and recreations. And why Biſhops, Prieſts, Deanes, Prebends, p. 106Archdeacons, Miniſters, Deacons, ſhould not do the like when they are to diſcharge the work of their Miniſtery; but on the contrary, load themſelves with Caſſockes, Gowns, Copes, Surpliſſes, Rochets, Girdles, Planets, Palls, Chymeres, Pectoral Croſſes, Hoods, Caps, Miters, Croſiers, or three or four more Veſtments than they had on before, ſeems a riddle unto all who ſeriouſly conſider it; of which no other true, ſolid reaſon can be rendered, but that they intend to loyter, or do their work coldly, negligently, or by halves, rather than vigorouſly, zealouſly to purſue it. This experience it ſelf ſufficiently manifeſts to be the genuine reaſon; for ever ſince Popes, Archbiſhops, Biſhops, Deanes, Chapters, and other Clergy-men (contrary to the Apoſtles, primitive Biſhops, and Miniſters practice) have loaded themſelves with Caſſockes, Gownes, Copes, Palls, Rochets, Miters, Surpliſſes, Hoods, and other ſuperfluous Veſtments, they have been very negligent and remiſſe in preaching, (the principal work of their Miniſtery) in adminiſtring the Sacraments, faſting and praying too, which they tranſlate to their Curates and Choriſters: Ingentos Curati (as we…l as Curae) stupent, leves loquuntur.Yea, Popes, Patriarchs, Archbiſhops, Biſhops, Deanes, Prebends, who have greater Honours, Revenues, and more variety of Veſtments on their backs than other Miniſters, uſually have been, and ſtill are, leſſe frequent, diligent, zealous, fervent, and more cold, frozen, ſloathfull, in preaching, praying, and the work of the Miniſtery, than the inferiour Clergy, and pooreſt Curates; it being a general obſervation, that poor Country Curates, Lecturers, Ministers, who have ſmall Penſions, Benefices, and ſcarce money in their Purſes to buy a Caſſock, Gown, Hood, Surpliſſe, or Canonical Coat, do Preach, Faſt, Pray, read Divine Service, baptize, adminiſter the Lords Supper, Catechiſe, viſit the ſick more frequently in one year, than Popes, Archbiſhops, Biſhops, Deanes, Canons, and other rich Pluraliſts in ten or twenty years ſpace.

It is a common obſervation, that the forehorſe in p. 107the Teame, which carries all the Plumes, Bells, trappings, uſually draws and works the leaſt; that Sumpter Horſes, which carrie Kings, Nobles, Judges, Prelates, Commanders Robes, Veſtments, when they travel, are more ſlow in their pace than Hackney horſes, which bear no ſuch lumber; that Officers and Souldiers who are moſt loaden with multiplicity of offenſive or defenſive Armes, are ſloweſt of all others in their march, like David in Sauls heavy armour, 1 Sam. 17. 38, 39, 40. yea, moſt unweldy, unſerviceable when they come to fight; that the little Creepers, not the great Braſſe ſhining Andirons, bear all the Wood, and heat of the Fire: And is it not ſo with Biſhops & Clergymen? the more rich, great, pompous they grow, the more Pontifical or Prieſtly veſtments they wear, the leſs ſpiritual work and ſervice they perform; yea, ſo ſloathfull are they (for the moſt part) in the**1 Cor. 15. 58. Rom. 1…. 11.1 Cor 15:58Rom 1:11 work of the Lord, wherein they ſhould alwayes abound; that inſtead of ſweating in the Lords Harveſt, they put on double or trebble the cloaths they had before, when they are to read, preach, pray, or adminiſter the Sacrament, to keep them from freezing, even when they are at their harveſt labour. God preſerve his Church from ſuch cold, frozen, unzealous, lazy Workmen, and **Mat. 9. 37, 38. and 10. 2.Matt 9:37Matt 9:38Matt 10:2ſend forth more painfull Laborers (not ſo muffled up in variety of veſtments) into his Vineyard and Harvest. Nothing more (that either I know or have read) can be objected for theſe Surpliſſes and ſuperfluous Church Veſtments, but their pretended Antiquity and uſage in the Church.

To which I anſwer, 1. That they were neither known to,**Dan. 7▪ 9. 21.Dan 7:9Dan 7:21 nor uſed, nor preſcribed by Chriſt himſelf, the antient of dayes, nor by his Apoſtles, nor by the primitive Chriſtians, Biſhops, Miniſters, Deacons, for above three hundred years after Chriſt; therefore they are all but modern Novelties, in reſpect of Apoſtolical, real, primitive antiquity; and ſo rather to be decryed, rejected as Innovations, then approved for their pretended, not true Antiquity, as well as other**See Thomas Beacons Reliques of Rome. old Popiſh Prelates.

p. 1082. For their pretended Decency, I have not only read many learned, diſcreet, conſciencious, ſober Scholars Treatiſes, cenſuring them as undecent as well as ſuperfluous; but heard ſome Ladies, Women, yea Children, deride them as meer antick diſguiſes.

3. If Tertullians Book de Pallio, or 2 Tim. 4. 13. may be umpire, a cloak will be more ancient, decent for a Miniſter, Biſhop, Chriſtian, then a Rochet or Surpliſſe.

4. Antiquity is no plea at all in point of Veſtments, whoſe forms, faſhions,‖‖Gen. 7. 7. 21. and 15. 12. Heb. 11, 37.Gen 7:7Gen 7:21Gen 15:12Heb 11:37 matter, are alwaies various, mutable with times and places; whence the Holy Ghoſt himſelf uſeth this expreſſion in ſacred Writ,**Pſal. 102. 26 See Aretius, P…bl locus 122. de veſtimentis. Gul Stuckius Antiq C…al. 2, c. 2…, 27.Ps 102:26 As a Veſture ſhalt thou change them, and they ſhall be changed, but thou art the ſame. That Engliſh man or woman who ſhould now take up or retain the Garments, faſhions uſed in Adams, the Britains, Saxons, Danes, Normans times; or but in the Reigns of King Edward the third, fourth, fifth, ſixth, Henry the eighth, Queen Elizabeth, or King James, would be reputed a Cynick, Fantaſtick, or Fanatick (eſpecially at Court) and the very boyes in the ſtreets would ſhout at them. Why then ſhould not Biſhops and Miniſters Rochets, Surpliſſes, Church Veſtments be as changeable as other mens Garments, or their own ordinary wearing cloathes, which they all change with the times? We know by experience, that all Nations, Manners, Laws, Governments, Governours, Cuſtoms, Languages, are variable, yea changed with times and occaſions; that all things under the Sun are ſubject to variation; why not then theſe Eccleſiaſtical Veſtments, about which there have been formerly ſo many frequent and ſierce contentions, for our Churches and Kingdoms peace? Our very humane bodies (and Biſhops, Miniſters bodies too, as well as others) are daily ſubject to alterations: from infancy to youth, from youth to manhood, from manhood to age, yea to old age, from health to ſickneſſe; and ſhall Biſhops or Prieſts Veſtments only be immutable? though originally grounded on Popes Decrees; inſtituted by them to adorn their exploded p. 109Sacrifice of the Maſſe, and Altar-ſervices, and founded upon ſtrange perverſions of ſacred Scriptures, or moſt abſurd, ridiculous, monkiſh, fanatick Reaſons, myſtical ſignifications, crochets, and the pretended tranſubſtantiation of the Bread and Wine into Chriſts natural body & blood, which all Proteſtants cannot but diſclaim.

Since therefore what the Apoſtle concludes of meats, is likewiſe true of all theſe Veſtmets:**1 Cor. 8▪ 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.1 Cor 8:91 Cor 8:101 Cor 8:111 Cor 8:121 Cor 8:13 But meat (a Rochet, Surpliſſe, Hood, &c.) commend us not to God; for neither if we eat (or wear them without ſcandal to others) are we the better; neither if we eat (or wear them) not, are we the worſe. Let all Biſhops, Miniſters, Chriſtians, upon the conſideration of the premiſes, henceforth take up the ſame Apoſtles reſolution and inference from thence, recorded for their imitation: But take heed leſt this liberty (or power) of yours, become a ſtumbling block to thoſe that are weak; and through thy knowledge ſhall the weak brother periſh, for whom Christ dyed? But when ye ſin ſo against the Brethren, and wound their weak conſciences (by uſing or impoſing theſe Garments on them, with rigor, againſt their wills and judgements) YE SIN AGAINST CHRIST; Wherefore if meat (much more then if wearing theſe pontifical, Sacerdotal Veſtments) offend, or make my brother to offend, I will eat no fleſh (much leſſe wear or impoſe all or any of theſe Church Veſtments) whilſt the world ſtandeth, leſt I make my brethren to offend. And ſeeing theſe old Proverbs are moſt true, inſerted into the Canon Law it ſelf,**Caeliu… Rho▪ …ig. Antiqu▪ …ect. l, …. v. 12▪ Gratian. Diſt▪ 40. Cucullus non facit Monachum, non item Iſiacos linostola; aut Sacerdotes amictus linei: Non Cathedra ſacerdotem facit, ſed Cathedram ſacerdos; nec locus ſeu veſtis ſanctificat hominem, ſed locum & veſtem homo. Upon which conſiderations, the**Surius concil, tom. 4. p. 513, 514. fourth Council of Carthage, Can. 15. & 45. decreed, Ʋt Epiſcopus vilem ſupellectilem, & menſam ac victum pauperem habeat, & dignitatis ſuae authoritatem, FIDEI & VITAE MERITIS QƲAERAT, NEC VESTIBƲS NEC CALCEAMENTIS DECOREM QƲAERAT, (which is ſince inſerted by Gratian into the body of the Popes Canon Law, p. 110though he truly addes in his Gloſſe, Hoc hodie non tenet quia modo habent amplas poſſeſſiones.) I ſhall heartily, humbly, and importunately beſeech all Biſhops, Miniſters, Deacons and Chriſtians whatſoever in general, and all true members of the Church of England in ſpecial, upon ſerious peruſal of all the premiſes, from henceforth, not with the Roman Pontifical or Durantus Magno Conatu Nugas agere, as Popes, Popiſh Prelates, Prieſts, Fryers, and little children uſe to do; nor yet to place the leaſt holineſſe, piety, neceſſity, or indiſpenſible expediency in the uſe or wearing of Epiſcopal and Sacerdotal Veſtments, in celebration of Divine-ſervice and Sacraments; nor any longer rigorouſly to impoſe, or unchriſtianly to contend about them, they being juſt like accidents in relation to the ſubſtance of Gods worſhip and true Religion, which may be as well abſent as preſent, without deſtruction of, or prejudice to either; but rather ſeriouſly to fix all their meditations upon thoſe WHITE Windingſheets, wherein they ſhall all ſhortly be Interred in their graves, ſtript naked of all thoſe Prieſtly Rags, Robes, Veſtments, about which they now overmuch contend; and ſeriouſly to endeavour to put off thoſe old filthy rags of fin, and put on all thoſe ſpiritual Garments, Armour, Graces, which the Goſpel it ſelf in direct terms enjoyns them to put on, and that under pain of eternal damnation, in theſe enſuing texts (wherewith I ſhall conclude) about which there will, there can be no diſputes, Rom. 13. 12, 13, 14. Let us therefore caſt off the works of darkneſſe, and put on the Armour of light: Let us walk honestly, as in the day, not in rioting and drunkenneſs, not in chambering and wantonneſſe, not in ſtrife and envying; but PƲT YE ON THE LORD JESƲS CHRIST, and make no proviſion for the fl…ſh, to fulfil the luſts thereof, Epheſ. 4. 22, 23, 24. That ye put off concerning the former converſation, the old man, which is corrupt, according to the deceitful luſts; and …e renewed in the ſpirit of your mindes; and that ye put ON THE NEW Man, which after God is created in righteouſneſſe p. 111and true holineſſe. Epheſ. 6. 11, &c. PƲT ON THE WHOLE ARMOƲR OF GOD, that ye may be able to ſtand againſt the wiles of the Devil: Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breaſt-plate of righteouſneſſe, and your feet ſhod with the preparation of the Goſpel of peace; Above all, taking the ſhield of faith, wherewith ye ſhall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the Devil: And take the helmet of ſalvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God: Praying alwayes, WITH ALL PRAYER AND SƲPPLICATION (not with common or Canon prayer alone, to which too many now confine themſelves and others) watching thereunto with all perſeverance and ſupplication for all Saints. Col. 13. 12, 13, 14, 15. PƲT ON therefore (as the Elect of God holy and beloved) bowells of mercy, kindneſſe, humbleneſſe of mind, meekneſſe, long-ſuffering, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a complaint against any, even as Chriſt forgave you, ſo alſo do ye: And above all theſe things, PƲT ON CHARITY, which is the bond of perfectneſſe and let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which alſo ye are called in one body, and be ye thankefull: Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wiſdome, teaching and admoniſhing one another in Pſalms and Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, ſinging with grace in your hearts to the Lord: And whatſoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jeſus, giving thanks to God and the Father through him. The putting on of all theſe Evangelical WHITE ſacred garments, the uſing of ſuch Church prayers and muſick, in all Cathedrals, Collegiate and Parochial Churches, by our Biſhops, Miniſters, Deacons, and others; and the abandoning all Papal, unevangelical, **3 Car. Petition of Right. Surius Concil. Tom. 3. p. 279, 280. Laur. Bochellus Decret. Eccl. Gal. l. 3. Tit 2. c. 85. p. 402.Titus 2illegal, dangerous Oaths of Canonical obedience from Miniſters to Biſhops, not warranted by Law or Goſpel, (thus cenſured, inhibited, by the whole ſecond Council of Cavailon, under Charles the Great, about the year 812. cap. 12) Dictum eſt de quibuſdam fratribus, quod eos, quos ordinaturi ſunt Iurare cogant, p. 112quod digni ſint, & contra Canones non ſint facturi, et obedientes ſint Epiſcopo, qui eos ordinat, & Eccleſiae, in qua ordinantur: Quod Iuramentum, quia periculoſum, omnes una inhibendum ſtatuimus, which Oaths are now rigorouſly inforced, againſt his Majeſties Declaration, and Petition of Right, 3 Caroli, to ſupport theſe ſuperfluous Veſtments and Ceremonies) will throughly reconcile all diſſenting Parties; but a period to all future controverſies concerning the premiſes, and make us all the Temples of the living God; 2 Cor. 6. 16.2 Cor 6:16who will then ſay, I will dwell in them▪ (walk in them) and will be their God, and they ſhall be my People.

Prov. 25. 2.The Honour of Kings is to ſearch out a matter.

1 Theſ. 5. 41, 42.Prove all things, hold faſt that which is good, abſtain from all appearance of evill.