Examination of Common Prayer, Section 4 · Part 16

Examination of Common Prayer · Section 4 · Part 16

p. 49Orationes dicendae cum Sacerdos induitur Sacerdotalibus paramentis.

CVmlavat 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 collis; 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.

The **P. 12, 13, 30, 32, 38, 39.…oman Pontifical, in the Title De Clerico faciendo, prescribes, that when any Clerk or Clergy-man is to be made, quilibet or dinandorum habere debet suum Superpelltccum super brachium sinistrum, & candelam in ma… 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 Bishop fitting with his Miter, and taking in his hand the Surplisse, saith unto them all. Induat novum homincm, qui secundum Deum creatus est, injustitia & sanctitate varitatis, & mox imponit illud (Superpelliceum) cuilibet repetendo. Induat te, &c. immittens usque ad scapulas, & immediate trahens, si unum tantum sit Superpelliceum, sicque facit usque ad ultimum, qui co totaliter induit…r. After which, in the Title, De Minoribus Ordinibus, follows this Rubrick: Orainandi tm…es ad quatuor minores Ordines, effe debent Supecpelliteis indutt, cum candela in manu dextra. And in the Rubrick De Consecratione Diaconi & Sac…rd…tis, it writes, Fisigitur amictu, Alba, cingulo, & manip…le parat…, ac stolam in sinistra manu, & candelam in dextra, ac dalmaticam super brachium sinistrum tenentibus, &c. the Archdeacon presencs them to the Bishop to be ordained. Post haec Pontifex …cipiens Stolam, &c. et Dalmaticam, induit ea que mlibet successive usque ad humeros, & 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, & vestimento laetitiae, & Dalmatica justitiae circumdet te semper, in nomine Domini, R. Amen. Their **Ibid. p. 49, 58.Ordination being ended, in loco convenienti facras vestes deponunt. So in the Consecration of a Bishop elect, among other things, Vestments for his Consecration, there are prepared, **Pontificale Romanum, p. …7, to 81.Item Paramènta omnia Pontificalia, coloris tempori & Officio Missae convenientis, videlicet, sandalia, amictus, alba, cingulum, crux pectoralis, stola, tunicella, dalmatica, chir… thecae, 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 Missae 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, ipso Psalmos & orationes consuetas legente. Deinde tunicella, dalmaticà, casula, & manipulo induitur, quibus indutus 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 then a Church. When an Archbishop is consecrated, he hath a Pall put on, and super added 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 nauseate 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**Bothellus Decret. Eccles. Gal. l. 6. Tit. 7. c. 24, 25. p. 1030, 1221. Galo and Simon the Popes Legates in France, Anno Dom. 1215. which among other Decrees reproving 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 Suppliciis (Superpelliceis) vel tunicis lineis, vel capis clausis extra domos suas de caetero non incedant; that from thenceforth 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 Surplisplisses and white Garments as well in their Houses as in the Church; wherfore it addes,**Bochellus Decret. Eccl. Gal. l. 3 Tit. 1. De Eucharistia, cap. 32. 15. 62. Sec c. 43, 44, 45.Titus 1 Nullus permittatur deservire altari nill in Superpellicio vel capa clausa. After which it subjoynes, Sacerdos sive Diaconus corporalia saepe abluat, indutus Superpelliceo, in vase mundo specialiter ad h…c 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 endless, it proceeds further; Irem linteamenta Altaris & induments 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 conserventur; qui… 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. Decr. Eccl. Gal. l. 6. tit. 17. c. 31. p. 1322.Praecipimus sub paena excommunicationis, quod cum Clerici, p. 52seu Capellani in Ecclesiis parochialibus adstant administrantes cum divina celebrantur, honette Superpellici…s sint tnoutt.

TheaaBochellus Decret. Eccles Gal l. 3. Tit 1. c. 5. p. 364.Titus 1 Synodalia Ecclesiae Trecensis in France, An. 1427. thus decree the wearing o… Surplisses by Priests, Attendat etiam Sacerdos vel Clericus ministrans in Missa, ut se habe at honestè, & si fieri potest, capam habeat seu Superpelliceum quo sit iudutus, maxime in solenn…tatibus. 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 Sacer dotalibus, & pannis altaris, si sint sanguine maculati.

bbBochellus Dec…e… Eccles Gal. l. 1. Tit. 6. c. 54. p. 60.Iohn 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 benefici… Curats habentibus aut regentibus, ut dum ipsus pro Missa, Vesperis, aut aliis Officiis Divinis in eorum Ecclesiis Celebrandis aut dicendis interesse contigerit, sint decenter et honeste Superliciis indut…, et sine ipsis ad Divina Officia publice accedere non pra sumant.

ccBoehellus Decret. Eccles Gal. l. 3. T…t 1. c. 78. p. 371. c. 114. p. 318.Synodus Senonensis in France, An. 1524. enjoynes the Priest to wear a Surplisse when he carries the Sacrament to sick persons. Quotiens contigerit Sacerdotem deserre sanctam Eucharistiam ad infirmos, habeat Sacerdos Superitceum et Stolam, & incedat tàm eundo quàm redeundo usque ad Ecclesiam in habitu deccnti, faciatque ante se deferri lumen, & campanulam pulsantem praeire.

ddIbid c 79. p. 3…1. c. 91. p. 3…4.Synodus Carnotensis in France, An. 1526. ordained the like in these words, Ordinamus, quod ubi ad instrmos deserendum erit corpus Christi, Sacerdos delaturus primum lavet manus, deinde induat Superliceum, et stolam superponat, incedensque cum honestate, reverentia & honore, orationes & preces ad Deum fundat, faciat lumen ante se deferritàm eundo …uàm redeundo, & campanulam pulsari.

p. 53The Synod of Paris, Anno 1557. decreed Surplisses to be worn at Mattins, Masses, publick Prayers, Litanies, Consessions, and at Celebration of the Eucharist, Marriage, and extreme Vaction.eeBochellus l. 6. Tit. 17. de …stibus & Dornatu Cleri…o…n, c. 20. p. 10…0. Parochi cor…m Vicarii & caeteri Sacerdotes, in divinis absequiis Missarum Matutinarum & Vesper arum, in supplicationi…us pu…licis, Litaniis & consessionibus Suppliciis utantur, in …ucharistiae verò, Matrimonii, & Extremi Vnctionis administratione, stolam addant Suppellic…is. After thisffBochellus 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 vero absque oa etiam in Diaecesanis locis, vicis aut pagis prodeant, nist cum cos pedibus iter facientes viae difficultas & longitudo aliter cogit, Superpelliciis, cum Ecclesiae ususid postulat, omnes utantur, quae non lacera sint, non sordida, et quae ctiam manicas habeant. Superpell…cea autem illa quae manicis carent, & quae non Superpelliceorum sed Mantil…um nomine potius digna sunt, omnino prohibemus. Canonici verò Cashedralium & Collegiatarum, quo tempore Cappa induuntur, ii …ocheto induantur sub Cappa Clerici autem cum Superpellice…s fuerint induti, nullo modo in manibus flores, nec aliud quod statui suo & Ecclesia non conveniant, habeant; non vagentur per Ecclesiam, nec deambulent, nec circumcursitent, sed graves semper sint in incessu & statu. Singuli autem praeterea praesertim qui in aliquo minorum saltem ordinum sunt, proprium Superpelliceum habeant, quo etiam in Ecclesia, cut ascriptt sunt et alibi, cum ipsi suis fungi muneribus contigerit, uti possint. Si quis personatus, vestes Clericales aut monachles, vel ad eorum formam induerit, & is qui cas assumpserit, & is qui accomodarit, graves, poenas subeant. Qui verò Clericus, cuiusuis etiam gradus ordinis, dignitatis in aliquo de praemissis non obtemperaverit, is praeter poenas jam inflictas, aut salutari poenitentia, aut pecunia, a…t suspensione ab ordinum munere, et p. 54beneficiorum administratione, aut ipsis etiam beneficiis, aut carcere, aut exilio, aut pluribus simul ex iis paenis, aut gravioribus pro modo culpae, Episcopi arbitratu mul…tetur. Qui iterum in eadem re pec…dverit, duplicata paena pro ratione criminis, ab eodem pleetetur.

This Synod likewise decreed, that the Parish Priest who is to carry the Eucharist to sick Persons, do wear a Surpliss, and proceed in this manner, **Bochellus, 1. 3. Tu. 1. c. 79. p. 373.Vbi manus laverit, tum Superpelliceo, Stola, pluvialt ubi potest indutus, ad altare genibus flexis oret. Sacerdotes veròcaeteri Clericive qui comitantur Suptrpellieieum adhtbeant. Si Canonicorum capitulum sit, cappam vel almutiam, aliudve indumentum, ut illis in …boro 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, hymnos & Psalmos paenitentiales, aliosve intina animae pietate, simul cum Parocho, sed alternatim pronunciant, atque alii etiam religiosiorent. It likewise addes, **Bochell. Decr. Eccl. Gal. l. 1. Tit 7. De celetratione Missae, c. 5. p. 60.In celebratione Missae Sacerdos ne se conferat 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 onelyonly enjoyn their use without any penalties Ecclesiastical or Civil expressed in them, to be inflicted on Non-Conformists 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 Al…uinus, Tutor to Charles the Great, An. 800. De Divinis Officiis, c. 98, 39. writing p. 55of the several Vestments wherewith Priests were clad in the Old Testament, observes,aaOpera Lutitiae, 1617. col. 1085, &c. Habent etiam nunc Ministri Ecclesiae Christi superhumerale quod amictum vocamu…, quando ad altare ministrant; quod fit ex lino puriss…mo. 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 et purum esse debet ab omni sorde peccatorum. Posteà sequitur Poderis, quae vulgo Alba dicitur; significat autem perseverantiam in bona actione. After which he mentions the Stola, Dalmatica, Casula, used by Priests; and pallum Archiepiscoporum, to distinguish the Archbishop from his Suffragans, subjoyning, Stephanus natione Romanus ex Patre Lobio (ut legitur in gestis Pontificalibus) constituit Sacerdotibus Levitis que Uestes sacras in us… 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. wherebbHist. 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 Superpellicco, et desuper cappa Chorali pellibus variis furrata, et mitra; et praecedentibus Archiepiscopis Cantuariensi et Eboracensi eum cum precessione solemni, …um cruce et caeriis accensis et cum Letaria. The second day the Council being begun, missi sunt exparte 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 Regiam 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 Spelman. & Gul. Somneri Glossa…i…um Tit. Capa, Cappa. Simeon Dunelmensis Hisi. Col. 61. Canonical Caps, or Coules and Surplisses, as well as the Popes Legate himself. About the year 1290. Iohn 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 Monks,**Chronica W. Thorne. Cal. 2120. Onera reparationis et refectionis Concelli praedictae Foclesiae de Preston intus et exterius, necnon et inventionis librorum, Uestimentorum Superpelliceorum, et ornamentorum dictae Ecclesiae, quae per Ecclesiarum Rectores inveniri et reparari debent aut solent, subeant. Which intimates that Priests and Vicars did then use to wear, and find their own Surplisses, and by the same Archbishops Provincial Constitutions, who decreed,‖‖Provincialis Gulielmi Lindwode 1 …n De Eucharistia fol. …80. Dignissimus ut Sacramentum Eucharistiae circumferatur cum debita reverentia ad Egrotos, Sacerdoti saltem induto Super…elliceo gerente orarium cum lumine praevio in lucerna, cum campana, ut populus ad reverentiam 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 S…crament. This is the 1. Constitution in our Church I have yet observed, prescribing Priests to wear Surplisses when they delivered the Eucharist, or carried it to sick persons, on which Lindwode hath this Glosse, Et sic tolerare potest licet Minister Sacerdotis non sit indutus Superpelliceo, licet honestus sit quod ipsius Minister Superpelliceo induatur considerata qualitate Beneficii et facultatibus ejusdem. Which intimates that Parish Clerks should wear Surplisses as well as Priests.

Robert Winchelsie, his next successor in the See of Canterbury,**Provincialis Gul. Lindwode l. 3. De Ecclesiis edificandis, f. 182. Ioannis de Aton Constitutiones Provinciales, f. 146. b. as Lindwode, or Simon Is…p, as Iohn 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 et cum Capa de Choro, tria Superpellicea, unum Kochetum: p. 57On which Lindwode hath this Glosse, Tria Super…epllicea ad usum scilicet trium Ministrorum Ecclesiae, vizt. Sacerdotis, Diaconi & sub-diaconi. Rochetum, quod differt à Superselliceo, 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 bra…hia impediantur. His next Successor Walter Raynods, decreed, **Provincialis Gul. … ynchrode…l 1. De Officio Archi-dia…on…. fol. 38.That Arch-dea… …ons 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 assitens, it idem in Missae tempore ministrans: vel potest intelligi de Sacerdote 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: …it tamen de eo mentio 1. de Eccles. edif. c. ut Parochiani, et potest significari per tunicam Lineam qua induebantur filii Aaron, in veteri lege, de qua legatur, Exod. 28. ac finem, sed estimo quod propriè Suppellicium est indumentum de pellibus confectum, 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 Mass, & 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. … 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. Ed. the 6. p. 58and his Parliaments, by certain steps and degrees in the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. years of his Reign, not without some oppositition, 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, injoyned to be publickly read by the Statute of 2, & 3 E. 6. c. 1. not only all**See Dr. Corn. Burges his reasons shewing the necessity of Reformation p. 33, 34. Bowings 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 Massbooks, Breviaries, Pontificals were abolished and left out of the Rubricks, as superstitious, useless, offensive; but likewise the wearing of Palls, Planets, Chimeres, Lawn Sleeves, Sandals, 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 account, being all appurtenances to the Masse, Masse-Priests, and only prescribed by Popes and Popish Missals, Pontificals, Canons, Decretals. But the King and Commons not holding it necessary or convenient to reform all things at first, but by degrees;**Fox Acts and Monuments, vol. 3 p. 146, … 47, Dr. Heylins History of the Reformation of the Church of England, p. 90, 30 98. Mr. Iohn 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 Surpliss in the Quire there at any time; and in a Letter p. 59to a private Friend, Iuly 1. 1650. (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 kinde 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. And Iohn Alasco, Tyms, Mr. Iohn Rogers, Mr. Iohn 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, **Excogitavit haec avaritia quae fe Hyp…creseos fuco ad hunc modum vinditat. Nobis Christus unice spectandus est. Quicquid aliter geritur atque ipse gessit. flagitium est De luxu mundi Ecclesiastici justus liber extruandus est siquis digne velit confutare. Zumgliu, De Ca…ne Missae Epicherisis operum, pars s. 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, and**See Dr. Corn. Burgess his reasons shewing the necessity of Reformation, … c. p. 33, 34. the use of the Rochet, Surpliss, Caps and Vestments prescribed by the Book of 2, & 3 E. 6. quite laid aside, the reason whereof are expressed in the Preface to that Book, why some Ceremonies were continued, and others laid aside, and in the Articles of Religion set forth by Edward 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 p. 60our most zealous Protestant Bishops and Ministers, in the fi…st 7. years of Q. Elizabeths reign; you may read at leasure inppSee p. 115, to 122. 132, 133, 134, 139, 140, 158, 259, 164, to 269, 174, 175, 176. Dr. Heylins late partial History of the Reformation of the Church of England, & of Q…. 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, Beza, with other chief Protestant Divines of reformed Churches abroad, worthy the Ferula. These controversies about Church vestments &c. continued all her Reign, growing every year higher & 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 proet contra concerning them; as the Books of Mr. Cartwright, Mr. Vd…ll, Penry, Martin Mar-Prelate, Altare Damascenum; A Brief Discourse against the outward apparel, and ministring Garments of the Popish Church, printed 1578. A Discourse, whether it be a mortal Sin to transgress 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, Archbithop Whitegift; his Answer to the Admonition to the Parliament; and Defence of his Answer against the Reply of T. C. 1574. in Folio. Dr. Iohn Bridges his Defence of the Government now established in the Church of England, 1584. Mr. Richard 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 p. 61K. Iames his Reign; who to silence or allay them, appointed a special**S…c 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 desires 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 Raggc 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 Schollars in the Universities; (for which there was no former binding Law nor Canon) by these ensuing Constitutions.

Canon 16, and 17. In the whole Divine Service, and Administration of the Holy Communion, in all Colleges and Halls in both Vniversities, 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 Fellows of Colleges and Halls, and all the Schollars and Students in either of the Universities, shall in their Churches and Chapels, upon all Sundayes, Holy-dayes, and their Ev…s 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 p. 62times by the Dean, and at sometimes by a Canon or Prebendary, the principal Minister using a decent Cope, and being assisted 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 Deans, 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 publ…ke Prayers, or ministring the Sacrament, or other Rites of the Church shall wear a decent and comely Surplisse with Slèeves, to be prouided at the charge of the parish. And if any question arise touching the matter, decency or comlinesse thereof, the same shall be decided by the discretion of the Ordinary. Furthermore, such Ministers who are Graduates shall wear upon their Surplesses at such time, such Hoods as by the Orders of the Vniversities 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 Apparrel.

The true, ancient 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 worthinesse of their Ministry, did think it …it by a prescript form of decent and comely Apparell, to have them known to the people, and thereby to receive the honour and estimation due to the speical Messengers and Ministers of Almighty God. We therefore following their grave judgement, and the ancient Custom of the Church of England, and hoping that in time new…anglenesse of Apparel in some factious persons will dye of it self, doe constitute and appoint, That the p. 63Archbishop 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, Bachelers in Divinity, Masters of Arts, and Bachelers 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 Vniversities, 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 doe further in like manner ordain, That all the said Ecclesiastical persons above mentioned, shall usually wear in their journeyes Cloaks with sleeves, commonly called Priests Cloaks without Gards, Welts, long Buttons, or cuts. And no Ecclesiastical person shall wear any Coif, or wrought Nightcap, but only plain Night-caps of black silke, 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 decencie, gravitie and order, as is before specified. In private houses, and in their studies, the said persons Ecclesiastical may use any comely and Scholar-like Apparel. Provided, that it be not cut or pinckt, and that in publike 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 Gownes,) may go in short gowns of the fashion aforesaid.

Those who will take the pains to compare these Canons of our Protestant Bishops and Clergie with the Canons and Constitutions of our Popish Archbishops forecited, or Iohn Peckhams and Iohn Stratfords Constitutions, **See Joannis Langecrusius, de vita & honestate Ecclesiasticorum l. 2. c. 2, 3, 4.De habitu & honestate Clericorum, recorded by Iohn Aton, and William Lyndwode; the premised Popish French Synods, Canons, and sundrie 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 p. 64verbatim 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 time of Divine Service and Sacraments.

These Constitutions and Canon… (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 the 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 pietie, worth, merit, thrust into their places, & the Ministrie, 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 Tho Whetinhall of the Abuses now in the Church of Christ 1606. See a most indifferent Conferrence between the Prelates and late silenced Ministers 1606. The Lincolnshire Ministers Apology, Dr. Burgesse his Necessity of Reformation, and hundreds m…re. 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 Iames 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 dispens…ing with these unnecessary Formalities, might easily have prevented, and their rigorous re-inforcing of, or over-eager contending for them, p. 65against 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 generall 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, & putting on of these Pontifical & Sacerdotal Vestments in 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 illeterate Novices.

The 1. Texts produced for the institution, use of these Priests Garments under the Gospel, Argum 1.are Exod. 28. 2, to 43. c. 29. 5, to 30 c. 31. 10. c. 35. 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. Neh. 7. 70, 72. F…zra 2. 69. Ezech. 42. 14. c. 44. 17, 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, Bonnets 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 p. 66even to their thighes, and to put them upon Aaron and his Sons when they come into the Tabernacle 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 sprinkle the blood and the anoynting oy! (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 Bezaliel, by Gods prescription, were put upon Aaron and his Sons, who were consecrated by Moses, together with their holy Garments, wherein they & the succeeding High-Priests, and Iewish 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 Alcuinus de Divinis Officiis, c. 38, 39. Honorius Augustodunensis, in his Gemma Animae l. 1, 8… 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, 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 p. 67neither 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 Garment…, Rochets, Surplisses, Hoods, and other such Trinkets are.

3ly. They were all put on Aaron and his Sonnes, 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 only**See Pontificale Romanum, Caeremen…ale Episcoporum. My Vnbisho ping of Timothy and Titus Bishop Halls Divine Right of Episcopacy and Remonstrance. Mr… Sandcrofts Consecration Sermon on Tit 1. 5. newly printed.Titus 1:5 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 less than Sacrilege and Usurpation 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, kinde, form, fashion, from Rochets, Surplisses, Albees, Hoods, Planets, Dalmaticks, Chymeres, Palls, Stoles, Pectoral Crosses, Cassockes, Gownes, Black Silken Girdles, Copes, Miters, square Caps, and other Vestments now used, contended for by Ceremonial Prelates and Clergy-men. Therefore 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 Sacrifices and Services unto God; not when they prayed, preached, instructed the people in their several Cities, Synogogues, p. 68or in their Kings Palla…es, 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 Sacrifices, Priesthood, Altars, Vestments, were all temporary, typical, utterly abolished by the incarnation, passion, sacrifice, res…rrection, ascention of our Lord Iesus Christ, (whom they typified, shadowed,) as inconsistent with, and not fit to be continued under the Gospel; as on the Epistles to the Hebrews, Galatians, Romans, Collossians, Acts 15. and whole New Testament, all Commentators 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, unless we will revive the Aaronical Priesthood, High Priest, Priests, Levites, with their Sacrifices, Altars, Tabernacle, Temple, and all other Levitical Ceremonies, Vestments in specie, and renounce both Christ himself, with his Priesthood, Ministrie, 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 natural generation, can claim no Title by the Law to their Priestly Garments, much less by the Gospel, which thus expresly resolves, 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 Mosco spake nothing concerning Priesthood. An unanswerable Text against all Evangelical Bishops, Ministers, Deacons, claims and pretences (especially being Gentiles, not Iewes by birth, and Christians by regeneration) to Aaronical, p. 69Levitical Priestly Vestments or Ornaments; which Text I desire them all to answer at their leisures.

8ly. If any allege,Objection. they only use these Garments by way of allusion and 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. 1 …, 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 for above 300. years after Christ.**Exod. 28. 42. c. 19. 28. l. cv. 6. 10. c. 16. 4. 23. 32. 1 Sam. Ezech. 44. 17, 19. 2 Chron. 5. 11, 12.Exod 28:42Ezek 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, realest imitation. Out Bishops, (or the Pope, who pretend themselves the High Priests Successors, though they can never prove it) must then wear a Brestplate, ephod, robe, broidered coat, …iter, girdle, of the same materials, form as Aarons were. And our Priests, Deacons, must wear fine linnen Ephods, Breeches, Bonnets, and none but linnen, ‖‖Ezech. 44. 17, 18.Ezek 44:17Ezek 44:18not woolen Garments on them, whiles they minister, nor any thing that may cause sweat. and lay aside all their Surplisses, Hoods, Gowns, Copes, Caps, Cassocks of wool, silk, satin, sarcenet, velvet, which now they use; else they do not imitate, but prevaricate from this president. 4ly. Then none but Bishops, Ministers, Deacons, not 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, page 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 div…rsae & Pontifi…ale 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 are put upon their Backs, without p. 70any solemn Prayers, Holy-water sprinkled, or Crosse… 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 mysticall significations, you may read in Alcuinus De Divinis Officeiis, cap. 38, 39. Honorius Augustodunensis in his Gemma Animae, lib. 1. 2. & Gulielmus Durantus in his Rubrick to 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 Vestments and Ceremonies, grounded upon most strange, absurd, fanatick reasons, allusions, & 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 se…iosity by some who would be reputed the Chief Fathers, and Pillars of the Church.

IN quotidiano usu non est vestibus sacris utendum,Gul. Durantus …. Divino…um, l. 3. ad notandum, quod sicut mutationem habit as secundum literam sacirnus, ita & secundum spiritum agamus. Non ergo cum vestibus communis vitae usu pollutis in sancta sancto…um ingrediamur, sed cum conscientia munda & ve. stibus mundis & sacris sacramenta tract…mus, de Con. di. i. c. i. Unde Stephanus papa de Con di. 1. Vestimenta. Statuit sacris vestibus, non nisi in Ecclesiasticis & Deo dignis officiis uti & Ez… ch. x…iij. Non sanctificabant populum in vestibus sui…. Habet ergo Hiero Religio divina alterum habi…um in ecclesiasticis officiis, …lium in communi usu, ut … p…ulo Christiano exemplum praebeat bonae conversationis: quatenus loti prius sordes novi Chri…to fianc p. 71homines. Exuit enim tunc sacerdos Veterem hominem cum actibus suis, & induit novum qui secundum Deum creatus est. Per vestes quoque quibus in sacris utimur tantū; non omnia sacramenta sore populo relevanda, intelligimus, xlij. dist. in mandatis. §. si q.iij. nolite. Et nota, quod tempore Ludovici Imperatoris filii Caroli magni, Episcopi & Clerici cingula auro texta, exquisitas vestes & alia secularia ornament… deposuerint.

Sacrae autem vestes à veteri lege videntur assumptae, praecepit enim Dominus Moysi, ut faceret Aaron Sacerdot… & filiis cjus vestes sanctas, in gloriam & decorem, ut loti, & sacris vestibus induti fungerentur officio in sacris. Exo. 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 temen ab Apostolis sumuntur, sed tam illae quam i…ae virtutes designant, vel mysterium incarnationis. San… 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 siat cor mundum spiritum rectum percipiens in visceribus innovatum. T…r…io, alb…m talarem, ut habeat mundiciam caruis perseverantem. Quarto, singulum, ut impetus luxuriae refrenet. Quinto, stol…m in signum obedientiae. Sexto, tunicam jacentinam. i coel…stem conversationem. Sept…mo, superindu… Dalmaticam, id est sanctam religionem, & carnis mortificationem. Octavo, Cirothecas, ut declinat van…m gloriam. Nono, annulum ut diligar sponsam, i. Ecclesiam sicut se, Decimo, Casulam, i. charitatem. Undecimo, sudarium, ut quicquid fragilitate vel ignorantia peccat poenitentia tergat. Duodecimo, pallium supponit, ut ostendat se imitatorem Christi qui langores nostros tulit. Decimotertio, mitram, ut sic agat quod coronam mereatur perciper…. p. 72aeternam. Decimoquarto, baculum, i. auctoritatem potestatis & doctrinae. Et postea tabeta calcat, ut terram despicere & amare caelestia discat. Omnibus autem praemissis vestibus induitur à ministris, quia ei ut vestes induat spirituales angeli suffragantur, vel quod vicarius est Christi, cui angeli ministrant & omnia serviant. Rursu…, pontifex versus aquilonem aspiciens, quamvis versus otientem seu versus altare si sit magis accommodum re…picere possit, tanquam advocatus & pugil cum hoste pugnaturus antiquo, vestibus sacris, quasi armis induitur, juxta Apostolum ut jam dicetur. Primo, sandalia pro ocreis, habet, ne quid maculae vel pulveris affectionum in…iereat. Secundo, amitus pro galea caput contegit. Tertio, alba pro lorica totum corpus cooperuit. Quarto, cingulum pro arcu, sub-cingulum pro pharetra assumit, & est subcingulum illud quod dependet a cingulo quo stola pontificis cum ipso cingulo colligatur. Quinto, stola collum circumdat quasi hastam contra hostem vibrans. Sexto, manipulo pro clava utitur. Septimo, casula quasi clipeo tegitur, manus libro pro gladio armatur. De singulis etiam**Where he gives other mystical reasons for them. aliter dicetur infra. Haec itaque sunt arma quibus Pontif…x vel Sacerdos armari debet contra spirituales ne quiciat pugnaturus. Nam ut inquit Apostolus: Arma miliciae nostrae non sunt carnalia: sed ad destructionem muniminum potentia, Et in alia Epistola ad Ephes .vi.c. Induite vos, inquit, armatura Dei, u… possitis stare adversus insidias diaboli. State ergo succincti lumbos vestros, in veritate, & induti lorica justitiae, & calciati pedes in praeparatione 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 suit ipse passionis, prout infra dicetur. Provideat ergo diligenter Episcopus & attendat studiose Sacerdo…, ut signum sine significato non ferat, i. ut vestem fine virtute non po…: p. 73ne forte similis sit Sepulchro à foris dealbato, intus vero omni spurcicia pleno. Quisquis, n. sacris indumentis ornatur & honestis moribus non induitur quanto ven… rabilior apparet hominibus, tanto redditur indignior apud Deum: Pontificalem it aque 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 varietate signabant, hoc jam in moribus actibusque, clarescat: cum & apud veteres reverentiam ipsa significationum species obtineret, & apud nos certiora sint experimenta rerum quam enigmata figurarum, prout haec & alia in Pontificali, ubi agitur de Episcopi consecratione, Ieguntur. Sic itaque munitus ad certamen cum spirituali nequiciae in caelestibus, & pro fedanda in subditos judicis ira ad altare procedit: & per confessionē diaboli renunciat Dominio, & seipsū ac…usat; 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 praecentores, chorum regentes sunt duces exercitum ad pugnam instruentes, quibus lascentibus alii subveniunt. Gantus autem sequentiae est plausus seu laus victoriae. Dum Evangelium legitur hostis quasi gladio vulneratur: aut exercitus post victoriam dispersus adunatur. Episcopus praedicans est imp… rator victores laudans, oblationes sunt spolia quae victoribus dividuntur. Cantus offertorii, est triumphus quī 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 obtenta ad propria redit: Celebraturus itaque Missam Episcopus aut Presbyter, indumentis suo ordini congrueruen…ibus p. 74se exornat & v…stium cultui actionis quoque conveniant ornamenta, c. di-rationis. Circa quod notandum est quod fex sunt indumenta Sacerdotibus & Episcopis communia, quia & sex sunt in quibus communis Presbyterorum & Episcoporum potestas consistit. Novem vero sunt or…amenta pontifi ibus specialia, quia & novem 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, us Pontifices praeter communes vestes habeant speciales, sed ibi quatuor erant communes, & quatuor speciales prout dicetur sub ti, de legalibus indumentis, quod siquidem ratio mis…ica postulabat: nam illae da…ae 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 aggregati… perfectis convenit. Unde & sexto die perficit Deus caelum & terram, & omnem ornatum eorum; sed & cum in plenitudine temporis 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 veltribus. Novenarius etiam spiritualibus convenit, quia novem sunt ordines angelorum qui secundum prophetam per novem gemmarum species designantur. Quindecim ergo sunt ornamenta Pon…ificis, quindecim virtutum gradus ipso numero designantia, quo… per quindecim cantica graduum Psalmista distinxit. Vestes enim Sacerdotales virtutes significant, quibus debent Sacerdotes ornarl, secundum illud propheticum: Sacerdo…es tui induantur justitia & sancti tui exultent. Quae p. 75talares dicuntur, quia talus finis est corporis, per quod ostenditur quod non sufficit opus bonum inchoare nisi studeatur perseveranti fine compleri, prou… 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 et 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 nostris dictum est, euntes in omnes gentes, &c.

Denique praeter praemissas vestes sacris ordinibus & ministris deputatas, est & alia quaedam vestis linea quod superplicium dicitur, quo quibuslibet serviciis altaris & sacrorum vacantes super ve…es 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. Dict…m est enim Superpellicium, eo quo antiquitus super tunicas pellicīas de pellibus mortuorum animalium factas induebatur, quod adhuc in quibusdam Ecclesiis observatur, representantes, qdAdam post poccatum talibus vestitutus est pelliciis. Tertio, denotat innocentiam, & ideo ante omnes alias veste… sacras saepe induitur, quod divino cultui deputari in …ocentiam vitae cunctis virtutum actibus superponere d…b nt… Juxta illu… Psal. Innocentes & recti adheseru…t mihi. Quarto, propter sui latitudinem cong…ue charita… m designat. Unde super prophanas & commune… vestes induitur ad notandum quod chari…as operit multitu…inem peccatorum. Quinto, propter sui formam quod in modum crucis formatur, passionem Domini figurat, qu…dque illud gerentes crucifigi debent cum viciis, & concupiscentiis: p. 76Flunt autem Superpellicia in quibusdam locis de crismatibus lineis, quae ponuntur super infantulo… baptizatos, exemplo Moysi, qui de purpura & bisso, & aliis à populo in tabernaculo oblatis, secit vestes quibus A…ron & 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 infigitur, qui sunt labores & hujus mundi solicitudines. Habet etiam caputium, quod est supernum gaudium, prolixa est usque…ad p… des, per quod perseverantia usque in sinem significatur. In anteriori parte aperta est, ad d…notandu, quod sanctae conversantibus vita patet aeterna seu quod …orum vita patere debet aliis in exemplum, xi.q.iij. non sunt in fine. Rursus per cappam gloriosa corporum immortalitas intelligitur, unde illam non nisi in majoribus festivitatibus induimus, aspicientes in suturam resurrectionem, quando electi deposita carne binas stoas accipiente.i.e. requiem animarum & gloriam corporum. Quae capparecte interius patula est, & nisi sola necessaria sibula insuta, quia corpora spiritualia facta nullis animam obturabunt angustiis: fimbriis etiam subornatur, quia tunc nostrae nihil decrit imperfectioni, sed quod nunc ex parte cognoscimus tunc cognofcemus sicut & cogniti sumus. Quidam autem haeretic… garriunt, nusquam reperiri in novo testamento, quod Christus vel Discipuli ejus praemissis vestibus induerentur, repre…endentes nos temere, quia talibus utimur ornamentis, quoniam sicut Jo, ait. Dom. surgens de caena posuit vestimenta sua & postea alia nunquam accepi… 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 p. 77apud Deum. Error autem iste ex praemissis apertissime consutatur. 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 extersus ad populum, exuent se vestimentis suis in quibus ministra verant, & non sactificabant 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 in albis vestibus socientur. Inde est quod potius lineis vestibus utuntur, quia ficut linum multo labore ad eandorem perducitur, sic necesse est per multas tribulationes ad Regni gloriam pervenire. In concilio Magon. xi.q.i. 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 figur…t in membris, quamquam & caput & membra Sacerdotis 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 Eccles…ae vel altaris, in prima parte dictum est, ubi agitur de picturis. Porro sex indumenta Sacerdotibus & Episcopis communia sunt haec; amictus, alba, zona, seu cingulum, p. 78stola, manipulus, planeta. Novem vero pontificibus specialia sunt haec, caligae, sandalia, succinctorium, tunica, Dalmatica, Cirothecae, mitra, annulus, baculus pastoralis. De quibus ominibus 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 tropological significations, with such frantick, ridiculous conceits, and impious pervertings, wrestings of sacred Scriptures, as would affect all conscientious sober Christians with grief and indignation, and others with more laughter than any Enterlude or Puppet-play. I shall only transcribe his Chapter De Alba, or the white Surplisse, the Vestment now most in question.

POst amictum, camisiam sive albam sacerdos indui…; quae membris corporis convenienter aptata, nihil superfluum aut dissolutum in vita Saece…dotis aut in eis membris esse debere d… monstrat. Haec ob speciem candoris mundiciam demonstrat; secundum quod legitur; Omni tempore vestimenta tua sint candide. Fit autem de bisso, vel lino, propter quod scrip…um est, bissum sunt sanctificationes sanctorum. Est autem bissus linum egyptiacum. Sicut enim linum vel bissus condorem quem ex natura non habet …ultis tensionib…s attritum acquirit per artem sic & hominis caro mundiciā quem non obtinet per naturā, per exercitia bonorum operum multis cogitationibus macerata, sortitur per gratiam. Sacerdos ergo secundum Apostolum, c… stiget corpus suum & in servitutem redigat, ne forte cum altis praedicaverit, ipse reprobus fiat. Habet autem alba capucium, quod est professio castitatis. Habet etiam lingulam, quae significat linguam sacerdotalem quae ligat contumaces & absolvit penitentes. Ru…sus haec vestis quae in veteri sacerdotio lin…a, vel pedis grece, seu … talaris dicebatur, stricta fu…sse describitur propter spiritum p. 79servitutis Iudaeorum 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 p…ophe…a dicit in Psalmis. Asti…t regina à dextris tuis in veste …eaurata circa, varie. Rursus alba cingula stringitur, ut omnis voluptas carnalis astricta intelligatur, diccente Domino: Sint lumbi vestri praecincti. Manicae quoque tam albae quam etiam tunicallae convenienter debent esse strictae, non minus laxae, ut labantur & brachia nudentur, habentes in summitatibus aurifrisia, ad designandunm aureos torques, quia brachia nud… beati Martini missam celebrantis miraculose decenter operuerunt, prout in sexta parte sub ejus festo docetur. Per albam etiam qua corpus à sursum usque ad deorsum tegitur, spes quem ex gratia provenit ecclesi… defursum, & ex meritis ecclesiae deorsum figuratur. De hac Apostolus ad Roman. viij. Spe salvi facti sumus. Quia vere usque ad talos d…scendit, perseverantiam designat, prout tactum est prope finem 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 siunt, quibus Adam vestitus est post peccatū, novitatē vitae signisicat 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 alha sicut nix, semper enim vestimenta Christi munda fuerunt & candida, quoniam peccatum non fecit, nec inventus est dolus in oreejus: Haec etiam vestis representat albam vestem in qua Herodes illusit Christo. Luc. xxiij.

In answer to all this Popish chaff I shall only propound the Poets interogation to the Readers of this irrational Rationale, Spectatum admiss… risum teneatis amici?

I now proceed to their second Scripture reason for the use of white Surplisses and Rochets,A…g. …words… which is this, White, and white Garments are a sign or badge of holyness, p. 80innocency, purity, joy, and gladness, 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 Whiteguift, Mr. Hooker, and sundry other Writers argue.

To 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. 3. 8. 44, 45.Lev 13:3Lev 13:8Lev 13:44Lev 13:45 uncleanest of all Diseases) awhite 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 5. 17.Num 12:102 Kgs 5:17Gehazi, 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 Hypocrisy, 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 ddEze…h 27. 18. Rev 1. 14. Isay 1. 18.Rev 1:14Isa 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 122. white Surplisses, Gownes, Cassocks, 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 roomes in Feasts, and the Chief Seats in the Synogogues: 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 in Heaven, and all ye are Brethren. Which Texts our famous ApostleeeWickliss Dial…g…r…m. l 4. c. 16, 17. De Papa c. 12. Iohn Wickliff and others applyed to the Popish Prelates and Clergy, their p. 81Surplisses and Vestments, asffDoctrinalis, Tom. 3. Tit. 4. c. 29, 30. Thomas Waldenesis, 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 full 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 Hypocrisy and Iniquity. Upon which account Paul stilesggActs 23 3.Acts 23:3 Aunanias a whited Wall. 3ly. Popes and Bishops themselves when they degrade any Clergy-man or Bishop for Heresy,hhDegradandus indumentis Sacerd…talibus, si Sacerdos sit, induitui; & sic de reliquis Ordinibus, pontificale Romanu… p. 456, 1… 462. Fox Acts and Monuments, vol 3. p. 998, 999. 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 pennance 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. Therefore 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. Iovinianum. 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, D…acons, who thereby will not only difference themselves from, but advance themselves above Lay Christians;llPontisicale Romanum, p. 13. 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 p. 82the King at the time of his Coronation, when he placeth him in his Throne,aaMy Signal Loyalty and Dev…tion of Gods true Saints &c. to their Soveraigns. Pa…t 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 Authority of Almighty God, and all the Bishops and Servants of God; (clad in their Pontificalibus) & as thou …e…st the Cle…gy 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 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.bbGeuialium Dierum, l 3 c. 7. Alexander ab Alexandro, ccDe Moribus Gen…ium.B…emus andddRomanae quaestiones. others record, that the Grecians, Spartians, Argivi, Syracusians used to put on Albas vestes white Garments, when they mou…ned for their deceased Friends and Kings, in which they followed their Corps to their G…aves, involved usually in white Winding sheets and Cere-cloaths; Plutarch, andeeProblematus, Locus 120. de Vestitu. Areti…s out of him informs us, that the Roman Matrons, mourned in white Garments. InffPurchas Pil…grimage, l. 1. 4. cap. 19. China at this day the Nobles and better sort of Women use to mourn in White array; The better fort ofggSands Europae Speculum, Purchas Pilgrimage, l. 3. c. 12. Turks use to mourn in White; and in Iapan White is a Funeral colour, Black a Feastival; Yea,hhLinsch…t l. 1. c. 22. Purchas Pilgrimage, l 5. c. 15. p. 667. at this Day theiiBenedicti Are…ii. Problemata Locus 120. p. 367 Gul. Stuckius, Antiqu. Conviv. 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 p. 83white Wastcoats, Gloves, Ribonds; Therefore white Garments cannot be of themselves, a badge of joy, chearfullness, triumph, for then white Winding-sheets should be so, wherein we all inter dead Corps.

3ly. 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, for above 350. years af…er Christ used any such Vestments, Surplisses, Rochets in divine Administrations, 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, Pemponius Mela, Alexander ab Alexandro Gen. Dierum l. 5. c. 18. f 291. & Bo…us De Moribu… Gentium.Tapyrae, Bactriani, Iberi, and other barbarous Nations about Hyrcania, bbAlexander ab Alexandro Gen. Dierum, l. 5. c. 8. f. 263 lib. 6. c. 19. f. 664.compell their Women to wear and walk ab…oad Albis Lunicis 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, (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: and in White Garments, dedicated to Autumn, when men (as well as fruits and leave…) usually drop into their Graves. And that theccAntiqu. Lect. l. 14. c. 16. Romans used to resort to, & 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. Naturaelis, l 8.Pliny, ggDigestorum, l. r. De Officio Quaestoris.Vlpian, Iuvenal and others; which Candidates hhAlexander ab Alexandro Gen. Dierum, l. 3. c. 17. f. 153. Pa…lus Aemilius Consul legem tulit ad populum, qua nè cui suffragii causa munus dare liceret mul…ipli…i poen… interdixit Postea lege Calphurnia his qui mercede corrupti aut inunere deliniti Candidatis obviam issent, quiqise precio illos sectarentur; aut SI PRANDIUM AD CAPTANDOS ANIMOS, AVT SI QVID MVNERIS EXHIBITVM FORET, praeter poenas legib… constitutas, etiam PECVNIARIA MVLCTA FVIT. Id qu…d Fabia lege cautum, &c.usually bribed the people to gain their Voyces p. 84with mony, meat, drink, feasts, (notwithstanding many successive severe Lawes made against it) as too many Knights, Citizens, 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; where as some now spend one, two, or three thousand pounds apiece in Counties 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 approching Parliament, in Bribes,eeAlexander ab Alexandro, Gen. Dierum, l. 3. c. 17. Quoties contra ambitum illorum qui appetunt Majestratus, pluribus legibus à Romanis obvium item fit. Wine, Ale, Bear, 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 uponus) for which bribery they well deserve to be cast out of the Parliament-house, and fined treble the value of their Bribes and expences, to his Majesty; …ince 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 petebai, dono dederat. And if his giving but a Quare 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, Bear 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, Vt in petendis honoribus, candidati sine toga ad Comitia descenderent, ne pecuniis in sinu reconditis tribuum suffragia merearentur. 4ly. That the idolatrous ffHietom. comment. in Ezech. c. 44. Alexander ab Alexandro, Gen. Dierum, l. 6. c. 12. f. 349. conference at Hampton Court, p. 76.Ezek 44Priests of Isis among the Aegyptians,Gul. Stuckius Antiqu. Conviv. l. …. c. 26. when they sacrificed to this Idoll, did p. 85shave their Crownes, and wear white Surplisses, Garments, (just as the Popish Priests do now) above a 1000. years before Christians took up this fashion; and theggAlexander ab Alex. Gen. Dierum, l. …. 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 sunere pollutis celebraretur. 5ly. That thehhBochellus Decret. Eccles Gal. l. 5. Tit. 2. c 3 p. 702, 906 Seldens Titles of Honour, part 1. c. 8. p. 222.Titus 2 four Monks of Saint 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 arayed 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 whole 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, Priests and Clergy-men.

4ly. Admit white Garments, Rochets, Surplisses a Badge of Innocency, Purity, Holynesse, as is pretended, and therfore fit to be worn in time of Divine service and Sacraments by Bishops, Priests, 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 sinnes externally by Baptisme, and internally by the blood of Iesus 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 p. 86they are all commanded to be pure, holy, blamelesse, undefiled in all manner of conversati…, and godlynesse, even as God is holy, as well as Clergy-men. Upon which account they are usually stiled Saints, holy men, holy brethren; and redeemed by Christ for this very end, that they should walk before and serve him in holynesse 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. Ps. 34. 1. Ps. 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 Iesus 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 aocepted 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, or 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, p. 87innocent, undefiled, white, pure in all their actions, conversations, shining as lights of the world in the midst of a polluted and perverse generation, as 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 fore-cited Texts resolve.

3ly. It was an **Cent. Magd. 4 c. 6. Col. 419, 420. Cent. 5, Col. 658. Cent. 6. Col 334 Cent. 7. Col. 147 Cent. 8. Col. 189. Cent. 9. Col 324. Cent. 10. Col. 293. Cent. 11. Col. 262. Cent. 121 Col. 875. Cent. 13. Col. 596. To… Waldensis D…ctrinalis Tou. 3 Tit. 5. c. 52. Gul. Stuckils Antiqu. Convi… 1. 2. c. 16.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 baptism, in testimony of their purification and washing from their sinnes in their baptism, by the blood of Iesus Christ. Hence Lactantius flourishing about 300. years after Christ, in his Book De Resurrectione Christi, hath this elegant expression,

Rex sacer, ecce tuiradiat pars magna Trophaei

Cum puras animas sacra lavacra beant.

Candidus egreditur nitidis exercitus undis

Atque vetus vitium purgat in amne novo,

Fulgentes animas vestis quoque candida signat.

Et grege de niveo 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 Olympiodorus 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 conversion to the Christian Faith, and baptizing by Paulinus, Anno Christi 627. and of his Sons soon after, adds quorum primi Albati adhuc (that is, whiles cla… in white Garments after their Baptism) erepti sunt de hac vitae. Abbot Alchuvinus Scholar to Beda, and Tutor p. 88to Charles the Great, describing the forms and Ceremonies of Baptism about the year of Christ 800.**De Divinis Officiis c. 19. De Sabbato sancto Virgil. Paschae Operum Col. 1062. records, that the person baptized, after his baptism, elevatur de fonte, ut per Gratiam surgat ad vitam. Deinde Albis induiiur Uestimentis propter Gratiam regenerationis, et castitatem vitae, et Angelici splendaris decorem. Tunc sacro chrismate caput perungitur & mystico tegitur velamine, ut intelligat se Diadema Regni & Sacerdotis dignittem portare, juxtà Apostolum, vos estis genus electum, Regale, Sacerdotale, …fferentes vosmet ipsos Deo vivo hostiam sanctam & Deo placentem. Therefore they are intituled 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. …. c. 29.Rabanus Maurus, flourishing about 840. years after Christ, writing of the Forms 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 Christianam, quant post ablutas veteres maculas statio sanctae conversationis immaculatam servare debet ad praesentandam ante tribunal Christi. Cujus verò renati Albis induuntur vestibus, ad mysterium resurgentis Ecclesiae futurum. Vtuntur vestibus albis, ut quorum primae Nativitatis insantiam 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. Erfordiensis, c. 66. Aponius, l. 6. in Cantica Cant. 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 baptizalus, which he largely descants upon as a badge of their purification, innocency, washing away their sins, and making them as white as Snow, and puting on the Lord Jesus Christ, citing Rom. 12. Ezech. 16. Psal. 50. p. 89Exod. 24. Heb. 3. Mat. 17. Isai. 1. Cant. 1. (all produced by him and other Papist… for Bishops and Priests white Rochets, 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, **Gul. Stuckius Antiqu Convivialium l. 2. c. 26. Surius Co…rcil. Tom. 1. p. 8…, 788, 493 Tom. 3 p. 177. 683. 716. Tom. 3. p. 286, 365. Georgius Cassander. De Baptismo Infantum. and sundry others, Cent. Magd. 4, 5, 6, 7. cap. 6.were stiled Dominica et feria in albis, and by our English Calanders, Nation till this day, called White-sunday, and Whitesontide, because all persons baptized on them, and Virgins too, were then usually clad in White Garments. Feria 2. In albis, haec hebdomada (to wit after Easter) in albis vocatur, quod Sabbato sancto baptizati, vestein candidam, quam in baptismo acceperant gestate consueverint, ac in ea induti ac albati, usque ad alterum Sabbatum, quo solenni ritu albas deponebant, writes Learned**Preces Ecclesiasticae, Operum Pa…is…s 1616. p. 348. 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 then Bishops, Priests, or Deacons wearing these Garments, be 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 p. 90these purposes. For 1. every Bishops, Priests, Deacons, and other mans white Skins, (the natural Garment of his Body, which he wears upon him all his life) or his white linnen Shirt, Wastcoat he wears day and night al the w…ek, 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 everynight, the white linnen Napkins, Table-cloaths, Towels, 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, linen Mantles of every Woman, the white sheep, beasts, foul, birds, snow, hail, wool, flax, or radiant light of the Sun, Moon, Stars, & viae lactea in the Heaven…, might abundantly mind every B… Priest, Deacon, (unlesse 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, Lawnsleeves 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 p. 91to satisfie any reasonable mans Judgement or Conscience.

7ly. 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, Dublets, Breeches, Stockings, Shooes, (but only black, red or russet Vestments as sundryppBochellus Decret Eccles. G…l. l 6. c. 17. lohannis de At…n Constit, Provincia…um, 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 Cloathes; or their Surplisses, Rochets, Lawn-sleeves under their other Cloaths, instead of shirts? It was a witty Question aqqMr. Iohn Badgers daughter of the Inner Temple wh… oft related it to me. pratling Girle of seven years old demanded of Doctor Laud when Bishop of London, arrayed in his white Lawn-sleeves and Rochet. Pray Vncle 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 and Rochet alone could be a badg of his universal Innocency, purity, sanctity, when his Gowne and all the rest of his Garments were coalblack? 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, Ordinatious, presentations, inductions, installments to their Bishopricks, & Benefices, perception of their Rents, profits, p. 92tythes, aud their constant preaching, praying, officiating, baptizing, administring the Lords Supper, and diligent exercising of their Ministry in the Church, are sufficient of themselves without any Rochet or Surplisse, to difference them from the people, AsrrMat 7. 16, 17, 20. Luke 6. 43. 1. Tim 4. 12, 14. 2. Tim. 4. 1, 2, 5. 1 Pet, 5. …. Phil. 3. 17, 20.Matt 7:16Matt 7:17Matt 7:20Luke 6:431 Tim 4:121 Tim 4:142 Tim 4:12 Tim 4:22 Tim 4:5Phil 3:17Phil 3:20 good 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 sinsull 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. ThessSpelinanni Concil. p. 293, 294, 259, 246, 264. Council of Calchuth under our King Alfwoold, Anno 787. cap. 3. prescribes this as the principal badge and duty of every Bishop, Priest, Vt diligenti cura ad Gregem sibi commissum praedicet. The Councill of Clovesho, An. 747. and the Excerptions or Cannons of Egbert Archibishop of York, about the year 750. Decree: Vt unusquisque Episcopus & Sacerdos omnilus Festis & diebus Dominicis Evangelium Christi praedicet populo. Vt Episcopi nullatenus secularibus negotiis, plusquam Dei servisiis (quod absit, as most have done) subditi existant, sed maxime curani animarum habeant, ut secundunt Apostolum, populum Dei suis exemplis benè corrigant, & sanae quoque Doctrina Sermonibus instruant; bonis utique moribus, alstinentie virtutibus, justitiae operilus, doctrinae studiis adornati. Yea the ttSu…ims Concil. T…m. 3. p 27 …, 279.2d. Council 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; Vt Episcopi assidui sint in lectione, & scrutentur mysteria verborum Dei, quibus in Ecclesiis Doctrinae sulgore splendeant, & herborum Dei alimentis animas sibi subditas saciare non cessent. Vt ea quae legendo persecut…ntur, opere compleant **Mat 4 17.Matt 4:17juxta illud, caepit Iesus sacere p. 93& docere. Psal. 102. Rom. 2.Ps 102Rom 2Et memoria ferentibus mandactum ejus, ut saciant ea. 1. Cor. 14.1 Cor 14Et quia non auditorees legis sed sactores ejus justificabuntur. Et ut Regnum Dei non est in sermone sed opere, sint subditis n…rma vivendi, ità videlicet, ut & verbis & exemplis populo ad aeternam patriam pergenti ducatum praebeant; Vt vita eorum & doctrina nequaquam discordent, sed quod dicunt, faciant, & quae faciunt docere studeant, et praedicatione assidua plebem admoneant, & salee justitiae à credentium mentibus vitiorum spinas eradicent, & verbi Deisemine agros me ntis eorum ad faecunditatem perducant. Vt humilitatem atque religionem, & in vultu, & in opere, & in habitu, & in sermone demonstrent. Vt juxta Apostoli vocem irreprehensibiles sint & moribus ornati, & nequaquam turpibus luchris deserviant, 2 T…m. 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, An. 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 siue cessatione populo Dei praedicare nec…sse sit, juxta illud **Isay. 58.Isa 58Isaiae. Clama, ne cesses, quasi tuba exalta vocem tuam, & annuncia populo meo scelera eorum, &c. tum maximè) id facere necesse est, quando iram Domini contra populum Dei, meritis exigentius, grassari perspexerint. Iuxta illud quod Dominus per Ezechielem Prophetam loquitur, Ezech. 3. 17 &c. & c. 33. 7, 8, &c Which is seconded by many other**Ba…hell Decr. Eccl. Gal. l. 5. Tit. 18. De Archiepiscopis & Episcop…s & l. 1. Tit. 3. De Praedicatione & expositione verbi Dei.Titus 3 Councils in and after that age. Hence‖‖Spelmanni Council. p. 416. Odo Archibishop 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 vigilantia praedicando verbum Dei circumeant: Absque ullo timore vel adulatione cum omni fiducia verbum Dei praedi…are, Regi, Principibus populisui, omnibus dignitatibus, & nunquam veritatem subter sugere. p. 94Upon which considerations our famous Martyr **Henry de Knighton, de Eventibus Angliae l. 5. Col. 2658, 2668, 2661.Iohn Purny preached at Bristow An. 1392. Quod quilibet Sacerdos magis debet demittere Matutinas, Missam & Vesperas, & caeteras horas Canonicas quam praedicationem verb… Dei, eo quod solum traditione humana ordinantur; and Nicholaus de Hereford then publickly taught, Nullus est verè Praelatus, nec habilis ad Praelaciam nist 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 Iohn Wicliff, Dialogorum l. 4. c. 17. De avaritia Cleri. f. 128. Sic intelligunt aliqui dictum Christi, Mat. 10. Nihil tuleritis in vin, ne peram, &c. Non enim debent viri Apostolici tardari cum aliquo temporali, quod vel eorum …ffectionem, vel occupationem, quo ad suum Officium impediret. Nuda autem & moderata habitio per virgam gestam in manibus potest intelligi. Vnde sicut oner atus multiplici vestimento est saepè per hoc indispositus ad iter: sic (Episcopus & Sacerdos) oneratus temporalibus est saepè indispositus ad prod…ssendum Ecclesiae: E… … 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 nor Bishops can dispence therewith, much lesse Dec…ee against it.

9ly. For the objected Text of Eccles. 9. 8. Let thy Carments be alwaies white: if taken only in a**See here, p. 7…. 7d. 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 p. 95Lay-men and Clergy men, not confined to Bishops, Priests, Deacons, and Ecclesiastical person alone, to whom white Rochets and Surplisses are appropriated. 2ly. It is universal in respect of time and place too, 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 Parochiall Church or Chapel, at Common-prayers or Sacraments; to which times and places alone the wearing of Rochets, Surplisses is principally confind 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. 6. 26. Here p. 114.feasting & joyful Conversations 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 Uanity, &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. Therfore to apply it only to Divine service, Sacraments, and appropriate it to Bishops and Clergy-men, their Rochets and Surplisses, is a most grosse abuse, and perversion of this Text, and thexxSee Bochel…us, Decret. Ecccles. Gal. l. 6. Tit. 13, 14. Claudius Espensaeus in Tit. 2. & de continentia, lib. John Bales Acts of English Vo…aries, Bishop Halls Honour of the ma…ried 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 therunto. 4. The words are in the Plural Number, Let thy Garments be alwayes white; Therefore Bishops, Priests, Deacons should alwaies 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 Coats, Gowns, Cassocks, Dublets, Hose at any time, and their Rochets, Surplisses only in the Church, as their**See Bo…helus l. 6. Tit. 17. Councills and Canons prescribe, p. 96point-blank against this Text, under severe penalties. 4ly. The Roman Missals, Pontificals, and Gulielmus Durantus 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 V…stments, (not white Rochets or Surplisses) all the Passion weeke 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; upou sundry other Lords dayes and Feastes they prescribe Bishop and Priests to weare Red, on other dayes 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**Quatu… sunt principales colores quibus secundum propr etates dierum, sacras 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 Textes 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 Ecclesiasticis utitur indumentis. Now this objected Text, Let thy Garments be alwayes White, routs all these Romish Regiments of Blacke-coates, Red-coates, Greene-coates, Blewecoates, Yellow-coates, Scarlet-coates, Silken-coates, Rose-coats, at once, and White-coates 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 Vestmentt and forecited Robes, to which they are so much devoted.

p. 97The Third Scripture Argument for the necessary use of white Rochets, Surplices in Divine Service and Sacraments administration, is from Dan. 7. 9. I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit; WHOSE GARMENT WAS WHITE AS SNOW, and the hair of his head like pure wool, &c. compared with Matth. 17. 2. Mark. 9. 3. Luke 9. 3. Iesus taketh Peter, James and John and bringeth them unto a high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them, and his face did shine as the sun, and his garment was WHITE as the light: (So Matthew) And his raiment 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 Surplices in time of Divine Service and Sacraments in all Churches, Chappels, is but a ridiculous Non sequitur.

For First, That Text in Daniel relates onelyonly to Christ sitting on the Throne as a Iudge, at the end of the world, not officiating as a Priest in the Church: Ergo, all Judges must wear white Robes, Surplices when they fit on judgement, is a better inference thence, then that Bishops, Priests, Deacons must wear them when they minister 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 Surplices, when they celebrate Divine Service or Sacraments. Thirdly, Our**See here, p. 10, 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 only 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 only during his 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 Surplices p. 98when they read Common Prayer, or administer Sacraments in Churches; And they might, like Christ, forbear such white garments, till by miracle 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 ea…th; nor did yet when he was thus transfigured in the mount, nor did Peter, Iames or Iohn, who were present at, and witnesses to his transfiguration, nor any other of his Apostles, we read of, wear any white Rochets, Surplices, or linnen vestments when they preached or celebrated the Lords Supper, or Baptism in imitation of our Saviours white thining 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 gross delusions, which all judicious sober Christians must either abominate or deride.

The fourth plea insisted on for Bishops Rochets, and Priests white Surplices 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 Sepulch… and sate vponupon it: His countenance was like lightning, and his raim…nt WHITE as snow. And his Disciples saw a young ma… (to wit this Angel in a young mans shape) sitting on the right hand of Christs sepulchre, clothed in a long WHITE garment: who said unto them, be not afraid, for ye seek Iesus of Nazareth which was crucified: he is risen, he is not here: Ergo, Bishops, Priests, Deacons must wear white Rochets or Surplices in Divine Administrations.

p. 99I answer, First, That the person thus clad in a long white garment, was an Angel of the Lord descending from Heaven, not a Bishop, Preist Deacon or Minister. Secondly, His long white garment was no Rochet nor Surplice. Thirdly, He wore it not at all in any Temple, Church or Synagogue, but onelyonly 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, oradminister the Lords Supper. Sixthly, The Disciples who saw him thus clad never imitated his white garment whiles they lived, muchless should Bishops and Priests (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. 0. where two Angels in the shape of men stood by the Disciples in WHITE apparel, whiles they beheld 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 Surplices, 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 Surplices in time of Mass 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 Church, 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 nude…led, must wear Rochets and Surplices, not temporizing Bishops or Priests. 3. They are promised, hereafter to walk p. 100in white with Christ in heaven, and that by way of reward, witness ver. 5. He that overcometh the SAME SHALL BE CLOATHED IN WHITE RAIMENT, and I will not blot his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father and his Angels; not commanded to say Mass, 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 Surplices, as the abusers of this Text pretend and must acknowledge.

6. The sixth text produced for Surplices 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 RAIMENT, and they had on their heads crowns of gold. Ergo, Bishops must wear white Rochets, Miters of gold, and Priests white Surplices.

The sequel is denied. 1. Because there is no Bishop but onelyonly Elders mentioned in the Text. 2. These Elders are but twenty four, and they only had white raiment. 3. They sate in heaven upon thrones in their white robes, not in any Church or Cathed…al 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, Surplices, 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 Prelats, and Clergies punctual imitation, they must all …it upon thrones with golden crowns on their heads, like Kings, as well as with white Rochets, Surplices 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.

p. 1027. The seventh president insisted on is, Rev. 6. 9, 10, 11. Where St. Iohn saw under the Altar, the souls of them that 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 fi…e 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 Surplices, 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 Surplices 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 lawn or linen 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 Surplices 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 cried with a loud voyce, 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 p. 102WHICH ARE ARRAIED IN WHITE ROBES? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest: 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 Angels 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 always 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 seriousness, but little candor and sobriety?

Especially if they well consider, 1. That those arraied 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 Surplices, it is only this, That all sanctified, regenerate Christians, Saints, of what nations, kindred, people and tongues soever, ought to wear white Rochets and Surplices.

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 p. 103off, having no other vestments besides, vers. 15, 16, 17. Therefore if this Text be pressed home, in relation to Bishops, Priests, Ministers, they ought always to wear their Rochets and Surplices day and night, but no vestment else, and never to put them off; and always 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 always to have palms in their hands, as well as long white robes and Rotchets 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 holiness 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.

5. The seven Angels coming 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 honor to them to be thus arrayed since they onelyonly carried the plagues, and poured out the vials 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 always 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 p. 103Jesus Christ (the Word of God) should do the like, rather then that they should onelyonly say Mass, read Common-prayers, Preach, administer the Sacraments in fine white linnen Garments, Rochets, Surplesses, in their Cathedral and Parish 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 Clergymens Surplices; which though alledged with very great gravity and seriousness, by those 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 cast off their outward wearing garments, and ordinary wearing cloathes, as impediments thereunto, that yet Popes, Bishops, Deacons, Ministers, when they are to officiate and labour in the work of their Ministery, should put on far more garments on their backs, then 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 PVT ON TWO COATS 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, do usually strip themselves to their very shirts or Wastecoats, that they p. 105may more vigorously pursue their work, callings and recreations. And why Bishops, Priests, Deans, Prebends, Archdeacons, Ministers, Deacons, should not do the like when they are to discharge the work of their Ministery; but on the contrary, load themselves with Cassocks, Gowns, Copes, Surplices, Rochets; Girdles, Planets, Palls, Chymeres, Pectoral Crosses, Hoods, Caps, Miters, Crosiers, or three or four more Vestments then they had on before, seems a riddle unto all who seriously consider it; of which no other true, solid reason can be rendred, but that they intend to loiter, or do their work coldly, negligently, or by halves, rather then vigorously, zealously to pursue it. This experience it self sufficiently manifests to be the genuine reason; for ever since Popes, Archbishops, Bishops, Deans, Chapters, and other Clergymen (contrary to the Apostles, primitive Bishops, and Ministers practice) have loaded themselves with Cassocks, Gowns, Copes, Palls, Rochets, Miters, Surplices, Hoods, and other superfluous vestments, they have been very negligent and remiss 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 well as Curae) stupent, leves loquunt…. Yea, Popes, Patriarchs, Archbishops, Bishops, Deans, Prebends, who have greater Honors, Revenues, and more variety of vestments on their backs then other Ministers, usually have been, & still are, less frequent, diligent, zealous, fervent, and more cold, frozen, slothful, in preaching, praying, and the work of the Ministery, then the inferior Clergy, and poorest Curates; it being a general observation, that poor Countrey Curates, Lecturers, Ministers, who have small pentions, benefices, and scarce money in their purses to buy a Cassock, Gown, Hood, Surplice, or Canonical Coat, do Preach, Fast, Pray, read Divine Service, baptize, administer the Lords Supper, Catechise, visit the sick more frequently in one year, then Popes, Archbishops, Bishops, Deans, Canons, and other p. 106other rich Pluralists in ten or twenty years space.

It is a common observation, That the forehorse in the Team, which carries all the Plumes, Bells, Trappings, usually draws and works the …east; that Sumpter Horses, which carry Kings, Nobles, Judges, Prelates, Commanders Robes, vestments, when they travel, are more slow in their pace then Hackny horses, which bear no such lumber; that Officers and Souldiers who are most loaden with multiplicity of offensive and defensive Arms, are slowest of all others in their march, and like David in Sauls heavy armor: 1 Sam. 17, 38, 39, 40. yea, most unweldy unserviceable when they come to fight; that the little Creepers, not the great Brass shining Andirons, bear up 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 pontificals, Priests vestments they wear,1 C…r 15. 58. Ro… 12. 1….Rom 12:1 the less spiritual work and service they perform; yea, so sloathful are they (for the most part) in the work of the Lord, wherein they should always abound; that instead of sweating in the Lords Harvest, they put on double or treble 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 honest labour. God preserve his Church from such cold and frozen,Mat 9. 37, 38, and 10. 2.Matt 9:37Matt 9:38Matt 10:2 unzealous, lazy workmen, and send forth more painful laborers (not so muffled up in variety of vestments) into his Vineyard and Ha…vest, Nothing more (that either I know or have read) can be objected for these surpl… and superfluous Church Vestments, but their pretended Antiquity usage in the Church.

To which I answer, 1. That they were neither known to,Da… 7. 9, 22 nor used, nor prescribed by Christ himself, the ancient of days, nor his by 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 decried, rejected as p. 107Innovations, then approved for their pretended,See. Thomas Beacons Reliques of Rome… not true Antiquity, as well as other old popish reliques.

2. For their pretended Decency, I have not only read many learned, discreet, consciencious, sober Schollars Treatises, censuring them as undecent as well as superfluous; but heard some Ladies, Women, yea children, deride them as mear antick disguises.

3. If Tertullians Booke de Palli…, on 2 Tim. 4. 1…. may be umpire, a cloak will be more ancient, decent for a Minister, Bishop, Christian, then a Rochet or Surpless.

4. Antiquity is no plea at all in point of Vestments,P…l 102, 2… See Arelins, Prohl. locus 12…. de vestimentis. whose form, Fashions, are always various and mutable with times and places; whence the Holy Ghost himself useth this expression in sacred Writ, As a Vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed, but thou art the same. **Gul. Stuckins Antiq con. l 2. c. 26. 27.That English man or woman who should now take up or retain the garments and fashions used in the Britans, Saxons, Danes, Normans times; or but in the Reigns of King Edward the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, Henry the eighth, Queen Elizabeth, or King Iames, would be reputed a Cynick, Fantastick, or Fanatick (especially at Court) and the very boys in the streets would shout at them. Why then should not Bishops and Ministers Rochets, Surpl…ces, 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, Governors, 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 hath been formerly so many frequent and fierce 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 man hood to age, so to old age, from health to sickness; and shall Bishops or Priests vestments onelyonly p. 108be immutable? though originally grounded on Popes Decrees; instituted by them to adorn their exploded Sacrifice of the Mass, and Altar-services, and founded upon strange perversions of sacred Scriptures, or most absurd, ridiculous, monkish, fanatick Reasons, mystical significations, crotchets, 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 Vestments:**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, Surplice, Hood, &c.) commendeth 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 left 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 less wear or impose all or any of these Church vestments) whiles 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,**… aelius …hodig Antiq. …ect. l. 5. &. 12. G…atian. Dist. 40. Cucullus non facit Monachum, non item Isiacos linostola; aut sacerdotes amictus linei: Non Cathedra sacerdotem facit, sed Cathedram sacerdis; nec locus seu vestis sanctificat hominem, sed locum & vestem homo. Upon which considerations, the**Surius caucil tom 4. p. 513, 514. fourth Council of Carthage, Can. 15. & 45. decreed, Vt Episcopus vilem supellectilem, & mensam ac victum pauperem habeat, & dignitatis suae authoritatem, FIDEI & VITAE MERITIS QVAERAT, NEC VESTIBVS NEC CALCEAMENTIS p. 109DECOREM QVAERAT, (which is since inserted by Gratian into the body of the Popes Canon Law, though he truly addes in his gloss, 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, Friers, and little children use to do; nor yet to place the least holiness, piety, necessity, or indispensible expediency in the use or wearing of Episcopal and Sacerdotal Vestments, in celebration of Di…ine-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 & 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 sin, and put on all those spiritual Garments, Armour, Graces, which the Gospel it self in directs terms enjoyns them to put on, & that under pain of eternal damnation, in these ensuing texts (wh…ewith I shall conclude) about which there wil…, … can be no disputes, Rom. 13. 12, 13, 14. Let us theref…e cast off the works of darkness, and put on the Arm… light: Let us walk honestly, as in the day, not in … and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not … strife and envying; but PVT YE ON THE LO… IESVS CHRIST, and make no provision for the …, to fulfil the lusts thereof, Ephes. 4 22, 23, 24. That …e put off concerning the former conversation, the old man, p. 110which is corrupt, according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mindes; and that ye put ON THE NEW Man, which after God is created in righteousness, and true holiness. Ephes. 6. 11, &c. PVT ON THE WHOLE ARMOVR 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 righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shalll be able to quench all the fiery darts of the Devtl: And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God: Praying always, WITH ALL PRAYER AND SVPPLICATION (not with common or Canon prayer alone, to which too many now consine themselves and others) watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all Saints. Col. 13. 12, 13, 14, 15. PVT ON therefore (as the Elect of God holy and beloved) bowels of mercy, kindeness, humbleness of minde, meekness, 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, PVT ON CHARITY, which is the bond of perfectness, and let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye called in one body, and be ye thankeful: Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one anothee in Psalms and Hymns, and Spiricual 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 Iesus, 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, illegal, dadgerous Oathes of Canonical obedience p. 111from Ministers to Bishops,2 Cor. 6. 16. Surius coucil. tom. …. p. 279. 8. Laur. Boch…llus Deneta. Eccl. Gal l. 3. tit. 2 c. 85 p. 4022 Cor 6:16 not warranted by Law or Gospel, thus censured, inhibited, by the whole second Council of Cavailon, under Charls the Great, about the year 112 … cap. 12. Dictum est de qui ejusdam fratubus, quod eos, quos ordinaturi sunt IVRARE COGANT, quod digni sint, & CONTRA CANONES NON SINT FACTVRI, ET OBEDIENCES SINT EPISCOPO, QVI EOS ORDINAT, & Ecclesiae, in qu… ordinantur: QVOD IVRAMENTVM, QVIA PERICVLOSVM, O MNES VNA INHIBENDVM STATVIMVS; which are now vigorously enforced, against his Majesties Declaration, the Petition of Right, 3 Caroli, to support these superfluous Vestments and Ceremonies, will throughly reconcile all disputing parties; put a period to all future controversies concerning thepremises, and make us all the Temples of the living God; who will then say, I will dwell in them, (walk in them) and I 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, 22.

Prove all things, hold fast that which is good, abstain from all appearance of evil.

FINIS.

ERRATA.

PR…y correct these Errors and Omissions at the Press in some Copies, p. 1. l. 15. read Episcopal. p, 4. l 35. …or this, r. their, p. 8. l. 15. shall be repeated glory, &c. l. 30. dele nor annexed, p. 13. l. 14. r. Holy Ghost, l. 20. r. to the, p. 17. l. 20. fo: thee, r. thus, l. 34. r. censures, p. 20. l. 5. for …, r. is, p. 21. l. 18. r. ordain, p. 28. l. 38. for unanswerable, r unwarrantable, p. 31. l. 29. for 1. r. 5. p. 38. for Ponter, r… Pont. p. 15. for nor… yet, r. but onelyonly, l., 1. r. stile, l. 3…. r. August. p. 40. l. 1…. r. Praxis, l 1. r. munda, p. 42. l. 5. r, a nos, p. 49. l. 6. r. collo. p. 53 l. 15. r. ea, l. 26. r. Ecclesia, l. 33. r… monachales, p. 54. l., 8, for 98. r. 38. p.… 56. l. 8. …cancelli, l. 14. 1. and that, p. 59. l. 31. for 23. r. 33. p. 68. l. 12. dele on, p. 71. l. 4. …. revelanda, p. 79. l. 24. quo r. quod.

In the Margin, p. 2. l. 17. E. 3. r. E. 6. p. 3. l. 20. ad de Centur. Magd. …. …0. 13. cap. 6. p. 55. l. 8. r. 1940.