The suruey of popery vvherein the reader may cleerely behold, not onely the originall and daily incrementes of papistrie, with an euident confutation of the same; but also a succinct and profitable enarration of the state of Gods Church from Adam vntill Christs ascension, contained in the first and second part thereof: and throughout the third part poperie is turned vp-side downe.

The 6. diuision. Of the number of Popish prayers at their masse.

* 1.1The superstition vsed in poperie, is to too grosse and ridi∣culous. For either they must haue but one prayer, one secret, and one post-communion, (which three are alway in number equall;) or else the same must be, three, fiue, or seuen; but in no case two. And why I pray you? Because forsooth God is not pleased with an euen number. So writeth their great Mai∣ster of ceremonies in these expresse wordes:* 1.2 Quia vero numero Deus gaudet impari, quidam obseruant vt impares dicant in missa orationes, videlicet, vel vnamitantum, vel tres, vel quinque, vel septem▪ Ʋnam ad designandum fidei vnitatem. Tres, ad significandum mysterium trinitatis, & quia Christus ter in passione orauit dicens: Pater, si fieri potest, transeat à me calix iste. Quinque, ad designandum quinque plagas Christi:

septem, ad designandum spiritum gratiae septi formis, seu septem dona spiritus sancti. Deus enim diuisionem & discordiam dete∣statur. Vnde cùm caeterorum dierum operibus benediceret▪ operi∣bus tamen secundae diei benedixisse non legitur: Eo quod binari∣us numerus primò ab vnitate reeedebat, & ab eo caeteri diuisi∣biles numeri originem sortiuntur, & impar numerus est mundus Because god taketh pleasure in an odde number, some obserue alway to say od praiers at masse: to wit, either one only, or else three, or else fiue, or seuen. One, to signifie the vnitie of faith: three, to signifie y^e mysterie of the Trinitie, & that Christ praied thrise in his passion, saying: Father, if it be possible,* 1.3 let this cup passe from me. Fiue, to signifie the fiue wounds of Christ. Seuen, to signify y^e spirit of seuenfold grace, or the seuen gifts of the holy ghost; for God detesteth diuision & discord. Where∣fore when he blessed the works of the other dayes, we doe not reade that hee blessed the workes of the second day: and that because the number of two departeth first from vnitie; and the other diuisible numbers take their originall of it; and the odde number is pure and cleane.

Out of these words I note first, that where our master Du∣rand [ 1] saith, that some obserue to say odde praiers,* 1.4 wee must not thinke that he would except any: for their Tridentine rubricke appointeth all in generall to obserue that order.

I note secondly, that as their Pighius affirmed the scripture to be like a nose of waxe; so do they all at their pleasures appite [ 2] it to euerie trifle, as if it were a nose of waxe indeede. For I pray thee (gentle Reader) what sottish applications are these here mentioned? nay, how bolde are our papists, to wrest the scriptures as they list? and yet do they neuer cease to impute that to others, which is their owne peculiar fault.

I note thirdly, that God is delighted with od numbers, but not with euen; for so saith master Durand,* 1.5 and he proueth it out [ 3] of their canon law. Whereupon I inferre first, that God is not [ 1] pleased with the ten commandements, which he gaue himself. Secondly, that hee is not pleased with the 12. articles of our [ 2] faith, which the apostles left by tradition as they say. Thirdly, that he was not pleased with the number of the 12. apostles, & perhaps therefore Iudas betrayed him to make the number

odde. Yet, to say so cannot serue the turne because the apostles [ 4] shortly after elected Mathias in his roome.* 1.6 Fourthly, that the words omitted in the works of the second day, do not argue ei∣ther liking in the odde number, or disliking in the euen. For the same words are added, both in the fourth and in the sixt day; & in the end of al, the works of euerie day are ioyntly commended for very good.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Intollerable su∣perstition.
• * 1.2

  Durand. libr. 4. cap. 1••.
• * 1.3

  Fond superstiti∣ous obseruations
• * 1.4

  Rubrica Trid. conc.
• * 1.5

  33. q. 2. c. nupti••••.
• * 1.6

  Act. ••.26.