Synopsis papismi, that is, A generall viewe of papistry wherein the whole mysterie of iniquitie, and summe of antichristian doctrine is set downe, which is maintained this day by the Synagogue of Rome, against the Church of Christ, together with an antithesis of the true Christian faith, and an antidotum or counterpoyson out of the Scriptures, against the whore of Babylons filthy cuppe of abominations: deuided into three bookes or centuries, that is, so many hundreds of popish heresies and errors. Collected by Andrew Willet Bachelor of Diuinity.

THE FOVRTH PART OF THE DEDICA∣tion of Churches.

The Papists.

[error 53] THe superstitious dedication of their Churches, with the Annuall memories thereof, they would warrant by the example of our Sauiour Christ, who was present at the feast of the dedication, which was instituted by Iudas Maccha∣beus, Iohn 10.22. and by his presence allowed it, Rhemist in eum locuum.

The Protestants.

Ans. FIrst, a thanksgiuing to God for the restitution of the temple after the hor∣rible prophanation thereof; is a thing approued by Gods lawe, but it is not necessarie to keepe a yeerely memorie thereof: for neither was there any such instituted by Ezechiah, after the prophanation of the temple by Achaz and Vrias, nor by Iosias, after the same had been most horribly polluted by Ma∣nasses and Amon, nor by Zorobabel, Esdras or Nehemiah, after it was reedified, when it had been vtterly destroyed by the Chaldees Fulk. ibid.

Secondly, your popish hallowing of Churches hath nothing like vnto it, but the name: for they vse a number of foolish ceremonies, & many of them grosse superstitions, in the dedication of their Churches.

First, there are twelue Crosses painted round about in the Church, & twelue burning Lamps set ouer against euery one of them, one against one: hereby (say they) the twelue Apostles are signified, that by the preaching of the Crosse gaue light to the whole world. Secondly, they vse oyle in anoynting their Altar, and other vessels, shewing hereby that they are consecrate to holy vses. Thirdly,

they sprinkle water, burne incense, set vp Taper light: this sheweth (sayth the Iesuite) that the place is consecrate to prayer, and other holy actions. Fourth∣ly, they sprinkle ashes round about the Church, and write in the floore the Greeke and Latine Alphabet from one side of the Church to the other. This be∣tokeneth (say they) the preaching of faith, which is the foundation and ground of all righteousnesse, which was first taught in the Greeke and Latine tongue. Fiftly, they beate vpon the Church doore, and call vpon Saints and Angels: that is, (say they) to command Sathan to depart, Bellarm. cap. 5.

First, they offend in the number of their foolish ceremonies, exceeding here∣in the manner of the Iewish dedication: so that vnto them it may bee sayd, as Paul to the Galathians; How turne you againe to impotent and beggerly ru∣diments? 4.9.

Secondly, they haue no warrant for their friuolous shadowes and significa∣tions: Coloss. 2.17. which are but shadowes of things to come, but the bodie is in Christ: we haue the bodie, what need any more shadowes? Christ wil not now be worshipped with Crosses, ashes, characters, candle light, & such apish toyes.

Thirdly, some of these ceremonies are impious, and sacrilegious: the inuoca∣tion of Angels and Saints, is a robbing of God of his honour, who onely is to be prayed vnto.

Augustine sayth of such inuentors of newe rites and ceremonies, Ipsam reli∣gionem, quam deus paucissimis sacramentis liberam esse voluit, oneribus premunt: They cumber religion with burdensome ceremonies, which the Lord hath made free with a fewe sacraments.

Notes

• Epistol. 119