The Anatomy of popery, or, A catalogue of popish errours in doctrine, and corruptions in worship together with the agreement between paganism, pharisaism, and popery.

Their Errours concerning Oaths, and Vows.

1. THey teach men to swear by the Creatures: yea, they are bold to say, that it is not only lawful to swear by Creatures, but sometimes more convenient than to swear immediately by God him∣self.

2. They say, that it is lawful to swear by the name of Saints, be∣cause all is referred to the honour of God.

3. They deny Oaths to be fit for the perfect.

4. They defend Vows that are made unto the Saints.

5. They say, that the Pope can absolve from the Bond of Vows and Oaths.

6. Oaths among the Papists are taken by touching the Saints Re∣liques, that so the Obligation of the

Oath may be divided betwixt God and the Saints.

7. Upon the Question touching the necessity of keeping an Oath, and whether the Pope can dispense with an Oath made to God, you have divers and contrary Councils, where the Pope did preside; which conclude contrary things, and con∣demn and reverse the decisions one of another. And the worst opinion prevailed at last: for yet at this day the Pope dispenseth from Oaths, that is; he takes upon him the pow∣er of declaring that a man is not bound to be faithful to God.

8. They hold, that the proper Vows of Christians are voluntary, not of such things which Christians are bound to do in duty, but of such as they may leave undone, if they will, such as are their Po∣pish Vows of Continency, and vo∣luntary (or rather wilful) Pover∣ty.

9. All voluntary Vows (say they) made by Christians, though not com∣manded by God, as not to eat Flesh, not to drink Strong Drink, or to

live unmarried, do concern the Wor∣ship of God, and thereby men are made more acceptable unto him.

10. There are three kinds of Vows which belong unto Monke∣ry, the Vow of voluntary Poverty: the Vow of Obedience unto the Mo∣nastical Governours: the Vow of Continency.

11. They say, it is an acceptable Service to God, for a man to give all he hath to the poor, and by Vow to consecrate and addict him∣self to voluntary poverty. They that do enter into the Monkish Profession, do Vow in all things to become obedient to their Gover∣nour, and to follow his Rules and Injunctions: as the Franciscans fol∣low Saint Francis's Rule, who in∣stead of a Girdle put a Cord about him, went bare-foot, in Winter-season covered his Flesh with Ice and Snow. The Vow of Continency (say they) is commendable and me∣ritorious in all that do take it upon them: and after the Vow made they are sure to receive that high Gift of Continence, if they duely labour

for it: Rhem. Annotat. 1 Cor. 7.7. But (say they) whosoever marrieth after the Vow made sinneth dam∣nably, and turneth back after Satan.

12. They assert, that those that are come to the years of Discretion, may at any age take upon them the Vow of Monkery: that Children may enter into Profession of Monke∣ry without their Parents consent, as the Men of fourteen years old, at the least, the Women of twelve.

13. That two married persons (the Man and the Wife) may sepa∣rate themselves, and vow and pro∣mise single life for ever, so long as they both shall live.

14. Their opinion is, that if the Marriage be contracted only, but not yet consummate by the parties coming together, it is lawful for either of them without the others consent to vow Chastity.

15. They allow of great variety of Vows, which have various Rules of Life, invented by men beside the holy Scripture: And as if there were greater perfection in those Rules, than in the Doctrine of the Gospel,

and a more compendious way to Perfection and Salvation.

16. They teach by the observati∣on of them eternal Life, and a more excellent degree of glory is obtained.

17. To any one that is buried in a Monks Cowl, especially that of St. Francis, they promise Remission of sin in part.