The history of all religions in the world, from the creation down to this present time in two parts : the first containing their theory, and the other relating to their practices ... : to which is added, a table of heresies : as also a geographical map, shewing in what countrey each religion is practised ... / by William Turner ...

2. Calvinists.

1. Their Doctrines and Discipline.

They hold absolute Praedestination; Ordinati∣nation by Priests; appoint Synods at stated times and places; are for the assistance of Lay-elders in the use of the Ministry; condemn Diocesan Epi∣scopacy, and all significant Ceremonies, Lent, days of Saints, the Cross in Baptism, together with all unnecessary impositions; the use of Godfathers and Godmothers in Baptism, and the Government of Bishops, without the Assistance of Presbyters, Mr. Ric. Baxter.

2. Their Worship and Usages.

1. In the Canton of Zurick;

1. Their Morning Service.

1. In the morning on Sundays, they begin with Grace, Peace, and Mercy from Almighty God, be at all times with us miserable sinners. Amen. And then in a certain Form, Pray for the Magi∣strates,

Burger-master, Persecuted Churches, sick and afflicted and distracted Persons (about which the Minister is allowed to enlarge his Prayers) con∣cluding always with the Lords Prayer.

2. The Minister kneels down, having laid his Book on the Pulpit, Prays in silence for himself, as the People also do.

3. He delivers his Sermon by Heart, as they are all enjoyned to do.

4. In case of Wedding he publishes the Banns thus, These following (Honest) persons, &c. but in case of scandalous unchastness, the word [Honest] is left out.

5. If any be Dead that week, the Minister names them, praiseth God for their deliverance out of this Thraldom into everlasting Joy, advising them to be watchful, &c.

6. Next follows a short general confession of sins, I poor sinful wretch, &c. and after that, a Prayer for the Sabbath, all Kings and Estates of Christendom, the Cantons of Switzerland, &c. con∣cluded with the Lord's Prayer.

7. The Minister turning towards the Peo∣ple, saith, For God's sake remember always the Poor, in your Alms; Pray constantly one for another; Pray to God for me; which I also will do for you; (tho this only the Lord Antistes is used to say,) and after the Administration of Holy Baptism, and the Christian Hymn is finished, to the praise of God, de∣part in peace: And the grace of God be with you.

8. After this, the Minister goes down from the Pulpit to the Font, to Christen the Children, if there be any to be Baptized.

9. Then the chief Chanter, with his Scholars, begins a Psalm (taking the Book of Psalms in order before them throughout in the year) the whole Congregation of men, Women and Children following, with distinct Voices, and a most Melodious Harmony.

N. B. Young Ladies and Gentlewomen learn of their Minister to sing and play on Virginals, but are forbidden Dancing.

2. Their latter Morning-Service begins

At Nine a Clock, with a short Form, much what as in the former Morning-Service, and then Ser∣mon; and last of all, with a short Confession of Sin, and Prayer for God's Mercy, and the Lord's Prayer, and another pretty long Form of Prayer, he concludes, adding, Pray continually, &c. depart in peace.

On Sunday-Mornings they always preach on one of the Four Evangelists; their Sermons are an hour long, or near it: Heathen Authors seldom men∣tioned, and the Primitive Fathers but sparingly: The Text expounded out of the Hebrew or Greek Originals: meer Morality preach'd, is sharply cen∣sured by the Chapter, or Synod.

3. Their Noon-Service.

1. The Minister useth the same Form of Prayer, as he used before the Sermon in the Morning, con∣cluding with the Lord's Prayer, &c.

2. He rehearses the Ten Commandments, and the Apostles Creed, concluding them with a Collect.

3. Then either continuing in the Pulpit, or go∣ing from Pew to Pew, according to his discretion; over against the Font, (which is placed near the Quire) he examines the Children and Youths, e∣ven 'till they are capable of the Lord's Supper, or 'till Marriage in some places, out of the Tigurine-Catechism; or takes an account of several Lessons out of Holy Scripture, which he had assign'd them before.

4. Then out of the Pulpit he makes a Para∣phrase, or Explication of the Questions he ask'd.

5. At last, he concludes with a Prayer, — O merciful God, — who preparest Praises to thy self, out of the mouths of Babes and Sucklings, &c. Concluding with the Lord's Prayer.

At this Service the Parents are bound to be pre∣sent, under pain of Censure and Rebuke of the Mi∣nister, or Consistory.

4. Their Evening-Service, (for they have Ser∣vice four times a day) consists,

• 1. Of a Form before the Sermon, for them∣selves, for the Catholick Church, &c.
• 2. A silent Prayer, as in the Morning.
• 3. A Sermon.
• 4. A Form, consisting of a Collect, the Lord's Prayer, and another longer Form, with Pray con∣stantly, &c. and depart in peace; as before.

Besides these Services, which are all for Sundays, they have also Forms of Prayer for every Day of the Week, Morning and Evening, and Sermons every Day. On Saturdays, in the Evening, as well as Sundays, at Noon, they examine the Ca∣techism, and have a peculiar Form of Prayer for that purpose; so likewise for the Fasts and Festi∣vals appointed; as the Day after our Saviour's Na∣tivity, New-year-day, Easter-Monday, Ascension-day, Pentecost, the Day of Church-Dedication; and extraordinary occasions, as War, Victory, Plague, Murrain, &c.

Their Baptism is thus;

1. The Minister begins with saying, In the name of God, Amen. If ye (the God-fathers and God-mothers) desire that this Child be baptized in the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ, say, Yea.

2. Then after an Exhortation, he proceeds to pray for a Blessing upon the Child, in a pretty long Form,

3. He reads the Gospel, Mark 10. concluding thus: Praise be unto God, he forgives us all our sins through his Son. Amen.

4. After a short Speech to the Sureties, he re∣hearseth the Creed, and calls upon the Sureties to pray for such a Faith for that Child, saying, Our Father, which art in Heaven, &c.

5. He asks the Sureties, If they will, accord∣ing to their utmost power, and as necessity may require, be instrumental to, and assist in the Edu∣cation of the Child, &c. The Sureties answering, Yea.

6. The Sureties name the Child; the God-mother holding the Child over the Font, whilest the Minister pours three handfuls of Water upon his Fore-head, saying, N. N. I baptize thee in the Name of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.

7. The Minister blesses the Child in these words; God grant unto thee, that as thou art now besprink∣led with clean Water, thou mayest likewise appear before God in the last day, with a pure and undefiled Conscience, and so to be eternally saved.

N. B. Baptism is never administred privately, but at time of Publick-Service, the first opportu∣nity after the Birth.

The God-father, in the Church, presents a piece of Gold or Silver to the Nurse, and if a Female-Child, to the God-mother also; if a Male, the God-mother to the God-father.

Every year they send New-years-gifts to their God-children; which some continue to do, 'till they are of Age for the Lord's Supper; and some 'till Marriage.

On their Birth-day, yearly, they use to feast their God-children, and give them grave advice.

None are to be Christen'd without Sureties.

Their Administration of the Lord's Supper, thus;

1. The Minister useth a grave Exhortation con∣cerning the intention of the Sacrament.

2. The People confess their Sins, and pray for pardon; as after the Sermon.

3. The Antistes behind the Table, with an Arch-Deacon on either hand (if there be so many) saith with a loud Voice, In the name of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

Arch-Deacon answering, Amen.

Antistes. Let us pray: O Almighty, &c.

Arch-Deacon. That which is now read is contain∣ed in 1 Cor. 11.20, 21, &c.

Antistes. Praise be unto God.

Arch-Deacon, on the right hand, And Peace on Earth.

Antistes. Good-will towards Men.

First Arch-Deacon. We praise thee, we magnifie thee.

Second Arch-Deacon. We worship thee, we honour thee.

Antistes. We render thanks for thy great ho∣nour and benefits, O Lord God, Heavenly King, Father Almighty.

First Arch-Deacon. O Lord, thou only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and thou, O Holy Ghost.

Second Arch-Deacon. O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, thou that takest away the Sins of the World, &c. — and so on with an alter∣nate voice to the end of that Hymn.

4. The First Arch-Deacon reads part of the sixth Chapter of S. John's Gospel. Thus speaketh the Lord Jesus; Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believes in me, hath everlasting life. I am the bread of life, &c. Concluding with — Praises and thanks be unto God; He forgives us all our sins, accord∣ing to his holy word. Amen; (which is said by the Antistes.)

5. The Antistes, and the Arch-Deacons, alter∣nately rehearse the Creed, as they did the Hymn before.

6. Then follows an Exhortation to the Exami∣ning themselves, ending thus; Wherefore kneel down, and pray.

7. Then the Ministers kneeling about the Lord's Table, (and the People either standing, or kneel∣ing,) say the Lord's Prayer.

8. The First Arch-Deacon saith, Lift up your hearts unto God, and say with Devotion; O Lord, Almighty God, &c.

9. The Antistes afterwards saith, Hear now with Devotion and Faith, how Christ Jesus did celebrate his holy Supper, &c. Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed, took Bread, &c.

Here the Antistes takes the Bread, breaks it, eats a Morsel, and gives the rest to the first Arch-Deacon, who reaches the same to the other Mini∣sters about the Table.

Afterwards, when he comes to those Words, [He took also the Cup] he takes a Cup, and ha∣ving drank of it, gives to the first Arch-Deacon, as he did the Bread, and he to the Ministers, and they to the People: a Reader, from the Pulpit, in the interim, reading the Lord's Speech concern∣ing the Supper, beginning at S. John 13.1.

10. Then the Antistes, and Arch-Deacons, al∣ternately say;

Antistes. Rise up, and let us render Praise and Thanks unto the Lord.

First Arch-Deacon. I will praise thee, O my God, &c. This Hymn consists of 14, or 15 Re∣sponses.

11. They read alternately the 113 Psalm, which was wont to be read at the Passeover.

12. Lastly, follows an Exhortation, with a Con∣solation and Benediction, and a short Collect, con∣cluding thus;

For God's sake, remember the Poor, always in your Alms; pray constantly one for another. And after the Christian Hymn be ended, (which con∣cludes the Solemnity,) Depart in peace, and the Grace of God be with you.

• Note, 1. Their Bread is unleavened, made in a broad square Cake, thin almost as Paper, white as Snow, by the chief Sexton only of their great Min∣ster Church.
• 2. They use wooden Cups in Imitation of the Primitive Simplicity.
• 3. They receive in their Seats (the common People) sitting or standing.

Their Discipline.

1. The Ministers are obliged to call such, as they know to have committed Notorious Crimes, or to be inflamed with Hatred and Passion (some Weeks before the Administration of the Sacrament) into their Closets, or before the Church-wardens (accor∣ding to their Discretion) to admonish and warn them, and declare to them, that if they do not repent, &c. the Sacrament will prove to them not an Earnest of God's Favour, but of his Just Wrath and their Damnation, &c.

2. Those that will not be reconciled to their Enemies, shall not be admitted to the Sacrament.

3. Yet Excommunication is never formally pra∣ctised in the Church of Zurick; but instead thereof, the Ministers are commanded by the Higher Power, and by the Synod, to rebuke and warn notorious Sinners both publickly and privately; and if they continue, after their third Warning, in their Un∣godliness (as Swearing, Drunkenness, &c.) then they are to inform the Governours and Presidents of the respective Counties of that Canton, who issue Warrants for apprehending of them and putting them in Prison; where they are fed with Bread and Water until they become other Men, at least in outward behaviour.

4. But as to Fornicators, Adulterers, Thieves, &c. there needs no such warning of the Ministers; for such, upon Conviction, are apprehended by the Subordinate Magistrate, and punished accor∣dingly.

5. Blasphemers are, without any Mercy, put to Death.

6. No Gentleman (or Lady) of what Quality soever (except a Forreigner) dares communicate in a coloured or modish Apparel, but in a modest black Suit, with a black Cloak, a Bonnet, and a Band: The Women are to use always to Church only Black, without Laces, Gold, Silver, &c.

Their Matrimony.

1. The Minister, after Sermon, and the ordi∣nary Service ended, coming down from the Pulpit, with his Back towards the Quire, and his Face to the People, kneeling on the lowest step, saith, In the Name of God, Amen. This is to let you know, that these two honest Persons N. N. here present, in∣tend, &c. If therefore any Person, &c.

2. After a short silence, and none protesting against the Marriage, he reads the Gospel, Matt. 19. v. 3, &c. adding, Believe these words of God, and consider that God hath joyned you together in the blessed State of Matrimony, &c.

3. With his right hand taking the right hands of the Bridegroom and Bride, he asks, N. Desirest thou for God's sake to take N. for thy Wife in Holy Matrimony? Then say Yea. And in like manner he asks the Bride.

4. He binds their right hands together, saying, This ratifie God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.

5. Then taking off his right hand, he saith, Thou Husband oughtest to maintain, protect and love thy Wife, as Christ loved his Church, &c. And thou Wife, to love, and to obey thy Husband, Head and Master, &c. and afterwards to both to∣gether.

6. Then after an Exhortation of the People to Prayer, bidding them say after him, O Almighty God, who in the beginning of thy handy-works didst create a Man out of the dust of the ground, &c.

Our Father, &c. he Blesses them, and bids them depart in Peace.

Observe. 1. No Minister dares marry any of another Parish, without a License and Approbation of his Pastor.

2. —Nor without consent of the Parents.

3. —Nor without Publication in Church some Sunday morning.

4. If Parents will not give their free consent, both Parents and Persons are to be cited before the Matrimonial Court (consisting of the Antistes, or Arch-deacon, and the prime of the Clergy, &c. sitting at Zurick every week) where, if the reason alledged be Immoralities, the Marriage is stop'd; but if smallness of Portion or Joynture, 'tis declared valid.

5. No Divorce, except in case of Adultery, or one of the Parties turning Papist, and repairing to a Cloister or Monastery.

6. The Bride, during the Solemnization of the Marriage, and some days after, both in the Church and at home, wears a Chaplet or Garland, made of Marjoram, Rosemary, &c. and embroi∣dered with wreathen Gold and Silver Laces, and set in Pearls and Granates, &c. as a Token of her Virginity and Innocency. But if with Child before Marriage, by a strict Law it is forbidden; and the Bridegroom, instead hereof, is fined to pay a con∣siderable Sum of Money into the Matrimonial Court.

Their Funeral Service.

1. The Relations and Friends are invited to come between three and four a Clock afternoon.

2. At that precise time, the Men place them∣selves without the Door of the House, standing on rows against the Walls; the Women in the Mourn∣ing-house, &c.

3. Then the People who are invited come, and joyning their hands to some of the nearest Re∣lations, say, The Lord comfort you in your Affli∣ction; and then turn back and joyn in some row.

4. The Corpse presently after four a clock is carried to the Grave, the People going into Church.

5. Then the Minister in the Pulpit, or at the Font, saith, Dearly Beloved in Jesus Christ whereas the Almighty and Merciful God hath taken out of this Thraldom, and called to his Fatherly Mercy and Glory our dear (Brother, &c.) N. N. and you have been pleased to accompany him to the place of Burial—wherefore the nearest Relations N. N. (naming them) of the Deceased, render you their most humble Thanks, &c.

6. Then he concludes with a pretty long Prayer, wherein he gives Thanks to God, for delivering this their fellow-member out of the Thraldom of this Transitory Life, and having, through Christ, made him partaker of his Everlasting and Heavenly King∣dom, &c. and so ends with a Benediction.

7. Every one makes some silent Prayer by him∣self, and then every one goes to his own home.

• Note, 1. A Son or Daughter Mourns two years for their Parents, in wearing black Apparel and a Bonnet: The Parents one year for a Child.
• 2. Those that are dead-born are buried in pri∣vate, without this Service.
• 3. Feloes de se, by the Hang-man in a place appointed for Malefactors. Mr. Werndly's Liturgia Tigurina.

2. In France.

1. Their Doctrine is contained in the 40 Articles of their Confession of Faith, and agrees with that of the Church of England.

2. Their Government was Presbyterian; and tho they humbly confessed that Form, not the same which was instituted by Christ and his A∣postles; yet they conceive it not altogether con∣trary to the intention of Christ; their circum∣stances not permitting them to have that which is truly Divine and Apostolical. They are not against Episcopal Government.

3. They have a Liturgy; Baptism and the Lord's Supper, and also Marriage, are celebrated with a set Form.

4. They have a large Catechism, of which they give an Exposition on Sundays in the afternoon.

5. Their way of Worship is thus, for the Morn∣ing.

• 1. The Reader reads some Chapters.
• 2. —Calls for some Psalms to be sung.
• 3. He reads the 10 Commandments.
• 4. The Minister in the Pulpit reads out of the Common-prayer-book one sentence of Scrip∣ture, with a short Exhortation to the People.
• 5. Then follows a Confession.
• 6. Then the Minister calls for a Psalm.
• 7. Afterwards a short Prayer in a Form left to his own liberty, which is always the same, ex∣cept on extraordinary occasions.
• 8. A Sermon.
• 9. The Minister Prays again out of the Book, for about a quarter of an Hour, viz. for forgiveness of sin, for all Princes, especially their own, and the Royal Family, for the Ministers of the Church; and in especial manner, for those that are dispersed under the Tyranny of Antichrist; and lastly, for the present Assembly.
• 10. They conclude their Prayers with the Lord's Prayer.
• 11. Then they Rehearse the Creed, and sing a Psalm, most commonly the 117. and dismiss the People with the Blessing, Numb. 6.24.

The Afternoon Service is the same, except that instead of Reading the Commandments, they Sing them.

6. They receive the Lord's Supper standing; during the Administration, Chapters are Read, and Psalms Sung, till the Holy Ceremony is over; and then, instead of the 117th Psalm, they sing the Song of Simeon, kneeling.

7. Baptism is administred in the Church; and the People strictly forbid to depart till the Solemnity is over. The Father promises to take care of his Child; but the same is required of a Godfather and Godmother.

8. No Marriage is solemnized without an ante∣cedent Publication of the Banns.

9. They say Prayers in their Families, which they conclude with the Lord's Prayer, Creed and Blessing, morning and Evening.

10. They bless their Meat in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

11. They Excommunicate all scandalous and notorious Offenders, and admit them not to the Sacrament, till after a publick Confession, Mr. Jan∣mard Vic. of Arundel in Sussex.

3. In England.

I need not to say, what their Doctrine, Disci∣pline or way of Divine Worship is; the Assem∣blies Catechism giving a sufficient Account of their Doctrine, and the Directory of their Discipline and Worship.

And besides this Book being in the English Tongue, primarily and chiefly for the use of Eng∣lish-men, it will not be hard for any English-man to inform himself by a personal acquaintance and conversation with them.

4. In Scotland.

1. Their Doctrine is mostly agreeable to that of the English, except that they hold the King in∣feriour to the Church, and consequently may be Excommunicated; which, I think, (for I would

slander no party) is peculiar to them, and Fathered upon their Politicks.

2. Their Worship, thus,

• 1. A Psalm, two or three Verses.
• 2. A Prayer.
• 3. A Text and Sermon.
• 4. A short Prayer.
• 5. A Psalm, with Glory to the Father, Son, &c.

5. In New-England.

• 1. For morning.
  • 1. A Prayer.
  • 2. The Sermon.
  • 3. A Psalm.
  • 4. A conclusion, with Prayers for the sick, &c.
• 2. Evening.
  • 1. A Psalm.
  • 2. A short Prayer.
  • 3. The Sermon.
  • 4. A Prayer pretty long.
  • 5. A Psalm again.
  • 6. A conclusion by way of Prayer and Bene∣diction, &c.

They have Sacraments every Month once.